You’ve always loved the idea of going on a dolphin tour. The idea of the animals jumping in the wake and giving you the opportunity to see wild dolphins out in nature is amazing.
Unfortunately, these cruises can be dangerous for tourists. There are dozens of ways people can get hurt, but some of the most common include:
- Falling overboard
- Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Getting bitten or attacked by a dolphin (if you go in the water or reach out to one)
- Getting electrocuted by dock wiring (or electrical shock drowning, if in the water)
- Whiplash from bouncing or harsh wave conditions
In most cases, people who go on dolphin tours are going to have a great time. They’ll go out on calm waters and see animals from a safe distance. That’s not always the case though.
What should you look for in a good dolphin tour?
When you look into the different tours you can take, one thing to keep in mind is that gut feeling that something isn’t right. If ever you feel that a boat pulling up doesn’t look or seem safe, don’t get on board.
Before you go out on a tour, you should look into the kinds of boats being used. You need to know if it’s a large, medium or small boat. You should know if it’s inflatable or solid, and you should make sure that the boat has an emergency radio on board in case anything goes wrong while you’re on the water.
Another thing to look at is how long the tour will last. It can be hot out on the open water, so make sure you have enough water and food to last through the tour. If the tour will be longer than three hours, ask if there will be food or drinks available on board.
When you head out, make sure you ask the person in charge about safety gear, like life jackets, as well as any safety requirements when you’re around the wild animals. The boat should have safety equipment and emergency equipment on board.
At the end of the day, there are many things that can go wrong on chartered tours, but if you’re careful about the tour you take, check reviews and make sure you’re prepared for a day on the water, you can put yourself in a better situation and make sure you enjoy a safe tour.
