If someone asked me what animal I would describe myself as, I would say a dolphin. So when my family and I visited Oceanside, California, where we were fortunate enough to go on a boating tour with Oceanside Adventures and see thousands of dolphins, I truly felt right at home.

The tour started with friendly faces greeting and welcoming us onto the boat. The sun was shining softly with a slight breeze. Right when we boarded, I went up to the front; soon after that, we departed. The captain reviewed general guidelines on food and drink, where the restrooms were located, and safety instructions. As we sailed across the water, the wind picked up and pushed my curls back. The swaying of the boat felt like a dreamy ride while the waves pulled us forward. 

As we got further into our journey, I saw a ripple far out into the sea. As the captain pointed out, that ripple indicated that we would soon reach an entire pod of dolphins.

The sun’s rays were guiding my eyes to the glimmers in the water. I gazed out to see a deep blue sea full of beautiful creatures. Never having seen so many dolphins in my entire life, I was amazed at how seemingly full of life they were. 

As we arrived at the heart of the dolphin activity, the boat didn’t slow down, but the dolphins kept up with us so easily. It felt like they wanted the company and attention of all the people watching them. They would often swim in pairs or groups, and it was almost as if I were watching a party happening in the water below. 

I meditated on how free and energetic these animals were, with no inherent destination or goal, only to be present. Hearing them whistle while jumping effortlessly through the water was like a call from Mother Earth to stop and be attentive. The dolphins were an example of what beauty is possible when I was willing to slow down and genuinely let myself feel and experience the wonders of the world around me. 

One of the many reasons this tour company offers such an immersive experience is the sheer volume of possibilities of what you might see. Anytime they take a group out to the ocean, you never know if you will be lucky enough to see whales, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, sharks, or humpbacks. You might end up not seeing any wildlife, and that is the risk you take when going in the first place. Saying I only saw dolphins on this tour would technically be true, but it won’t do this species justice, knowing the impact they had on me. Being a part of the group of people who were favored when it came to seeing such a lively community of sea life was such an emotionally charged occurrence. 

Being among the dolphins’ pod gave perspective on how little of the ocean life I have explored or even seen. We sailed out, getting to the center of their community in a little under an hour. We never fully stopped and continued with the pace we had for the entirety of the trip. Looking out ahead, all you can truly see is the shimmering waves in the ocean. Of course, these were magnificent. I wonder if it would be easy to miss because it is such a hallmark of the city when you see it so regularly. Going on the boat provided me insight into how the beauty of the ocean has much more depth than the surface sparkle allows to be seen when you simply overlook and do not fully explore it.

Unfortunately (or not), I can’t choose to change into a dolphin, but my connection to the spirit of these creatures remains long after that astonishing boat ride. 

How to go

Oceanside Adventures started their tours in 2015 and offers excursions from Oceanside Harbor. The hull, otherwise known as the ship/boat, was designed by an international marine artist named Wyland. Wyland also created the image wrapping around the boat of a blue whale mom and calf. In addition, it has a raised platform and a VIP captain's deck.

Oceanside Adventures normally offers about 4 scheduled group tours per day with an average price of $68. There are discounts for seniors (55+), children (3-12), and infants (0-2), and this experience is ideal for all ages. The boat has a high railing for safety, and is equipped for 118 passengers, having a 63-foot double deck.

The tours tend to last 2+ hours. The knowledgeable crew members are personable and accommodating. The boat is wheelchair accessible with a wide ramp so all guests can be included. The Oceanside Adventures dock and ticket booth are located in the center of Oceanside Harbor.

Charlotte Mellor is a student at UVU. They are working on their degree in psychology. They enjoy fashion, art, and community.

All photos courtesy and copyright Charlotte Mellor, published with permission