Dolphin Watching, Sightseeing and Snorkeling Cruise - Enjoy this exciting adventure cruising up the Waianae Coast of Oahu to watch dolphins, & snorkel with turtles and Hawaiian fish

If you plan on visiting Hawaii, we invite you for one of the most exciting dolphin tours on the remote west shore of Oahu. This area is well known for having the calmest and clearest waters around the island, ideal for snorkeling, and home to Spinner Dolphins and those mighty winter visitors, Humpback whales. Getting wet with the dolphins is an event that is certain to make your day, if not your entire vacation!

Guests can see and swim with pods of Spinner Dolphins as they play in shallow protected bays and nurse their young.

Viewing Spinner Dolphins and Humpback Whales
[Humpback Whales are in season December through Mid March]

You will begin as the Nai'a I departs from Waianae Boat Harbor and travels along the scenic west coast in search of Spinner Dolphins. Take some of the most incredible photographs of your vacation as the Spinners come to visit you and perform their superb aerial stunts. Few people have the opportunity to see these spectacular displays. Encounters with Bottlenose Dolphins (Flipper) and Spotted Dolphins will happen occasionally.

In winter, dolphins share the waters with mighty Humpback Whales. The Nai'a I is fast and maneuverable, to get you out to the whales quickly. You'll have plenty of time to experience their breaches, fin and tail slaps. The boat's maneuverability also allows us to easily shift position for the best possible viewing, and it's low profile makes the view unforgettable. Even a baby whale (calf) appears to be enormous from your perspective. Other whale species often visit our waters from time to time like Pilot Whales.

Swimming with Dolphins
Playtime and photo opportunities with the dolphins includes an in-water program, known as 'The Drop'. If the dolphins are awake and playful, The Drop will be conducted, allowing guests to safely get wet with the dolphins and experience the sights and sounds of dolphin play from a unique underwater perspective.

Imagine this: You're in the water, with a mask and snorkel and suddenly you are surrounded by Spinner Dolphins casually swimming by you chatting amongst each other, as they go about their business. This is an ocean safari that can not be experienced in a park!

For novice snorkelers, a professional guide will instruct you, giving advice and educating you about dolphin behavior. Snorkeling and safety gear is provided.

The Drop is successful 80% of the time.

Snorkeling with Tropical Fish and Sea Turtles
Snorkeling takes place among some of Hawaii's most pristine reefs, teeming with colorful fish and inquisitive Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. Snorkeling during the winter months is weather and surf dependent. More time is added to viewing whales if snorkeling is not possible.

Tour Fact Sheet:

Dolphin and whale watch with some of the best Snorkeling on Oahu from around mid December to mid March. When the whales leave mid March, we still do the dolphin watch and snorkeling April to December. Here are some facts that make our tour personal and fun for all!

• Waikiki Hotel pick up is included for all tour times.
• Dolphins sighted daily year round.*
• Spend your day watching the playful dolphins in their natural environment offering some of the best photo opportunities from the low view of Nai'a 1
• All excursions are lead by seasoned island naturalist with years of experience on the Wai'anae coast.
• Hydrophones (underwater microphones) are also used to listen in on the dolphins and the whales.
• Humpback Whale sightings daily during whale season [December - March]. Waianae is loaded with whales during this time.
• Snorkeling is at sites teeming with marine life, considered some of the best on Oahu. Please note that during the winter months snorkeling is conditions permitting. All gear is provided.
• Duration of excursions 3 hours dock to dock depending on where the animals are spotted.
• Check in time 30 minutes before departure at the Waianae Boat Harbor. Allow one hour for on own transportation.

*Guarantee- Dolphin or Whale sightings are guaranteed. If sightings are not made of one of these species on your tour, receive a voucher for a second tour free. Free transportation not included.

Guidelines For Swimming With Dolphins

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 quite 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.

10. Everyone will be wearing a life jacket for the dolphin swim.

Observe the Law

Dolphins are protected by U.S. Federal law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, Amended in 1994. Under the act it is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, collect, or kill any marine mammal. Swimmers and boaters should make every effort to avoid disturbing them in their natural environment. For a more detailed look at the law please ask the captain for the Marine Mammal Protection Act Record.

Know Your Limits

Stay within a safe distance from the boat, (a safe distance would be only as far as you are willing to swim back alone.) Watch for changing weather and sea conditions. (the captain and crew are also watching for changes.) If you have any concerns about your safety before you get in the water stay aboard the vessel, while in the water, use the signal shown to you by our crew for help if you feel you need it, we will come to your aid.

Common Behaviors

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins are found feeding in the coastal waters offshore at night. During the day, they move into waters near shore and protected bays to rest and play. Dolphins at rest will surface for only brief periods of time, sustaining long deep dives together as a pod for 1.5 to 2 minutes. In this state they show little interest in humans. Play mode is indicated by an increase in their aerial behavior, vocalization, splitting into smaller groups, and speeding up, generally favorable conditions for dolphins to initiate an encounter with humans.

What To Know

One Excursion offered daily with departure no later than 11:00 am with hotel pickups between 8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Check in is at 10:15 am at the Waianae Boat Harbor located on the west shore of Oahu, off Hwy 93.

Later excursions depart after 2 p.m. and are customized upon request. Please contact us if you are interested in a later excursion time.

Excursions are lead by seasoned island naturalists with years of experience on the Waianae Coast.

Personalized, unhurried excursions are our specialty. Excursions last 3 hours and are limited to 20 guests.

Bottled water, juices, fruit, cheese, yogurt and granola bars are included in the price and offered while on board our vessel.

Retail cost is $115 per adult, and $85 per child (4 - 12 yrs old). Our discount special is $99 per adult and $69 per child (4 - 12 years old).

Note: The child rate applies when a full fare adult accompanies one child age 4-12 years. Children under 4 years are not recommended on tour.

To cancel or make changes to your reservation, please call (808) 721-1552.

*KoOlinaActivities.com shall not be liable to any individual utilizing these tour/activity programs for delays, injury, loss, accident or damage to persons or property beyond its control. Natural phenomena are random and out of the control of the tour provider. Prices, features and/or menu are subject to change without notice.