Big Island-Dolphin Quest & volcano
 

I'll be staying at the Hilton Village this summer with my family & would like to hear from someone who's done the dolphin quest to get the scoop. Is it worth the money, do you actully swim w/ dolphins, etc. ? Secondly, I planning on driving to Volcano National park and would like a few tips there as well. Such as the best time to go, would a 6 yr old be able to do the walking to see the lava flows, etc?

Well David, I can't speak for the dolphin swim but I have recently returned from the BI with my family and we did go to the volcano. My three teens really enjoyed the volcano park, we splurged and helicoptered over the crater and out to the ocean. We also drove to the end of the Chain of Craters Road and walked out onto the lava for awhile, as far as the rangers suggested. Now I know folks kept walking there and some people have no problem with the idea, but I simply can't picture a 6 year old hiking out on that lava for several reasons, but including: it's very hot, the heat radiates off the black lava; the surface is very uneven, its a strenuous walk. I'd feel very uneasy trying to keep a 6-year old close and out of trouble. And depending on which way the wind is blowing, you wouldn't want to get too close anyway to where the lava enters the sea. A ranger told of a man who ended up with glass shards in his eye because the lava simply pulverizes when it hits the water and it is quite dangerous to be too close. Anyhow, just my two cents. But with a six year old, I'd rather do something else. Have fun.

We stayed at the Waikoloa Village Hilton last summer, and both my son (6 at the time) and I did a dolphin swim. In fact the dolphin encounter is the reason that I chose that resort.Reserve in advance for your child- I think 60 days ahead. You have to call dolphin quest-the hotel can give you the number. I loved it. My son thought it was fun, but was not as thrilled as I was with it. The adults get in by lottery, which you can enter daily. The children have a shallow water experience, adults get to swim out a bit in the lagoon. You get to feed and touch the dolphins (they feel like vinyl and have very strong fins). For me, it was definitely worth it because I love dolphins and think they are the most incredible creatures, so to be up close and touching them ... fabulous. I think it cost $75 or $85 . Also, they take your picture and videotape your encounter, which of course they charge way too much for, but you buy them anyway (at least the ones of your kid) because how often do you get to kiss a dolphin and have it recorded on a professional 5" by 7"? The resort is great especially for families. Although I would not go there if my kids were under 5 because the slide was the key attraction for my son and you have to be 5 to use the big slide. This is not a place I would stay in for more than a week, it definitely has a Disney goes Hawaiian like feel to it, which is ok, I love Disneyland too, but it is a bit much afterawhile. We were glad to move to a condo on another island after our 1st week.

We went to the Big Island in summer of 98. We signed up our son for the Dolphin Quest adventure 60 days in advance. First come first serve. You have to call the Hilton direct and ask for Dolphin Quest. The teens and adults actually swim with the dolphins with snorkel masks. The chidren give them commands and all get to touch, hug and kiss them. A wonderful experience. Dolphins are housed in a beautiful manmade salt water sand lagoon complete with flora steps from the ocean. Water is flushed out continuously. 5x7 pictures are not expensive, and they are a wonderful keepsake. They mail them to your home. We took our own video. Parents can sit on the sand around the lagoon or by tables and have a drink and watch the hour long adventure. Counselors are wonderful with the children during the experience. Completely safe. You don't have to stay at the Hilton to take advantage of this adventure. We stayed next door at the Royal Waikoloan, which had recently been completed renovated (don't know why it was beautiful) and I believe is now owned by the Outrigger chain. The Royal Waikoloan is an absolutely beautiful hotel, open aired lobby right on the ocean with it's own very large beach, calm waters for swimming and shallow for small children. Hilton does not have it's own beach. There is a beach walk connecting the two hotels. So Hilton guests would walk over to our beach and we could walk the path to their facility for Dolphin Quest or have lunch there, etc. We also went to Volcanoes National Park. Did not take the trip down crater road because we were told it is a long journey but my cousin did last year and said it was only about a 2 hour round trip drive. They did not see any active flows at that time. Others did venture on the lava and it is very very hot, with steam vents blowing hot steam and gas that you can become overcome by the smells. Getting close to the ocean and the flow into the water is dangerous. Harden black lava there is unsafe, there is movement underneath and can break apart into runs. Others returning from the walk on the black lava said it was wonderful but was glad to get back to the safe parking lot. We had a wonderful time in the park itself, much to see and do. Plan on a wonderful day of siteseeing. Take your own drinks and snacks in a cooler. Nothing there to purcahse and you will want something cool to drink. Aloha!

This is probably too late for your trip, but it might help others. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village this June. I called ahead exactly two months from the day we wanted to book Dolphin Quest for our 7-year old and had no problems getting in. It is definitely worth the money, and they take gorgeous pictures for you to purchase (optional and pricey, but well worth it, IMO; $12.50 for 1 picture, $25 for 2, and then it becomes $5 for each additional photo OR negative). The children wear life vests and are in the water, at time waist-deep. Kids don't actually "swim", but it is a hands-on experience, where they get to touch the dolphins, learn commands, etc. Worth every cent. <BR> <BR>I was fortunate enough to get chosen in the lottery to do the Adult Encounter. I feel incredibly lucky, as there was only one Adult Encounter that day, with 10 people, and while I don't know the exact number of people entering the daily lottery, given the size of the hotel, it was to be a couple hundred or so. Adults wear vests as well, and have the chance to go deeper into the lagoon (probably about 7 feet) and snorkel with the dolphins. <BR> <BR>

Was on the big island in June and my 6 yr. old daughter did the Dolphin Quest. She thought it was pretty neat but was not wow-ed by the experience. For the money and considering you're in Hawaii, it's not badly priced. Definately spend the extra $20 for their pictures with your child. However, I'm not really sure if the video is worth the extra $50. While we did not stay at the Hilton, it should be a lot of fun for the kids. The down-side to the Hilton is it's way to close to Disney type atmosphere (monorail, boats, man-made lagoon,etc) and it has no beach. Have fun!

David, <BR> <BR>I'm curious to hear if you ventured out to the lava flow with your daughter? We were on the BI this past winter and hiked to the flow with our 9 & 7 year olds. It was a very strenous trip, not to be entered into lightly, but one of our vacation highlights. <BR> <BR>Did you go to the volcano area? Let us know.

No, we did not go the lava flows. However, I've been there before and like the others would be apprehensive to take a child. I'm not saying it couldn't or shouldn't be attempted. You just need to be aware that(as others stated) it's not a walk-in-park type hike. I would highly recommend contacting the Fair-wind cruise (on the internet)and do the afternoon swim, snorkel, & snuba cruise to Kealakakua (sp?) Bay. My daughter thought this was the highlight of the trip! It's approximately $45 per per and worth every penny!!