If you are planning to visit Hawaii during your vacation, then you must go and swim with dolphins. Dolphins are the most intelligent creatures in the world and swimming with them will be an experience that you will never forget in life. So, can you swim with dolphins in Hawaii? You can swim with dolphins in Hawaii. The best places to swim with dolphins are west coastline of Oahu, Snorkel in Kailua-Kona, Waikiki coastline, Big Island and Kaimana Ocean Safari. Several tour operators are providing different services and facilities. You can choose any of them according to your budget or expectations.
The cost of swimming with Dolphins depends on the tour package, trip duration and tourist providers. The average minimum cost of an adult to experience a swim with dolphin is $190 for an hour.
If you are a nature lover and want to enjoy wildlife, a tour with dolphins is the thing that is the best option for you. You can swim with dolphins, or simply watch them playing with others, both choices are available there for you. You can go to the blue ocean to enjoy a swim with wild dolphins or visit a water park to experience this with precautions, choice is yours.
Before going to face dolphins in the water, a professionally trained staff teaches the visitors about the basics and risks. Visitors are asked to be visible at every time and not go deeper. The staff is so experienced and professional, and there is no chance that someone will get injured or afraid.
When you go into the Hawaii coast, it is sure that you will encounter various sea creatures other than dolphins. It would be a turtle, a colorful fish, or even a big shark. So, visitors are told to take necessary precautions and be very attentive while experiencing the swim with dolphins.
Let’s learn about current regulations made by NOAA.
Due to the decrease in the number of Dolphins, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) imposed a ban in 2021 that prohibited anyone from swimming with dolphins within 2 nautical miles of the shore.
The increase in the number of dolphin tour operators in the past few years has also increased the encounters with this beautiful animal. NOAA decided to decrease the number of encounters because it was harming the rest patterns of dolphins.
As a result, the population of dolphins was in danger. In order to increase the number of living dolphins, NOAA decided to take protection measures in specific areas.
According to new rules, you must stay away at least 50 yards from dolphins when you are swimming within two nautical miles.
Can you swim with dolphins?
Hawaii is a popular destination for wildlife lovers. Its beauty, wildlife, and blue ocean attract thousands of visitors every year from all over the globe. This activity brings millions of dollars to the state every year.
But having a swim with dolphins will remain at the top of the list of attractions in Hawaii. Recent regulations have made this experience a bit difficult, but encounters with dolphins are still the first priority of the visitors. Get to know about why do surfers wear anklets now.
Dolphin Watching Tours
After the restrictions and strict observation by NOAA, many tour operators switched to “Dolphin watching Tours” from swimming with dolphin’s tours. Following the rules, the tour operators keep tourists 50 yards away from dolphins in the ocean.
Boats are properly set to reduce the noise and stop the movement in water. Visitors then can watch dolphins and take photos of dolphins. Watching dolphins so closely is also a lifetime experience that can never be overlooked.
Several tour operators are providing different services and facilities. You can choose any of them according to your desire and will. Hawaii is also famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife. Visiting Hawaii is always a wonderful experience and for nature lovers, it is heaven on earth.
However, swimming with dolphins or even watching them always remains at the top of the list of adventures one can experience during his trip to Hawaii. It will be worth and will refund every single penny invested.
