Hawaii Dolphin Swim Information:
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that when journeying to encounter dolphins in the wild, there are no guarantees. I have had experiences with both outcomes...sometimes they have appeared, and sometimes they have not. Often the times they did not appear physically have been my most profound experiences. The dolphins were definitely choreographing my experiences on land. The dolphins are masterful not only in the water, they are energy masters on land, too. Be aware of all that is occurring around you. A key learning that I have received from them is to let go of ALL expectations and attachments, and be open for the magic to unfold in any way...often it takes the most unusual forms. This is part of the adventure! It is like a treasure hunt, and the treasures are within us and all around us.
The dolphins are also encouraging us to move beyond our physical senses. They are teaching us humans to expand our extra-sensory perceptions...to move beyond what we already know. They are assisting us to move into our future. They do this in a very non-linear way. It is subtle, and very profound. It is the new way, and they are helping us attune to it by guiding us through unique life experiences.
There is a specific protocol for how to behave while swimming with dolphins. Several dolphin swim web sites have very good descriptions of what to do and what not to do.
One site to read is www.waterplanetusa.com/interactions.htm. It’s important to honor the dolphins, and other humans, during your swim experience. Okay, now for the practical information:
Big Island of Hawaii
This is where I had my first encounter with the Spinner dolphins (they’re so awesome!!). Kealakekua Bay is a protected bay on the Kona side of the island, in Captain Cook just south of Kailua-Kona (fly into the Kona airport...rental cars are a must). The dolphins can be seen here about 18 days out of the month. I always go here first thing in the morning. If no sightings, I venture on to Ho’okenna Beach, about a 15-minute drive further south. If no dolphins are here, this is a great sand beach just to hang out and relax for a while. The dolphins can also be seen at Ho’Nau Nau (more commonly called ‘Two-Step’), located just before a sacred site on the island called the City of Refuge. For me, this is the best pure snorkeling on this part of the island…lots of colorful fish and amazing sea turtles. It’s a black lava rock ‘beach’, but it works!
Some people like to rent kayaks for Kealakekua, as the swim from shore is a good 1/2 mile to get to the dolphins. It is a fairly easy swim, however, due to the buoyancy of the salt water. Kayaks can be rented at the Kealakekua Dive Shop shop in Captain Cook. Snorkel gear can be rented here, too. Jack’s Dive Locker is the premier dive shop in Kailua-Kona, and also takes people out on dolphin swims by boat.
Economy lodging possibilities:
Aaahhh Paradise
5662 old Government Rd., Captain Cook, HI 96704
Phone 808-328-7717
Several of my students recently stayed here and couldn’t say enough about it. I suspect it will become my lodging of choice for my upcoming trips.
Paleaku Gardens
83-5401 Painted Church Road
Captain Cook, HI
Manager, Barbara De Franco
(808) 328-8084 (if you get the message machine, invite her to return your call collect, or you may not hear back from her)
This is a Buddhist retreat center with awesome grounds on a hill overlooking the ocean, a 5-minute drive from the bay. The accommodations are simple, inexpensive, with a common kitchen area to prepare one’s own meals, and most rooms share a bath. Reservations are by word-of-mouth, so let Barbara know I referred you.
Manago Hotel (808) 323-2642
This hotel is on the main street in the town of Captain Cook. Rates are reasonable and accommodations are basic...if you’re looking for a bed for the night, this will do the trick. If you’re looking for atmosphere, try a resort in Kailua. This hotel is about a 10-minute drive to Kealakekua Bay.
If you’re not on a budget, here’s a lovely lodging possibility to check out:
Dragonfly Ranch (www.dragonflyranch.com)
I have not stayed here, nor even visited, but I hear that it’s very lovely, and they have their own organic gardens from which they prepare yummy vegetarian meals.
Several people in the local dolphin community also have rooms for rent in their homes, these average $50-75 and up, per night per person. Visit www.dolphinville.com for a listing of these possibilities, as well as an extensive listing of other B&B and vacation rental options.
Contacts:
Some people you may wish to connect with:
Joan Ocean – pioneer of the human/dolphin swim encounter experience. She conducts group workshops throughout the year, may be available for a one-day boat charter experience ($700 for 1-5 people). She also has rooms available to rent in her house for $50/night per person. For reservations call (808) 328-9297. Her website is http://joanocean.com
Trish Regan and Doug Hackett, Assistants to Joan--they took over her dolphin swim trips for beginners, and have their own array of seminars they teach, focusing on Essential Joy and Sacred Relationships. Trish also does wonderful soul readings and channels messages from the Ascended Masters, the dolphins and the whales. (808) 874-8555
Zoë Schoemaker is a dear friend and dolphin sister who has the biggest heart. Zoë’s native home is The Netherlands, and she lives in Hawaii half-time, from November through June. Zoë loves creating magical experiences for visitors to the Big Island, both in the water with the dolphins, and on the sacred land. dolphinlove_rs@hotmail.com.
Celeste 808-323-2568 Mobile: 808-896-3132 www.celestialsonics.com. Celeste is a dolphin sister. She’s available as a swim guide for wild dolphin encounters. Celeste also leads groups to swim with the Humpback Whales in the Tonga. csonicangel.dol@verizon.net.
Sheoli Makara (808) 328-2082 www.AwakeningInParadise.com
I don’t know Sheoli well, but we keep bumping into each other when I’m there, and she’s usually with small groups serving as their guide. I enjoy her energy, and I think she does a good job getting people acclimated to the dolphin swim encounter.
Website to check out that has a wealth of information, including people’s homes with rooms to rent and lovely retreats offered: www.dolphinville.com
Boat Captains:
Captain China-Mike and his wife, Melainah are highly skilled, experienced, and bring a high level of spirituality and consciousness to each boating adventure. Every trip they’ve facilitated for my groups has been profound and exciting. Visit their website: www.familyofthedolphins.com and book at least one boat trip with them. You won’t regret it.
Captain Douglas (808) 989-1122. Douglas is a beautiful man who leads exquisite wild dolphin boat excursions. He is the creator of www.dolphinville.com, and has made a valuable contribution to the unification of the human dolphin community on the Big Island. He faciliated one of my most profound whale encounters.
Maui
Captain Samone (808) 891-0090 is a Key West transplant who shipped her exquisite boat “Emma Yaw” (with the coolest dolphin/Hawaii/Cosmos paint job!). Her love is the bottlenose dolphins. She is available for full- and half-day charters, and can accommodate about 7-8 people on the boat. She incorporates sacred ceremony into her journeys...a beautiful and informative experience.
Kauai
Dolphins can be seen in the Secret Beach area of Kauai, but this is seasonal. I haven’t met those dolphins yet, so don’t have much more than that to share. I’ve heard of people who have swum out and had successful encounters, and I’ve also heard that it can be pretty dangerous depending on the current.
I’m happy to share all that I know right now.
Currently, my group swim trips are only for students and graduates of my spiritual school, Dolphin Healing HeArts…A Gateway to the New Paradigm.
If you’re wanting to join with others of like-heart to share your dolphin encounter, there are many beautiful, gifted souls out there creating organized trips for the public. Ask the dolphins to guide you to the trip facilitator, and location, that is best for you. Trust that they will lead you to your perfect dolphin adventure.
Blessings on your journey!
In Dolphin Love & Joy,
Linda Shay
Dolphin Ambassador
www.dolphinheartworld.com
