Bringing my godchild to meet the dolphins

I first came to WildQuest in 2011 – and I was hooked. I’ve since spent seven weeks in total on Bimini. I still can not describe what emotions come up when the dolphins look at me, and are near me. All this life joy of the spotted dolphins and the beauty of the bottlenose. 

For over 10 years, I promised my godchild, Jesica, that I would bring her to this special place. As she lives in Montana, USA, and I live in Switzerland, we see each other very seldom. Her life is not easy, and I knew she needed the dolphins as much as I do. 

And finally it happened: this summer I came back for my WildQuest week 8 and 9, and I spent two amazing weeks with Jesica in Bimini. I needed this timeout badly. And from the beginning, it was heaven. 

Our trip began when I met Jesica in Fort Lauderdale at the hotel. She came into the room saying: “Gotti, we made it!” She had started on a journey of so many “firsts”. First time flying alone from Montana to Fort Lauderdale, first time ordering a taxi… On Monday, some more: First flight in a small plane, seeing the unbelievable colours of the sea, being on a Caribbean island, being with WildQuest and first time snorkelling. I’d said to just take it easy and snorkel on the first day. But after 10 minutes in the water, I saw her already trying to freedive. She is a talent, and crew members Sarah and Esther taught her well. At the end of the two weeks, she was more underwater than snorkelling, her body moving like a dolphin – enjoying herself, never tired of swimming with the underwater world. There were many more “firsts” for her, and I loved watching her being happy and spending time with her in this “WildQuest-Bubble”. 

For me, it was so healing and soothing to be there. Someone said: “this must be your second home”, when they heard about me being there for so many weeks. And in a way, it felt like coming home, because nothing had really changed. Although most of the team were new to me, the feeling was just the same. 

We were so lucky in our first week. We had sunshine all week, mostly a flat calm sea and were part of a great human pod. And most importantly: we swam with bottlenose or spotted dolphins every day! Sometimes there were as many as 25 in a pod.

On Thursday, there was a large pod that seemed to be having a big discussion or playing a funny game. All moving together in one big tangle of very loud chatting dolphins. As Jesica is deaf, she couldn’t hear it. But she knew what was going on, the dolphins with open mouths – as if letting her lipread. Later, we played a video of the swim for her when she had her hearing aids on. 

I was so thankful to be part of this human/dolphin pod. While watching dolphins in front of me, suddenly I was aware of two coming from behind, right underneath me – this happened often and brought me so much joy! And all this, together with my godchild, who is now a young woman (22), getting to be like a mermaid.

On Friday, we met a large pod again. This time, many mothers with their babies and youngsters. And they were really showing off: jumping, flapping their tails, swimming belly up, bow riding in front of the boat. Jesica was so excited about diving with the three youngsters. 

But we were not only lucky to meet the dolphins. In this first week, we went to beautiful snorkelling spots. We saw corals, fish, sharks, and rays. One day, a big group of spotted eagle rays was swimming around so gracefully right beneath us. They brought such peace and harmony. 

At the weekend, the captains observed if Hurricane Erin would affect Bimini, and if we would be able to go out on the boat the next week. Jesica thought being in a hurricane would be an adventure, but everybody else prayed for it not to come our way. It turned out, we just had strong winds and currents the second week. We saw fewer dolphins that week, but on the last day, everything changed. A big pod of spotted dolphins showed up. And Jesica got her two last “tick in the boxes”.

After swimming with the dolphins, Atmo let us go on the tow rope, where we ride behind the boat (tick). So much fun! Dolphins all around us, coming from every direction. Even playing with the rope, before we went into the water the second time. After being in the water without the rope for the last time, we went on the boat and saw a big storm coming up, and in minutes, we were right in the middle of it (tick). Thanks to Atmo, we arrived home at the dock safely.

Next to all this, I spent hours on the bow, in my usual place (they should put a sign there: Su’s place…) just letting go of body and mind, sitting there and watching the endless Sea. So relaxing, so peaceful, so healing.

There is only one thing I really didn’t like during our second week: It is a WildQuest policy not to touch dolphins, but there were several people in the group who touched the dolphins, stroked them and even bragged about it on the last day. For me, a no-go! And also a no-go for WildQuest! (WildQuest has a code of conduct for being with the dolphins: no touching, no chasing, no feeding. Swimmers are encouraged to swim with their hands at their sides, across their chests or behind their backs, to mimic the dolphins and to build trust.)

I want to say thank you, Atmo and your lovely team for keeping us safe all the time, especially in the storm on the last day. For all the love we felt from you all, the yummy food, the help on the boat and in the water and and and… It’s hard to be back in everyday life, but my dreams will be with all of you for a long, long time. Thank you for this dream, for me and Jesica, come true!

Written by WildQuest guest, Su Angliker, August 2025.