DOLPHINS AND SHARKS IN THE - Majestic Whale Encounters Private Small Group Tour

Majestic Whale Encounters

DOLPHINS AND
SHARKS IN THE
  BAHAMAS

 Private Small Group Tour

"Swimming with Wild Dolphins has been described as one of the most
   thrilling, magical, and life changing experiences in the world"

At Majestic Whale encounters our mission is to
          protect the world's oceans and all that's in it. We
          believe if you love the ocean it will love you back. As
WHY US?   active members of Whale Watch International we
          promote responsible whale watching and dolphin
          watching worldwide.

          We aim to run our trip with maximum interaction and
          minimal impact and we feel very honored to share
          this incredible experience with like minded people.

          As soon as you decide to join this epic journey, we
          are here for you every step of the way. We are a
          family run eco conscious business that prides
          ourselves on a high level of customer service and
          you can feel free to email us or call us with as many
          questions as you like. Besides a truly unforgettable
          trip, you will also make friends for life

          Our motto at Majestic Whale Encounters is....

                LOVE ...... PROTECT ......CONNECT

We always endeavour where possible to give back to the
                 animals and the countries we are privledged to visit. By
MAJESTIC GIVES   choosing Majestic you can rest assured that you will be part
                 of helping communities, the animals and environments -as
    BACK
                 the countries we visit allow us into their homes, villages and
                 lives... we take home a very special lifelong memory and
                 new appreciation and leave a little behind in return

                 For more information on our donations please click below

Majestic Whale Encounters were friendly, welcoming, professional, a great company and
responded to all our enquiries and requests courteously and promptly, they went above and
beyond in countless ways.
They were generous, caring and simply delightful hosts who were always available to assist. As
experienced travellers, it was wonderful to know we could let go, completely relax, and feel
confident that everything was being taken care of without us needing to worry about any
details. This was one of our best ever trips, and you guys were a fundamental part of that.
Thank you so much - we will treasure these memories forever and are so grateful for all you did
to ensure this unforgettable experience in a spectacular location.

Libby NSW

SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS OF BIMINI

Swimming with dolphins in the wild is incredibly magical. Our ability to instantly connect with
these curious and playful marine mammals on their terms is so powerful and transformative. The
more energetic we become, the more animated the dolphins are in their responses. If we twist
and twirl and dive, the dolphins will follow suite, mimicking our every movement. It's like being a
child again.
At Majestic we aim to make your experience with the dolphins memorable and meaningful. And
so our group size is no more than 10 guests maximum and we have exclusive use of a 46 ft
catamaran. This guarantees you have a personal connection with these curious intelligent
mammals and also ensures that you have every minute of your time to swim with them. If the
dolphins are happy to swim with us for hours then that's what we do!
This is an experience many people dream about but never have the opportunity to do. How long
has it been since you experienced a holiday that really meant something to you? Immerse
yourself in the world of Bimini's wild and friendly Dolphins.

INCLUSIONS
7 nights 8 days - North-South Bimini. Land based staying at
Big Game Club Bimini

-6 Full days on an exclusive Catamaran snorkelling with Great
Hammerheads, Grey Nurses, Reef Sharks, Wrecks, Stingrays
and of course Dolphins

-Visit to the Bimini Shark Lab

-Lunch on board daily

-Snorkelling Gear

-Scuba Divng for those that are certified
(includes tanks and weights )

Bike Riding, Pool, Hammocks

-All main meals + Bahamian BBQ night

-Airport transfers

-In water guide and Majestic Whale Encounters Guide

ITINERARY
Day One
Arrive at airport and be transferred to your accommodation and
home for the next 7 nights

Day two to seven
Meet at 7am for breakfast at the resort restaurant and order off
the array of breakfasts on the menu. The catamaran will then
pick you up from the Jetty at your resort at 8am where we will
head out for our day with the dolphins! After a full day on the
water we return back to base at approx 4pm to relax with a
cocktail or beer before dinner. Dinner each night will be at the
resort restaurant Big Game Club Bar and Grill. Enjoy innovative
cuisine and the best and friendliest Alice Town service with
Indoor or outdoor seating. Meals include fresh seafood, salads,
chicken, burgers, conch, steaks and pasta
We will also attend a Bahamina Beach BBQ on one of our nights

Other Activities include:
Complimentary bikes
Pool and hammocks
Fishing

Day Eight
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before being transferred back to the
Airport

BIM I N I
Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, boasting
miles of pristine beaches. Known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape, Bimini is historically significant. Visitors
from around the world enjoy its historical complexity and renowned past, including Bimini Road, which some
believe is a remnant of the legendary Lost City of Atlantis.
Bimini consists of two main islands — North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island — and numerous cays. The
history of Bimini is as fascinating as the islands themselves. Famed explorer, Ponce de León, was allegedly lured
here in the early 1500s in search of the 'Fountain of Youth, and a site still bears that name today. Located just 50
miles from the United States, the islands served as a convenient offshore speakeasy and liquor store during the
prohibition era. Rumrunners used to store their stash on the shores and in the S.S. Sapona, now a wreck in the
water. And speaking of rum, Ernest Hemingway called Bimini his summer home and Jimmy Buffett spent time
here while writing his book. Also of note, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the island in 1968 and composedparts
of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech while sailing with local boat builder, Ansil Saunders.

ABOUT BIMINI TOWN/SETTLEMENT
Alice Town Size: 7 ½ miles long and ½ mile wide, and makes up a landmass of just nine square miles. Population: Approximately 1,988
Interesting fact
Bimini was Ernest Hemingway’s favorite summer escapeThe island is known as the “Deep Sea Fishing Capital of the World”
The first inhabitants on the island were the Lucayans, and the name "Bimini" means "two islands" in the Lucayan language.During the period
of Prohibition in the United States, Bimini was a favorite haven and supply point for the rum-running trade. Some claim that the term "the real
McCoy" was applied to the rumprovided by William S. McCoy, who used Bimini to transport whiskey to America during the Prohibition.

HOW TO G E T T O BIMINI
Only one airport serves Bimini: South Bimini Airport (BIM). Daily scheduled air service is available from Nassau,
Grand Bahama Island and Florida and charter services can be arranged through any of the certified local and
international carriers.

BI G G A M E C L U B B I M I N I

Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina is a boutique resort situated close to everything in Alice Town in North Bimini.
The accommodation includes beautifully decorated rooms and cottages. The resort guests can enjoy a fresh water
swimming pool, shaded hammocks, complimentary water sports and LOTS more! The resort also is home to the
Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, Sharkies Bar & Grill, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center and a 75-slip full service
marina.
We’ve spent our share of time around town, and hands down, relaxing with friends enjoying fresh conch salad, a cold
beverage and watching the boats go by is about as good as it gets. Big Game Club has created a similar experience
at the Big Game Club. Perched overlooking the marina and the mesmerizing bonefish flats beyond, the Bimini Big
Game Bar & Grill offers the best in casual waterfront dining.

BI G G A M E C L U B B I MIN I
Thirty-five of the Big Game Clubs best accommodations, each fully rebuilt and redesigned for the best in out-island
hospitality, with the convenience of a ground level lanai room, opening into the gardens and pool, or a second floor
room with a generous balcony and commanding view of the pool, gardens and the bonefish flats beyond.
Rooms are available with a king bed or two queen-sized beds.
All rooms come equipped with:27″ flat screen TV, Hair Dryer, Alarm Clock, Coffee Service, Digital In-Room Safe,
Ironi, Ironing Board, Free Wi-Fi, Cable TV and oversize tub.

TH E D O L P H I N S O F B IM I NI

Atlantic spotted dolphins
The Atlantic spotted dolphins off the coast of Bimini are thought to be resident animals - meaning that each
individual is born and raised, has its own calves and lives out the entirety of its life in the waters immediately
surrounding Bimini. Even though spotted dolphins are born without spots, they can be recognized by their
individual spot pattern, which begins to develop around the age of 3 or 4. By tracking the population over time it is
clear that we do in fact see the same individuals year after year.

The markings of the Atlantic spotted dolphin varies enormously as it grows, and is usually classified into age-
dependent phases known as two-tone, speckled, mottled, and fused. Calves are a fairly uniform gray-white, with
one or no spots. When they are weaned, speckling occurs, typically between 3 and 4 years and lasting for an
average of 5 years. Young dolphins considered mottled when it develops merging gray and white spots on the
dorsal surface and black spots on the ventral surface. This usually happens between age 8 or 9. A fused pattern is
reached when dark and white spots are on both the ventral and dorsal sides. As the animal matures, the spots
become denser and spread until the body appears black with white spots at full maturation.

The Atlantic spotted dolphin is medium-sized. Newborn calves are about 90–110 cm long, and the mature dolphin
can reach a length of 2.26 m and a weight of 140 kg. They are usually found in groups of less than 50 individuals
but sometimes travel in groups of up to 200. In coastal waters, groups usually consist of five to 15 individuals.
Within these groups, the dolphins are sometimes organized by age or sex. Atlantic spotted dolphins blow bubbles
through their blowholes as one way to communicate with members of their group. They also communicate with
sound. .

TH E D O L P H IN S OF B I M INI

Common bottlenose dolphins
There are also common bottle nose dolphins found        They have a short and well-defined snout, which is the
off the coast of Bimini. At the moment, significantly   source for their common name. The snout is not a
less is known about these individuals, however, that    functional nose; the nose has instead evolved into
is slowly changing. Members of this species are         the blowhole on the top of their heads. Their necks are
recognized by nicks in their dorsal fins, which are     more flexible than other dolphins due to five of their
photographed as the animal breaks the surface to        seven vertebrae not being fused together as is seen in
breathe. These photographs are supplemented with        other dolphin species.
full body images from underwater video when
possible. There does appear to be some residency
pattern among what may be the coastal bottle nose
dolphins.

They are grey in color and may be between 2 and
4 m long, and weighs between 150 and 650 kg.
Males are generally larger and heavier than
females. They can live as long as 40–50 years.
Sexual maturity varies by population, and ranges
from 5–14 years of age.

INTE RA CT I O N W I TH
TH E D O L P HI NS
The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is the most curious and playful of all
the marine mammals in The Bahamas. On our Wild Dolphin Safari,
we travel north past the Bimini Islands to the western edge of the
Great Bahama Bank where these animals are most often found.

Once a pod of dolphin find us, they enjoy surfing our boat wake and
often giving us an impromptu acrobatic performance. When the time
is right, we get into the water and play with these spotted beauties.
The more energetic and excited we become, the more they respond.
It feels as though you're in a real life dolphin documentary

Bimini is home to some of the biggest, friendliest pods of dolphins in
the world! Imagine diving down to swim with wild dolphins, to
connect with and experience the world on their terms – curious,
playful, but also powerful, wise, and most importantly – wild and
free.

Watch them as they come up close to say hello, and mimic our
movements in the water and actively invite us to play with them.
Have front row seats to witness wild dolphin behaviours, from
mothers and calves, to playful juveniles and hungry dolphins
hunting. This will be an adventure of a lifetime for any lover of the
ocean – to see one of the most intelligent and friendly marine
mammals in their natural environment – wild and free as they should
be!

GREAT HAMMER HEADS OF BIMINI

                The Great Hammer Head -Sphyrna Mokarran) is the
                largest species of the shark family Sphyrna and are
                mostly known for the shape of their large straight,
                square, hammer shaped head and their distinctive tall
                curve shaped first dorsal fin . They can reach a max
                length of 18-20 feet!
                Greater Hammer Heads once found in tropical oceans
                throughout the worlds oceans are now considered
                endangered . They're numbers gave greatly declined
                due to over fishing and the harvesting of their fins.

                During our tour we will also have the privilege of
                visiting the The Bimini Biological Field Station “Shark
                Lab” – Their mission is evenly divided between
                education and research. The BBFS studies the role of
                sharks in a tropical marine environment, especially
                the Lemon Shark.

GREY NURSE SHARKS AND RAYS

               In addition to the beautiful great hammerhead sharks,
               Bimini is home to many, many nurse sharks
               (Ginglymostoma cirratum).
               Unlike most other shark species, nurse sharks do not
               have to actively swim to pump water over their gills
               and breathe, so they spend most of their time as
               sedentary bottom-dwellers. As largely nocturnal
               hunters, they patrol the reefs and suction-feeding for
                fish and invertebrates.

               Bimini is a fantastic place to encounter a variety of
               different ray species in the water, though few are as
               friendly and playful as the local stingrays down at
               Honeymoon Harbour. This idyllic beach down on Gun
               Cay is home to a population of Southern Stingrays
               (Dasyatis Americana) that anxiously await the arrival
               of visiting guests. Guests can interact with these
               frolicsome fish in a safe and exotic setting.

OUR CATAMARAN
Each morning at approx 9am our 46ft leopard catamaran will pick us up at the jetty of Big Game Club and take us to
the crystal clear waters of the surrounding islands of Bimini in search of the islands and the worlds friendly resident
dolphins
Our very comfortable Catamaran is called "Big White"and is a 2010 Robertson and Caine Leopard 46ft. 5 Berth 4
bathrooms, air conditioned with large spacious indoor and outdoor lounge area and kitchen. It also has an aft deck bench
seat that becomes a swim/dinghy platform
Daily lunch is served at leisure we will have warm and aso cold lunches...pasta, burgers, mexican, build your own
sandwiches, we also catch fresh fish and lobster as well as Conch for salads fresh from the sea.

What is the water and air temperature like?
                   Bimini is a sub tropical destination with pleasant temperatures
                   around the year.The average sea temperature in April in Bimini
                   is 23-30°C While the air temperature averages at 26-30°C
                   Beautiful in the water and out

F R E QUE NTLY     What other animals can I see or swim with in Bimini?
                   Manatees
        A SK E D   Seasnakes
                   Greater Hammerhead Shark
  QUE STI O NS     Nurse sharks
                   Bull Sharks
                   Lemon Sharks
                   Reef Sharks
                   Queen Konch
                   Manta
                   Spotted, Yellow and Southern Rays
                   All sorts of fish life

                   I have dietary requests, can these be catered for? Yes of
                   course, just let us know upon booking

How fit do I need to be to swim with Dolphins
                   The waters around Bimini are relatively calm and so you don't
                   need to be a strong swimmer, just confident snorkeling. We have
                   guides in the water to help you at all times but always say its a
                   good idea to practice with a snorkel before coming on the trip to
                   maximise your experience with the dolphins

F R E Q U EN TLY   Do we snorkel or dive with the dolphins?
                   We only snorkel and or free dive with the dolphins, interactions
         A SK ED   with the dolphins are much more intimate without scuba gear and
  QU ESTI ON S     having no gear also allows you to free dive, spin around and play
                   with them. So it's something anyone can do

                   What are our chances of swimming with dolphins?
                   Dolphins are wild animals so we can never give 100% guarantee
                   but we do everything possible to maximise the chance of
                   swimming with them. As these dolphins are resident dolphins
                   (meaning they stay within the same area) and also the fact that
                   they tend to 'seek' out human interaction this gives us an
                   excellent chance of swimming with them. We also run our trips
                   over 5 full days with a very small group to maximise our chances!

"Some things will always be stronger than time and distance.
             Deeper than languages and ways

   Like following your dreams and learning to be yourself
     Sharing with others the magic you have found..."

Tour Prices
         DATES AND PRICES
          April 13th-20th 2023
          $5826USD- standard room
          per person twin share
         $1500USD deposit required at time of booking
         *Itinerary can be subject to change