These instruction sessions may also cover subjects such as conservation and dolphin physiology. After the education session, participants suit up in wetsuits so they can be comfortable in the chilly water. Once in, they hope to be interesting to the dolphins so the dolphins will come over and make friends. We allow them to be with the other dolphins, and if they want to come over and interact, they can. And eight out of 10 times they do.
Participants often get to stroke, hug, or give hand signals to the dolphins.
At the Dolphin Quest facility, guests can rub and examine the dolphins. We show them how the dorsal fin works much like a fin on a surfboard, and other physical parts of the animal. The point of these programs is to give humans a chance to know the dolphins better so they can be better stewards of their world. Hazards to dolphins in the wild range from fishing nets to plastic six-pack holders. Participants learn methods that everyone can employ to help protect dolphins and their world.