Swimming with dolphins on Oahu with Dolphin Excursions, Hawaii
Imagine snorkeling in crystal clear water above a magnificent coral reef and being surrounded by a pod of wild dolphins. No need to imagine anymore. Now this dream can come true with this amazing wild dolphin encounter tour.
Come and swim with dolphins in the wild, not in a zoo, but in their natural habitat, the open ocean! This unforgettable boat tour takes place on Oahu’s remote west coast, where the water is as clear as glass and you’ll be able to see 40 feet and more down to the bottom. It makes you feel like you’re flying right above the coral reef. This is as close as you can get to wild dolphins and their world!
You’ll depart from the Waianae Boat Harbor (free roundtrip transportation from Waikiki is included) and board the Naia I, a 32-foot state-of-the-art vessel specifically designed for dolphin excursions like this one. The boat ride is an adventure in itself. When there are a few waves out in the ocean, it’s a fun bouncing ride.
You’ll head out to the open ocean. The water here will amaze you. Nothing like it is back in Waikiki, even though it can be fairly clear there already. But the water here is as good as it can be. Because of its clarity on most days of the year, you’ll enjoy a good view of the dolphins and other marine animals, including turtles and other colorful tropical fish. And if you do this tour in the winter (between December and April), you will probably also see the majestic Pacific humpback whales.
The dolphin species that you’ll see here are the spinner dolphins, named after their playful acrobatics (jumping out of the water and spin in the air). Once a pod of dolphins is spotted, you’ll be able to jump in to view these fascinating mammals from up close. And since no more than 25 participants will be taken on this tour, there will be enough space for everyone. It makes for an unhurried excursion.
You can choose between two daily tours. The Early Bird Excursion is for those who don’t mind getting up early. You’ll be picked up from Waikiki between 5:45 and 6 a.m. (boat departs at 7:30 a.m.). You can also choose the Prime Time Excursion, for which you’ll be picked up between 8:15 and 9 a.m. (boat departs at 10:30 a.m.). Each tour is about 2.5 to 3 hours long.
For more information visit Dolphin Excursions website, or read more about swimming with dolphins in Hawaii.
