If Flipper, the bottle-nosed dolphin captured your heart and ever
since then, you have had that secret desire burning within you to meet
these friendly, intelligent creatures, come to tempting Hawaii to
snorkel and frolic with them. These lovable creatures mostly live in the
shallow areas of the ocean along the continental shelves, so you won’t
have to dive deep down to find them. Snorkeling with a pod of dolphins
is an incredible adventure for animal lovers, both young and old. An
added dimension to the thrill and unique experience is to snorkel among
the beautiful reefs of Hawaii and the dolphins you encounter, will
capture your heart with their playful and loving nature.
The Dolphins of Hawaii
There are 36 species of dolphins found all over the world, of which, there are 4 species that inhabit the warm Hawaiian waters. The
3 most commonly found species are the Spinner, the Pacific Bottleneck
and the Spotted dolphins. The fourth species of dolphins, found in
Hawaii, is the Rough Toothed dolphin, which are less commonly seen as
they live in deeper waters. The Hawaiian Spinners are shaped and colored
a bit differently from other species of Spinners and they are
nocturnal. They also are the most commonly seen dolphins as they rest
near the shoreline during the daytime. The Pacific Bottlenose are also
abundant and they are the show stopper performers that you see putting
on the star act at aquariums around the world.
Kailua Kona on the Big Island is the best spot to go snorkeling with the dolphins. Hawaii has glorious weather year
round with a temperature of around 80 degrees, so set sail and explore
the seas on a charter boat, meet up with the dolphins and soak in
unforgettable moments of adventure and pleasure. Dangle your feet in the
water as you sit astride the bow, watch the dolphins as they ride in
the wake of the bow, playfully splashing water on you.
Charter companies operating in Hawaii ply boats that are well
maintained, comfortable and well equipped. From snorkels to noodles to
wet suits and all that you will need to dive in, to play with the
dolphins. Most of the boats offer excellent food and snacks as part of
the package.
The captains of each charter boat have regular spots and know exactly
where the pods of dolphins hang out. The experienced crew will
introduce you to the pod, keeping your safety and the wellbeing of the
dolphins in mind. Generally, the crew will introduce you to the gentler,
female dolphins rather than the more aggressive males.
Dolphin Snorkeling Etiquette
These trusting gentle creature can be easily hurt and their habitat
destroyed. Humans who mingle with them must observe the basics of
dolphin snorkeling etiquette. You don’t want to abuse the welcome that
the dolphin give. Don’t worry, good marine manners will not limit your
fun or interfere with your dolphin interaction. All that you need to do
is observe a few guidelines that the boat crew will brief you about. One
of the most important rule is, to not disturb them during their rest
periods. These are very active animals and getting enough rest is
essential for their wellbeing.
Maybe meeting Flipper was a childhood dream of yours. Maybe you just
want to experience something that millions of people around the world
have fallen in love with. It doesn’t matter why you go snorkeling with
the dolphins; just relax, enjoy the adventure of snorkeling in the azure
blue waters of Hawaii and interact, “eyeball to eyeball” with the
dolphins. Take back priceless memories that will make a great fireside
tale to recount to your grandchildren.
I've had the best experience spotting spinner dolphins while snorkeling at Honaunau Bay. There's a good map at . Thanks for your tip on using a charter boat to help find them.
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