Family vacations are about bonding experiences and the more interactive the experience, the more likely a family is to bond. At Hilton Waikoloa Village, Dolphin Quest is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with dolphins while bonding with your family. Today, Darren and I explored the world of dolphins; and in doing so, we connected more with each other.
We were first introduced to the dolphins in the shallow water. During this “get to know you” session, we fed, kissed, and held the dolphins. Happily, I kissed and fed the male dolphin. He was calm and gentle. I felt at ease like it was an everyday encounter. Darren’s endless grin suggested the same experience. He laughed when the dolphin splashed and played and he listened intently to every word from the instructor. When we were able to hold the dolphin together, I looked at the expression on Darren’s face and it made my day. We weren’t just bonding with the dolphins, we were bonding with each other.
The next portion of the encounter allowed us to dive in and go for a swim with the dolphins. We pulled on a mask for fantastic underwater views as the dolphins spun, flipped, and seemed to fly through the water. It was like magic. One second they were rushing by below and the next second they were soaring gracefully through the air. Their speed was astounding. I’d never been able to watch the dolphins below with a mask before. It added a more interactive, personal touch to the encounter. We were more a part of their world rather than watching from above.
During the Encounter Deluxe, we smiled, laughed, and and had loads of fun together. It was an intimate experience, allowing Darren and I to hold a dolphin as a team, learn about their behaviors and actions, and experience their playful ways. As we shared the unique, personal adventure together, it reminded me of Darren’s playful, inquisitive nature and put a permanent smile on my face.
Hours later, we’re still grinning and chatting about the dolphin fun. Plus, we took home some big smile moments in photos that will remind us of our happiness for a lifetime. The more we grow old together, the younger at heart we become.
Bucket List Publications 
Good thing you weren’t in Kona today. Must have had 3″s of rain this afternoon. Its still heavy.
Glad you enjoyed the Dolphins.
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Interacting with dolphins can also be a very healing experience.
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Wow, what a experience and one that I would love to try. Have always loved dolphins and to be able to learn about them and swim with them would be fantastic. Glad that you and Darren had so much fun and a great bonding experience!
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I too love times like this – travelling with our kids and learning to dive together was the most amazing activity I have ever done. We were on a level playing field and I had the luxury of not only learning with them but observing their styles of learning, getting to know them on a deeper level and experiencing myself and my husband all at the same time. Have a great time in Hawaii 🙂
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So, wow 😉
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Swimming with the Dolphins is one of my favorite things to do. (Even though I only did it once). Glad you had a good time. You are here for the perfect Bucket List Moment. Tuesday night is the premiere of Hawaii Five-O at Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki. Lots of celebs, red carpet,The Jonas Brothers are doing a concert after the show, and you can see the movie first before it shows on TV on Friday. If you have time, I recommend it. Say hi to my friend Wade from KINEFM if you do go. I suspect I will be working, but may stop by. oh btw, Welcome to Oahu! More info on Hawaii Five O premiere at streetzblog: http://wp.me/p1Dj0A-xP
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Even though I’m not married, I enjoyed and could relate to this post. One of the things I love most about travelling is its potential to create amazing new relationships and cement existing ones:) I wrote about something quite similar in this piece: http://soleseeking.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/a-bus-a-backpack-and-a-blessing-in-disguise/
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This is something I have always wanted to do – what a blessing!
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Hi Lesley, I can’t believe how friendly those dolphins seem to be. What a great experience it must have been- something I need to add to my bucket list I think!
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Smile! 😀
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How fun is this!!! Thanks for sharing the photos! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
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Awsome
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Swimming with dolphins has been a life long dream of mine and something I will definitely do one day, soon I hope! It looks and sounds like you had a fantastic experience, one to look back and smile about for years to come 🙂
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We got to swim with the dolphins when we were in the Cayman Islands and it was amazing and so so fun! Your pictures bring me back there 🙂
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This is cute!
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I’m hugging myself. You two look so in the moment and the dolphin seems to know what he’s doing…like it’s his job to make people happy. 😀
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What a great memory you just made together. My best memory with my first husband was scuba diving together, when the instructor put our two hands together and let us swim together, almost alone. We were married almost 30 years. Less than a year later my husband died of cancer, but I have that memory forever.
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Beautiful creatures… And you 2 aren’t bad either! 😉
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Well thank you 😉
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I love it! Who knew that swimming and bonding with dolphins could be a great way to improve family relationships, in particular, the marriage? It’s different, adventurous and sounds romantic! Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Loved this post. This was always a childhood dream of mine… I wish I could do this with my husband someday!
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The pictures are wonderful, thank you! An incredible experience to swim with the dolphins!
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I love dolphins. Envious of your experience! I had a brief one once, I also saw one close to where I was swimming. Leaves me wanting more! Enjoy the memories!
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I did this last spring in Mexico. It wasn’t on my bucket list, but it sure was on my youngest daughter’s. Holy cow, was it cool! Thanks for sharing your story!
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So awesome! Scuba diving with Manta Rays, swimming with dolphins, sounds like you’re having the time of your life! 🙂
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Wow, this looks incredible! I’d love to do this with my family one day!
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I did not know you could actually swim with the dolphins. I thought all you could do is go to Sea World and hope one spits at you.
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how cool to be that close!
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Love it! On my bucket list. “The more we grow old together, the younger at hear we become.” What a beautiful sentiment, and so true!
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Sounds like an amazing experience with Dolphins
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Some years ago I was kayaking off the coast of West Wales when I spotted a fin knifing through the sea towards me. At first I thought ‘shark’ but it was a dolphin. It swam up to the kayak and dived underneath it, came nose-up on the other side, rolled over alongside for me to lean on it and scratch its belly, pushed the kayak around in circles ………… spent I don’t know how long just playing, I lost all track of time. It gave me an amazing sense of peace and calm like I have never known before or since. You’ll remember swimming with that dolphin all your life.
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Wow! What an amazing experience, far beyond my encounter. You are blessed. 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
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