Dolphin Dream Liveaboard Overview

By
Elena Vivaldo
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Traveller. PADI scuba diving instructor. SEO copywriter working with many clients across different time zones since 2018. Elena has been hooked on diving since she was...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Dolphin Dream liveaboard boat anchored in turquoise water under a partly cloudy sky
The Dolphin Dream is manned by Captain Scott, who has 40 years of snorkeling, diving, and sailing experience in this same area in the Bahamas.
Two dolphins swimming together near the Dolphin Dream
This trip centers around snorkeling and swimming with dolphins—day and night.
Two Atlantic spotted dolphins swimming close together underwater
Departing from Florida, the Dolphin Dream’s seven-day itinerary heads toward the Bimini Islands.
The Dolphin Dream's stern with divers boarding as sharks are visible in the water below
In between dolphin encounters, you can either snorkel or scuba dive on shallow reefs, where you can see turtles, stingrays, and even sharks.
The Dolphin Dream liveaboard, a blue converted trawler, sitting at anchor on flat calm water
As a converted trawler, the Dolphin Dream maintains its original features while accommodating the diving and cruising lifestyle that are up to US standards.
Galley counter aboard the Dolphin Dream with mugs hanging beneath a blue curtain
The interior salon is on the main deck and has two benches, two dining tables, and a couple of chairs.
Compact bathroom aboard the Dolphin Dream with a beach themed shower curtain
Four basic cabins have upper and lower bunk beds, and one cabin has a double bed.
Two snorkelers at the surface near dolphins during a Dolphin Dream excursion
Wild dolphin interactions can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
A hammerhead shark cruising along the reef near the Dolphin Dream's dive sites
Departing from Florida, the Dolphin Dream’s seven-day itinerary heads toward the Bimini Islands.
Guests boarding the Dolphin Dream from the stern dive platform
During your time onboard the Dolphin Dream, you can see some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the Bahamas.

During your time onboard the Dolphin Dream, you can see some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the Bahamas. From colorful reefs to wrecks, walls, tunnels, and blue holes, the Bahamas has something for everyone.

But perhaps most people want to travel to the Bahamas to swim with dolphins and scuba dive with sharks. After all, the Bahamas is the shark diving capital of the world.

Measuring 86 feet (26m), the Dolphin Dream is a trawler yacht converted into a dive boat with five cabins for a total capacity of 12 guests. The dive boat is perhaps a little smaller than other liveaboards, but its size makes it a good choice for small, intimate groups.

Another thing: Dolphin Dream is not part of a fleet. It is owned and operated by Captain Scott, who has been running dive trips around the Bahamas since 1980.

Keep reading as we dive into our review of Dolphin Dream.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Recommended in: Liveaboards in Egypt

Things we like:

  • Captain Scott has been diving and sailing in the Bahamas since 1980
  • Snorkeling with wild dolphins
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Small groups (12 people)
  • Port taxes included

Things we don't like:

  • Expensive compared to other liveaboards and for quality of boat
  • Snorkeling and scuba diving gear rental surcharge
  • Shared bathroom

Diving on the Dolphin Dream

A hammerhead shark cruising along the reef near the Dolphin Dream's dive sites
The Dolphin Dream's stern with divers boarding as sharks circle in the water below
Salon aboard the Dolphin Dream with fishing rod racks and dining seating

The Dolphin Dream is for all—advanced and beginner divers, but especially for snorkelers. In fact, the excursion centers around snorkeling and swimming with dolphins—day and night. Read our snorkeling guide to prepare for this snorkeling trip and get the most out of your time in the water.

Departing from Florida, the Dolphin Dream’s seven-day itinerary heads toward the Bimini Islands, where most of the dolphins are concentrated, including bottlenose and spotted dolphins. These wild dolphin interactions can last from a few minutes to a few hours, but like any other wildlife encounter, be respectful and do not chase or touch the dolphins.

In between dolphin encounters, you can either snorkel or scuba dive on shallow reefs, where you can see turtles, stingrays, and even sharks.

Diving and snorkeling with the Dolphin Dream takes place either from the dive platform or the tender. You can rent snorkeling and scuba gear onboard at an extra cost, but if you’d rather not, here’s a list of basic snorkeling equipment you’ll need.

The captain of the boat, Captain Scott, has been swimming with dolphins since 1980, forging an exceptional relationship with them. This makes him an excellent boat captain and guide.

 Highlights:

  • Wild dolphin encounters, day and night
  • Shallow reef dives
  • Captain Scott has been interacting with wild dolphins since 1980

Onboard the Dolphin Dream

Bunk cabin aboard the Dolphin Dream with colorful fish print bedding
Compact bathroom aboard the Dolphin Dream with a beach themed shower curtain
Galley counter aboard the Dolphin Dream with mugs hanging beneath a blue curtain
Salon seating and dining area aboard the Dolphin Dream

As a converted trawler, the Dolphin Dream maintains its original features while accommodating the diving and cruising lifestyle that are up to U.S. standards.

The Dolphin Dream is manned by Captain Scott, who has 40 years of snorkeling, diving, and sailing experience in this same area in the Bahamas. The rest of the crew is also from the United States.

The Dolphin Dream has five cabins. Four cabins have upper and lower bunk beds, and one cabin has a double bed. The total capacity is 12 guests. There are two bathrooms with showers and one outside shower.

The interior salon is on the main deck and has two benches, two dining tables, and a couple of chairs. There is also a television and a video/audio system. A counter separates the salon from the galley, and there is a bar, refrigerator, ice maker, coffee pots, and a sink. All in all, the Dolphin Dream has a homely and relaxing atmosphere.

On the upper deck, there’s the sundeck to lounge in the shade or look out for dolphins. There are also gear storage boxes.

The third deck, although small, offers the best views over the horizon and, of course, to see pods of dolphins playing and breaking the surface.

To get in the water, whether you’re diving or snorkeling, the Dolphin Dream has a shaded dive deck. There is also a camera table and freshwater rinse bins. From the dive deck, two sets of stairs lead onto the dive platform where there are built-in benches for scuba tanks.

Apart from snorkeling and diving, the Dolphin Dream also has fishing equipment onboard. The Bimini Islands are known as a great fishing destination, and its world-class fishing even attracted Ernest Hemingway.

Highlights:

  • Homely atmosphere
  • Small groups (12 people)
  • Two shared bathrooms and showers
  • World-class fishing

Dining onboard the Dolphin Dream

The Dolphin Dream liveaboard viewed from the side at sea
A Caribbean reef shark swimming through a school of yellowtail snapper as divers look on

All the food onboard the Dolphin Dream is freshly cooked US-style. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner include meats, vegetarian options, starches, salads, and fruits. There are also snacks and refreshments consisting of nuts, sweets, and fruits.

For any dietary requirements, please contact the Dolphin Dream team directly.

All non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, soda, juice, and coffee, are included. Beer is available for a surcharge.

 Highlights:

  • Accommodates special dietary requirements
  • Beer not included

Things we like:

  • Captain Scott has been diving and sailing in the Bahamas since 1980
  • Snorkeling with wild dolphins
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Small groups (12 people)
  • Port taxes included

Things we don't like:

  • Expensive compared to other liveaboards and for quality of boat
  • Snorkeling and scuba diving gear rental surcharge
  • Shared bathroom
Key facts
Year built: 1983
Max divers: 12
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: No
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments