Aloha,
A friend of mine has a swim with Dolphins tour. Sometimes I like to out on his tour and swim with dolphins. It is a lot of fun. I took these photos a while back. I have not been out in a while. I think I will again soon and take some new photos.
Novice snorkelers.... No Problems.
Your professional guide will instruct you, giving advice and pointing out dolphin behavior. (Snorkeling and safety gear provided) Getting Wet with the dolphins is an event that is certain to make your day, if not your entire vacation!
Spinner dolphins are the most common cetacean found around the Hawaiian Islands. They average 6 feet (2 m) in length and 175 pounds (80 kg). Pod size ranges between 10-100 individuals. Spinners travel far offshore at night to their feeding grounds and return close to shore each morning to rest. Rest behavior is characterized by swimming in tight groups, surfacing synchronously to breathe and gliding along the sandy bottom in a "carpet" formation. Aerial activity, such as spins, head and tail slappings, increases as they "awaken" during the late morning hours and through the afternoon.
Cetacean Swim Guidelines
It is our hope that these suggestions will help to protect Hawaii's dolphins from unintentional harm.
1) Let the dolphins approach you. Maintain a quiet, relaxed manner when swimming among or near them. Avoid separating dolphins from the pod at large. 2) Swim with your hands by your sides. Chasing after, reaching for, or touching the dolphins will frighten or startle them, and they will move away. Be as quiet as possible when moving through the water. 3) Leave foreign objects aboard, such as rope, plastics, or playtoys. Dolphins prefer to find and play with leaves and other organic debris. Follow their lead. 4) Trust in nature's food supply. To attempt to feed wild dolphins would be harmful to their health needs as well as their social behaviors and it is illegal. 5) Be sensitive to dolphin behaviors. If they are in a state of rest or traveling, please respect that they may choose not to interact with you. Honor their habitat. 6.) Be considerate. Watch out for other swimmers, allowing them adequate space for an intimate encounter. 7) Be cautious approaching the dolphins. Watch for swimmers. When near the dolphins, go slowly, quietly and with focused attention so as not to disturb or change their course or behaviors. 8.) Avoid sudden actions or noise. Erratic changes in speed, direction, or sound can confuse or startle dolphins.9.) Avoid diving down with dolphins. Dolphins play out a cat-and-mouse game with their predators everyday of their life. In the unlikely event that a predator does charge a dolphin you do not want to be close to them underwater. Your guides on the boat will explain.
Swim with Dolphin Adventure
3 hour Swim with Dolphin Adventure: Adult - $115.00 plus tax. Children (4 -12 years old) - $85.00 plus tax. Hotel pick up...9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Leaves boat harbor...11:00 a.m. Returns to Waikiki... 3:30 p.m. Limited to 22 passengers. Our boat has a capacity for 30 guests, for our excursion we limit the number to 22 guests, this limit and the fact that the dolphins are more playful during mornings gives a better opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Playtime and photo opportunities with the dolphins (30-40 minutes). Snorkeling among some of the most pristine reefs, teeming with colorful fish and inquisitive Hawaii Green Sea Turtles (30 - 45 minutes weather permitting). Excursion duration on the water 3 hours. This tour operates seven days a week. Includes: Fresh tropical juices, bottled water, tropical fruits, yogurt, cheese and granola bars.
This post first appeared on Hanauma Bay Dive Tours Photo And Video, please read the originial post: here
