A celebration of life

Being in the water with wild dolphins started as a passion for me when I lived in Hawaii for five years in the early 90s, but only experienced swimming with dolphins a few times. 

Aside from having my daughter, I mark these times with dolphins as the best experiences of my life. The joy that reverberated through my body each time I was with dolphins was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced in life.  

This time, nearly 30 years later, in Bimini was no different. The first day I was out with them on the trip, it was more like an initiation of dropping into the energy for the first time in a long time.

Once in the water, I saw them at a distance. I felt their sonar and voices and started to feel what it meant to truly be with the dolphins again. My birthday was the next day. I had been dreading this birthday and booked this trip, in particular, to sway my consciousness to a better state.  

The water was glass-like on this particular birthday Tuesday as the beautiful catamaran set out on the crystal waters. Starting with snorkeling was a beautiful way to ease into being comfortable with the equipment and see the beautiful coral in purples and oranges with bright, yellow black and blue fish below. 

After snorkeling, I got back onto the boat and it wasn’t long before a beautiful spotted dolphin pod gathered around and languidly stayed in the vicinity. They were much more relaxed than the bottlenose dolphins encountered the day before who quickly darted about and left before long.

The boat staff said to prepare, so I put back on my snorkel gear and slipped into the water. I felt the warmth of the bath temperature water all enveloping me. 

And then…a few dolphins came right beside me, looked into my eyes and greeted me. There aren’t words for how I felt. 

Waves and waves of chills floated throughout my body.  My heart lept.  I began to cry without even knowing why. 

I told myself not to cry so that I could continue to use the snorkeling equipment with ease and stay with them.  Even more dolphins gathered around me all at a finger’s length. 

They seemed to know me. They seemed to be glad I was there and wished me joy on my special day. I felt overcome with love and deep gratitude. I stayed with them as they slowly swam to and fro around me. I just relaxed in the water and allowed this interchange to be fully received.  

When our time was over, I came back onto the boat and I burst into tears again not knowing why. I went to the restroom to continue heaving crying for some time. I was overcome with the magnificence of these dolphins, their love and incredible vibration. 

There is no other earthly experience I’ve felt like this one. And no place I would’ve rather been. It was a profound and deeply celebratory joyful experience.  

I spent a total of five days on the boat near Bimini and every day was a day to encounter and swim with dolphins. Every day was different and every day profound.  

Now back in my home many many miles away, I still feel the rock of the boat and the vibration of these incredible cetaceans. They taught me how to feel less separate, that I am one with the pod where I am. That I can enjoy simplicity in life with love, and connection

Written by Aurieona Astara, following her WildQuest Sacred Journey experience, in October 2024.