Our recent post about finding the dolphins on Hawaii vacation was really fun to read. Dolphins are the most friendly creatures. Anybody who had a chance to swim with wild dolphins, will confirm that this is really a magical encounter. So, if interested, try one of the island companies which offer that. For Swimming with wild dolphins on the Big Island, Nancy from DolphinJourneys in Kailua-Kona is a good choice. Always keep in mind, this is nature and even though the boats are guided by captains who are experts on dolphin behavior and where to find them, there is no 100% guaranty you will swim with the dolphins when you booked a tour.
Let's stay a bit with the dolphins in Hawaii. Here is our Hawaii photo of the week, which fits perfectly into the dolphin topic. We will tell you why in the next paragraph. Our Hawaii photographer friend Jennifer Crites chose a photo of one of the most popular hotels for a Big Island vacation. The photo shows the Hilton Waikoloa Village at Waikoloa Beach Resort. OK admitted, with the big size oceanfront location and three towers for room accommodation, the Big Island Hilton is a bit on the busy side. So, when looking for a peaceful, private honeymoon vacation, the Hilton Waikoloa Village, would not be the perfect option to find it there.
However, for tourists who love to do things, the Hilton accommodates many Hawaiian activities right on site. One of guests' favorites is Dolphin Quest at a huge pond in the middle of the Hilton property, bordering the huge swimming pool and ocean (sorry no beach access there). Dolphin Quest is an educational program to learn more about the dolphins in Hawaii in a friendly environment. Dolphin Quest participants get close to dolphins and interact with them. This is a bit different than Sea World where dolphins are exclusively trained for performing for an audience.
Even if you are not staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Hotel, go visit the hotel when exploring the Kohala Coast on your Big Island vacation. I love the gentle boat ride meandering on a canal in this beautiful tropical. You will even see tropical fish & barracudas right from the boat, as the water is very clear. Boat and tram rides are free and fun.
Many years ago, the Hilton would still sell pool passes, so families with children could spend a day at the Hilton with their many water slides. If you want to do that these days, you have to pay for a day room but if you share it with another family, it's worthwhile the expense. The kids love the dolphins, the water slides, the tram, the boat, the Nene geese and all the fancy artifacts from different cultures and times. Well, and adults can enjoy some relaxing and rejuvenating time at the Kohala Spa or visit all the fancy shops and galleries. Afterwards, sit and relax enjoying a delicious lunch at the Lagoon Grill overlooking the dolphin lagoon!
The only thing missing at the Hilton is a real beach. There is an artificial one with white sand and a big pond, where you can swim, snorkel (water is a little murky to see much but the turtles are there!) and even kayak. Otherwise, the real Kohala Coast beaches, like A-Bay, Hapuna and Mauna Kea beach, are not far away from the Hilton.
Well, if you have visited the Hilton, please, share your experience with our Best Hawaii Vacation Blog visitors. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
Well, if you have visited the Hilton, please, share your experience with our Best Hawaii Vacation Blog visitors. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
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9 comments:
Hi Pua,
You're so right about the Hilton Waikoloa. I was there to photograph my niece's wedding and really enjoyed my 4-night stay. The restaurants are remarkable, even the one at poolside, which makes excellent wraps. Check out the wildlife (waterfowl populate the tiny islands in the canals), the amazing art around the grounds (I like the carriage-horse statues, among many others), the waterfall, which you can walk under (and another waterfall, in a grotto, that you can swim under) and the rope bridge. There's so much to see and do. Did you know that tv star Dog the Bounty Hunter got married there last year? If you wander next door to the Marriott resort, you'll find a wide sandy ocean-fronting beach that abuts a former royal Hawaiian fishpond ringed with palm trees. The whole area is a magical place.
Aloha,
Jennifer
When having visitors from the Mainland, it's really fun to take them to the Hilton. It's so much to see and to do! Young and old love it!
You should see the Hilton lobby at Christmas with a real ginger bread house (oooh those smells!) - like the Hansel and Gretel one - and trains going around on railroad model tracks!
A visit to the Hilton is full of surprises! Check it out on your Big Island vacation. Pua
Sounds like a really fun time swimming with the dolphins. I never realized you could be taken to where the dolphins are by a guide. I guess I never thought about it much. I think one day I would love to go to Hawaii and swim with the dolphins.
Aloha Robin,
Swimming with the dolphins at a Hawaii resort is definitely a way to make sure to see them and even touch them.
As said in my post, going out with a boat tour for encounters with wild dolphins is not always successful. At least, you have the fun of a boat trip...Pua
Hi Pua...
love your last two posts about dolphins. They are fantastic creatures. I had the rare opportunity to play with them off a friends boat. We were off Kawaihae,on the big island, when a school of dolphins began following the boat. Ralph, my friend, told me to grap a rope and he lowered men in among the dolphins. We cruised along this way for 10 minutes. It was fantastic..Keoki
There are a lot of fun activities to do in this area also. We have been to Hawaii many times and one way to save some money is to book activities before you get there. We have used www.hawaiidiscount.com for the last several years and have been pleased. Just another way to save money! Hoe this helps
Mahalo Keoki for your comment on your swimming with the wild dolphins. I bet you won't ever forget that experience!
John, thanks for sharing the hawaiidiscount site for activities discounts when on Hawaii vacation. I checked the site and what they offered for the Big Island: Biking, Deep Sea fishing, dinner cruises, helicopter tours, whale watch...you name it.
I did not take the time to compare the rates and prices whether they are really a discount compared to booking directly from the Hawaii companies. Would make sense to do so when using their activities service. Aloha, Pua
p.s.
For everybody, who wants to leave a comment with their URL connected to their name, don't forget the http:// !!!
This is the wonderful place for vacation ...
Visitors who look for a Hawaii family vacation at a hotel on the Big Island can't go wrong with the Hilton at Waikoloa. Adventure for the kiddos is right there! BTW, the Hilton is the only hotel on the Big Island which offers three different waterslides for its guests.
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