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Swimming with the dolphins on the Big Island can be done by people of all ages and swimming skills. It is an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime. Do not forget to take your (waterproof) camera.
"Nai'a" is the Hawaiian name for dolphins. It refers to any species of dolphins found in the Hawaiian waters, which can mean one of the following four: [1] The pacific bottlenose dolphin. [2] The rough-toothed dolphin. [3] The spotted dolphin. [4] The spinner dolphin. Of these, spinner dolphins are the smallest and most common dolphins around Hawaii, and the pacific bottlenose dolphins are know for their playfulness and star-appearances in aquariums world-wide!
However, swimming with dolphins is not good for the dolphins itself. NOAA recommends to stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins when 'swimming' with them (more on the how and why of these guidelines). Out of respect for dolphins and the ocean, please respect these guidelines and choose your tour operator accordingly.
If you really want to swim close to dolphins, we recommend the (captive dolphins) Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa village
Dolphins on which side? the Kona side!
The best places to spot wild dolphins are at the Kona and Kohala (north of Kona) coasts. The weather on this side of the island is good year-round, so don't forget to pack sunscreen. Being close to dolphins is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip - some people even consider it a profound and life enhancing experience!
How to behave around wild dolphins
Dolphins are very smart and playful mammals, and it can seem like great fun for both parties to look up and play with dolphins. However, seeking out and trying to interact with the dolphins disturbs their natural behaviors and interrupts much-needed rest periods. Spinner dolphins, the dolphins most commonly targeted by swimming with dolphin activities on the Big Island, seek out sheltered bays with sandy bottoms in order to rest. These rest periods are crucial to their well-being.
If you happen to be in the water close to dolphins, there are a couple of rules you can follow to keep the dolphins as 'safe' as possible. These guidelines have been stated by the NOAA, who recommends the following:
- Remain at least 50 yards (1/2 a football field) from spinner dolphins.
- Limit your time observing to 1/2 hour.
- Spinner dolphins should not be encircled or trapped between boats or shore.
- If approached by a spinner dolphin while boating, put the engine in neutral and allow the animal to pass. Boat movement should be from the rear of the animal.
You can find more information at the NOAA "protect dolphins campaign". Please stay safe and treat the dolphins with aloha - observe them from a distance
SMART on the Big Island
Many tour operators on the Big Island (and worldwide) still organize "swim with dolphins" excursions with complete disregard for the best interest of the dolphins itself. To help improve this, NOAA has started the "Dolphin SMART" program. Dolphin SMART is a unique voluntary recognition and education program encouraging responsible viewing of wild dolphins.
Commercial wild dolphin tours or any commercial vessel that may opportunistically view wild dolphins can participate in the SMART program and get recognized if they successfully demonstrate responsible viewing and advertising of dolphins in the wild and educating patrons on the importance of dolphin conservation.
SMART has only recently expanded to Hawaii, and recognition has not been awarded to any company on the Big Island yet (as of October 2011). If this happens we recommend that you reward the companies that gain SMART recognition by booking your tours through them.
In the meantime there are a couple of things you can do to book the most dolphin-friendly tour:
Booking dolphin tours
You might bump into dolphins while enjoying one of the many activities that will keep you busy in the ocean on the Big Island, but if you do not want to take that chance, your best bet will be to book a tour. These tours will last about 4 hours, and set you back around $150. Snacks, water and snorkeling equipment are generally provided to the guests aboard, but be sure to inquire about this when you book a tour. What you shouldn't forget to pack are sunblock, a bathing suit and a towel!
Some options for a Dolphin Tour in Kona are: Blue Sea Cruises, BodyGlove Cruises, and Kamanu Charters. When contacting these (or any other) tour operators whose excursions you are considering, please inquire after the procedures they follow. Take a look at what they advertise. If they say they follow NOAA recommendations, do their pictures imply otherwise? Whose interests are they focusing on, and what about the dolphins’?
In this way you let these companies know that you care, which will make them care (even more).
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