Oahu] Let's watch dolphins on Oahu! Introducing the tour where you can swim with them!

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Hawaii is a popular destination for many people traveling abroad.

Hawaii, the island of everlasting summer, is known for its lack of humidity like Japan, and even when it is hot, it is dry and comfortable.

It also offers endless marine blue waters, activities, exquisite cuisine that can only be found in Hawaii, a wide variety of brand-name products, large shopping malls, and so much more.

Hawaii also offers numerous natural wonders.

As a volcanic island, Hawaii is home to a variety of canyons, mountains, flora, and fauna.

Oahu, the third largest of these Hawaiian islands, is the most heavily populated.

It's a popular resort destination, crowded with tourists in the center of politics, economics, culture, and entertainment.

 

What is Oahu like?

The island of Oahu is the gateway to Hawaii, and the state capital, Honolulu, located on Oahu, is the political and economic center of Hawaii, as well as a city of precious cultural heritage that preserves Hawaii's history to this day.

Oahu is a world popular island visited by many tourists, and resort hotels and shopping centers line the streets around Waikiki.

The island of Oahu is also a popular destination because of its great natural beauty and its many beautiful spots, such as Kailua and the North Shore, known as a sacred place for surfers.

 

How to get to Oahu

There are direct flights from Japan to Oahu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport from Narita, Haneda, Chitose, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

The flight time is approximately 8 hours on the way there and 9 hours on the way back.

When returning to Japan, the westerly winds will require more time than on the outbound flight.

Airlines operating direct flights from Japan include JAL, ANA, Delta, Hawaiian, United, Korean Air, Air Asia X, and other LCCs.

 

Attractions of Oahu

No matter how many times you visit Hawaii, you will never get tired of it.

And among them, Oahu has a lot to offer.

We will introduce such attractions of Oahu by dividing them into three themes.

We hope you will use it as a reference and enjoy Oahu to the fullest.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

Oahu, a popular tourist destination visited by more than one million Japanese each year, offers not only beautiful beaches, but also mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and other natural wonders, as well as a wealth of activities.

There are many trekking and hiking spots that even beginners can enjoy, and since Japanese-language guides are provided, those who are not accustomed to traveling abroad or who do not speak English well will be able to enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind.

Hawaii, the island of active volcanoes, is full of nature and offers an abundance of natural beauty and sparkling emerald green waters that cannot be experienced in Japan.

No matter how many times you visit, Oahu has a charm that makes you feel fresh each time.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

The island of Oahu, where Honolulu, the capital of the state of Hawaii, is located, is one of the world's leading resort destinations with luxury hotels, restaurants, boutiques, shopping centers, and beautiful waters, where you can enjoy a thoughtful resort lifestyle.

While the luxury of relaxing at a hotel and on the beach is a unique way to enjoy a resort destination, to fully appreciate the charms of Oahu, we recommend leaving the city behind and visiting the mountains, valleys, and ocean, which are rich in nature.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Oahu is home to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, a well-known shopping center.

It is the largest shopping center in Hawaii and one of the largest in the U.S., with over 300 restaurants and specialty stores.

It is also a good place to look for souvenirs.

There are also some fashionable specialty stores that have not yet arrived in Japan, so you are sure to have a good time.

The authentic loco moco and garlic shrimp would be a must-try when you come to Hawaii.

Other new organic and Hawaiian gourmet foods are also available.

Dining at a fine restaurant is fine, but indulging in reasonably priced Hawaiian cuisine is another attraction of Hawaii.

The Ala Moana Shopping Center is a fun place to spend the day.

 

Dolphins spotted on Oahu!

Oahu is home to some of the world's most famous dolphins.

There are spots where you can see wild dolphins up close and swim with them and have skinship with them, which is not easy to do in Japan.

Especially on the west coast of Oahu, there is a high probability of seeing dolphins in the wild.

Many tours to see wild dolphins are also offered, and some tour companies are run by Japanese, so even if you do not speak English, you will be able to join a tour with peace of mind.

 

Dolphin Ecology

Brainification index is a term that describes the ratio of brain weight to body weight; the higher this number is, the higher the intelligence.

The dolphin's brain-to-weight ratio is second only to that of humans, which would indicate that it is a very intelligent animal.

Dolphins are also animals that can sense human feelings.

Therefore, when a human comes near them, they may approach to play together.

Humans can also become intimate with dolphins by knowing such instincts and by vocalizing and touching them.

And the high effectiveness of dolphin therapy, which applies such dolphin ecology to autism and depression and is popularly practiced in the United States, has been recognized worldwide.

 

How to see dolphins

What is the best way to see dolphins?

Here are some tips on how to see dolphins in the wild in Hawaii.

 

cruise ship

How about taking a cruise ship and slowly watching dolphins from the boat?

Look for wild dolphins from the deck of the boat.

Even children and the elderly who are not good swimmers can enjoy dolphin watching.

In addition to dolphins, you may be lucky enough to see Gondola whales on Oahu.

 

Recommendations

Oahu's ocean has some great spots where you can encounter dolphins with a high probability of success.

Depending on the time of year, you may even encounter sea turtles.

The best spot to encounter wild dolphins on the beautiful island of Oahu is in the waters off Waia'aa.

This area is known for its high possibility of encountering dolphins, and the boat will proceed in search of them.

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling, where you can interact with dolphins, is one of the recommended activities.

The dolphins that have a high probability of being encountered on Oahu are spinner dolphins, which are known to be very interested in humans.

You will surely be healed if you can interact with dolphins through snorkeling.

The moment you observe dolphins at a distance close enough to touch is a moving experience.

Before entering the ocean, there is a snorkeling lesson, which even children can understand, so beginners can safely enter the ocean.

 

Recommendations

If you want to encounter dolphins while snorkeling on Oahu, the West Coast is the place to go.

Most tours are centered on the West Coast, with Kapolei, Pupukea Beach, Wahiawa, and Waia'aa being recommended spots.

 

Observation from the beach

On Oahu, dolphins can be seen on the beach without going offshore.

The time for dolphin encounters is almost always fixed, so if you go to the beach at that time, you have a good chance of seeing dolphins.

 

Recommendations

If you want to see dolphins on the beach, the best spot would be Makua Beach.

It is known as a power spot and is said to be the border between the heavens and earth.

Also recommended are Waimei Bay, known for its dive sites, and Kahala Beach, home to The Kahala Hotel & Resort.

The beach is located near Diamond Head, a short distance from Waikiki, and is less crowded, so you can take your time to observe the dolphins.

 

To see dolphins, it is recommended to take a tour.

If you want to see dolphins in the wild on Oahu, tours are inexpensive and offer a high chance of seeing them.

There are also tours that pick you up and drop you off at your nearest hotel, making it easy to participate.

If you have a Japanese-speaking tour guide, you will be able to understand precautions and other information, so you can rest assured that you will be safe if something goes wrong.

Snorkeling is a fun time, as you take a class and then go into the ocean, swimming with the instructor and all the tour participants.

Seeing dolphins and sea turtles will surely be a great memory.

 

Recommended Dolphin Tours

Oahu is home to many wild dolphins, and you can see and touch them up close by taking an optional tour.

Here are three dolphin tours that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

 

Wild Dolphin & Sea Turtle Snorkeling Cruise

On this tour, you will cruise by boat to the dolphin habitat while looking for wild dolphins and sea turtles, and enjoy snorkeling.

Snorkel off the coast of Wai'anae, one of the most beautiful areas on Oahu, and observe wild dolphins and sea turtles.

After heading to the dolphin habitat, we will move on to a spot where beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish can be seen.

The tour is by boat, which is less bumpy, and there is a Japanese-speaking guide.

The basic plan is USD137 (12~59 years old) and USD100 (8~11 years old).

 

Wild Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise

This tour includes a snorkeling cruise with a light meal to interact with wild dolphins.

There will be a burger lunch and a hula dance show by the crew on board.

You can also enjoy activities such as sea kayaking, stand-up paddle, and water slides.

You will snorkel and interact with dolphins in West Oahu, which has the highest rate of dolphin encounters on the island of Oahu.

They will pick you up and drop you off at designated hotels in the Waikiki and Ko Olina areas.

Tour fee is USD 163 for ages 12 and up.

 

Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

You can enjoy a wild dolphin watching cruise aboard a luxury cruise ship.

There are also plans to watch dolphins from a two-story catamaran exclusively for dolphin watching and snorkeling.

A BBQ lunch is included on board, and there is also a kids' program so that young children can enjoy this tour together.

Prices are USD89 for dolphin watching + BBQ lunch, USD72 for dolphin watching, and USD117 for dolphin watching + BBQ + snorkeling.

 

summary

We introduced how to see dolphins on Oahu, tours, etc.

On the resort island of Oahu, Hawaii, there are a number of tours where you can get in touch with wild dolphins.

In addition to enjoying them from the boat, why not observe dolphins up close while snorkeling?

Join a dolphin watching tour to experience the wonders of nature and create happy memories with your family and friends.