Spotted dolphin
Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving to See and Watch the Spotted dolphin
The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin can be recognized by its slender, streamlined body and its slender beak. Its livery is dark grey with lighter flanks and belly. When they reach adulthood, dark spots appear as they age.
They live along coasts and in the open sea, in tropical and temperate waters around the world.
CHECK SEASONALITY
Stenella attenuata
Wide angle
Dauphin tacheté pantropical, Spotted dolphin, Pantropical spotted dolphin
Food
Pantropical spotted dolphin is found in all tropical seas. It lives along the coastline in open water. It mainly feeds on fish such as mackerel, flying fish, as well as cephalopods and crustaceans.
Breeding
The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin reaches the average age of sexual maturity at 11 years of age. It has no particular season to give birth. Nevertheless, the number of births increases in spring and autumn. The gestation period lasts less than a year. Females give birth to a single newborn every 36 months in the eastern Pacific and about every 48 months near Japan. The lactation period lasts a year and a half.
Dive centers
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Mero Adventure
Mexico
- Zihuatanejo

Mero Adventure is located in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, on the Pacific coast. The team of PADI instructors, including Fred and Dora, welcomes you to spend the day with friends or family to meet dolphins, rays, seahorses and turtles, in the middle of coral reefs, caves, wrecks, statues. The wreck of the boat Fandango, a real artificial reef colonized by sea bass, sank in front of the Ropa beach. One also recollects in front of the bronze statue of Jesus Christ, 4 meters high, on a concrete base, submerged in front of Las Gatas beach, 8 meters on a sandy bottom.
SNOOBA, an ancient technique used by the local fishermen with an air hose and a regulator, is practiced here, to move without an air cylinder, under the surface of the water, up to 3 meters deep, with fish and corals. This technique is ideal for children from 6 years old.
Certified divers explore the most popular dive sites to discover the beautiful diversity of the Mexican Pacific Ocean and must present their diving certificate beforehand. More than six months without having dived? You have the right to a rehabilitation dive before going on a trip with 2 dives to Los Morros de Potosi, on the island of Ixtapa, or a night dive in El Chato.
Uncertified divers dive in the bay of Chon, behind the beach of las Gatas, or in Zacatoso de las Islas Blancas, in Ixtapa.
From the port of Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa, 3-hour excursions take place on the Mero boat, in the morning or afternoon, at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm with one or two dives each. They include a certified guide, diving equipment, snacks and soft drinks.
PADI courses are also available from beginner to professional levels. [+]
- PADI Training
- Functional boat
- Popular dive sites
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Turneffe Island Resort Dive Center
Belize
- Turneffe Atoll
Open year-round, Turneffe Island Resort is located on the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, off the coast of Belize, on a private island close to the world's second largest barrier reef, just 30 miles from the popular Blue Hole. Turneffe Island Resort consists of two-storey buildings or bungalows, representing 26 oceanfront rooms and villas. Including the Turneffe Island Resort Dive Center, you'll embark 2 times a day for snorkeling trips. Specialize in PADI courses at Turneffe Island Resort Dive Center, from Scuba Diver to Assistant Instructor. Take a day trip and explore the Blue Hole on 3 dives.
Or stay close to the Turneffe Island Resort coral reef with 1 outing of 1 dive aboard small 9 m long dive boats. Children's diving is available from age 10. Nitrox is available at extra cost. You must arrive at Belize City airport before 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays only, to take advantage of the transfer service (15-minute car ride, followed by a 1.5-hour boat ride) included in your Turneffe Island Resort diving package. If you arrive outside these days and/or times, the transfer by private boat or helicopter is extra. On your return, your plane should not take off from Belize City airport before 11 a.m. - or you'll be spending the night in the capital! [+]
- Accomodations and diving
- PADI Dive Resort
- Between 20 and 30 dive sites
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Dive Center Barefoot Divers
Honduras
- Roatan Bay Islands

Barefoot Divers Lodge & Dive Center is located on a caye, along the southern shore traversed by the main road of Roatan Island, Honduras. Nearby there are the cruise ships, the airport and the ferry dock. This private caye is 4 acres large (2 ha). The cays are a string of small islands, along the coast of Roatan between the French Harbor and Brick Bay. They are protected, behind the reef, with calm waters. Trade winds blow a tropical breeze that tempers the climate. In the resort, divers enjoy an area that is completely devolved to them. It is a PADI 5* Diver and Instructor Training Center (IDC). Offers exploration, training, free-diving and special excursions. The boats leave at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 2 pm everyday. Night dive on request. Fresh fruit, water and towels are at your disposal on each outing. On site, storage lockers, hot water showers and changing rooms, equipment lockers, air-conditioned classroom. Numerous dive sites nearby with caves and crevasses, steep walls, wrecks (aircraft). With abundant marine life. Turtles, Sharks, Rays. Many Caribbean sponges. Roatán and the Bay Islands are a popular dive destination. Free on-site taxi-boat operating 24/7 for dive resort guests to cross the small 25 m-wide channel and get to the Honduras continent. [+]
- Accomodations
- Located close to the dive sites
- Comfortable boat
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Dive Bouteille
Guadeloupe
- Terre de Haut

The Dive Bouteille diving center is located in Terre-de-Haut, in the archipelago of Les Saintes, in Guadeloupe, on the beach, a few meters from the boat. Your appointment is at 8:00 am at the center and the boat returns at 12:30 pm. The morning trip includes 2 successive dives on 2 different sites. The surface interval allows you to have a snack on board with tea and biscuits. There is free time for divers and snorkelers to enjoy the beaches and walks in the Saintes archipelago.
There is a changing room, toilet, and shower. The rental equipment is maintained and renewed regularly. The prices of the dives include the complete equipment of the diver, except computers and parachutes of level, obligatory to claim to dive in autonomy. It is possible to bring your rebreather to the Dive Bouteille as there is a supply of lime, oxygen, helium, Bailouts. You can even find spare parts for Submatix.
The Dive Bouteille training centre offers FFESSM, ANMP and PADI courses. The divers evolve at their own pace, respecting the standards of each of these organizations. And if you have never dived before, try the Dive Bouteille special baptism: you won't regret it! Embark on the Dive Bouteille, an 8.50 meter long aluminum barge, equipped with a powerful engine allowing quick access to the best diving spots in the Saintes. Its good stability and seakeeping are really appreciable. With a capacity of 20 divers, only ten divers can board, optimizing the space for equipment, for more comfort and safety.
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- Functional boat
- Meeting after diving
- Friendly atmosphere
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Atlantis Formation Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
- Bouillante

The Atlantis Formation Guadeloupe diving center is located in Bouillante, west of Basse-Terre, in Guadeloupe, 500 m after the Malendure beach and 100 m after the Touna restaurant. This training center offers first dives, diving for children, FFESSM and PADI training as well as first aid courses and boat licenses. Vincent Meurice, manager of Atlantis, is also the co-founder of Bathysmed, a stress and anxiety management method whose protocol has a real therapeutic aspect. Bathysmed diving is accessible to all, and allows for the exploration of oneself underwater. A moment of relaxation is guaranteed for people from 8 to 88 years old, in families, couples, or groups.
Bathysmed instructor training is offered here. Certified divers explore the seabed of Bouillante, mainly in the Cousteau Reserve, around the îlets Pigeon, one of the best diving spots in Guadeloupe. About fifteen different diving and snorkeling sites allow access to the Coral Garden, the Pool, and the wrecks of the Franjack and Gustavia.
Other lesser-known and very interesting dive sites, such as Pointe Mahault, Le Mambo, Pointe Lézarde, Machette (before Pointe Lézarde), Pointe Malendure in the north of the bay, and the Japanese Garden, are also in the Reserve.
Embark on a day trip to the Saintes archipelago, south of Guadeloupe. Take the opportunity to explore the sec Pâté, a shoal rising from 180 m depth, in the Saintes channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Level 2 Advanced divers with Deep Diver Specialty dive over 3 rocky peaks rising to 15 m below the surface. In the afternoon, diving on the Petit Pâté or the Pointe de l'îlet Cabri. [+]
- Popular dive sites
- Between 10 and 20 dive sites
- Functional boat
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