Swim with dolphin programs on Oahu

ACTIVITY TIPS

These two experiences are VERY different. We'll be happy to help you decide which one is right for you.

Actually, die hard dolphin lovers may want to do BOTH. But if your schedule doesn't allow that, here are some things for you to consider if you are deciding between the two.

In our estimation, the greatest thrill and adventure comes from experiencing these fantastic creatures in their natural environment. This is an adventure in more ways than one ... Dolphin Excursions is an rafting tour that involves swimming in open ocean. Yes, you'll have a life jacket on ... that is for the protection of the participants as well as the dolphins. (life jackets make it impossible to swim underwater, and when the dolphins are below the surface the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources doesn't want you to swim down to them and disturb them.)

You'll also encounter large numbers of dolphins in the wild ... the spinner dolphin pods sometimes exceed a hundred or more in one place!

Obviously jumping off a boat and swimming in the open ocean isn't for everyone. The Sea Life Park interactions provide a more accessible environment. Also, these programs guarantee "hands on" experiences with dolphins. You can actually touch them as part of the interaction involves a "getting to know dolphin anatomy" lesson of sorts. You aren't allowed to touch the dolphins in the wild if you participate in the rafting tour.

With Dolphin Excursions your actual underwater viewing time will vary widely. Some days the ocean conditions aren't favorable to swimming with the dolphins at all and you'll spend the time watching them from the boat. Other days you'll jump in the water and have brief glimpses of them as they swim by. Some days the dolphins will stay with your snorkel group for some time. On rare occassions there may be no dolphin sightings at all ... but it that happens to you the tour company will let you go again for free. No two experiences are exactly alike with this approach.

At Sea Life Park you aren't going to be swimming with a large group of dolphins ... most programs involve one dolphin per small group of participants. The Dolphin Royal Swim is two dolphins per small group of participants. Those interactions last about 35-40 minutes, and your dolphin will engage in a variety of interactive behaviours including the opportunity to hold onto the fin while your dolphin pulls you through the water. With the Royal Swim there is a behaviour where the two dolphins swim up behind you and each dolphin pushes on the bottom of your foot and lifts you up out of the water and gives you a ride across the pool. That just isn't going to happen in the wild, obviously!

If you have more questions give us a call toll-free at 1.877.678.7333. For more information or to make reservations for a "swim with dolphins program" on Oahu, please go to one of the following pages:

Dolphin Excursions - snorkeling with dolphins in the wild

Sea Life Park - dolphin interactions in a controlled environment

Oahu Dolphin Excursion Reservations

To make reservations for a "swim with dolphins program" on Oahu, please go to one of the following pages:

Dolphin Excursions - snorkeling with dolphins in the wild

Sea Life Park - dolphin interactions in a controlled environment

Upon submitting your activity reservation for processing, one copy is sent to your e-mail address so that you have a record of your order. We will make reservations for you and send an e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive in Hawaii. 

A credit card is required to guarantee payment for your reservations, but in most cases WE DO NOT charge your credit card when your order is placed. Your credit card is typically charged five days before you leave for Hawaii, and a voucher is faxed to the vendor. Some activities are charged at the time of check-in and your e-mail confirmation will inform you if this is the case. If you cancel your activity after your credit card has been charged you will receive a refund less 10% to cover our credit card processing costs.

We do have one vendor that requires payment at the time that your reservation is made. These activities are clearly marked on our website with the words, "Payment required at the time of reservation."

After making reservations, you may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors). Due to our incredible climate here, weather cancellations are rare.  No-shows and cancellations without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure the reservation and are non-refundable.