You Can Swim With Dolphins In Hawaii… And Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are easily the best place in the United States to get up close and personal with marine life. From Hawaiian green sea turtles and tropical fish to humpback whales and spinner dolphins, you’ll find it all off the coast of Hawaii. This isn’t the only opportunity you’ll find to swim with dolphins in the Aloha State, but it is easily one of the coolest. Let’s dive in!

Departing from Waianae Boat Harbor, your three-hour tour with Dolphin Excursions Hawaii travels along Oahu’s scenic western coast in search of spinner dolphins.

These educational tours are led by marine biologists and naturalists dedicated to guiding guests to a low impact interaction — both in and out of the water — with wild dolphins, honu, pristine living coral reefs, and tropical fish.

If you’re lucky, you might even get to see bottlenose and spotted dolphins. In the wintertime, humpback whales frequent the area, too!

The small-group tours operate out of a state-of-the-art 34-foot ridged inflatable Scarib with a lifeguard certified crew, and provides an open ocean safari you’ll never forget.

Guests will have the opportunity to snorkel during the tour, getting up close and personal with sea turtles and tropical fish!

Who wants to swim with dolphins in a man-made pool or lagoon when you can experience dolphins in their natural habitat?

Don’t forget your camera! Spinner dolphins will often perform aerial stunts near the boat, and the views of the Pacific Ocean and the leeward coast are absolutely second-to-none.

Dolphins are most active in the morning, but don't worry if you're not an early bird — there are two tour times available!

Tours operate every morning at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and are three hours long. Adult tickets cost just $130 with child tickets costing $85 and include roundtrip transportation from Waikiki or Ko Olina, snorkel gear, and a complimentary lunch at the adjoining Spinners Cafe. Kama’aina and military rates are also available.

Dolphin Excursions Hawaii is located at 85-491 Farrington Hwy., Waianae, HI 96792. For more information or to book your dolphin adventure, check out their website.

Want to swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles? Plan your trip to Turtle Town, one of Maui's best snorkeling destinations.