Dolphin & Whale Retreats

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Guidelines for Encounters with Dolphins

It is our hope that these suggestions will help to protect Hawaii’s dolphins and whales 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.
3. Leave foreign objects ashore (rope, plastics, or play toys.] 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.
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 by boat.  Watch for swimmers. When near whales or 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 the dolphins.

Common Behaviors

Hawaiian Spinner & Spotted 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. In this state, they show little interest in humans.

Play mode – indicated by an increase in their aerial behavior, vocalizations, splitting into smaller groups, and speeding up – is a generally favorable condition for dolphins to initiate an encounter with humans.

Observe the Law

Dolphins and whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 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.

Know Your Limits

Stay within a safe distance from land or boat. Watch for changing weather and sea conditions. If you have any concerns about your safety, stay ashore.