This happened in Carlisle Bay, which is a south/west beach in Barbados. We had just come in from a dive only moments before they were noticed and they were no where to be seen prior to, so they came close in quite quickly just after 11 am. They were swimming among the boats, which drew the attention of many along the beach, including, a number of boats. The Carlisle Marine Park is only about 50 meters away from where this happened, so a number of tourist boats (sail boats, snorkeling) came over. I would estimate that there were close to 30 dolphins. One had a torn dorsal fin, and another was bleeding. There were many small dolphins (maybe 7-8).

At first, I grabbed my snorkeling equipment to go and snorkel with them because I had no idea they were going to head for the beach. I am not sure anyone thought they would. I was snorkeling with them for about 5 minutes when it became apparent that they were heading into shallower water. Again, I did not think they would go for the beach, I guess maybe because I have never experienced this before. I would say, I was swimming with them for approximately 10 minutes when I realised they were heading straight for the beach. Swimmers closer to shore started to react, and that was when we (myself and others from The Dive Shop Ltd.) went in. Being divers, we were lucky that the staff, as well as the customers we were with, were all good swimmers.

We went in and it was great to see how everyone was working together. A local lifeguard was directing everyone to grab their tails and pull them back out. I pulled out a number of dolphins, but they kept heading back for the beach. At one point I pulled a baby dolphin out quite far and when I let go it didn't move and I was really worried. I remember staring at it and hollering out to a fellow diver, but it did eventually come to and headed further out.

We were on the beach for at least 5 minutes, with I would estimate 15 bystanders and approximately 10 of us pulling, pushing and carrying the dolphins out. When they were in a few feet of water, the local lifeguard began to yell at another dive boat to move out, so that we could clear the way and for all those in the water to form a line to keep them moving outwards. It went back and forth. First they seemed to move with little effort, and you can see in the video that we were laughing, relieved and enjoying the experience, but then they turned back and we had to regroup. They didn't get back to the beach, but they did seem adamant about doing so. Finally, we had them back on path and we directed as far as we could.

One of our Dive Masters David Hutson, swam with them well past the boats ensuring that they were all out of harms way and not returning before accepting a ride back from a kayaker. I asked him how far he would estimate he swam (with about 5 others), and he replied, "as far as we could. Well past the boats"

We returned to the beach and kept an eye out from the shop for several hours to ensure they didn't come back in. Without any reports on tonight's news, I am pretty sure they did not return to another beach.

No one seemed to know why this happened, beyond a prediction that one was hurt and the others followed. It was a mixed bag of emotions, excitement, worry and then relief. Reflecting back, it was a beautiful display of how so many came together and helped. I can recall hearing at least 3 different European accents, I was out there with a Scotish Dive Master, a St. Lucian and a local. Myself being Canadian. So it was nice to see how we all came together and helped these confused little dolphins. That being said, I think we were all very relieved to see them so far out when they returned to the sea.

In the video, John Moore, from The Dive Shop, was pulling out the dolphin from the beach. From start to finish. I would estimate I was back on the beach within 45 minutes of first leaving the shop (after they were back out deep). Time on the beach pulling them off seemed quite long, but it was probably just longer than 5 minutes.

I have since been in contact with a number of professionals regarding what happened, including a vet from Barbados who researches and records such occurrences. There has been a number of explanations offered. An article was sent about a virus found in those this is found on the beach in America. Other explanations were confusion, damaged sonar, and pollution (probably not applicable here).