Dolphin kept visiting this Diver for years, then one day she brought him a GIFT

When Evan Pender descends beneath the waves to dive off Ireland’s coastline, he enters a silent, surreal world that few people ever experience firsthand. Although he usually begins his dives alone, solitude rarely lasts long.

Time and again, a wild dolphin named Dusty rises from the deep to meet him. Almost every dive turns into a reunion.

For over two decades, Dusty has been a familiar presence along this stretch of coast, well known for occasionally approaching boats and swimmers. Yet her connection with Pender appears to go beyond simple curiosity. Whenever he enters the water, she seems actively drawn to him.

“I never look for Dusty when I get in the water,” Pender told The Dodo. “She finds me, so she must enjoy my company.”

Their encounters often last for hours, with Pender swimming beside Dusty as she leads the way through the underwater landscape. The dynamic, however, is always defined by her comfort and choice.

“All contact between me and Dusty is initiated by her,” Pender said. “I have never touched her in all the time I have dived with her. I see her as an equal and I wouldn’t like to unbalance our relationship by rubbing her.”

This mutual respect has allowed trust to grow naturally, turning repeated meetings into a genuine bond.

During one dive, Pender briefly removed one of his fins. Dusty appeared fascinated, as if realizing for the first time that the object attached to his foot could be separated from him.

The idea clearly stayed with her. The following day, when Pender returned to the sea, Dusty reappeared carrying a fin she had discovered on her own. It was an offering — and it quickly turned into a playful exchange, similar to a game of fetch.

That shared moment of play deepened their connection through laughter and understanding.

“I think I understand why dolphins play games with objects. It builds trust,” Pender said.

“With Dusty, she knew that it was as enjoyable for me to dive down and get the fin as it was for her. Otherwise, she would have wanted me to drop the fin for her always. But she wanted me to go down for it. She never skipped a turn.”

Encounters like these reveal that the ocean is more than a place of exploration — it is also home to genuine emotional connections.

Although Pender doesn’t see himself as a representative between humans and dolphins, his relationship with Dusty has naturally formed a bridge between the two worlds.

“I feel at home underwater,” Pender said. “I love being around Dusty, and our friendship is getting stronger and stronger.”