My Swimming with Dolphins in Oahu Story

I was very nervous about swimming with Dolphins Waikiki.  I suppose fear is caused by ignorance.  The Staff at Sea Life Park was not only courteous and friendly, but went to great pains to educate both adult and children on what to expect on the Swim with Dolphins Honolulu.  After verbal instruction from the staff at Sea Life Park we were shown an educational video that went through all the activities we were to experience when interacting with Dolphins.  I also learnt important facts such as Dolphins live on average 5-15 years over Dolphins in the wild.

Sea Life Park Hawaii

The staff gave each swimmer life jackets, wet suits and booties to put on and a 2-minute brief reiterating what was said before.  The wet suits and booties are a ‘God send’ because the water was cold although it was a warm sunny day.  Excitement and fear consumed me but once I got into the water and the Dolphins were introduced, I realized there was nothing to fear.  I got to rub the Dolphins belly only avoiding his belly button.  I rubbed the Dolphins smooth velvety exterior…the Dolphins were so friendly and seem to thoroughly enjoy the interaction.   Dolphins in the water truly remind me of (man’s best friend) dogs on land. 

The next activity was to cradle (hug) and kiss the Dolphin while having my photo taken.  The activity following was even more thrilling.  The Instructor had meswim into the middle of the pool where she signaled two Dolphins to swim with me.  I was instructed to stand like a “T” in the water, legs together both hands out at the side with the palms held flat.  The Dolphins has incredible sonar called eco location, which allows them to detect an object/humans exact location in the water.  Eco location is used by the Dolphins by emitting sound waves found in the Dolphins’ head called the Melon…through this system Dolphins can ascertain size, shape, density and distance from them.

The Dolphins retrieved me and I held on to both Dolphins’ fins simultaneously and swam at a rapid rate until the Dolphins brought me to shore.  What was amazing about this Dorsal Fin Ride experience is that both Dolphins synchronized and swam in precision…the ride could not work if one went faster than the other as that would cause me to fall off the ride.  Dolphins are indeed incredible and intelligent creatures.

The last ride was indeed the most spectacular and exhilarating.  The instructor had me swim into the middle of the pool once again where I was told to make an “X” with my body while on my stomach…..legs apart and hands apart.  This time the Dolphins would give me a “Toe Push.”   I must admit my heart beat rapidly and I was considering skipping this ride, but after witnessing small children doing it…I realized I was a ‘chicken’ and should give it a try…so I did.  The two Dolphins swam towards me rapidly circled and came from behind me and with their noses each Dolphin found a corresponding foot and lifted me out of the water.  It felt like I was ‘Superman’ flying through the air except the Dolphins were supporting the weight of my body.

The Dolphins are so fast…as I reached to shore I jumped off with a little scream because the Dolphins went fast and was not sure they were going to stop before we got to the shore.   Believe it or not I wanted to Swim with Dolphins again immediately after the ride had ended because I enjoyed the entire experience so very much!