Originally Posted by
kaukau
Au contraire: One may swim with dolphins from the beach at Hulopoe, Lana'i. Hulopoe Bay is a marine preserve, and a large group of spinner dolphins make it their home. It's one of the 10 best beaches in the state, a 5 minute walk from the ferry landing, and a great place to swim with dolphins - though I think that it is dicouraged, as it tends to annoy them. Click here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ai_Hawaii.html
I stand corrected! I didn't know about this particular location. We have dolphins even here in NJ, and they do occasionally swim around you when you are sitting offshore waiting for waves, but rarely within arms' reach!
I am no fan of captive programs at all (I have actually been to a few over the years, and each one left me feeling more and more depressed). I also can't stand to watch people crowd/touch/grab/feed/chase/etc any animals in the wild (I have seen more than my share, even with monk seals!). Chance wild encounters are a beautiful thing; one of the reasons I love to spend time in the water; but I didn't imagine that, aside from turtles, they would happen in a "normal tourist's" swimming range. I know that doesn't sound right, but hopefully you know what I mean.
Robin