Animal activities feature wherever we travel. Some are easy to spot as cruelty such as elephant rides or tiger walks while others leave it up to us to work out what we feel comfortable with.
One of these is swimming with dolphins.
Dolphins are fascinating and intelligent creatures so it’s no wonder getting close to them is a bucket list activity around the world – but is swimming with dolphins ethical?
The short answer is it’s not if you want to be a responsible traveller.
And the long answer?
There are two ways to encounter dolphins. One is in captivity and the other is in the wild.
While dolphins in captivity are generally considered unethical, swimming with them in the wild is still hotly debated.
So really, whether or not you should swim with dolphins in the wild comes down to the situation and how you feel about it.
What’s wrong with keeping dolphins in captivity?
Dolphins belong to the animal group known as cetaceans alongside whales, orcas, and porpoises.
Cetaceans have complex social structures and behaviours which, as scientific research has consistently found, make them unsuited to life in captivity.
In other words, by keeping them in a tank for our entertainment, needs that ensure their well-being cannot be met – no matter how well they’re treated or loved.
Probably, the most famous example is Tilikum the captive orca from the 2013 documentary Blackfish.
It’s thought that he developed psychosis from being trapped in a tank which led to him killing three people at SeaWorld as a result.
His story is constantly used to highlight the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity.
A more recent example is Kiska ‘the world’s loneliest orca’ whose plight inspired Canada’s S-203 bill which bans the captivity and breeding of whales, orcas, and dolphins.
So, why is keeping cetaceans such as orcas and dolphins in captivity considered cruel?
- Dolphins live in tight-knit pods with deep social bonds so it’s distressing if they’re separated – particularly for calves and their mothers.
- They’re incredibly intelligent creatures with highly developed cognitive abilities. Life in captivity is unstimulating.
- In the wild, their territories can exceed 100 square kilometres – unlike a tank.
- In a small pool their natural instincts for deep diving, fast-moving and hunting behaviours are lost so they get bored and frustrated.
- In a captive environment, dolphins are susceptible to stress, which leads to physical ailments such as loss of appetite, ulcers, and weakened immune systems.
- Tanks are designed for ease of cleaning and to maximise visibility for humans, rather than to provide complex enrichment which dolphins need.
- Many captive dolphins die short of their natural lifespan.
Editor’s tip: Did you know orcas are the largest species in the dolphin family? The term ‘killer whale’ is a misnomer – or at least part of it is… I’ve identified them separately in this article as that’s how people tend to associate them but they are, in fact, dolphins!
Is swimming with dolphins in captivity unethical?
Swimming with dolphins in captivity is a cruel and outdated activity, not just for the reasons outlined above.
Here’s what else is wrong with it:
Unhealthy water quality
One of the biggest concerns about getting in the water with dolphins is sanitation. That’s why attractions will often fill the pools with chlorinated water to keep humans safe from bacteria.
While chlorine exists naturally in salt water, the chlorine in pools is mixed in with other chemicals to make it sanitary. This concoction can damage the dolphin’s skin and eyes – particularly if they’re swimming in it 24/7.
It’s an unnatural interaction
Swimming with dolphins in a captive environment is unnatural for both animals and humans. Dolphins are forced to work long hours and perform tricks for scraps of food.
Dolphins don’t enjoy swimming with humans because they don’t have any control over the situation. The small pools prevent them from being able to escape from being constantly touched.
Their behaviours aren’t anything like what you would encounter in the wild so can you honestly say it’s an authentic experience?
It’s an unregulated practice
Swimming with dolphins isn’t regulated in many countries around the world so you can’t always guarantee that they’re being humanely treated.
You could arguably only visit attractions that are certified ethical but the problem is many accrediting bodies have different criteria on what’s considered ethical or not.
For example, SeaWorld Orlando is AmericanHumane certified even though it offers swimming with dolphins.
However, animal rights organisations (including RSPCA) and even governments across the world condemn such a practice.
The Humane Society of the United States is very much opposed to swimming with dolphins in captivity as the organisation believes these programs threaten the safety of both humans and animals.
It’s also illegal to keep cetaceans in captivity in Canada, Croatia, Costa Rica, and Chile. Travel companies like Expedia have also discontinued selling tickets for SeaWorld’s dolphin encounters.
Injuries to dolphins and humans
Dolphins in small enclosures have been known to be aggressive towards each other as a way of releasing their pent-up stress and frustration. This can result in injuries and sometimes even fatalities.
In swimming experiences, dolphins can also get injured by humans despite the handler’s best efforts. People sometimes kick out at dolphins in a panic if they think they’re getting too close for comfort.
Humans getting injured by dolphins does occur too. There have been reports of people getting pushed into deeper water, getting bitten, and sustaining bruises and broken bones.
Are dolphin shows ethical?
So, swimming aside, are dolphin shows better? Don’t be fooled by their smiles. Intelligent creatures such as dolphins certainly don’t want to be performing the same tricks day in, and day out.
The very definition of ‘sing for your supper,’ withholding food is a common tactic used when training captive cetaceans.
Food is a form of bribery to get them to perform tricks such as kissing or waving. Food is withheld throughout the day to compel them to obey when interacting with humans.
The ‘open ocean’ lie
Some dolphin activities cleverly advertise “open ocean” programmes. Instead of being kept in a tank, they’re held in pens and let out when the activity starts.
The dolphins follow the boat and perform for tourists in exchange for food. It’s a sneaky dupe as tourists think they’re naturally playing with them but sadly, it’s not the case!
Is swimming with wild dolphins ethical?
Wild dolphins are in their natural habitat, they can come and go as they please, and they exhibit natural behaviours.
What’s more, they have the safety of their pod around them, and they have more control over the interaction.
It should tick the ethical box, but it’s still hotly debated. The main reason is that we still don’t know the effects of jumping in the water with dolphins, particularly in areas with higher numbers of tours.
Swimming with wild dolphins could run the risk of distressing them, disrupting their natural behaviours and feeding patterns, and separating mothers from their calves.
What’s more, tour operators have been known to chase or harass dolphins or feed them to get them to interact with humans.
Does swimming with dolphins affect different species?
An investigation into the impact of tourism on Spinner dolphins in the Middle East led by Cetacean Biologist Maddalena Fumagalli found that swimming with them could be contributing to their decline.
Spinner dolphins are active and hunt at night and rest during the day so jumping into the water with them is akin to someone jumping into our bed while we’re asleep – both flat-out annoying and utterly terrifying if the flipper was on the other foot!
Places like Hawaii have recently gone as far as banning swimming with Spinner dolphins. Now, swimming with them while they’re resting may constitute ‘“harassment” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.’
Is it safe to swim with dolphins in the wild by yourself?
I would never recommend swimming with wild dolphins without an expert who can read their behavioural signals.
At the end of the day, they’re wild animals and you’re on their turf so there’s no guarantee they’ll appreciate the intrusion – especially when there are calves around.
What if wild dolphins swim with you?
Dolphins are extremely curious creatures. On more than one occasion I’ve been lucky enough to experience dolphins chasing after my boat or ferry.
If you’re swimming or snorkelling and a dolphin comes along to see what you’re up to, consider yourself very lucky as it’s possibly the most natural encounter of all!
My advice to you is: stay calm, don’t make any sudden movements, keep your distance and don’t try to touch them.
Are dolphin tours ethical?
Dolphin-watching tours are generally considered ethical. Dolphins are in their natural habitat and they can swim away if they want to.
You can view them from a distance, and you’re not encroaching too much on their space. The best tours promote dolphin conservation and are considered an ecotourism activity.
However, there are some caveats. It’s only considered ethical if:
- There’s no unnatural feeding involved
- They’re allowed to behave naturally
- Tourism / overtourism isn’t impacting their survival
- The tour operator advises you not to get too close or touch them
- The tour operator doesn’t try to chase/harass/scare them
- The tour operator is responsible and supports conservation initiatives
Are there any ethical dolphin encounters?
If you want to interact with these amazing creatures with complete peace of mind, here are a few ethical dolphin encounters I recommend:
SeaEO Tours with Original Travel, Portugal
Original Travel arranged my dolphin-watching experience in Lisbon, which was a fantastic experience from beginning to end.
I was picked up from my hotel by private transfer (special shout out to my driver who had lots of fascinating stories to share!) and whisked me over to SeaEO Tours – Sea & Estuary Odyssey.
I jumped into a type of speed boat (the one where you straddle the seat) and sped up the River Tagus and into the ocean in search of dolphins.
Bouncing over the waves was exhilarating enough but after a while (and with a bit of patience), we were surrounded by a pod of about 50 common dolphins.
Every SeaEO boat tour has a certified multi-lingual guide and marine biologist on board so you’re in expert hands.
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, New Zealand
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura is the only tour operator I trust if you want to swim with dolphins in New Zealand. It’s one of the few places that guarantee cruelty-free swimming with dolphins in the wild.
It has multiple responsible travel certifications, including Qual Mark Gold, Taiki Promise (an environmental pledge), and Department of Conservation Approved.
The tour operator also offers dolphin and whale watching tours from the comfort of the boat. The species you’ll likely see is the playful dusky dolphin!
To find out more about Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, read my guide to dolphin watching in New Zealand.
Dolphin Survey Boat Trips, Wales
UK waters are teeming with marine life including porpoises, whales, orcas, dolphins, and even basking sharks!
If you want to combine your dolphin-watching experience with conservation, head to Cardigan Bay in Wales and do a tour with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips. Your experience funds research of the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.
Trips are limited to 12 passengers and the tour guides stick a hydrophone in the water so you can listen to the dolphins. The most prominent species here are bottlenose dolphins.
Final thoughts on swimming with dolphins
While swimming with dolphins in captivity is cruel, swimming with wild dolphins is a grey area that truthfully comes down to how you feel about it.
If you do decide to swim with wild dolphins, it’s always a good idea to do your research.
Look up the tour operator and see how they advertise their experience. Do they mention if you’ll be given a safety briefing on how to swim with them responsibly?
Do reviews leave clues about how the dolphins are treated?
Are they accredited by or support dolphin conservation work?
How many tourists get in the water?
What species of dolphin would you be interacting with?
Above all, keep your distance and don’t try to touch them.
Personally, I would avoid swimming with wild dolphins altogether to be on the safe side. Watching them from the boat is thrilling enough!
Looking for more tips on ethical wildlife tourism? Check out these posts!
- 15 Best Ethical Animal Experiences Around the World
- For the Love of Animals! Avoid These Cruel Tourist Attractions when Travelling
- How to Pick the ULTIMATE Ethical Activity Abroad
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Thank you for this article. I have tried over and over on Facebook groups to explain to people how it’s unethical. I’ve even had one person arguing with me saying “oh they let them out at night” -which is obviously a lie she was told. I’m happy that my two preferred vacation providers- Transat Vacations and Air Canada Vacations do not sell dolphin excursions, Transat goes so far as to have the catamaran excursions changed so that you don’t even have to see the Delfinarium in Cayo Coco, Cuba.
Hi Linda, it’s great to hear that tour operators are dropping it. Sadly, it’s still a widespread activity and I hope that it will soon go the same way as elephant rides or walking with tigers. Curious about ‘letting them out at night.’ Where would they go?