Here at International Dolphin Watch, we are constantly being asked where it is possible to swim with wild dolphins. We produce a booklet called At a Glance Guide which holds the answers. However, for we Europeans, most such encounters involve long-haul flights and significant costs, so when Ruth Corner started organising what appeared to be good value escorted trips to the Red Sea in 2000 to swim with a friendly dolphin Olin , Dr Horace Dobbs (founder and Hon. Director of IDW) and myself , Anthony, former IDW webmaster, decided to investigate.

Horace & Anthony

Nuweiba el Muzeina

Upon arrival on Sunday evening, I heard that the dolphin Olin had spent most of that day off the Hotel beach, and the previous day at the Bedouin village of Nuweiba el Muzeina where the first encounter occurred in 1992. The story of that encounter and the events of subsequent years are outlined here and the full story is told in the book "The Dolphin's Boy" which can be ordered online. Hopefully she would appear the next day also.

Our party comprised 3 families with children from 8 to 12 years old. They were escorted to the Bedouin village where they sat on cushions under primitive shelters, mixed with the villagers and relaxed, awaiting the dolphins. It is not necessary to spend all day everyday waiting here, as Ruth is in constant contact with the head of the village, and is telephoned when the dolphins appear.

When Olin came to the shore, all eagerly donned their snorkels and fins and took to the water.

Chilling whilst waiting for Olin

Anthony and dolphins

Olin was extremely gentle, and seemed to make a point of visiting everyone. She and her baby (Mapsuta) swam gently by my side or a little below me at my pace as though she wanted to be in close contact. When her special Bedouin friend Fala was in the water, she allowed him to bring visitors to her and allowed them to stroke her gently.
The children were overjoyed. Read what two of them had to say about their encounter.

Olin & Mapsuta

The best thing about swimming with Olin and Mapsuta is that they are free. It's wonderful to know that they can go wherever, whenever. Also their personalities are so lovely. olin loves to be tickled on her tummy and rolls over to let you You aren't able to touch the baby because her mother is still protective of her but Mapsuta the baby still frolics and spins around you while you are enjoying her mother. It was a shock seeing Olin for the first time because I didn't realise how big she would be. She was much longer than I am. One of the Bedouins who is called Fala and who is fourteen years old can call Olin right to you. Olin loves to be with Fala and it is good to swim with him because they have a very good relationship.
When you touch Olin she feels very silky and smooth and is very gentle. She always looks as if she is enjoying you swimming with her because she closes her eyes lazily. The baby Mapsuta is so cute! She swims underneath her mother for protection if there are lots of people around, but she really shows off and cartwheels and somersaults around you.
Swimming with Olin and Mapsuta has been one of the best experiences of my trip and I hope to do it again soon.

Chloe Portman aged 11

My experience swimming with a dolphin

I dived into the water and then I saw her with her baby. I was a bit scared at first her baby was swimming around underneath us spinning about and twirling.
Then Fallah (one of the Bedouin boys) took my hand and took me to stroke her. He stroked her face so that I could stroke her body. She felt like an aubergine, she had a spotted tummy, and her eyes were shut. Fallah took me back to my father.

The next time I swam with her, the baby drank milk from her. It has always been my dream to swim with a dolphin but this was better than any dream.

by Richenda Browne aged 10

Plus

Hotel facilities are ideal for a beach/sun holiday. Good buffet breakfast and adequate evening meals. Staff pleasant and wish to satisfy. Standard rooms good with upgrades available at extra cost

Swimming with the dolphins is an unforgettable and unsurpassable experience. Ruth Corner has established contacts with the Bedouin to enhance this experience, and has known the area for many years.

The area offers some of the best diving and snorkelling world-wide with many coral reefs nearby. also 4 X 4 desert adventures and overnights in Bedouin tents etc. Ruth organises such trips.

Minus

Drinks and food etc. quite expensive. (Beer £3 + per pint). Difficult to purchase elsewhere. Service somewhat lacking especially in restaurants. Phoning home costs £6.50 per minute and other phones not readily accessible. Check on mobile roaming costs.

There are only Olin and Mapsuta to swim with and no guarantee they will appear, so if your swim with dolphins is a must-have, you're more likely to succeed in Bimini. Having said that, the week we were there, Olin appeared on two days, and the previous week on three days. When she arrives, she usually stays several hours. Check with Ruth as to current appearance frequency before booking.
Entering the water from the Bedouin village is difficult due to the stony shoreline (not sandy) and virtually impossible for those with walking difficulties without assistance from the Bedouin who are willing helpers. However, wearing divers bootees with flippers over suffices for most people. In winter, a full wetsuit is desirable to stay in the water for a prolonged period. These may be hired from the hotel dive shop, though availability will depend on the numbers of divers present and shouldn't be relied upon. Better to hire at home and take along with you.