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• Dolphins have been observed frequently stroking each other with their flippers, indicating that they require physical contact much like humans.

• Fisherman use spotted dolphins as a means to find Ahi (Yellow Fin Tuna). 

• The Spotted dolphins swim with the Ahi in a symbiotic relationship, with dolphins traveling, leaping and playing along the surface and the Ahi below.

• An individual dolphin may investigate novel objects or unfamiliar territories and "report" back to the pod.

Dolphins Common to Hawaii

The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai'a, and refers to all dolphins found in Hawaiian waters. Personalized, unhurried excursions with knowledgable crew, and limited passenger counts make our encounters unique.

Spotting, if present, consists of light spots on their darker areas or, dark spots on their lighter areas. Older dolphins are more heavily spotted.The amount of spots they will have depends on thier sex and age.

Before they get their spots, at about five years of age,spotted dolphins look much like spinner dolphins. In Hawaii, spotting is poorly developed, and you usually need to get quite close to be noticeable.

Spotted dolphins are extremely social creatures and form herds of a few dozen to more than a thousand.

As with many other cetacean species in Hawaii, they appear to feed at night on the deep scattering layer. However daytime feeding is often witnessed.

There is some belief that Native Hawaiians (Kanaka Maoli) deemed porpoise to be a oceanic tribe with equal rights as human villagers. They worked cooperatively with "porpoise" to fish, especially for tuna.

This may still ring true today as modern Hawaiian fishermen enlist the spotted dolphins help in finding prime food fish.

Our wildlife tours focus on education and conservation so that an interactive relationship can be maintained in the best interest of both humans and dolphins. We strive to foster admiration and deep respect for these wonder-ful marine mammals.

Spotted Dolphins in Hawaii, Photo Gallery | Listen to a spotted dolphin (sound)

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