Since 1986
Guest Comments
"The dolphin
watch this past weekend was far and away the most fun and memorable thing
we did on our spring break in Key West. I wanted to thank you for
knowing where to take us and allowing us to play with your friends the
dolphins. Miles (12 year old) and I will never forget looking a
mother and her baby in the eyes and being only feet away. Thanks
for knowing the dolphin population so well and letting us be a part of
that respectful friendship. "
Fondly,
-Susan Bailey, Bill & Miles Sutton, Washington, DC
"We just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you. Our trip out to meet your friends is one that we will never forget. It was an honor to be in their presence and we hope to do it again soon. Especially since we came home to 6 inches of snow and 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks again."
~Jerry and Dawn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"Sandy and
I had such a wonderful time with you and the angels of the sea!!
We have not been able to stop talking about it. I am so glad Sandy
got to experience some dolphin magic, and now she knows why I am so crazy
about them. We have been telling our friends and hope to send an
few your way and come back next year ourselves for more dolphin therapy.
Take care and thanks for being such good friends to those gentle souls
in the sea."
~Kim Douglas & Sandy Ingram
"Just wanted to say thank
you again for the trip out to see the dolphins, April 27th, it was such
a memorable experience for Barb and I even if we didn't get to swim with
them, it was all about the spirituality and oneness we all share in this
crazy world. Alma and John, you guys are the best. I learned
a lot and will keep this memory forever. We will definitely be back
next year and the year after, and forever!!! (someday) God
Bless."
~Chris and Barb
"Thank you greatly for our wonderful day with your dolphins. We have been telling everyone about what you do and most people can't believe we actually spent the day with wild dolphins. Sam put a bunch of photos in his school writing journal and he seems to have remembered a lot of the dolphins names. Our trip to Key West is still with us- thanks."
~Lisa and Sam Fox, New York, New York
"My cousin and I visited Key West for Thanksgiving. The day after we took one of your tours and it was wonderful. My cousin was prone to sea sickness, however on your boat she never once felt queasy. It was one of the most magnificent experiences I've ever had. I have so many wonderful pictures. Thank you for a beautiful experience."
~Pam Silva, Fredericksburg, Virginia
"We returned home a week ago and we wanted to thank you once again for the excellent excursion with John and Alma. It was extremely educational and we appreciate the efforts made to enhance our dolphin encounter."
~Reg, Jennifer, Galen & David MacLeod
"We recently went out with you - Alma & John - on a fairly windy day, but we had a fantastic time anyway. We didn't snorkel, but it really didn't make too much difference. The information provided was great and just kinda hanging out and talking was cool. Hope to cross paths again some day."
~Sue & Tim Theep, Nikki & Burt Wardall
"I am proud to announce that my very first meeting with wild dolphins was aboard the 'Patty C' with Ron Canning back in 1990! It was upon meeting with wild dolphins, out in the ocean, that irrevocable realization that THIS was the ONLY place dolphins truly belong (not in tanks and pools) settled upon me."
~Leah Lemieux, author 'Underwater Love: Insights Among Dolphins'
"My family and I would like to thank you both for the wonderful experience on December 27th, 2002. Even though we couldn't swim with the dolphins we weren't disappointed because we were treated like family and our kids had a great time just seeing the dolphins in the wild. We also have great memories and stories of the shipwreck some of us were frightened of. I was impressed with the knowledge John was willing to share with us about the dolphins. Victoria especially enjoyed herself. Thank you both and hope to see you again someday."
~The Kedaitis Family
"Thank you so much for sharing your boat with us. Aleah really loved the dolphin encounter- she said it was a dream come true."
~Tanya, Kat, Danea & Aleah, Lakeworth, Florida
"First of all we (Monique, Jesse Dean, Shannon and Jos from the Netherlands) would like to thank the two of you for giving our vacation this finally. In one word the trip we made on August 5th, 2002 with the two of you was GREAT. We really had the day of our lives and the pictures and movie we made during the trip will give us great memories for the rest of our lives. If there are people who would like to speak with someone who has been on board, please don't hesitate to give them our email address. Again Alma and John thanks for everything.
~Jos Bruijstens, Greetings from the Netherlands
"I just wanted to thank you so much for the lovely trip to see the dolphins. We are sorry that it was murky in the water, but it was still amazing and so beautiful to see the dolphins and to hear all about them from you. You are doing an amazing job! Thank you so much!
~Danielle & Dominic
"I participated in one of your watches last summer while in a marine biology camp through the University of North Carolina and I was impressed with your program. It seemed that you all really understood the dolphins general behaviors as well as their individual personalities. I was impressed with your knowledge and commitment to the dolphins and environment. I love the idea that your job is something that you are obviously passionate about."
~Lindsey Drayton, Alpharetta, Georgia
"It is 1-19-02 tonight as I write this, we went to Key West to visit the dolphins in May of 2000!! Almost two years and the memories are still etched in our minds. It was the most beautiful experience we have ever had. We have roll after roll of film of the dolphins- they were taken by my husband and are truly amazing. We look at them often. After watching our home video last night of the experience, we know we are coming back SOON! That day is our best, and we'll be back for more."
~Mike and Mandi Humphrey
"These photos (see Photo Gallery/Passenger Photos) have been sitting on my desk for about 2 months now...when I uncovered them today the thought occurred to me that they are more beautiful and meaningful than ever. We all four want to thank you for the magical experience, for your patience and kindness and yes, your sense of fun, too. We'll be coming back, so keep us posted if you change address or phone number or anything. Since September 11, it's become even more clear what is important in this wacky world. Bless you both."
~Tess, Jane, Toria & Danae, Los Angeles, California
"Inigo and I loved spending the day among the wild dolphins, such beautiful creatures, and are grateful for their time shared with us on my birthday. I just have to close my eyes, submerge myself with water and I'm back in the ocean with them...forget breathing!"
~Rassika Bourgi & Inigo Eigelberger, W. Palm Beach,FL
"I was on one of your dolphin trips last August. It was a marvelous trip and being a first timer I wasn't scared at all. My boyfriend and I are planning on going back there for another adventure after what happened here in New York City. I do hope I will be able to keep in touch with John & Alma, they are just so warm and a wonderful couple. Give my best regards to both of them. Thanx."
~Lillie, New York, New York
"My name is Hiroko Yoshida who joined your dolphin watch on April 14th with husband Kazu. We will never forget that day. The sea of Key West is the most beautiful one I've ever seen. And so many dolphins we met on that day... Actually since we have come to the UK, I had been suffering from a skin problem. I'm not sure if it was a stress-related symptom. After the holiday, my condition has come to improve and now I am completely healthy as before. Thank you for the lovely experience. We are going back to Japan at the end of August. I promise we'll visit you again."
~Hiroko Yoshida, East Sussex, UK
"I still often think of the dolphins. Being with them changed my life."
~Hilke Pruesser, Germany
"Thanks once again for a fantastic trip to see the dolphins. Andy and I had a wonderful time and will definitely be doing it again when we come back to Florida."
~Tricia Power, London, UK
"We wanted to take a moment to write and thank you again for our wonderful experience with you and the dolphins. The time we spent on your boat was most definitely the highlight of our Florida vacation. If you ever have people contacting you that would like to speak with someone who has been on board, please don't hesitate to give them our email address. We have nothing but praise for you! You were very professional, yet made the entire experience very relaxed and so enjoyable. As soon as funds permit, we hope to return to the Keys and will definitely be booking another trip out with you. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!!!"
~Anita, Walt and Ericka Halloran, Medine, Ohio
"We chartered your boat on June 20th and you took my family out for the day to see dolphins, some back-country and for some snorkeling fun. That day really was the highlight of our trip. Thanx for making the day so enjoyable for us."
~Terry, Mary, David and Susan Naumann, Belleville, Illinois
"I was thinking today about how profound the experience you made possible was. Not only was I able to break through some emotional blocks... I was allowed to break through an old fear of water. With your help and the help of those water angels, I got to shed a little love on a couple of dark areas. I'll be in Miami again next week. Hopefully I'll get to do it again. Thank you!"
~Ellie Davis, Colorado
"It was a true pleasure meeting you this week! I really enjoyed the trip and it definitely is the highlight of every camp that we run. Know that you are changing lives by exposing people to wild dolphins. It is so neat to hear a camper talk about how they were impacted by seeing wild dolphins, as opposed to the dolphins in captive environments."
~Kathy Gormly, Pittsboro, North Carolina
"Over 5 years ago I went out on your boat and played with the dolphins. It's been the best thing I've ever done. One day I will be back. I'm waiting for my brother's kids to get older and I plan to bring them too but I doubt I can wait that long.
Yesterday I saw a piece on Animal Planet about Dolphin Watch and Pisces. As an animal lover I'm thrilled that you have a dog on the boat now. Pisces looks like she's really having a blast 'working' with you! The show on Dolphin Watch was great."
~D.J. Intermill, Columbia, South Carolina
"INCREDIBLE!!! The most wonderful, loving experience! One of the best days of our lives!! Thank you!"
~Karyn, Dan, Nikki & Adam Erlenbusch, Ramona, California
"My friend, Cathy, and I had a great time going out dolphin watching with you on Sunday. You are great tour guides and boat handlers! Your expertise and respect for the dolphin was very impressive! Thanks again. Looking forward to going out again in the near future."
~Connie Turner, Palm City, Florida
"My dream come true!"
~Erin Ashwood, Storrs, Connecticut
"The best day of our stay in Key West! And great to see such integrity concerning the dolphins! Thank you!
~Tina VanLewen and Oscar Soethout, Netherlands
"This was one of the greatest experiences we ever had. Thanks for this wonderful trip. This day was VERY special for us..."
~Mathias Vorbach, Germany
"Thanks for all the info and caring about the animals so much!"
~Jenn Weese, Charlotte, North Carolina
"Beautiful! Moving! Magical!"
~Karen Shaffer, Bristol, Virginia
"The best day of our life. We will never forget it. Thank you."
~Jan and Karina Friborg, Frederikssund, Denmark
"Beautiful day, beautiful people, beautiful dolphins. One word...beautiful."
~Tom Hufnagle, Hanover, Pennsylvania
"I just wanted to write to let you know that you made a huge impression on us two years ago. So much that we decided to visit the Keys again and take part in one of your journeys... We were so impressed with the pure nature of your interest in the dolphins and their well-being. We enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, swimming eye to eye with the dolphins, and the baby was adorable."
~Karen Lindsay
"Thanks for making one of our dreams come true!"
~Tom Khorram and Maria Jimenez, Dublin, California
"Fun and educational. John and Alma were very cool to us. Most important is they respect the water and the dolphins."
~Claudia Karrer and Ian Jacob, New York, New York
"Met all expectations and more! Thanks!"
~Mary Ann & Mike Ross, Newark, Maryland
"Thanks for a great honeymoon experience! Cheers to you!"
~Greg & Rita Arens, Kansas City, Missouri
"We appreciate your approach to the dolphins. Amazing experience."
~Gina & David Snyder, Morris Plains, New Jersey
"I just want to thank you for the amazing adventure with the dolphins. My mom, Terri and I, had a wonderful time. She is now every bit as hooked on dolphins as I am. I have to say that I think the both of you do a tremendous job educating people about these amazing creatures, while creating a relaxing atmosphere and providing a day filled with wonder. I've enjoyed this trip much more than I enjoyed the others in the past years. My mom and I are thinking of taking the whole family down there to experience what we did. Maybe come spring or summer of next year. Keep up the great work, and thanks so much again!"
~Sue Pezza, Coventry, Rhode Island
"I feel privileged to have had an opportunity to interact with dolphins-thanks!"
~Leigh-Catherine Salway, Wales, UK
"I respect your intuitive abilities to time our encounters...humble, beautiful & loving. Thank you so much!!"
~Tina Heslip, Ontario, Canada
"Dolphin, sea turtle, shark, rays - what more!"
~Karen Baker, Bull Ground, Georgia
"Thank you for your sweetness and sensitivity towards our cetacean pals!"
~Tess Ayers & Jane Anderson, Los Angeles, California
"We thank both of you for a fantabulous time. It nice to know there are animal lovers out there like you."
~Jeff & Jeanette Doege, Middle Island, New York
"The trip was fun and I liked swimming with dolphins. Thanks for taking us to the reef too!"
~Jenna Palso, St. Petersburg, Florida
"We enjoyed ourselves. Got very close to dolphins. We will definitely return."
~Brooks, Sandy & Trevor Cunard, Covington, Georgia
"We had a wonderful time, we appreciate your kindness and compassion for the ocean. Namaste."
~Max & Patricia Poritzky, San Clemente, California
"An incredible experience that will stay with me always and make me a better person in the way that I live on/share this planet."
~Pam McMichael, Prospect, Kentucky
"Thanks for yet another awesome experience! We saw the twins (two newborn calves) on their first/second day! Extra special for us because we're expecting-(2/17/02)."
~Tim & Shelley Clark, Ithaca, New York (Best Wishes to Hanalei!!!)
"Thank you for the experience of a lifetime. We shall return."
~J.C. & K.C. Castro, Miami, Florida
"No words to describe a wonderful adventure!"
~Wes & Dawn Koob, Anamosa, Iowa
"Thanks for taking time to share all your wonderful insights for this great experience."
~'The James Gang': Bob, Janice, Matt, Natalie, Crystal & Brienne, Gettysburg, PA
"Don and I are back from Florida where we had some very deep encounters during our week with dolphins. We all benefited so much from sharing such close contact.
The water is so warm that I never notice when I slip very quietly from the boat into the water. One couple and I had a particularly good way of swimming together. We held the feeling on our heart of being one group, and underwater we moved around each other like dolphins do. And dolphins came to join us.
For many years, a female dolphin named 'Grandy', has gone out of the way to be with Don alone, swimming with him side by side, showing us that dolphins remember people, even year after year, and that though they are wild they have preferences.
To feel their sonar seems to have a very deep effect on people, as it does on me. A cloud has lifted from me and I have been feeling the lightness in my aura since my encounter with them.
When Don said his 'goodbyes' to the dolphins on our last day on the boat he had a grand experience...as he sent his mental message of his goodbyes into the water, feeling that he should swim back to the boat NINE dolphins, one after another, came to swim with him until he was packed right in their midst for about 10 minutes. They swam deliberately slowly, seemingly as if standing still so that they kept Don in their midst. With just one kick of their tail, they can be gone beyond the reach of our little human leg strength. It takes the cooperation of the dolphins...You can imagine how much Don glowed when he came aboard the ship!!! They said their farewells to us...till next year...a dream come true."
~Ilona Selke, Stanwood, Washington
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Watch - Key West's Original Dolphin Tour
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All rights reserved. Photographs not to be used without permission. Photo:
Capt. Alma Armendariz - not to be used without permission. site by: alma.