A GROUP of lucky jet skiers had an 'experience of a lifetime' after playing with a group of dolphins just off Bournemouth Pier.

Lola Richardson, 17, went jet skiing with her friends between Bournemouth Pier and Branksome on May 8 when three 'incredible' dolphins greeted them.

Lola said: "One of my friends spotted them, and when we got closer, they started jumping off our wake and playing with us."

The group turned off their engines, and the dolphins proceeded to jump over and swim under the jet skis.

Lola said: "I've never seen a dolphin before. I didn't realise how big they were; it was huge, enormous, massive.

"I was actually quite scared but at the same time really excited.

"We were with them for a really long time. They stayed and played with us for about an hour."

Bournemouth Echo: Dolphin coming up to the jet skiers

Three dolphins are regularly spotted near Weymouth, including one known affectionately as Danny.

Danny the dolphin is a local celebrity who frequents the Dorset coast and is very popular with residents and tourists.

He is known for leaping out of the water just feet away from people on watercraft.

Lola said: "My friends and I often go jet skiing off Bournemouth beach, and we have never seen anything like this.

"We were talking about going out again to see if we could spot them."

Lola and her friends captured astonishing photos of the dolphins leaping and playing with them.

She added: "I think it was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"So many people pay so much money to see dolphins, and I am just so grateful that I could spend time with them.

"I feel so lucky to see them in the wild. It was such a rare occasion."

According to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, bottlenose dolphins are most frequently seen along the Dorset coast.

The trust says: "These dolphins are the biggest bottlenose dolphins in the world – their size helps them cope with the cold Dorset waters.

"They are very social animals and can often be seen in small groups of up to 15 dolphins.

"They love to jump out of the water and will happily approach boats (surfing in the waves created by the boat). They feed on fish, often working as a team to hunt."