#1 Thing To Do In Hawaii


by Mark Ranzinger - Date: 2007-01-05 - Word Count: 457 Share This!

While on the Hawaiian islands, an early morning swim can turn into one of the greatest outdoor experiences of your life. The Hawaiian Spinner dolphins, along with other dolphin families, swim close to the shore early every morning. Being group feeders they are still gathered after a night of feeding in pods of hundreds. During this time they are quite active and playful allowing up-close snorkelers a chance to see them jumping, spinning, feeding, and even nursing their young. The calm and observant snorkelers will get the most out of this experience as the curious and playful dolphins will swim around, circling and showing off their acrobatic skills through the early morning.

This surreal activity happens just a few hundred feet from the shorelines of the Hawaiian coasts and is a continuous sight every morning until mid day. From personal experience, I have found that a mask, snorkel, fins, and a boogie board to float on make for the most comfortable and safest options for your snorkeling experience. That being said, it is important to remember that the ocean can have a strong current and the dolphins are out hundreds of feet from the shorelines, so this equipment would be the bare minimum. I strongly suggest a buoyancy vest or life jacket if you aren't a strong swimmer. Never, under any circumstances, go snorkeling in the open ocean alone. This is a pairing or group activity to ensure a safe and fun experience. Also, it's a great idea to bring an underwater camera to capture images you may never see again.

It's very crucial that you do not feed, chase, or harass the dolphins in any way. Not only is this prohibited by law, it is morally wrong and will only have a negative effect on these beautiful creatures. It would also lead to a less enjoyable day, as the dolphins are easily scared away by unpleasant interaction.

As the early morning ends, the dolphins will head to the open waters and deeper seas. But not to fret! Your outdoor oceanic adventure has not ended. Keep your mask on and eyes open as monk seals, green sea turtles, and even migrating Humpbacks are occasionally seen. When you get close to the shore, look to the reef for an abundance of thriving reef fish and reef life to finish your day off right. A good eye will spot colorful butterfly fish, grazing tangs and busy hermit crabs.

To sum the day up, it's an experience that you should not miss nor will you never forget. Be respectful of the ocean and the creatures that make their home in it. Be calm and serene in your interactions and you will swim away from this excursion feeling bonded with nature and all it's splendor.


Related Tags: fish, beach, hawaii, sea, whales, reef, turtles, dolphins, oahu, honolulu, snorkling, dolphin

http://www.beachdayhawaii.com all the resources for this article are from my personal experiences with ocean animals in the wild

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