Swim With Dolphins Hawaii

Swimming alongside wild spinner dolphins has long been one of Hawaii’s most sought-after experiences — and the Big Island’s Kona and Kohala coasts were the epicenter of it. But in 2021, NOAA Fisheries finalized a rule that fundamentally changed what’s legal, specifically to protect Hawaiian spinner dolphins from the stress of constant human interaction in their resting areas.

This guide explains the rule, where you can still legally encounter dolphins, and how to tell the difference between a responsible operator and one that’s cutting corners.

Spinner dolphins use calm, sheltered bays to rest during daylight hours. They are most commonly encountered along the Big Island’s Kona and Kohala coasts:

• Kealakekua Bay — also a marine preserve, historically the most famous spinner dolphin spot
• Honaunau Bay (near Place of Refuge / Puʻuhonua)
• Kauhako Bay and other south Kona bays
• Maui west coast — Olowalu, McGregor Point area
• Oʻahu’s west side (Waiʻanae coast)

After 3pm, dolphins typically depart for offshore feeding grounds. Offshore encounters (not in resting bays) may still occur legally when dolphins approach vessels voluntarily.