2009 Bimini Dolphin Retreat

Our time this spring of 2009 in Bimini was life changing for all!  We were a "pod" from around the world, and we came together to meet Sunday night, April 26th in Fort Lauderdale with strong winds blowing, making us wonder how our stay in Bimini, only 47 miles away would be.  Well, we had strong winds the entire time with white caps in the bay, white caps in the ocean with swells, but without a doubt, this was a week we will never forget.  We no sooner left the bay our first day on Bimini, when a lone Bottlenose dolphin joined us and swam in front of our boat, slowly surfacing, jumping, playing, and always keping close to us.  A lone dolphin is highly unusual.......but he lead us to his pod within 30 minutes.  Soon we were surrounded by dozens of Bottlenose dolphins that are normally not in the waters around Bimini.  They invited us in to swim and play, and this was the start of a week that allowed us an opportunity to connect daily with the beautiful Bottlenose and Spotted dolphins. 

Please enjoy the pictures that share our amazing experience. [All photographs by Atmo from WildQuest.]  We all bonded as the days unfolded, with some from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, Wisconson, Georgia, and Switzerland.  Most of us did not know each other, but have left with deep friendships that will last for a lifetime.  We have stayed connected, and hold in our hearts a connection that goes beyond our knowing....one from deep within our souls. 

I thank all of our "pod" for their part in this amazing week and will always hold you with love in my heart!!

Dolphin love and light....Deborah

Karen from Atlanta wrote this Haiku after our first day on Bimini: 
Ocean Blue, Sharks and Dolphins Glide
Flying Fish and Flying Sails
Oreos and ABBA, WOW!

See Artwork by Cynthia after Deborah's meditation the first night.

Bimini from the cockpit of our charter flight

North Bimini - 7 miles long, 200 yards wide

Our Pod arriving at Bimini airport

Part of our Pod on sea taxi to our private lodge

A single bottlenose dolphin joins us once we left the bay

This lone bottlenose stayed with us, leading us to his pod

Within 30 minutes we were surrounded by dozens of dolphins

A bottlenose diving down to scan the sand for food with his sonar. At the bottom is a nurse shark which is a bottom feeder.

Close contact with a friendly bottlenose

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All photos by Atmo of Wildquest