E Komo Mai! Welcome...

Come experience a morning swim with us and the Dolphins on the beautiful Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii! The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins are year round residents so you can expect to see them whenever you are in Hawaii...

SunLight On Water, with Melainah, Michael and their staff, offer you the opportunity to have an experience that you will easily remember for the rest of your life – swimming with Dolphins that are wild and free in their natural habitat.

There is nothing that compares to the feeling of being in the ocean with the Dolphins! You can see Dolphins on TV, can visit them in captivity, and you can even see them from a boat – but swimming with them in their natural ocean habitat is a unique and magical experience that can touch you in ways you might not be able to imagine.

We've been conducting Dolphin Swims longer and more successfully than any other Hawaiian Dolphin Swim eco-tour operator – 15 years! We have a 98% success rate in finding the Dolphins each day! Equally important is the context within which we offer our tours. Our philosophy is one of total respect for the Dolphins, all marine life and the ocean.

Your journey will start with a Hawaiian Ceremony to greet the day, and then it’s off to the adventure of a lifetime – a morning swim with the Dolphins! Simply put, the experience is transformative, and it's frankly impossible to fully articulate. Dolphins are amongst the most intelligent beings on the planet and being with them in their own habitat will amaze you. Imagine your excitement as we cruise out to where the Dolphins live and play.

As we are making our way along the Kona Coast, relax and let yourself enjoy the feel of the wind and notice how the sun glints off the surface of the Ocean, hence our name, SunLight On Water. Take in the beautiful color of the Ocean as she beckons to you... The setting is perfect...

And then you see them-- Spinner Dolphins spinning in the air to greet you! They love to ride the bow wake of our boat. They are sleek and graceful and exude absolute joy.

There is nothing like it.

After receiving instruction about the proper protocols for entering into the Dolphins’ world and receiving some insider tips on how to get the most out of your Dolphin swim, the moment comes when quietly and gently you ease into the water with these incredible Beings and join the Dolphin pod. It’s completely safe, and a rewarding experience for the entire family. All you need is your sense of wonder and a willing Spirit.

During the winter, there’s a good chance you’ll see Humpback Whales on the way to be with the Dolphins. Other interesting sea life has been known to pay us a visit as well such as Spotted Dolphins, Bottle Nose Dolphins, Whale Sharks, Pilot Whales, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, the Honu (turtles) among others. Michael may even find an Octopus for you to see!

Captain Michael (aka China Mike), operated the first charter boat offering Dolphin Swims here in Hawaii. Michael and Melainah are both USCG Licensed Captains, and their boat, Uhane Nui O Nai’a, is one of the most comfortable around. They also have an exceptional kinship with these marvelous creatures, and can offer you a Dolphin experience unlike any other.

If swimming with Dolphins is something you have always dreamed of experiencing, please give us a call at SunLight On Water, and we will make your dream come true…

All equipment is provided, snorkel gear, flotation if needed, as well as water/sodas, fruit, muffins and dry snacks. All you need to bring is a towel, sunscreen, cover-up and maybe a camera –– although we have a world class videographer on board with us most days to capture your experience on the boat and in the ocean with the Dolphins which you can purchase at the end of the trip if you like –– it is a wonderful way to re-experience your day again and again...

You can read more about us, Michael and Melainah, and our connection to the Dolphins on our About Us page. Our Dolphin Swim trips are four hours long leaving at 8:00am and returning at noon. Check-in is 7:30 a.m. Here is a Google Map to our departure site at Honokohau Harbor.