My husband and I are going to the Big Island of Hawaii for the first time later this year.We are staying at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel (that beach looks amazing).Anyway, we are very intrigued with the Dolphin Quest program at the Hilton.They have 30 minute adult encounters with the dolphins-we are big animal lovers and it looks like a great educational experience. Has anyone out there participated before?? Thanks!!

I think you're really going to enjoy the Hapuna Prince. The beach, pool, and golf are all wonderful. If you and your husband play golf, be sure to play the sister property-Mauna Kea course. As for the Dolphin Quest, while us adults did not participate, my 8 yr old daughter did. I'm sure others will disagree but we thought it was only ok. We (daughter included) thought the snorkel/dive cruise on the Fairwinds from Kona to Keakakua (sp?) Bay (where the Capt. Cook memorial is) was much more fun. I would highly encourage you to go on the Fairwinds (they have a web site) and see about booking a cruise (they're about 2-3 hrs in length and relatively inexpensive). Enjoy!

I would ask you to please reconsider the dolphin swim. They are incredibly cruel. I did it once and was sorry ever since. No matter how clean or nice it looks, more than half of the dolphins die within 60 to 90 days of capture.
In order to make an informed decision, please visit:

http://dolphinproject.org/

http://www.hsus.org/ace/11727

(The second site is the Humane Society of the United States' position on SWTD programs.)

Nancy it is a VERY sad situation, but most of these people REALLY don't care about the welfare of these poor creatures. Animal lovers - Ha!!!

All they care about is giving their spoiled, bored, brats some sort of entertainment. All the hotel cares about, is making a Buck!

I think Nancy and Get a Clue need to stop smoking Elephant Ivory and/or endangered Rhino horn. Their facts are very distorted and far fetched. Like most statistics, they can be arranged to support just about any position. The Dolphin Quest organization has a very good reputation and absolutely does not have a 50% kill ratio.

If you want to swim with dolphins that have been captured and separated from their families, that have been forced to adapt to interacting with humans, that have been enslaved for our entertainment, by all means check out Dolphin Quest. But don't fool yourself that these dolphins are enjoying their lives. They are their against their will. The owner of DQ is a notorious dolphin hunter who we capture wild dolphins for the highest bidder. If you want to teach your kids a lesson in animal exploitation and domination then buy a ticket. Read up on dolphins in captivity, you will be enlightened. If you are the type of person who gives a crap you will find something less evil to support. Maybe a whale watching trip .

This post is 10 years old.

Yet 10 years after, it is still a great concern.