Swim with Wild Dolphins
Among Hawaii’s most famous marine inhabitants are its dolphins. Four principal dolphin species reside in the waters around the Big Island, including the Pacific bottlenose, Hawaiian Spinner, rough-toothed and spotted varieties. Dolphins often greet boats as they leave harbors along the coast, playfully riding the bow wake created by the moving vessel. These graceful creatures exhibit a high-level of intelligence. They are affectionate, social, and playful with each other. Like an extended family, they live in groups (pods) of five to fifty.
The most commonly observed dolphins in the Kona area are the Spinner Dolphins, known as “Na’ia” in Hawaiian. As implied by their name “spinner,” these dolphins will flip and spin in the air, putting on a great show for everyone. Female dolphins are about five feet long, weighing 150 lbs. Male dolphins are larger, at about 170 pounds. Infant dolphins, or calves, are smaller and often have pinkish hues. Adults have no specific mating/birthing season.
During the day, pods rest and socialize in shallow coastal waters, and “sleep-swim,” when they shut down one side of the brain and close the corresponding eye. The other side stays awake for breathing and swimming. Dolphins come closer to shore during the day areas, providing calm environments for them to rest before they return to the depths to hunt at night.
Wild dolphins can be seen from a boat and there are several boat companies that allow snorkelers to swim near dolphins, while being sensitive to the dolphins’ habitat.