Swim with dolphins on Hawaii's big island.
Many visitors taking a trip to America's Pacific paradise, the Hawaiian Islands, prefer to stay on the big island. Known for its tropical rain forest, ice-topped mountains and dramatic active volcano, the big island is a favorite destination for those who appreciate natural wonders. There are several activities and attractions to entertain visitors to the big island, including swimming with the dolphins with outfits like Dolphin Journeys and Dolphin Quest.
Instructions
Dolphin Journeys
1. Visit the Dolphin Journeys website. This tour operator runs dolphin swimming excursions from Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's big island.
2. Choose a tour. Dolphin Journeys offers a few tours for guests. The Dolphin Excursion is a four-hour tour and takes participants to spots where dolphin pods are known to swim. Guests swim and snorkel, and can enjoy snacks and lunch on the boat.
The Dolphin Excursion takes six participants, but bigger boats are available for large groups. The Dolphin Excursion tour can be combined with another tour, such as the Whale Watching Tour that goes out on afternoons or the Manta Ray Sunset Trip.
3. Contact Dolphin Journeys to reserve a day and time for your tour. You can do this online or by phone.
4. Understand that these dolphins are wild. Many people prefer this type of dolphin adventure to one in which the dolphins are kept in captivity. However, because the dolphins are wild, Dolphin Journeys cannot guarantee that the dolphins will choose to mingle with tour participants.
Dolphin Quest
5. Visit the Dolphin Quest website to learn about the dolphin encounters available at its facility at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Dolphin Quest operates dolphin encounters in Bermuda, Oahu and the big island, and each facility is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
6. Choose an encounter. Dolphin Quest offers programs like the Dolphin Encounter, for ages 5 and older, which involves spending 45 minutes swimming with dolphins in Dolphin Quest's dolphin lagoon under the guidance of trainers. Kids ages 2 to 4 can take part in the Wee Tots program along with an adult, spending 10 minutes in a shallow water dolphin encounter. There are encounters for the whole family, a trainer-for-a-day program and more.
7. Contact Dolphin Quest. Request more information about its facility and programs or make a reservation to swim with dolphins. These programs fill up quickly in the busy summer months, so reservations are highly recommended. Cancellations can be made up to 48 hours prior to the reservation and no charges will be incurred.
Tags: Dolphin Quest, Dolphin Journeys, with dolphins, Dolphin Excursion, Contact Dolphin, dolphin encounters, dolphins wild