Wish you were here -- Mikura Island, Japan

Where there's nearly one dolphin for every human being

By Paulette Waltz 27 February, 2010

Making friends with dolphins in Mikura Island is easy.

Mask, snorkel, fins -- check, check and check. Senses were heightened as we sat on the edge of the boat, awaiting the signal. The skipper maneuvered to an ideal location and yelled, "Go, go, go!" We jumped in and within moments dozens of dolphins surrounded us. Some cruised in schools below, others who swam towards the surface were more playful. They encircled us, as curious about us as we them.

Swimming with dolphins is one of those things you should do once in your life. Or if you can, do it 10 times, because each time it will reinvigorate your child-like perspective of the world. About 200 wild dolphins live year-round at Mikura Island (御蔵島). The island’s population is so small, about 300 people, that the locals don’t need proper addresses; they simply write NAME and MIKURA ISLAND.

Getting to Mikura Island is weather-dependent. There are helicopters and ferries from Tokyo and neighboring Izu Islands.

About the author: Paulette Waltz is a freelance photographer from the Washington, D.C. area now based in Tokyo. Since attending Emory University several years ago, she has been to over 20 countries and thus is the envy of many of her friends. For more information, visit www.paulettewaltz.com.

Paulette submitted this piece as part of CNNGo’s CityPulse section. To find out what other stories we are looking for, go to our CityPulse page.

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Izu islands