Bimini · Bahamas
Professional Photo & Video IncludedA 5-day small group expedition led by a marine biologist. Wild encounters, ethical practices, and the kind of moments that stay with you forever.
The expedition
The first time I swam with wild dolphins in Bimini, I came up to the surface ecstatic in joy. From something I still don’t have words for. They had come toward us curious, full of life, twirling, spinning. Looking me directly in the eye. In that moment I wasn’t a visitor in their world. For a few minutes, I was part of the pod.
I’ve been back every year since 2021. And every single time, something in me resets. That’s why I created this expedition: to share something that changed me, with people who are ready to be changed by it too.
Five days, four afternoons in the water searching for wild dolphins — and every morning a different ocean adventure. Scroll to explore what’s waiting for you in Bimini.
The heart of the expedition. Wild, free dolphins that choose to interact with you — on their terms. Every encounter is different. Every one is unforgettable.
Glide alongside gentle wild stingrays in the crystal-clear shallows of Bimini. Calm, close, and completely surreal.
Snorkel alongside reef sharks and explore the legendary Sapona shipwreck — where turtles often cruise by. Not scary. Breathtaking.
Every moment with the dolphins, the stingrays, and the sharks — captured by a pro. You just show up and be present. The memories arrive in your inbox.
A marine biologist who has studied these specific dolphins for decades joins us for a private talk. She knows their names, their families, their stories.
A one-of-a-kind landmark built entirely by one man over decades — covered in dolphin mosaics and ocean art. A Bimini must-see.
Explore the island, soak in Bahamian culture, try local food, and walk beaches that feel like the edge of the world.
Every expedition is different — but dolphins, stingrays, and sharks have shown up on every single trip. That’s what makes Bimini so special.
Most wildlife encounters are one-sided. Not here. The Atlantic spotted dolphins of Bimini are naturally social — and part of that means genuinely interacting with humans. They swim toward you, examine you, play with you. The encounter goes both ways. That’s what makes it unforgettable.
Warm, shallow, and impossibly blue. Bimini’s waters offer visibility up to 30 meters — perfect conditions to see every detail of every encounter.
One of the most accessible wild places on Earth. A direct flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami — or a 2-hour ferry. Another world, just around the corner.
Every expedition is guided by Valentina Kochian — marine biologist, freediving instructor, and photographer. The package includes unlimited edited photos and videos for you to take home. Memories that will last a lifetime.
Arrive in Bimini, settle in, and gather for lunch and our expedition briefing. In the afternoon, we head out for our first dolphin search. Come back, check in and have dinner.
Morning: swim alongside gentle wild stingrays in shallow turquoise water: one of the most surreal experiences Bimini has to offer. Afternoon: second dolphin search. Every encounter different from the last. During dinner, a local scientist will make a presentation for us about the dolphins.
Morning: snorkel with reef sharks and explore the Sapona, a beautiful shipwreck where turtles might also appear. Afternoon: dolphin search. More magic.
Morning: Visit the island’s iconic Dolphin House and have some free time to explore the island or go to the beach. Afternoon: our final dolphin search, our closing experience in the blue.
Slow morning. Heart full of ocean.
The group stays at Big Game Resort in Bimini — a comfortable hotel just a few steps away from where we depart each day. Easy, relaxed, and never rushed.
You’ll share a double room with another guest — each person has their own bed and a private bathroom. The hotel has a pool for afternoon downtime, and beautiful beaches are a short walk away.
We usually have breakfast and lunch here. Dinners are in different restaurants of the island.
Real reviews from travelers who joined us in Bimini. All 5 stars — July 2026.
The best marine wildlife interactions I’ve ever had on an expedition.
Ethical, mutually curious encounters that were not just happening by luck, but as the result of careful planning, informative preparation, and a group of ocean lovers who were willing to follow Valentina’s instruction and let the encounters happen naturally. Behind the scenes, Valentina’s attention to detail, exploratory research, logistical knowledge, and informative communications gave us the best possible foundations for a successful expedition. We were well informed about travel, lodging, weather, daily timelines, and most importantly, dolphin behavior! With solid preparation and a lot of positive energy, we were able to locate and swim with dolphins on all four days of our expedition. The encounters were guided by Valentina and each drop was tailored to the dolphins’ behavior — we were able to observe a variety of different behaviors, all on the dolphins’ terms. We had so many beautiful, mutually curious encounters with both spotted and bottlenose dolphins. On top of all that, Valentina and her local team were able to help with photography, freediving, transportation, dining, and every other thing that came up along the way. This was my third expedition with Valentina over 6 years, and I highly recommend that, if you’ve read this far — you’ve found the right guide, and you should book your trip with Freefall Academy.
Dolphin Bliss in the Bahamas!
Another incredible experience with Freefall Academy — the setting was perfect, the attention to detail impeccable and the time with bottlenose and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins was unparalleled. The absolute pleasure of having Valentina as our expedition leader — we need an extra star for this superlative tour!
Such a transformational experience!
Unforgettable ocean adventures, wild dolphin encounters, and deep soul connection. Valentina is such a wonderful person with lots of knowledge, great professionalism and a big open heart. Her connection with the ocean and dolphins is truly amazing. This trip gave me so much love ❤️
We are already planning a 2nd trip.
We went to the Bahamas with Freefall Academy for a 4-day ocean safari and had an amazing experience. Valentina is an expert guide and took care of everything. The wildlife we saw was incredible and we can’t wait to go back.
Unforgettable wildlife!
Valentina was an amazing host! A great mix of wildlife and education as we went. I have very limited snorkeling experience but Valentina was patient with me and by the end I was a natural. So much fun!
A really wonderful week.
Valentina put together a great experience with a variety of ocean trips. The guides she sourced were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and combined with her expertise made for a very enriching week. If you get the chance to go with her, jump on it!
Met and exceeded every expectation.
We were a small, intimate group. Valentina is so knowledgeable and takes great care of you and the wildlife. The Bimini wildlife was abundant. I hope to go back.
Beautiful inside and out.
Valentina has incredible love and respect for the ocean and all that reside in it. I had an amazing time and look forward to my next adventure with Freefall Academy 💙
Book both dates (July 7–11 & July 11–15) and get $500 USD off your total.
No freediving or scuba experience needed — but you should be a confident swimmer, comfortable covering at least 200m in open water.
This isn’t a show. Some days the dolphins play with us for hours. Other days they’re just living their lives — and that’s beautiful too. You respect that.
Not a resort. Not a party trip. You want a small group of like-minded people and an experience that stays with you long after you’re home.
The best encounters don’t happen on command. You’re willing to wait, to float, to be still — and when it happens, you’ll know exactly why.