Special Events Calendar & Fundraiser’s
Dolphins Days of Summer and Fall
Calm warm waters in the summer lend themselves to connecting with wild dolphins. Join marine biologists for an intimate, small-group dolphin tour—just 8 guests per boat. Summer is peak season for wild spinner and spotted dolphins along Oʻahu’s west coast. Watch them surf and leap beside the boat, and swim alongside them respectfully. Tours also include coral reef snorkeling, sea turtle sightings, and conservation-focused citizen science. Departing daily from Waiʻanae Boat Harbor, just minutes from Ko Olina. Fun for the whole family, join our marine biologist crew, or take our six-hour Wildlife in Depth charter to maximize your experience.
Valentines Day Whale Tails, Sea of Love, Feb. 14th
Treat yourself and your loved one to a magical night under the stars, romantic and serene, including breeding season for humpback whales or frisky dolphin activity! Join us aboard a 34′ catamaran for, phenomenal views of constellations and planets. Sails limited to 10 passengers to keep excursion… intimate. Early bookings are recommended.
On the ocean, Hawaii’s night skies are prime viewing grounds for stargazing, with no air pollution, fog or frost! Enjoy the open sea with the breeze in your face, the sound of water lapping on the hull, and your sweetie in the crook of your arm. Setting sail an hour before sunset will give us time to look for the lingering marine wildlife common to the coastline. We can then kick-back and enjoy the cosmic process painting the Hawaiian sky.
During our 2 1/2 hour voyage, we are happy to share our knowledge with you on topics including ancient Polynesian voyaging and celestial navigation, astronomy, whale and dolphin behavior, sea lore and local legends – while you enjoy the wild and wonderful, chocolate and champagne.
Get onboard @ $205 per person by booking the Sunset Sailing Cruise on Feb. 14th on our secure online reservation form.
Cetacean Day, April 14th
Celebrated worldwide to honor all dolphins and whales (cetaceans). In Hawaii, we celebrate all week! Spend time learning about, from, and amongst wild cetaceans, in their worlds, on their terms, in their natural habitat. Led by docents from the Wild Dolphin Foundation, along with an intimate group of fellow journeyers.
Dive into Earth Day, April 22nd
Join in marine conservation activities! Says the Coral Reef Alliance: “People are invited throughout the week to organize and participate in a wide range of activities to help protect underwater ecosystems.” In conjunction with the Wild Dolphin Foundation, participate in afternoon fish and turtle surveys with Wild Side Specialty Tours marine biologists. Snorkel equipment, refreshments and training provided on 3 hour afternoon sailing charters.
Get onboard by booking the Best of the West on secure online reservation form and mention Earth Day for a 10% discount that entire week.
Meteor shower and Annual Dolphin Convocation, May 6, 2011
Each year in the first week of May, huge numbers of dolphins gather in the Indonesian waters swimming in a gigantic spiral pattern. No one knows exactly why this happens In Hawaii, we see similar occurrences with our spinner dolphins during the same time. Join our marine biologist team this spring to venture out and research this strange phenomenon, and watch the preceding meteor shower
Wayfinding techniques are how Polynesian navigators made long voyages across thousands of miles on the open ocean. Using only their senses and knowledge passed down orally (often in the form of song), Polynesian navigators memorize important facts such as the motion of stars, weather and the seasons of travel, wildlife species, the direction, size, and speed of ocean waves, the colors of the sea and sky and especially how clouds would cluster at the locations of some islands.
Wildlife in Depth charter for an early pre-dawn departure time.
Hawaii Endangered Species Day, 3rd Friday in May
Celebrated annually by thousands of people across the United States on the third Friday in May. Endangered Species Day in Hawai‘i is a fun and unique way for keiki and adults to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species in Hawai‘i and around the globe. With 420 species on the endangered species list for the state of Hawai‘i, there will be plenty of honorees to recognize. Protecting wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that residents and visitors alike can continue to experience the rich variety of native species that help to define Hawai‘i, many of which are critically endangered and are found nowhere else on earth! Join wildlife biologists from the Wild Dolphin Foundation, onboard to help us discover, record and learn about the protected species of marine life that we encounter.
World Turtle Day; May 23rd
World Turtle Day was started to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the pet trade. We are seeing smaller and smaller turtles coming into the rescue meaning that older adults are disappearing from the wild, and the breeding stock is drastically reduced. the day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.
World Oceans Day, Sailing Celebration, June 8, every year
First declared in 1992 to express a shared belief in halting the worldwide loss of marine resources. Share in “Edu-tainment” events happening worldwide near and around that date. We will be focusing on Hawaii’s ocean resources this week. Limited to 6 -15 passengers per sail, a sensitive journey will be taken to explore dolphin habitats, turtles and reef ecosystems.
Get out on the sea for World Ocean Day by booking the Best of the West within that week including June 8th, mention World Oceans Day on the comment section of the secure online reservation form, and get a 10% discount.
Ten things you can do to help protect your oceans.
Meteor Showers all summer long!
Meteor Showers all summer longClick on the link above for more info and peak dates for Meteor Showers 2025/2026 and get onboard @ $225 per person.
4th of July
Departure near Ko Olina, sunset cruise w/ BBQ dinner, 10 passengers max. The “main” fireworks (we will be able to see several from the water), begin at 8am, with simultaneous soundtrack broadcast over our theater sound system. Star and planet gazing with narration is also included. We return to the harbor by approx. 9:30 pm.
As the 4th of July sail is always a sell-out event, please lock in your reservations by use of our secure online reservation form. Please see our Sunset Sail / Night Cruise page for more general information, and links to our other unique ocean tours.
Ghost Ship, Halloween Night, Oct. 31th
WDF storytellers host our 5th annual Wild Dolphin Foundation “Ghost Ship” fundraiser. Three hours of supernatural tales rooted in Hawaiian culture and other chilling stories, mixing humor with horror – on the water – in the dark, in costume.
Set sail into the sunset at 5:30 for 2 1/2 hours of “chicken skin” experiences, non-alcoholic drinks (BYO witch’s brew), and heavy pupus included. $225 per person.
Veteran’s and Memorial Day Overnighters
When it comes to operating in dangerous shores or deep oceans, the U.S. military often turns to a unique force: marine mammals. Dolphins have been trained in attack-and-kill missions since the Cold War, and can detect underwater mines better than any man-made device.
Learn more about these unseen veterans and experience them in their natural habitat – in Hawaii – where World War II began. Historical sites affected by the war and viewed from the coastline will include the Aloha Tower, Pearl Harbor entrance, Barber’s Point, and the entire Waianae Coastline.
Our marine biologist crew will take you underwater to view items preserved and left over from war times, such as a sunken plane and a tank, now covered in coral reef and tropical fish. On a lighter note, encounters both above and under the water with dolphins are in the works, and we may even run into some pre-season humpback whales. All food and lodging is included, do please bring your own snorkel gear, or let us know if needed. $675 per person, six passengers maximum, activities near Ko Olina.
Talk like a Pirate Day – Sept. 19th (or nearby)
Ahoy there, scallywags and sea wenches! Prepare to have your timbers thoroughly shivered. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is recognized ’round the world with participants talking, dressing, and partying like pirates of the Spanish Main. Get some ideas to join the fun with us at www.talklikeapirate.com Prepare to be boarded!
Whales Tails and Full Moon Sails
Offered only 5 (full moon) nights a year during humpback whale season. Here in Hawaii, the most remote island chain in the world, you’ll experience major constellations and the full moon’s path across the ocean from an optimal vantage point, sailing away from ambient on-shore lights. Stir-fry dinner prepared during whale sightings and laid out shortly after sunset. Full moon to follow!
During our 3 hour voyage, we are happy to share our knowledge with you on topics including; ancient Polynesian voyaging and celestial navigation, astronomy, whale and dolphin behavior, sea lore and local legends. Or, to drop in a hydrophone to eavesdrop on whale serenades…
Check dates here and then get onboard @ $205 per person by booking the Sunset Sailing Cruise on secure online reservation form.
Portion of proceeds donated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation for conservation efforts.
Hawaii Calendar of Special Events
Notice: Wild Side (complete terms and agreements) reserves the right to substitute vessels, and to seasonally modify departure and arrival times. Due to our popularity and limited group sizes, cancellations with less than 10 day notice and “No Shows” are subject to full charge. Prices quoted do not include state tax, harbor fees or fuel surcharge.
Although our sighting rates are at 90+% we cannot guarantee sightings, interaction with wild dolphins whales, snorkeling, nor ideal weather conditions. We reserve the right to not facilitate in-water OR shipboard encounters which we feel may compromise the well-being of our guests or ocean wildlife. All passengers are required to wear flotation devices.