Editor's Note: As of March 1 2006, the Kahala Mandarin Oriental became an independent hotel. The name of the resort is The Kahala Hotel & Resort, and the new website is www.kahalaresort.com.
Experiencing a dolphin encounter is something you will never forget. Dolphin Quest is an international organization dedicated to education and conservation of marine mammals. They teach you about marine mammal behavior and conservation of our oceans.
We selected the training program. Our day began with a half hour orientation about dolphins and how they are trained. This is to prepare us for when we enter the water with the dolphin. The trainer thoroughly explains how they communicate with them and how important it is for us not to pollute our waters.
We are in a group of four, plus the trainer as we enter the water to meet Coco a young male dolphin. My heart was beating rapidly as the dolphin approached. You do not realize how large these mammals are. The trainer instructed us with some hand signals for the dolphin to swim up to each one of us. It was amazing how this dolphin will swim out 200 yards and swim back to the next person at top speed and stop on a dime when you put your hand into the water.
Our next hand signal was for Coco to come up out of the water so we could touch him. The trainer instructed us never to touch a dolphin in the face but behind his dorsal fin. Coco felt rubbery but you can feel he is a warm-blooded animal. Coco was then signaled to come up and kiss each one of us. My favorite photograph is the picture of him kissing me. We rewarded Coco with a fish, when he listened to our command. You can tell he enjoyed our interaction. Our group was in the water for about an hour with the dolphin doing various signals.
A dolphin encounter is truly an unforgettable experience. I would recommend this to anyone. Dolphin Quest and their trainers are very professional and keep you well informed. You know these marine mammals are in the best care and are loved.
Locations of Dolphin Quest:
Bermuda
15 Maritime Ln
Sandys, Bermuda dqbermuda@dolphinquest.org
Moorea
BP 1021, Papetoai, Moorea
French Polynesia dqmoorea@dolphinquest.org
Hawaii
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikoloa Dr
Waikoloa, Hawaii
Oahu
Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii
5000 Kahala Ave
Honolulu, Hawaii dqoahu@dolphinquest.org