When you’re planning a vacation to Kauai, you’re probably picturing spending your days wading in the water, watching the surfers catch some incredible swells, indulging in authentic Hawaiian cuisine, and relaxing away from the worries of your everyday life. But a true Hawaiian vacation simply wouldn’t be complete without crossing off a common bucket list activity: an excursion to swim with the dolphins!
Dolphins are a huge attraction to Kauai, and for a good reason. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with majestic dolphins, all just minutes from our Kauai oceanfront rentals. Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
How to Swim With Dolphins on Kauai
Dolphins are found all around Kauai, but you’ll never find dolphins in captivity here.
The people of Kauai are dedicated to keeping dolphins safe and happy without ever holding them hostage. Instead, you can watch the dolphins swim by in their natural habitats and admire their beauty exactly where they’re meant to be.
When you’re looking out for dolphins, you might spot several different species. The spinner dolphin is a common variety that can be identified thanks to their dark grey coloring and their short length of around 4-6 feet. They can often be seen performing their iconic over-water jumps where they twirl in the air! You may also see the popular bottlenose variety; you can identify them thanks to their lighter color and longer length, around 7-11 feet. You might also see spotted dolphins and rough-toothed dolphins playing in the waters.
Book a Dolphin Tour
Dolphin tours are incredibly common throughout Kauai and are the best way to spot dolphins out in the wild. While you can’t be guaranteed a dolphin sighting (the tour company can’t control the dolphins, after all!), this will be your best bet for seeing dolphins in the wild since the tour operators know exactly where to take you based on where the dolphins usually hang out.
Na Pali Riders offers a Kauai boat tour with dolphin encounters to put you face to face with the majestic creatures. As you sail through the waters along the Na Pali Coast, it’s not uncommon for a dolphin (or a whole group!) to swim right alongside your raft. Your captain will point out the dolphins to you and teach you everything you want to know about the animals in the area.
Blue Dolphin Charters Kauai is known for its wide variety of boat tours, and on most of them, you’ll have the chance to spot dolphins. Snorkel and Scuba tours are popular excursions with this company, or for something truly romantic, you might be interested in a sunset cruise! What could be better than sailing with your sweetheart and watching the dolphins play as the sun goes down?
Oceanfront Kauai Rentals
While it’s always fun and exciting to head off on a Kauai dolphin tour, you may not even need to leave your rental to spot a playful dolphin in the water! Many oceanfront Kauai resorts offer properties with a stunning view of the shoreline, meaning you might be able to spot a pod of dolphins right from your patio or balcony!
Waipouli Beach Resort offers tons of oceanfront rentals for any size group, so you can find plenty of room for everyone. The resort is also just minutes from other popular activities like dining, shopping, hiking, and even horseback riding!
Kauai Beach Condo Rentals
Kauai is truly a magical place for your next vacation, and there’s never been a better time to visit. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn more about all of our Kauai vacation rentals!
