Your Destination Guide to Oahu

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© Eric Martin

You swim quietly and lazily through the salty water. A soft breeze kicks up, bringing with it the sounds of clicking and laughter. But not human laughter. You listen a little harder, then smile when you recognize the sound—dolphins. Many people dream of swimming next to a dolphin, now you're living it.

Considered one of the most intelligent and social animal families on the planet, dolphins have long played a role in popular culture. Beginning with the Greeks and Hindus, humans have considered dolphins highly majestic creatures for thousands of years. Comedic author Douglas Adams even names them as second most intelligent species (after mice and followed by humans) in his popular Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.

What makes these slippery, quick animals so popular? Many guess that it has something to do with their human-like abilities and personalities. Like primates, dolphins form complex societies that include everything from helping the sick and injured to teaching their young to work with tools. They also use a form of communication that humans have not come close to understanding. Clicks and whistles aside, these intelligent creatures use four senses (they cannot smell) to understand and figure out much more than the average animal, allowing them to use tools and outwit predators.

Dolphins owe a portion of their rise in recent popularity to marine life parks such as Sea World and Oahu's own Sea Life Park. But some people want to go beyond watching dolphin tricks in a music- and light- filled show. They want to get nose to nose with these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, dolphins are highly sensitive both emotionally and physically,with free nerve endings densely packed in the skin and acute eyesight.. Although extremely playful, dolphins exhibit moods close to those of humans, meaning loud noises and large crowds may cause confusion or anger. Still, if you do it right, you can have a rewarding experience interacting with these playful creatures.

About Swimming with Dolphins

Oahu businesses offer several ways of swimming with the eight species of dolphins around Hawai'i. At Sea Life Park, you interact with captive animals who work with trainers on a daily basis. This allows you swim right next to these quick water creatures, maybe even getting to pet them, then view them under water as a trainer educates you on their behaviors and habits.

If you prefer a chance to meet a wild dolphin, but not get too close, check out Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. Here you start off with snorkel gear and assume a "passive float" position that is non-intrusive. Dolphins, if they please, will swim up near you and let you watch them play with each other. The trip also includes a stop Turtle Town, a natural turtle cleaning station, for more snorkeling adventures. Then you move on to a snorkel tour of some nearby coral reefs. If you're lucky, you may see whales and monk seals.

The final way of swimming with the dolphins lies somewhere between Sea Life's close interactions and Ko Olina's passive floating. Wild Side Specialty Tours offers a safe, fun adventure that ensures the emotional stability of these wild creatures, while allowing you to swim right next to them and enjoy their playful presence. This company uses above-water exhausts for quiet boats, and follows no set time-limit. They let the dolphins call the shots, instead of the other way around.

The Rules

Swimming with dolphins means exhibiting perceptiveness to these animals wants and needs, as well as willingness to back off if the situation calls for it. Follow one main rule: "swim with, not swim at." If you want to have a fun time with dolphins, you must respect them. Be aware of over-crowdedness by humans, mimic the actions of the dolphins, never reach out to touch them (let them come to you), do not try to ride them, and splash as little as possible. You must also be realistic. If you cannot swim far or climb ladders, you probably aren't physically ready to swim with these large creatures. Although they can move quickly and jump high out of the water, dolphins are still extremely heavy and strong and may inadvertently cause injury.

If you follow the rules and respect these loveable creatures, your time with the dolphins will end happily for both parties. Be safe, have fun, and as Douglas Adams put it, "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

- Meagan Brorman

Header Photo: © angelcandy.baby

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