Hawaii, Swim with Dolphins??

[lizard1]

I am researching places to swim with dolphins in Hawaii. Does anyone have recommendations of places to use? How far in advance do the tours/programs book up? Is it better to swim with the dolphins in the wild or the ones in captivity, or would you do both? Are there any experiences that are able to be booked through Aulani and are they worth it or is it better to book on your own?

Any insights/experiences/photos would be much appreciated!

 

[southerngirl528]

Aloha Lizard1. If you were to post your question on the Hawaii forums on TA, you would get lots of replies but I can assure you most will be advising you NOT to do this. To swim with wild dolphins can alter their natural behaviors and they are beautiful but powerful animals. And I pretty much agree with the folks that would advise against it. On a brighter note, I have read of folks doing a catamaran excursion booked through Aulani that is geared toward seeing dolphins up close, but while the animals are in the wild, and you are on the boat.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I agree. Go see the dolphins in the wild and not penned up for humans.

 

[rlk]

We had a great experience swimming with dolphins last summer. We used dolphinexcursions.com. We booked the first tour of the day and where lucky to swim with a couple different pods. At one point we were surrounded by dolphins. It was amazing. We got to snorkel with some sea turtles and fish too. They serve breakfast after the excursion- it's included in the price.

 

[lizard1]

We had a great experience swimming with dolphins last summer. We used dolphinexcursions.com. We booked the first tour of the day and where lucky to swim with a couple different pods. At one point we were surrounded by dolphins. It was amazing. We got to snorkel with some sea turtles and fish too. They serve breakfast after the excursion- it's included in the price.

Do the dolphins come up to you, or are you watching from above/to the side/etc.? Do you feel that it is harmful to the dolphins, as mentioned by a previous poster? Is it safe (I'm sure there is probably a waiver of some sort, but what safety precautions are taken)? Do you feel that it would be safe for children (6,9,11) who are decent swimmers (I'm talking in terms of staffing, the training of the staff, instructions for novice snorkelers, etc.)? Thank you!

 

[pangyal]

Aloha Lizard1. If you were to post your question on the Hawaii forums on TA, you would get lots of replies but I can assure you most will be advising you NOT to do this. To swim with wild dolphins can alter their natural behaviors and they are beautiful but powerful animals. And I pretty much agree with the folks that would advise against it. On a brighter note, I have read of folks doing a catamaran excursion booked through Aulani that is geared toward seeing dolphins up close, but while the animals are in the wild, and you are on the boat.

I can't agree with this more. The trained ones are gentle and tame, but the wild ones are aggressive and unpredictable- like any wild animal who might feel you are threatening his or her group. I would not go anywhere near any tour company that offers a chance to swim with wild dolphins any more than I would a company that offered me a chance to run with wild lions.

The tame dolphin encounters are apparently quite something, and many of them are tailored to kids. The glass bottomed boats are another way to experience marine life safely, if not as interactive. The good excursions would likely take you to an area where there are pods that are used to humans on a daily basis. I agree with the suggestion to check TA, or contact Disney directly at Aulani to see who they recommend .

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

I am researching this at the moment but I want to be able to just view them from a boat . . Would you consider this

 

[southerngirl528]

I think viewing from a boat is great, Eeyorefanuk. That way these gorgeous marine mammals can be seen in safety. For you and them. And because dolphins are highly intelligent and very curious, they often run right alongside the boats and will come up to the boat sometimes. Someone on the trip reports on Disboards had an Aulani TR that went on an excursion through Disney they said was wonderful and that they saw lots of dolphins without swimming with them.

 

[lizard1]

Aloha Lizard1. If you were to post your question on the Hawaii forums on TA, you would get lots of replies but I can assure you most will be advising you NOT to do this. To swim with wild dolphins can alter their natural behaviors and they are beautiful but powerful animals. And I pretty much agree with the folks that would advise against it. On a brighter note, I have read of folks doing a catamaran excursion booked through Aulani that is geared toward seeing dolphins up close, but while the animals are in the wild, and you are on the boat.

I don't visit TA and don't intend to...just not in the list of my preferred places to obtain information.

I can't agree with this more. The trained ones are gentle and tame, but the wild ones are aggressive and unpredictable- like any wild animal who might feel you are threatening his or her group. I would not go anywhere near any tour company that offers a chance to swim with wild dolphins any more than I would a company that offered me a chance to run with wild lions.

The tame dolphin encounters are apparently quite something, and many of them are tailored to kids. The glass bottomed boats are another way to experience marine life safely, if not as interactive. The good excursions would likely take you to an area where there are pods that are used to humans on a daily basis. I agree with the suggestion to check TA, or contact Disney directly at Aulani to see who they recommend .

Do you have any recommendations for experiences with trained dolphins? Or any recommendations for excursions to view dolphins? While I realize I could call Aulani, I'm looking for btdt recommendations not just what they might want to try to sell me on.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

I cannot recommend but have found these and their reviews on trip advisor are good

http://www.dolphin-star.com/

Looks like they pick up from aulani for a fee

I am so tempted by this, just cannot decide if can tear myself away from aulani as only there a few days lol

 

[lizard1]

Thanks. Swimming with dolphins is on my bucket list, and I know at least one of my children would really love it. I like the idea of doing it in the wild, but I don't want to hurt the dolphins nor do I want to be hurt in the process.

Hi

I cannot recommend but have found these and their reviews on trip advisor are good

http://www.dolphin-star.com/

Looks like they pick up from aulani for a fee

I am so tempted by this, just cannot decide if can tear myself away from aulani as only there a few days lol

That looks interesting. I wonder where their snorkeling spot is and what is available to see there....

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Sorry not sure as do not snorkel but just google dolphin star on trip advisor, loads of reviews . Hope it helps. Other alternative is send them a quick email. They have a lovely photo gallery on their website

 

[DisneyMarathon]

Hello,
I had done swimming with dolphins several times in Hawaii. However, I highly recommend take a day cruise to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. There is nothing compared to seeing them swimming freely with their pods in the vast ocean.

 

[lizard1]

Hello,
I had done swimming with dolphins several times in Hawaii. However, I highly recommend take a day cruise to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. There is nothing compared to seeing them swimming freely with their pods in the vast ocean.

Do you have recommendations for any of the places to swim with dolphins or for any of the cruises? Thanks.

 

[DisneyMarathon]

Try Wild Side Specialty Tours. Their website is SailHawaii dot com
I highly encourage you to see these dolphins in the ocean, their natural habitat. These beautiful creatures are very "family oriented", so it is exhilarating to see them swim together in pods. Definitely worth it!

Sadly, dolphins are struggling to survive in the wild due to pollution (our fault). And, to capture and keep them in captivity is not the answer either...sorry, going off topic here.

Have a great trip!

 

[markmcalear]

My wife and daughter wanted to swim with dolphins but have a concern about the Hawaiian waters being among the most shark infested waters in the world. Am I overreacting?

 

[southerngirl528]

More shark bites happen off the shores of my home state, Florida, than happen in Hawaii. Could a shark encounter happen? Sure, they're out there. But it is about as likely as getting struck by lightning. Unless you are on some boat that is chumming.

 

[thedogatemyhomework]

there are some encounters with trained animals (dolphins, sea lions) as well as a shark one but its on the opposite side of the island from aulani. a simple web search should easily return the name (I'd rather not name it specifically since there are those that have very strong feelings one way or the other about these things.)