Swimming with wild dolphins & fish – Oahu, Hawaii USA

I’m not the biggest fan of the ocean. Well, not the ocean itself, but the creatures who live in it… I’m pretty sure most of them can, and will, eat me if they get the chance, so I tend not to venture into it that often. However, when the opportunity arose to swim with wild dolphins, courtesy of Ko Olina Ocean Adventures, how could we say no?!

Group of friends on a fast catamaran smiling while wearing life jackets heading out on the ocean to the dolphins

The weather was perfect and we were picked up early to head out to Ko Olina Marina, about 45mins west of Waikiki, to board our catamaran. One thing to note about Hawaii is that the water is ridiculous. It is so clear and made of brilliant blues and greens; I couldn’t get enough!

View of the pier in the morning on a perfect sunny day with boats in the harbourKeidi and I laughing while walking along the pier in the sunshine on a perfect day

Before long, a pod of dolphins swam right up near the catamaran. It was explained to us that the dolphins here are more or less asleep. They swim in pairs, and one shuts of the left side of its brain, while the other shuts the right side of its brain off. That way, they can sleep, but still know what’s going on around them. A few of the dolphins stay awake to guide the pod around; they dive deep, then come up to the surface before circling back – such a beautiful sight.

Pod of wild dolphins under water just ahead of us

Next up was snorkelling with the fish! AKA time to get into the open ocean. Trying to put my brave face on, well hidden behind my snazzy goggles and snorkel, I jumped in the ocean behind my friends. The warm waters were home to many colourful fish, which quickly took my mind off Lochness’ Hawaiian cousin who was probably lurking in the distance.

Group of friends ready on the side of the boat wearing lift vests, goggles and snorkels, ready to swim in the ocean near wild dolphinsMe snorkelling in the ocean looking for wild dolphins and fish in HawaiiFriends smiling and waving under water while snorkelling looking for wild dolphins in HawaiiFriends smiling and waving under water while snorkelling looking for wild dolphins in HawaiiFriends snorkelling looking for wild dolphins in HawaiiHand feeding colourful yellow and black fish from the boat while searching for wild dolphins in HawaiiBright orange sea urchin found in the ocean while searching for wild dolphins in HawaiiColourful fish swimming in the beautiful blue ocean waters of HawaiiColourful fish swimming in the beautiful blue ocean waters of Hawaii

After a few attempts at getting everyone quietly back into the ocean near where the dolphins would reappear after diving deep underwater, we finally got the chance to see them up close. Keeping in mind that these are wild animals, we were certainly not close enough to touch them – which dolphins are not meant for anyway. There were so many of them! At one point, up to 50 were swimming in front of us.

Friends snorkelling right next to wild dolphins in the ocean in HawaiiA pod of wild dolphins swims in the ocean just ahead of us while snorkellingA pod of wild dolphins swims in the ocean just ahead of us while snorkelling

It was an awesome experience, and definitely one I would recommend. Ko Olina Ocean Adventures looked after us super well and made sure we had a great time!

Me sitting up the front of the boat smiling and waving after swimming with wild dolphinsGroup of friends on a fast catamaran smiling while wearing life jackets heading out on the ocean to the dolphins

If you’ve got any questions about swimming with the dolphins or fish, feel free to comment below or chat me on facebook.

Dolphin Snorkel with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures (incl transfer from Waikiki) – Approximately US$139 per adult (3.5hrs)

xxbry

3 Comments

  1. February 16, 2016 / 2:39 pm

    Love to snorkel, thanks for sharing your trip

  2. February 16, 2016 / 11:43 pm

    You seem like a natural snorkeler, Cheers

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