What did I do while in Hilton Head earlier this week? I took my kids SHARK FISHING.
On a SMALL boat.
Let's just say I was having a hard time coming up with a birthday present for my soon-to-be 8-year-old. And he LOVES sharks. So when I was looking for activities for us to do in Hilton Head, guess what popped up?
I could have opted for an actual kids' fishing / discovery trip. But no, I was lured in (no pun intended) by THIS TRIP. Check out the photo on the website to see the size of the boat!
After reading about all the sharks that inhabit the waters of Hilton Head, I'm not sure I'll be back out in the ocean swimming anytime soon. Tiger Sharks, Mako Sharks, Bull Sharks - oh my! BUT, this three-hour tour really was a trip (despite some ominous looking skies and thunder). It was an awesome adventure and learning experience for the whole family. We did indeed catch sharks. Three Bonnet-Head (shovel-head) sharks and one Shortfin Mako (YIKES). Luckily they were all SMALL. Especially the Mako (less than a year old).
Bonnet-Head Shark
Shortfin Mako Shark
Aside from hammerheads, most sharks don't live in schools, so we were pretty confident that this Mako was not anywhere near his mama - or so said Captain Chris. Because a MAKO isn't something I'd want to come across when I can reach over the boat and touch the water. Or anytime, for that matter.
Honestly, this was a great trip for us all. Reeling in a shark - not bad for my kid's first catch! He had to work hard for it too! Actually both of my boys did - as did their older cousin. We learned a lot and enjoyed the beautiful waters surrounding Hilton Head. And Captain Jack even got to drive the boat in...
But, though my kids loved catching sharks, I was most happy with our dolphin visitors...who greeted us both on our way out to the deeper waters, and upon our return. These local dolphins are very curious, and come right up to the boats! Sandy, the first dolphin we saw, stuck her fin up and waved. AMAZING ANIMALS!
"Nick," so named because of a nick in his fin, greeted us and swam alongside the boat on our way back. And then Sandy met us at the dock, hovered by the boat and never left. In another life, I'd be a marine biologist and study dolphins.
If you ever go to Hilton Head - visit Captain Chris at Hilton Head Island Tours and take your own three-hour tour. Fall Break will be here before you know it!
I've only been home for a day, and I'm now packing up and heading down to the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay Resort at Duck Key specifically, for a Macaroni Kid publisher meetup. There I plan to relax by the pool and in the saltwater lagoon (no sharks) AND enjoy a meet-and-greet with more dolphins at the Dolphin Connection - the only on-property resort dolphin program in the continental U.S. Can't wait!
Next week...it's time to wind down the summer activities, gear up for fall sports' practices, and watch some football!
Until then - enjoy your week!
Michelle
