If you are confronted with the possibility of an expedition which will take you in the midst of the sea amongst the school of dolphins which you can watch and photograph, a la the Nat Geo experts, you are bound to feel that orgasm of super-thrill. One of the top activities in Goa is to head for dolphin-watching since the Arabian Sea has them in good numbers and the ferry-managers are always eager to take you in their midst.
Baga Beach
In fact, if you happen to take a jog on the beaches of Goa in the morning, you are quite likely to be approached by ferry-wallahs who will offer you a ‘dolphin trip’. The cost can be high and they can be pushy. So, you should not fail to bargain. To be honest, they will always try to tempt you and promise you a good show, though some people are actually left disappointed towards the end.
It’s not that dolphins are not sighted. But they usually make a brisk appearance and for a couple of seconds before dipping back into the oceanic depths again. Most people only get to see the fins but if you are fortunate, you may get a brief view of their snouts. It is very unlikely that you will witness the aerial leap of the grand dolphins the way they show in adventure movies, but then you may have bright stars.
Dolphin photography
Dolphin-photography can be tricky as their transient appearance leaves you with very little time to zoom in your camera, focus and take a great shot. So, you must stay prepared with your camera fully on and senses fully alert.
At the end of the day, it is still an once-in-a-lifetime experience and definitely worth it, though not totally. The experience shall differ from person to person. The best time to check out the dolphins is early during the day at around 6 am- 11 am when you have a bright chance of sighting quite a few of them. Palolem Beach is one of the best places where you can go for dolphin trips. The rates are not fixed but they usually ask for somewhere between Rs 1000-1500. Try haggling and ask for a boat on a share-basis if you are travelling solo or are few in numbers.
With Goa holiday packages, a rendezvous with the dolphins in the wild is a cherish-worthy experience.
World Wide Travel Advisor 