The ultimate fantasy of visitors to Kauai would be watching dolphins in the wild in the waters off Kauai.

The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai'a, and refers to all species of dolphins found in Hawaiian waters. Four species of dolphins are regularly found in the waters around Hawaii. They are the Pacific bottlenose dolphin, the Rough-toothed dolphin, the Spotted dolphin and the Spinner dolphin. Other dolphin species have been known to pass through the islands but are relatively rare. The two most popular species of dolphins located in Hawaiian waters are the bottlenose dolphins and the spinner dolphins.

Spinner dolphins are the smallest of Hawaii's common dolphins. They are generally between five and six feet in length and weigh 130 to 200 pounds. Hawaii has its own subspecies that is easy to recognize by its distinctive "three-tone" color pattern which consists of a sharply defined dark gray "cape" on their backs, a stripe of lighter gray on their sides and a white or pink belly. This species gets its name from its spectacular habit of leaping high into the air and spinning several times on their tails before falling back into the water. Researchers are not sure why the dolphins spin, but most people who have had the opportunity to watch the dolphins don't seem to mind, and find it a real treat.

Around Hawaii, spinner dolphins congregate at night in large herds in the deep channels between the islands to feed. During the day, they break up into smaller groups and come near shore to rest and play. A few of the places where they can commonly be seen are in Kealake'akua Bay on the island of Hawaii, off the Leeward Coast of Oahu, on the southern boundries of Maui and off the coastline of Lanai. The life cycle of dolphins is similar to that of other cetaceans. As mammals, dolphins bear live young and the mothers nurse them on milk and provide care. A dolphin calf is born tail-first with eyes open, senses alert and enough muscular coordination to follow its mother immediately. At birth, the mother helps her calf to the surface to get its first breath. While nursing lasts between one and a half to two years, the mother will remain with her calf for a period between three and eight years. There is some variation in the age at which sexual maturity is reached, the reproduction rate and the life expectancy among the different species of dolphins. Most species tend to bear one calf every other year or so during their reproductively active years and are believed to have an average life expectancy of about thirty years.

As anyone who has had the opportunity to watch dolphins perform in a show can attest, dolphins have an impressive ability to learn and imitate behaviors, often for what appears the sheer pleasure of doing so. This observation, together with their large brain size, has led to numerous studies of dolphin intelligence. Dolphins' brains are about the size of our own.

No ocean experience seems to make the ocean come more alive then an encounter with dolphins. I can never forget the first boat trip I took out to visit the Na Pali Coast. I certainly expected to be awed by the dramatic coastline and spectacular views, but as beautiful as it was the show was really stolen by the dolphins that played with our boat throughout the day. As far as I’m concerned the dolphins certainly top the “fun chain” of all creatures of the sea. When you’re out there among them seeing them swim and jump and twirl and dodge and flip about it seems that their only purpose at those moments is to bring you excitement, happiness and joy.

Known for their inshore habits, playfulness around vessels and star performances at oceanariums, bottlenose dolphins are probably the most popular of all cetacean species. Adults range in size from seven to eleven feet in length and weigh between 600 and 850 pounds. Their backs are medium gray, their sides are lighter gray and their bellies are white or pink. Offshore animals are darker in color than those found inshore and sometimes appear to be less interested in swimming along with boats. A few thousand bottlenose dolphins are believed to inhabit the waters around Hawaii, usually living in groups of two to fifteen individuals. Most of these groups are permanent residents of certain coastlines and harbors, and are therefore easy to spot.

Here are a few of your Kauai dolphin watch options available on the island of Kauai:

Blue Dolphin Charters - for a dolphin adventure aboard the new 63 foot catamaran, "Blue Dolphin", the legendary 56 foot trimaran, "Tropic Bird" or their new addition a 27' Raft "The Willard" for 20 pax. They offer fresh water showers, and clean spacious bathrooms for both men and women. Whether you are young or old, non swimmer or a salty ocean veteran, they provide fun activities and all the gear for every level of passenger.
Catamaran Kahanu - a Hawaiian family business sharing with you one of Hawaii's greatest treasures, dolphin watching along the Na Pali Coast. View the majestic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, lava tubes and sea caves. The special design of this vessel permits the "Kahanu" to cruise up-close to the cliffs and caves. This 36' double hull Hawaiian Catamaran accommodates 18 passengers (Coast Guard approved for 40) Private Charters are also available.

Captain Andy's - "SPIRIT OF KAUAI" and "AKIALOA" are 55' catamaran, power, sailing Gold Coast Yachts, they can accommodate up to 49 passengers comfortably on their snorkeling and dolphin watching tours.

Holo Holo Charters - is a family owned and operated company that offers snorkeling and dolphin watching tours along the Kauai and Niihau coastline.

Kauai Sea Tours - experience glistening beaches, majestic sea cliffs, view sea caves, dolphins and whales in season and cruise through cascading waterfalls. Learn about the Hawaiian history, legends and fragile environment of the Na Pali area with their knowledgeable crew.

Lucky Lady - a 60' Deluxe Power-Sailing Catamaran - Explore the majestic Na Pali Coast with Kauai Sea Tours and experience glistening beaches, majestic sea cliffs and learn about Hawaiian history and legends. Capacity 49 passengers. Check-in at Kauai Sea Tours Office at Port Allen

Liko Kauai Cruises - invites you to join their NaPali Coast adventure. Journey past beautiful waterfalls, majestic peaks and valleys, sea caves, and lava tubes, experience the wonders of the sea with spinner dolphins, sea turtles and whales. Learn about the history and Hawaiian culture of this special place. The Captain and Crew, most of whom are natives, add a local flavor and presence and are determined to make this a once in a lifetime experience. Stops are made throughout the journey for informative and amusing commentary that allows ample opportunity for photos and videotaping.

This page contains information about: kauai dolphin, kauai dolphin swimming, watch dolphins swimming in kauai, kauai dolphin watching, dolphin excursions in kauai, kauai dolphins, kauai dolphin swimming, kauai dolphin watch.

Hearing Impaired - Read the full transcript for this page's audio narrative.

Kauai Dolphin Watching Excursions - It’s a proven fact that if you ask any school child to name five creatures that come from the ocean, the vast majority will include the word dolphin on they’re list. This is no accident. Most people feel a kindred spirit to these playful sea animals and the sheer joy of seeing these magnificent creatures race at the helm of your dolphin watch boat is enough to bring anyone into the “now” experience that is the dolphins true home. What generally compounds the experience of an encounter with a dolphin is that when you see one, you generally don’t just see one, but fifty or a hundred. They seem to come out of the deep blue and suddenly your boat is surrounded. It’s quite the experience. Although dolphins can be seen off all the Hawaiian Islands, I must admit that one day, on a trip to the NaPali Coast we were visited by more dolphins then I had ever seen. Perhaps it was luck, but then again, any day you see dolphins will turn out to be your lucky day.

No ocean experience seems to make the ocean come more alive then an encounter with dolphins.  I can never forget the first boat trip I took out to visit the Na Pali Coast.  I certainly expected to be awed by the dramatic coastline and spectacular views, but as beautiful as it was the show was really stolen by the dolphins that played with our boat throughout the day.  As far as I’m concerned the dolphins certainly top the “fun chain” of all creatures of the sea.  When you’re out there among them seeing them swim and jump and twirl and dodge and flip about it seems that their only purpose at those moments is to bring you excitement, happiness and joy.

Island of Kauai - Discount Tours and Activities
Kauai Air Tours - Fixed Wing	Inter-Island Excursions from Kauai	Kauai Surfing Lessons
Kauai ATV Off-Road Tours	Kauai Kayaking Tours	Kauai Unique Tours and Activities
Kauai Bike Tours	Kauai Kid's Tours and Activities	Kauai Water Skiing
Kauai Combo Packages	Kauai Land Tours	Kauai Watersports
Kauai Dinner Cruises and Sails	Kauai Luaus	Kauai Whale Watching Tours
Kauai Diving and Scuba	Kauai Massage	Kauai Zipline Tours
Kauai Dolphin Excursions	Kauai Sailing Charters	Visit Other Islands from Kauai
Kauai Fishing Charters	Kauai Scuba Diving	Discount Tours and Activities - Only on the Island of Kauai
Kauai Helicopter Tours	Kauai Sightseeing Tours
Kauai Hiking Tours	Kauai Snorkeling Tours	Napali Coast Tours in Kauai
Kauai Horseback Riding	Kauai Sunset Sails and Cruises	Ni'ihau Coast Tours in Kauai

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