UPDATED FEB 2020. One of the perks of visiting Oahu is that you’re on an island surrounded by an ocean that’s home to lots of Spinner Dolphins. There’s really no reason at all to see them trapped in a tank – and I still have no idea why people do that, to be honest. Skip those cruel prisons, and visit them as they swim freely in their home. I booked a tour with Dolphin Excursions Hawaii to swim with wild dolphins on Oahu and here’s everything you need to know about the experience to plan your own day trip.
How To Take A Tour To Swim With Wild Dolphins On Oahu
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for swimming with dolphins on Oahu
Which company should you choose?
Dolphin Excursions Hawaii.
Where is the location for the start of the tour?
Waianae Boat Harbor, approx an hour from Waikiki.
What is the cost for the dolphin swim?
$140 USD (check their website for current prices).
How long does the tour take?
Approx 3 hours.
What should you bring with you?
- Lightweight towel
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Snorkel gear (if you prefer to use your own otherwise it is provided)
- Underwater camera (make sure it is strapped to you – I use this one and this floaty pole)
- A travel journal to document it all (this is the one I created)
)
)The check in process
The meeting point for the tour is the Waianae Boat Harbor which is on the west side of Oahu.
My excitement for the tour was so high that I arrived at the Waianae Boat Harbor a good 50 minutes early.
Safe to say, I did not miss the boat. Instead, I was geared up and ready nice and early with spare time to get more excited.
The crew
Our crew for the day was Captain Jenna, Mandy, and our photographer Paul.
During the tour, they took the time out to chat with us about the animals and point out interesting wildlife other than dolphins. Most of all, their laid-back and friendly vibes made the experience of the tour even more perfect.
I love that you can genuinely feel how much they love and respect the animals.
It was as if the experience was just as awe-inspiring for them as it was for us.
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Is it ethical to swim with wild dolphins on Oahu?
It was very important and explained very clearly that we are here to be around the dolphins, yet not interfere with them.
We were told in no uncertain terms that we must wear our life jackets during the dolphin portion of the swim and that we were not to harass the dolphins in any way.
Paul said it best when he told us that the golden rule was ‘don’t be creepy’.
I am sure we would not like it if someone came into our home while we were asleep and harassed us.
They also explained the most respectful way to be in the water near the dolphins without disrupting them. That’s what I mean by respect for the animals, which I appreciated.
This was not the commercialized exploitation of the animals a la Sea World or the Tiger Temple in Thailand. This is you going into the dolphins home, in the wild and just being present with these amazingly majestic creatures.
And it is breathtaking!
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
What it’s like to swim with wild dolphins on Oahu
It’s incredible!
We did find a pod of Spinner dolphins who swam around us for a little while.
These dolphins were in their ‘sleep mode’.
The crew explained that the dolphins sleep mode is where they shut off one half of their brain to rest then dive deep and swim in close formation, moving slowly through the water and coming up for air together when needed.
I found myself just wanting to be near them but not disturb them during this precious active rest time.
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Whale watching bonus
While cruising on the water I enjoyed the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and beautiful views of the coastline.
Luckily for us, we were in for another treat and were joined by lots of whales.
There was one group of whales that was being led by a Bottle-nose dolphin which was really amazing to see. The dolphin would leap out of the water coming up for air a couple of times, then the two big whale spouts would shoot out behind it.
We saw another family of whales further into the tour who were swimming around in shallow water with a calf.
The water was shallow enough that you could see almost the whole outline of the whales as they moved by.
Even the seasoned crew thought this was pretty cool and I think an animal-loving part of all of us wanted to jump in and swim with them! Alas, no, we watched them go by from the vantage point of the boat.
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Lunch at Spinners Cafe
Once back at the harbor, we collected our gear, got a photo with the crew, and made our way to the Spinners Café.
Lunch is included as part of the tour.
I was so glad to have done this tour and had the chance to learn a lot about wildlife while having an underwater experience with them.
If you are in Hawaii, I definitely recommend adding a tour with Dolphin Excursions Hawaii to your itinerary.
You will get to have the experience of interacting with the animals respectfully, learn about them, and have a great day out on the water.
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Where to stay on Oahu
Waikiki is a great place to base yourself from when you visit Oahu because it’s close to a lot of sights. When I am having a staycation, I like to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
If you prefer to stay on the North Shore, I love Turtle Bay Resort.
No matter where you choose, I recommend searching on Booking.com. This is what I use to book accommodation and I can always find a good deal there.
Photo credit: Paul from Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
For more information:
Visit the Dolphin Excursions Hawaii website to book your own tour to swim with wild dolphins on Oahu.
Follow their Facebook page for updates.
Other things to do on Oahu you might enjoy
- Best Beaches On Oahu – Here’s The 10 Beaches You Don’t Want To Miss
- Things To Avoid On Oahu – Don’t Make These Hawaii Travel Mistakes
- The Zipline Tour On Oahu That Gives Great Bang For Your Buck
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After reading your adventures, I can’t wait to go!! I’m glad they respect the animals, that’s important to me. And that you had a great time. Going in 2 weeks, I’ll let you know how it goes !! Thank you for your advice!!
I’d love to hear about your experience! Have fun!