Dive into the Ultimate Adventure:
Swimming with Dolphins, Biologist-led Boat Tour
Embark on an unforgettable dolphin swim on the Wild Side, boasting over 25 years of prioritizing both the safety of dolphins and your experience. Say goodbye to battling crowds and scrambling for prime spots. Our semi-private or private boat tours, guided by seasoned naturalists, offer unrivaled access to the blue water world of Oahu dolphins.
Intimate encounters with gregarious spotted dolphins are often just a 20 minute boat ride out from Oahu’s Waianae harbor. But the magic doesn’t stop there – keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales and even manta rays or whale sharks welcoming gentle in-water visits.
With a maximum of only 6 guests per tour, expect personalized attention and seamless transitions in and out of the water. Our expert guides ensure you enter the dolphins’ realm on their terms, fostering eye-to-eye connections, leaving bucket-list memories.
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 which promote food chains. Flocks of pelagic seabirds diving are a give-away and their pattering flights can be seen from quite far away.
Letting the dolphins come to you
Your captain up on the flybridge eagle-eye scans for anything out of the ordinary. May an erroneous white 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 of the Hawaii dolphin and whale is legal, when 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
