My First Time Swimming With Dolphins In Hawaii

"Swim with, not at." That was the advice Captain Tori from Wild Side Hawai'i wanted us to remember most. Swim WITH the dolphins, not AT them. Sitting on the swim step of the Alaka'i, getting ready to slip into the water with mask, snorkel and fins on, I felt my heart rate increase. We were waiting for the signal and our group of six plus Melissa, our in water guide and naturalist, was full of nervous chatter and joking. The type of chatter that points to a deeper excitement few of us know what to do with, so we talk excitedly about anything and everything.

"Ok, go ahead. Get in and start swimming," Tori calls from the flying bridge as she positions us near the path of the approaching pod of dolphins. Off the swim step we plunge into water slightly warmer than an average swimming pool. After bobbing back to the surface I look to Melissa, now in the water as well, to see which direction we should swim. It's easy to get turned around in the excitement but she is there to keep a watchful eye and make sure everyone stays safe. She points off to my left.

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