Travel

Bimini in The Bahamas is one of the best locations in the world to swim alongside wild dolphins
 

The small island of Bimini in The Bahamas is famous for its great hammerhead shark dives, but it is also one of the best places in the world to swim with wild groups of bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins. The summer months provide the best encounters, and It’s a great spot for underwater photography because the water is extremely clear and calm, with lots of light. The activity takes place in almost swimming pool-like conditions in areas that are no more than 40 feet deep. Plus, the dolphins get very close, so it creates some great opportunities for practicing wide-angle photography techniques.

I lead annual trips with Dive Ninja Expeditions to swim with the dolphins, and the following images demonstrate just how magical the experience is and how curious these animals can be if approached correctly. It’s my belief that the best dolphin encounters happen with animals that are wild and free in their natural habitat; there is no need for cetacean attractions like the “swim with captive dolphin” tours you see in many areas around the world. Consider a trip to Bimini with the Dive Ninjas for dolphin interactions you will never forget!
 

The dolphins often play with seaweed and other floating debris, which provides excellent photo opportunities
 

A freediver makes eye contact with a curious Atlantic spotted dolphin
 

Groups are often large, and individuals stay close to one another, making for epic wide-angle shots
 

A wide-angle lens and a fast shutter speed are essential equipment for shooting dolphins
 

The animals often play with one another—capture those moments for interesting behavior shots
 

Vertical images demonstrate how shallow the water is and work great for potential magazine covers
 

Follow the leader!
 

Including the surface and the sun’s rays help create a more interesting image
 

Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by dolphins like this in clear, warm water?

A creative color conversion of a freediver and dolphin sharing a special moment
 

A photographer captures a magical moment close to the surface
 

To see more of Jay’s images, head over to his website, www.jayclue.com. If you fancy adding some awesome dolphin images to your portfolio, check out the trips on offer at www.diveninjaexpeditions.com.