Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with Dolphins

When I starting planning our trip to Hawaii, Becky had just one request – to go swimming with dolphins in the wild. That was the first thing I booked (after the flights) and it was absolutely amazing. We booked a private outing with Kona Ocean Adventures. Trip was our skipper and Sara our guide for a time we will all remember forever.

We saw several “pods” of spinner dolphins as soon as we left the harbor. The next 4-5 hours were spent moving from one pod to another, getting in the water, and enjoying the close-up views of these wonderful mammals. Sometimes the dolphins would be swimming 10-15 feet below while we were snorkeling at the surface. You could even see young ones below their Moms, nursing while cruising along.

These mammals are in the wild, swimming in their natural habitat. All of us were cautioned ahead of time how to behave in the water, and not to get too close to the dolphins.

We ventured out from an active harbor in Kailua Kona. Fishing boats and pleasure crafts come and go all day, as they have since the area was settled. Local recreation and local wildlife have found a way to co-exist in harmony here. The dolphins were as interested in the swimmers in the water as we were in them. It’s a great example for all of us.

Toward the end of the trip we stopped near a reef with all kinds of colorful fish and ventured out to explore. the number and variety of fish was simply amazing. This was another of those special “Live Real Life” moments come to pass.