Watching dolphins and whales without disturbing them. Planète Dauphins has been a signatory of the marine mammal approach charter in Martinique since 2013.
Beyond the tour operators offering cetacean watching, all sea users are invited to follow the rules of this charter in order to minimise disturbance to the animals and enjoy the spectacle in good harmony with the professionals. These recommendations aim to protect dolphins, whales and their habitat, while ensuring unforgettable encounters.
It sets out the list of marine mammals protected across the national territory and specifies the terms of their protection, prohibiting any behaviour liable to injure, disturb, unsettle, capture, harass or kill marine mammals, as well as to harm their habitats.
It regulates water-based activities along the coastline of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, and specifies the minimum requirements to be met when approaching marine mammals. Failure to comply with these provisions may lead to prosecution, as checks are carried out regularly by the French authorities.
Within the AGOA sanctuary, approaching marine mammals is prohibited within 300 metres. An exemption allows authorised operators to approach up to 100 metres, in strict compliance with the observation rules. It is also prohibited to communicate the animals' position in real time by VHF.
Never head-on or by cutting across the animals' path: you let them come to you, without startling them.
On approach, we slow down and avoid any abrupt change of course or engine speed.
We never separate mothers from their young and we always leave a clear way out.
We keep the encounter short so as not to disrupt the cetaceans' natural behaviours.
We never swim with cetaceans, we do not feed them and we do not touch them.
A change of direction, a dive, agitation: we move away slowly so as not to persist.
Every outing is a chance to admire dolphins in their natural environment — provided it is done with respect. The behaviour of boats directly determines the animals' well-being.
Since 2013, Planète Dauphins has been a signatory of the marine mammal approach charter in Martinique and registered with the AGOA sanctuary. Our captains scrupulously respect the recommended distances, speeds and observation times, so that encountering dolphins remains a moment of sharing, respectful of wildlife and its habitat.
Set off to watch dolphins in Martinique, respecting the animals and the charter.