Dolphin Encounters in Big Island

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Dolphin Encounters

Few other marine creatures gravitate to humans quite like the curious dolphin, which swims, jumps, and spins around boats and swimmers. While the large humpback whales are only seen seasonally (December to April), Hawaii has a year-round resident population of spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins. You can see pods of them -- plus pilot, sperm, false killer, and other whales -- on cruise and snorkel excursions on the Kona Coast. For a more interactive adventure, sign up for the educational and hands-on Dolphin Quest program at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort on the Kohala Coast.

Blue Sea Cruises Inc. The Makai, a 46-foot double deck catamaran, cruises along the Kona Coast twice a day on two-hour tours. The boat has all the comforts, including snack bar and his/hers restrooms. The narrated tour covers Hawaii's marine wildlife and the history and culture of the Islands. Sightings include spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins, resident pilot whales, and seasonal humpbacks. Tours depart from Kailua Pier at 8:30 AM and include snacks and cold beverages. The 11 AM tour includes a light lunch. Rates start at $49 per person. Box 2429, Kailua-Kona. 808/331-8875. www.blueseacruisesinc.com

Captain Dan McSweeney's Whale Watch. This longtime Kona tour operator, who made his name in whale-watching, also offers year-round excursions to spot Hawaii's resident spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins. The Lady Ann is a comfortable double-deck cruise boat with partial shade, cushioned seats, and restrooms. Captain Dan offers guaranteed sightings or an invitation to come again. The 3 1/2-hour tours depart daily at 7:15 AM and 11:15 AM. Per person rates of $70 include snacks and cold juices. Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona. 808/322-0028 or 888/942-5376. www.ilovewhales.com

Dolphin Discoveries. The captains, certified marine mammal specialists, lead educational dolphin and whale-watching cruises on the Kona Coast in rigid-hull inflatable crafts. They sight Hawaiian spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins (passengers can participate in their photo-ID research program), plus pilot whales, humpbacks, and more on daily year-round cruises. Cruises, which include fresh tropical fruits, snacks, and cold drinks, depart from Keauhou Bay. Four-hour morning cruises are $94 per person and three-hour afternoon cruises are $69 per person. 77-116 Queen Kalama Ave., Kailua-Kona. 808/322-8000 or 808/324-0433. www.dolphindiscoveries.com

Dolphin Quest. Under the guidance of professional animal experts, participants interact with dolphins in the protected lagoons of the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort. This was the first location of the Dolphin Quest program, which works to foster public education and conservation efforts of marine wildlife. Various encounters, geared toward different age groups, range in length from 10 to 90 minutes and in price from $150 to $330 per person. Participants learn to give commands to the dolphins to perform maneuvers, dives, jumps, etc. They also feed the dolphins and have personal contact in the water. All ages, from 5 and up, are welcome. Book well in advance; the encounters almost always sell out. 425 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa. 808/886-1234. www.dolphinquest.org