Swimming with Dolphins, Biologist-led Boat Tour

Wild Dolphin Swim – safe for dolphins and you

Hands down, you can’t beat the experience of semi-private or private boat tours, led by experienced naturalists. Swimming with  dolphins on Oahu is often amongst large pods of gregarious spotted dolphins – normally found about 20 minutes from the harbor. Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are often sighted and open to gentle in-water visitation as well.

With only 5 other guests max, you will get personal training and can get off and on the boat quickly and in the dolphins world, on the dolphin’s terms. In-water guides plug you into your dolphin connection, making sure you are comfortable guests in the dolphins home for the best encounters possible.

Wild Dolphin Swim Itinerary – what to expect

Depart the boat harbor and head offshore. Similar to fishermen we head for the ‘edges’. Areas of underwater formations or crossing currents attracting a food chain. Flocks of pelagic seabirds diving are a give-away and their flight can be seen from quite far away.

Swimming with dolphins oahu free

Letting the dolphins come to you

Captains on the flybridge constantly scan for anything out of the ordinary. Such as an erroneous splash, or a quick reflection off a fin. Once spotted, investigation begins. Crew will grab cameras for research photos and all hands on deck!

The dolphins (or whales) are the stars of the show now. Our naturalists will interpret behavior seen, particular to each species we encounter. The more you can get into the dolphin’s head, the better your dolphin swim. Insight on ‘dolphin wetiquette‘ will be given before entering the water, making it safe for dolphins and you.

A guide (or two/ or photographer) will be in the water with you, checking gear, etc. In-water guidance is continued – where to swim, when to stop and wait, where to look. You’re in the zone, connected to that day, that time, that dolphin experience.

As the Best of the West tour is three+ hour we’ll have time, and dependent on Mother Nature will whale watch and do a guided sea turtle snorkel as well.

Guided swimming with 17 Hawaii dolphin species can still be done, if done correctly.

Swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins from shore is illegal. Locals can feel strongly about those doing so from public beaches. Some Native Hawaiian have reacted aggressively to beachgoers wanting to swim with free dolphins.

“The ocean is not our home. . . we are guests and should act accordingly.”

— Kathleen Dudzinski

” If you wanted to befriend a human, would you run down the street, chase him or her and expect that person to greet you in ease? I don’t know anyone who wants to be aggressively chased.”

Dr. Laurie Moore