ABOUT DOLPHINS | VIDEO | SIDE TRIPS
>>STOP 1: BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA, MEXICO
You grab your binoculars and stare out at the shimmering blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. There are hundreds of tall, curved fins breaking the surface of the waves. "Sharks?" you ask your Mexican guide. "No—dolphins," he says. Schools of Pacific white-sided dolphins can gather in groups of 10,000 or more, spreading across several miles of ocean. Awesome!
Along with the white-sided dolphins, you spot other species of dolphins as well as 50-foot-long humpback whales. The dolphins and humpback whales are feeding on the same thing—protein-rich schools of small fish. Off in the distance, you see the misty, 15-foot-high (4.6-meter-high) blows, or spouts, of migrating gray whales.
Watching the nearby dolphins, you realize that they are excellent surfers. They get boosts from your fast-moving motorboat. The bow of your boat creates a wave as it pushes through the water. The dolphins surf on this bow wave; riding at speeds they could never manage on their own. They breathe about every 20 seconds, often while making a low leap.
White-sided dolphins are natural acrobats. It's a thrill to watch them leap clear of the water and somersault tail over head through the air. They're also quick learners, which—along with their athletic abilities—makes them star performers at many aquariums and marine parks. But you get to see them in the wild. Eventually the dolphins leave you for the open sea. It's time to head back to shore to catch the flight to your next safari destination: the Amazon rain forest. There you'll look for the second animal on your list: a jaguar.
