Oahu Is Home to More Than One Kind of Dolphin
When most people picture dolphins in Hawaii, they imagine the playful ones leaping near the boat, and they are usually picturing spinner dolphins. The truth is that several kinds of dolphins live in the waters around Oahu, each with its own habits and personality. Knowing who is who makes any dolphin watching trip more rewarding, since you start to recognize what you are actually seeing.
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
The star of the show is the Hawaiian spinner dolphin. These are the acrobats famous for leaping out of the water and spinning through the air. They feed in deep water at night and move into calm, shallow bays during the day to rest, which is why morning tours along the coast see them so often. Because daytime is their rest time, responsible tours keep a respectful distance and follow federal guidelines.
Bottlenose Dolphins
The bottlenose dolphin is the larger, sturdier dolphin many people recognize from television and aquariums. Around Oahu they travel the coastline in smaller groups and are curious enough to ride the bow wave of a boat now and then. They are powerful swimmers and a thrill to see up close in the wild.
Spotted and Other Open-Ocean Dolphins
Farther offshore you may meet pantropical spotted dolphins, which earn their name from the speckles older adults develop. There are also rough-toothed dolphins and, on lucky deeper trips, members of the dolphin family that look more like small whales, such as pilot whales and false killer whales. These open-ocean species are seen less often, which makes a sighting feel like a real bonus.
A few simple points help keep the family tree straight.
- Spinner dolphins are the small, acrobatic ones seen near shore in the morning.
- Bottlenose dolphins are larger and often travel the coastline.
- Spotted and other species live farther out in deeper water.
Watching Dolphins the Right Way
All of these dolphins are wild animals, and the spinner dolphins in particular need their daytime rest. The best way to see them is on a guided tour with a captain who knows where they gather and how to view them respectfully. You get a wonderful look while giving the animals the space and calm they need.
Meet Them on the Water
From the spinning acrobats near shore to the bold bottlenose riders and the spotted dolphins of the open sea, Oahu offers a surprising variety of dolphins to discover. Join a respectful guided tour, keep your eyes on the water, and you may meet more than one kind on a single morning.