If you have ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins, you may be surprised to find there are many such opportunities available all over the world. In the United States, both Hawaii and Florida have places where visitors can either interact with wild dolphins or with dolphins at a marine park.
Hawaii
Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Lanai offer numerous opportunities for encounters with dolphins. There are several tour operators with boats leaving from the Waianae side of Oahu that will allow you to snorkel with wild dolphins. One popular company is Dolphin Excursions Hawaii. On the Big Island of Hawaii, a popular place to swim with dolphins is Kealakekua Bay, where pods of dolphins can be seen most mornings. Simply don a snorkel and mask and wait for the dolphins to approach you. Oahu's Sea Life Park and the Big Island's Dolphin Quest are other places to swim with dolphins.
Bahamas
One of the best places to swim with dolphins in the Bahamas is on Bimini. Bimini is known for its clear, shallow waters, making it a perfect place for dolphin interactions. One popular company offering wild dolphin swims is Dolphin Expeditions. If you would prefer an interaction in a controlled environment, consider Dolphin Encounters at Salt Cay, which offers dolphin encounters in shallow water and dolphin swims.
New Zealand
Two of the best places in New Zealand to swim with dolphins are Akaroa and Kaikoura. Both are on South Island. In Akaroa, boats take you out to see hector dolphins, which are the smallest of the dolphin species. Kaikoura is an area rich in marine wildlife. In addition to dolphins, visitors may spot seals and whales. Encounter Kaikoura is a popular company that offers visitors the chance to swim with the dusky dolphins who live in these waters year round.
Red Sea
Visitors to Egypt should consider a dolphin swim in the Red Sea. There is also some spectacular coral and fish life there. According to goredsea.com, there are four species of wild dolphins you can see in the Red Sea: common dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, spinner dolphins and Risso's dolphins. One of the best locations to swim with dolphins in the Red Sea is at Samadaii.
Florida
For wild dolphin swims, try the Florida Keys. Wild Dolphin Adventures in Key West provides snorkeling tours of local dolphin habitats. Dolphin interaction programs also include Dolphin Cove in Key Largo, where you can swim with dolphins in a natural lagoon, and the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach, which has interactions with spotted dolphins.
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