Dolphin Quest Reviews

Completely hands on experience.. we touched, fed and swam with our dolphin . The group was small and well worth the money!

This is the third time we have been at Dolphin Quest and it never disappoints. I would book an other appointment the next time we are here.

We had an amazing dolphin adventure with my 12-year-old daughter. Trainer Stephanie was great and kind and informative.

It was amazing. The staff make it a wonderful time. It felt like a very personal experience, one on one, with the dolphins.

Absolutely amazing! Loved feeling the heartbeat of a dolphin! We loved our interaction with all the dolphins!

I have had swimming with dolphins on my wish list since I was 9. At 46, this did not disappoint. Thank you.

Amazing experience! I liked that the dolphins were well cared for and it was nice to be in their environment. The kids were so happy (12 & 17) It was pricey, but definitely worth it.

My daughter had a wonderful time with dolphin, learning how to communicate with dolphin and swimming with one!

Something I have always wanted to do. Great experience!! Everyone there was so nice and helpful. The trainers are very informative and great at getting everyone involved.

I loved that there were so many different opportunities to interact with the dolphins. I also loved the learning part of this trip and what I learned.

The ABSOLUTE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! I have dreamed of swimming with dolphins since I was a child. I never wanted to swim with them in captivity however since it’s illegal to swim in the wild with them for several reasons this company is the second best thing to happen! They care deeply for their dolphins. The don’t force the animal to do anything it doesn’t want to do. I could write so much more. Overall. I would do it again and again. And again!

Our 5 year old son was lucky enough to participate in the Kids Quest and absolutely loved it. Such a wonderful experience and he said was the highlight of his trip.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the Dolphin Quest adventure at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, and it was just as special as I remembered—though 30 years have given me a new perspective! I first did this program when I was 18, and returning as an adult to share it with my parents and brother-in-law was fun.

The experience was unique, engaging, and well organized. Interacting with the dolphins was both fun and memorable, and the staff made us feel safe, comfortable, and fully involved throughout. It’s amazing to see the care and attention they give to the animals while creating such a meaningful experience for visitors.

Whether you’re a first-timer or returning after decades like me, Dolphin Quest is a one-of-a-kind adventure that will leave you smiling and with unforgettable memories. Highly recommend!

It was an overall fantastic up and close encounter with one of their 13 dolphins. It was well worth the money and the digital photo upgrade. The only thing that prevented me from giving five stars was that it felt a little rushed and too scripted—ideally suited for young kids.

The dolphins were so cute and fun and the trainers had good info and made it a great experience. Would recommend to others

I found the experience very cool. You don't realize how big dolphins are until they're right next to ya. The trainers all seemed very knowledgeable and professional. The dolphins seem to be well taken care of and happy, in fact, we were told that if they needed a break we would have to give them their break or swap to different dolphins which I think is very cool. My family and I were able to interact with three different dolphins. Just an overall cool experience and the dolphins seem to be well taken care of! (Keep in mind my knowledge on this matter is very short so I could be wrong, but I doubt it.)

An excellent, up close and educational experience; the guide ensures that everyone in the small group has equal opportunity to interact with the dolphins.

The over all experience was fantastic. The trainers were fantastic in answering all of our questions.

My kids and I were greeted with a quick and easy check in (I highly recommend filling the waivers out online via email confirmation sent from Dolphin Quest before arriving).
We were fitted for life vests and then were put into group with another family of three. On average there were three groups of six people per trainer/dolphin per session.
Our dolphin trainer, Alysson (sp? apologies), was very friendly, knowledgeable, and worked with both families children with care and respect. Everyone in our group was given the opportunity to ask questions and request specific interactions with the dolphin. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet LaiHua (sp?), learn about her, and interact with her.
I enjoyed swimming with LaiHua while holding onto her back and seeing just amazingly smart they are first hand with them in the water. My Daughter’s favorite part was receiving a dolphin kiss from LaiHua and my Son’s favorite part was feeding LaiHua a fish while swimming with her.
The photo viewing/selecting process was quick and easy at the end and the woman who helped us (sorry I didn’t get your name) was very helpful and quickly had us moving through the process, even with a few last minute changes.
Thank you Alysson and Dolphin Quest Village at Hilton Waikoloa Village for the amazing experience.

The entire experience was amazing. Kayla was our host; she was friendly and experienced. You could tell she enjoyed her job. I was able to pet, hug, swim, and kiss the dolphins. It was an experience I will never forget.

Very enjoyable. Learned a lot and wish
I could have had a longer time with them. Will tell others about the experience

From start to finish we LOVED this experience. Our marine biologist Tanner was amazing. His knowledge, ability to make our whole group feel engaged and sweet relationship w the Dolphins was so special. The money we spent to have this adventure goes to help this entity protect our wildlife and continue invaluable research
We highly recommend Dolphin Quest!!!

The staff and trainers were all excellent. The dolphins were treated much better than I expected, and they seemed happy. The dolphins are allowed to take a break and only do what they want to do, and the trainers are very good about enforcing that. It would be neat if they could do something similar with dolphins in the wild, though. Make sure you allow yourself at least fifteen minutes to get there from the parking lot, it is a big resort.

While this experience is absolutely a $$ splurge, I was happy to treat my son & his gf to this up close experience with the dolphins. It was a wonderful experience for them & the pictures are amazing. Definitely a highlight of the trip.

My 11-yo grandson enjoyed the experience with the dolphins and would do it again. He didn't much like getting splashed in the face (twice!) by the dolphin, but loved racing the dolphin. The trainer was nice (he doesn't remember her name).

It was a fun experience but not worth the money. Also, they pulled us out of the water for a break which was fine and said our time would be made up but it was not. My child even observed this and pointed it out to the guide. Our person who led our group was not nearly as fun or engaged as others that I observed, and we didn’t get the dolphin activity equivalent to the other groups.

My daughter and I did the toddler experience a few years ago and it was great! The time lasted the entire 15 minutes and my daughter was able to have a lot of hands on experience. Last week however we were in a large group of 9 people and my daughter hardly got any time with the dolphin. Most of our time was spent waiting and watching the trainer; On top of that it was not a full 15 minutes. I left disappointed and paying for a very expensive 2 minutes.

The trainer was knowledgeable and helpful. We really enjoyed the experience. We would reccomend the Dolphin Quest to anyone visiting the big island.

I wish I could remember the name of the trainer who led our experience because she was absolutely wonderful. She took the time to learn everyone's names and even told us how she made her dream of training dolphins come true. The animals are beautiful and seem to be very well taken care of. This was hands down the highlight of our whole trip. It was my daughter's favorite memory of the by far. You get plenty of time with the dolphins and don't feel rushed. Don't let the price deter you because it is definitely worth the money. You will not forget this wonderful experience!

This is my third time and my granddaughter joined me this time for the first time. She loved it! The staff was delightful. Thank you for doing what you do!

We had an amazing time! We met four different dolphins that were friendly, enthusiastic and adorable! We were able to pet them, get them to talk and to perform tricks, along with swimming with them. The trainers were great at accommodating each individual. Those who weren't comfortable with swimming with the dolphins were able to walk with them.

Everything was perfect! Swimming with the dolphins, participating in a few small training exercises, learning, and we even received paintings! The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They also treat the dolphins with great care, which is very important

Went with son, daughter-in-law, 3 grandchildren (10,8,6). We were in the water with trainer and met a few dolphins (one at a time), watched them perform various "tricks" and learned hand signals they have been taught to perform them. We learned a lot of information about the animals themselves. They swam right up to us; we could handle them and even swim next to them with a hand on the back. They seems to be intelligent and gentle. Trainer was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, willing to answer any questions. The experience was worthwhile and memorable for all of us.
The cost is a bit pricey, but it's for a good cause. How many chances will you have to spend time with dolphins, face to face?

So worth the money. Was one of the best experiences and everyone should experience. The trainers were very friendly and knowledgeable. There main concern was for the safety of the Dolphins.

This was an amazing experience. Having the chance to interact with these incredible animals. Truly once in a lifetime experience.

My son said that it was most memorable and amazing experience of this trip.
I absolutely recommend Dolphin Quest to people visiting Hawaii!!

We brought our two daughters (11 and 9) and they had such an amazing time. I recommend buying the photo package when purchasing tickets. We received over 70 photos and they are all so amazing. Don’t skip this opportunity.

Although there were multiple groups in the same time slot, it allowed easier booking,there were multiple dolphins interacting with us and we had a dedicated photographer for the group.

My daughter is 8 yrs old, and she loved the up close interaction with the dolphins. Dolphin quest is located on the grounds of the Hilton Waikaloa, such a great place to visit. The staff were great with all the kids, and the dolphins. My daughter will remember this experience for the rest of her life. Thank you Dolphin Quest.

Had been here when I was younger, but it was even better this time. My kids absolutely loved it, it was a dream come true for them. They wanna come back next year and do it again.

This was our first experience with dolphins as we live in Nebraska. It was amazing! Tanner was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful; which made the experience even better. We were able to see two of Kona’s kids do tricks and do tricks with them in shallow and deeper water. To be able to touch and hold a dolphin is one of the most joyous things in life you can do!! Thank you Dolphin Quest!

Advertised as swim with the dolphins, but it was actually stand and interact with dolphins for approx 45 mins. My children enjoyed their encounter with the dolphins, but from my perspective, it wasn't worth the price I paid.

Our 3-generation family group all enjoyed our Dolphin Quest experience. Knowledgeable and friendly trainers were responsive to requests from our 3 and 6 year olds. Very delightful experience. And the photos taken were a worthwhile addition to the visit!

Two 14 year olds enjoyed this moment & learning experience together. Very pleased to have been able to book this experience.

The trainer did a wonderful job with our family to help our 8 and 5 year olds feel welcome with the dolphins. The customer service was amazing. They have Aloha. Thank you!

It’s an amazing experience to be able to interact with these intelligent creatures. They are so docile and responsive.

This was my second time experiencing Dolphin Quest in Waikoloa. My first experience was for my 16th birthday 10 years ago and when i planed my return 10 years later to the Big Island of Hawaii, I couldn’t wait to return to Dolphin Quest and experience the chance to swim with the dolphins again. The experience did not disappoint and lived up what I had remembered. I 100% recommend this experience for every age group.

We were visiting the Hilton Waikoloa pools for the day (staying nearby but not at that hotel) and saw the advertisement for Dolphin Quest - we were able to watch the experience of others on some nearby grass and decided to book for a later day. We were a little concerned it might be too geared towards children, but were pleasantly surprised that we were put into the "grownup group" that got deeper into the water and able to swim with the dolphins and see them do tricks underwater! Also appreciated that we were given the option during the session of more snorkel time or close-up time with the dolphins (our group chose the latter), and that we got to interact with a couple different dolphins throughout.

We Loved Our Dolphin Encounter! Grace our Instructor was so informative, engaging and so sweet. Nimbus and Eva are Amazing and so patient with humans. I would do this everyday if I could.
All the dolphins seem so loved and happy. Our hotel room overlooked the dolphin swimming area/lagoon and we could hear and see them playing, swimming and splashing with each other all day.

I loved this experience! Expensive but worth it! I got to be cheek to cheek with a dolphin, so cool! The pictures are amazing. This was a big check off my bucket list!

We all loved learning about and meeting the dolphins! The pictures are priceless and the memories will last a lifetime

Was just incredible to interact and observe these amazing animals so closely! Truly, a highlight of our trip to Hawaii. We came away with such a respect for the dolphins and the trainers who work with them. They are treated with such care and kindness. We learned so much during our brief time there and were very impressed with the staff at Dolphin Quest that helped make this a remarkable experience!

The staff at the Waikoloa Dolphin Quest are all friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. The trainers and staff made the experience memorable and educational. The dolphins are well cared for and have the option to not participate in an activity if they so choose. The ability to experience these animals in an respectful way was important to me. I learned a lot and made friends with both people and dolphins.

Did this with my five-year-old. Definitely one of the most memorable experiences on our trip! Pricey but worth it! We paid for every digital photo and I'm glad we did, they got so many great ones. We learned so much and had a lot of hands-on time with the dolphins!

The experience was good, but the the pictures you took were really bad. We saw other group where the photographer went in the water and really concetrated on the group that they took pictures of, and our photographer did not pay very good attention of us. Most of the time we had the sun in our eyes. He kept talking to the trainers who were on break and we did not feel he looked at us very much. So we are really sad about that.We really hoped for good pictures, as this was one of our best experiences.

My husband and I swam with dolphins on our honeymoon, so I was thrilled that they allowed our two girls to go without us. They had a blast and had wonderful interactions with the dolphins. They also learned a lot!

Highly recommend visiting Dolphin Quest on your next trip to the Big Island!
I took my 4yo and she loved it! We got to learn about the dolphins and meet some of them. The whole experience was awesome and the staff were so great and friendly. The environment was amazing and the dolphins are well loved by staff and guests!

Highly recommend! The kids loved this and so did us parents! The dolphins were fun and friendly! We ordered the picture package prior and I asked if we can bring our baby down for a picture with us and they approved it! It turned out great! Thank you all!

This was the highlight of our Hawaiian vacation. The trainer working with us was very friendly and patient with us worked to make sure the pre-teens in our group had a fun experience. The whole process was smooth and professional. Great job guys!

Once in a lifetime experience. Was great to see & touche the dolphins. Tanner our instructor did. also a great job. It’s worth it

We absolutely LOVED this experience. The interaction with the dolphins (13 of them) and information given by the staff (all have degrees) was, simply put, spiritual and life changing. We highly recommend this and it’s nice to know that their fees go toward conservation and scientific research. The attached museum is also excellent.

I’ve taken 3 grandsons in the past 10 years and enjoyed each visit.
Unfortunately, I took my 4th grandson on Wednesday August 2, 2023 - it was extremely disappointing. His instructor Allison hardy notice him in the 6 member group. They were 1 adult male, two teenage girls and mother/ young daughter.
Each member had numerous opportunities to handle the Dolphin- interact- photo opts, hand gestures – signals, but my grandson seldom had the opportunity to interact with the dolphin. I was surprised that Allison did not notice or acknowledge that my grandson was mostly standing next to the group ( often missed or asked to interact with the dolphin) and seldom was asked by Allison to join -interact with the dolphin. He had limited contact nor requested to participate with the dolphin for a series of pictures as others did.
I did bring my concerns to the supervisor Melissa who informed me she’ll radio in to correct the issue- however, it didn’t resolve my grandsons’ from being isolated or limited involvement. Nothing changed.
Needless to say, after the session was over my grandsons photos did not capture or provide multiple viewings of him swimming with a dolphin. So sad, especially traveling from the East Coast to participate in the dolphin quest, swimming experience.
I thought perhaps, I should not write a negative review since the past experiences were wonderful - fun but after further consideration, I thought it best that other’s families should be diligent and watchful to ensure that their children have the fullest and best experience and be aware to ensure that they are fully engaged swimming with the dolphins’ and not overlooked / given equal attention - access to have once in lifetime experience
A very costly activity $ 320 that resulted in a disappointing and frustrating experience.

Would not recommend.

My 4 children ages 8-18 really enjoyed our time swimming with the dolphins. We loved our dolphin kisses. We got a lot of time to enjoy the dolphins and loved the clear pics you could purchase as an option after. Allyson was very kind to work with. My kids spent 12 days and went to three islands and this experience was a FAVE!

I would highly recommend this experience. We are a family of three and my 9 year old son really wanted to swim with Dolphins. I went only joined because children under 10 need an adult to participate. I had a smile on my face the entire time and the pictures proved it! Dolphin quest is one of the more safe and humane establishments that allows their dolphins to "volunteer" to interact with you. Groups of 6 were small and intimate and each group of two families in our session got the full experience which for my son and I also included placing our hands on the back of our dolphin and swimming with her at our pace.

Wow....being in the water, up close and personal with the dolphins was absolutely amazing! I even got a kiss from one of the dolphins.

My daughters had such a blast meeting with the dolphin in such a close-up encounter. A little pricey but worth it, especially if it’s your first time. The trainers were lovely and patient, especially with kids.

If swimming with dolphins is on your "bucket list" this is the place to do it. Being in Hawaii in a tropical paradise and swimming with dolphins was amazing

If you're not sure if your kid will be into this or not, I say it's still worth booking. My 6yo was all about the activity and had a blast. Even though my 2yo was tentative, by the end of the activity they were saying "my dolphins!". Memories made and 10/10 staff. Thank you, Kara!

Awesome experience for children accompanied by either a parent/grandparent.

I walked by this place many times during my stay and Hilton Waikoloa and the dolphins are well cared for if you are worried about animal captivity.

All positive vibes from this activity! Staff was great and cared deeply about the animals and customers.

Such a fun interaction. It beat my expectations. You get a long time to swim with the dolphins and it is very educational too. I just wish for that price, the photos would have been included.

loved everything about it. if you plan on visiting Big Island w family & friends, this is a 10/10 MUST try! you won't regret.

So much fun, the trainer Virginia was so nice, professional, informative and fun. Another thing to cross off your bucket list. The dolphins were beautiful and very playful.

Charlie at Dolphin Quest was absolutely awesome! She gave my daughter and I an experience that left us looking forward to hanging out with dolphins again! We did this experience in the Bahamas once, but this time it was far more personal, we spend more time actually doing things with the dolphins, and we are more in love with these beautiful creatures than ever before! This is a must do event if you are even considering it. It is hard not to walk out feeling happy and in awe of the friendly dolphins. I can't wait to go back again someday!

My daughter is 8 and this is her first time to be so close with dolphins. She was so excited and really enjoyed the time with those cuties. My daughter told me this is her favorite part in Hawaii.

We had a wonderful experience with Dolphin Quest. We learned so much from our knowledgeable guides and fulfilled our hopes during the 45 minute experience.

The place we had our dolphin quest was at the Hilton Waikoloa on the big island and it was so AMAZING. The trainer's were great but the dolphins were awesome! If you haven't done it yet, what are you waiting for!?!.. This is definitely one for the bucket list. Awesome job and a BIG MAHALO to all the workers there, you made it an amazing experience. 👏🏽 👏🏽👏🏽

This was an amazing experience. The staff are lovely. The dolphins are well cared for. The staff’s knowledge of each dolphin is excellent. They show love, kindness and patience with each animal and all interactions are determined by the dolphin. There is no forced performance. This is a memory I’ll keep with me for life!

Natalie did a great job introducing us to five dolphins with their own unique talents. Grace was the photographer who captured for posterity the fun times. Another family from Canada joined us and their kids got to hug their favorite dolphin. Definitely a bucket list moment for us. Acknowledgement also to Maddie who gave us the names and ages of the dolphins who showed off their talents.

Always wanted to see a dolphin real life since i was a young girl. Sooo worth the money to work along side with the really nice trainers, my dolphin painted me a picture, i swam with a dolphin, did hand signals to see dolphins come to life. 💯 recommend doing this and learning how well cared for and loved these dolphins are by the staff. This was a dream come true for me since i was a little girl!!

We have engaged in a dolphin experience in the past and this by far was the best experience we have had. We got more time in the water with the dolphin, we had a more hands on and interactive experience. The trainers are very excited about thier Dolphins, their knowledge and sharing their skills.

The grandkids loved this. We asked them to rank all the things we did on the trip to Hawaii, and Dolphin Quest was #1 on their list. It was a once in a lifetime experience. The staff was awesome, and the pictures are a great memory.

Amazing and great dolphin experience! Lots of opportunity to interact and touch female dolphins Keo and Lehua. We learned a lot about dolphins and were impressed with the staff’s dedication to their well being and happiness. We paid for the special $155 photo package when making the reservation and the photos taken by a staff member were all fabulous! Highly recommend the experience snd photo package!

I had a really bad experience with front desk service. They don’t listen to you. I asked to speak to a manager to two different people and no one came to reconcile. They were attempting to short change what was promised to me when I booked the experience. Ruined my entire day as all I felt was anger.

The interaction was minimal and most of it was watching the dolphins underwater which could be done from the platform around the lagoon. The cost was very high for the experience. I would not recommend this event.

We enjoyed a participatory private dolphin show.
The trainer also used simple English that was easy for Japanese to understand. He occasionally went to Japan and used American Sign Language for his deaf son. It was a wonderful experience and a lifetime memory.

My daughter loved the marine mammal trainer for a day. She loved getting to meet all the dolphins and getting to feed them. She also loved when the dolphins made her a painting

The information the traders gave us about these amazing mammals was amazing most of which we had no idea. The trainers we talked to we’re very informative, and I would we would love to do it again.

We took our family of four as we convinced ourselves it would be a "once in a lifetime" experience - and it was exactly that: we did it once and wouldn't do it again.

If our kids were a bit older (currently 8 and 10), we would have just paid for them to do it while we watched from outside. However, our youngest (8) had to have an adult present. Granted, we could have had just 3 people go, but we all ended up signing up. With tax, it works out to about $300 per person ($1200 for a family of four!).

I understand that much of the funds go to dolphin research and conservation, but for a 30-40 minute experience, it grossly overpriced. Now reading reviews after the fact, I agree with others that in a group setting (I think the max is 6 people per group) you each get to have a moment or two with the dolphin, but it is limited. Yes, you get to touch the dolphin and briefly swim (slowly, resting one hand on its back) with it, but that's about it. Everything else (the tricks, the sounds, etc.) you could easily watch from 15 feet away on the grass without paying.

We enjoyed the brief experience, but I would not do it again.

I’ve always loved dolphins, and now I love them even more. The staff is incredible. The dolphins are amazing.

It's become very expensive for Japanese people.
With one adult, two elementary school children and photos purchased, it came to 150,000 yen.
It's tough when the exchange rate is 140 yen to the dollar.
But this kind of experience doesn't come around often so we splurged.

Took my 4, 6 and 9 y.o. boys what an amazing experience. Staff were friendly and patient. It was the experience of a lifetime.

We had a fantastic 75th Birthday Deluxe Dolphin Encounter experience on the only rainy day during our vacation in the water with the dolphins! Don't let a little rain and wind deter you. The water was warm, the staff was so nice, and the dolphins were happy and free to participate how they wanted. Small groups ensures a lot of hands on and up close and personal time with each of the participating dolphins. They provided masks to see them underwater and you must bring your own towel (recommended on a rainy/windy day). Showers and sm bag lockers were also provided. Highly recommended for memories of a lifetime.

I had an hour interaction with two dolphins, mother and daughter, under the guidance of Charlie. Charlie was incredibly fun and knowledgeable, and the dolphins were so interactive. It was an amazing experience to be able to interact with these animals, and the amount of time and care that goes into them is phenomenal. Charlie and the rest of the team pour their hearts and souls into the wellbeing of these guys, and I am so grateful I chose to do this experience with them. Changing activities means we got a personalized experience, and it truly shows.

I have nothing to add about to the other positive reviews focused on the excitement of being with the dolphins. The staff were friendly and professional, and my teens enjoyed it. I will say that I was morally conflicted about this to start, but relented for my kids. In the end, I am not disputing that the dolphins are cared for, but rather their very existence as dolphins bred in captivity - which was something we learned during the visit. I would not do this again for that reason alone - it will depend upon your comfort with the concept. HINT: you should truly leave yourself 30 minutes to find the place from the parking lot - there are no signs and you have to ask around to get there.

The knowledge provided by the staff was very in depth. It was a great experience to learn about these amazing dolphins but also one our family will never forget! The great nature of these dolphins and the fact they wanted to participate with us is what made this such an amazing event. We loved it so much that my son and wife are doing it now after they witnessed how great it was!

the facility was great. Felt like it was under staffed. trainer i had was too centered around a little kid that was winey and did not pay attention to rest of group. the child was very disrupting and a drag for rest of us, He needed a time out but was unruley. spoiled the trip for me. Dolphins were a joy to see.

My daughter and I enjoyed spending time learning about dolphins from the dolphin trainers at Dolphin Quest. We learned how and where to touch them. We were able to feed them fish. We were instructed on how to use hand signals to command the dolphins to wave their fins and tails, splash, play peek-a-boo, and make their own unique dolphin noises. The trainer for our group, Trish, was very in tune with the dolphins and had a great personal relationship with each one. There were 3 groups of 6 people in the large lagoon. The trainers sent each of the dolphins from group to group so we could meet each one. We interacted with Nimbus, Keo, and Hali’a. The interactions were personalized so that people who felt confident in deep water could interact with the dolphins there, while the trainers had the dolphins go to those people who wanted to stay in the shallower areas of the lagoon. Everyone had their opportunity to interact with the dolphins in the way they were most comfortable. We prepaid for the digital photo package and were thrilled. 90+ photos of my daughter and I together and each of us alone with dolphins were taken by photographer Kai. We felt the experience was wonderful and highly recommend it for people of all ages and swimming abilities.

We had 6 people in our group and we all shared one dolphin. Because we were all taking turns, that means that each person got under 5 minutes with the dolphin. For $300 I expected more than that. We each touched the dolphin 2 times and it was mostly for a picture. None of the pictures are included. They are an additional $155.
And be sure to take a towel. If you don’t have one, they offer to sell you one.
Not worth the money.

The staff was wonderful and nice. It is pricey but well worth it to be this close to dolphins. My son said it was the most surreal experience he’s ever had.

This was an amazing experience. Up close and personal with dolphins in a safe environment. So much fun and such a beautiful thing to do.
Being the eldest of the group they asked if I wanted to sit on the step and watch or swim out in the lagoon - totally did the whole thing and swam out!! Just amazing.

Our family of 10 booked with Dolphin Quest during our family trip to Hawaii. They were so helpful to schedule my younger ones into a kids’ quest class while I and my older kids were in a family and friends encounter. They customize to what you want to do, so my older kids and I could go in the deeper area to swim with the dolphins while my younger ones could stay closer to the more shallow waters to interact with the dolphins on their level. My kids range from young children through teens and adults, but I’m only able to pick one below. Swimming with dolphins was a life long dream of mine (as well as for 2 of my older kids). We will never forget this experience or this vacation. We really love how the cost for the dolphin encounter really go back to providing quality care for the dolphins as well as providing a place for scientists to come and learn more about dolphins to care for the wild dolphin population. Dolphin Quest trainers know all of their dolphins and their individual personalities, they are aware when the dolphins might need a break and to possibly switch out. If this happens, you’ll have to step out of the water (both for your safety and to give the dolphins space as well). It’s such a great program!!

one of the best experiences of our lives staff was attentive informative caring and took time to explain everything they were showing us and interaction with the dolphins

We had an amazing time with the dolphins! This is an experience we will never forget. Tanner was such a fun trainer and gave us the best time ever. From check-in to our finale, everything was a 10!

We had the best resort experience of our lives at the Dolphin Quest. Stephanie booked us in and went over everything to expect and was very inspiring with her enthusiasm and knowledge of the staff and dolphins and what to do/when.

Muddy and Jasmine were amazing instructors/photos and gave beautiful access to our kids. One of ours is in vet school now and learned an incredible amount as well as experienced the heartbeat of the dolphins which was over-the-top an amazing experience. Our little ones swam with them and felt completely comfortable, safe, and excited throughout the experience. The 3 of them are just the best employees an organization could ask for. Truly a highlight of the Hilton experience and went a tremendous way to offset the restaurants not open, room service being unavailable, and high prices of the amenities/food options. This was worth every penny. Thank you thank you thank you.

We loved it! Big thanks to Maddie May, so fun and engaging especially w/ our special needs daughter. She was excellent!

We get to hang out with 3 amazing dolphins. Kayleigh (oh dear, I hope I spelled her name right!) was so much fun. She was so knowledgeable and she made our experience super fun and special. I enjoyed every minute time spent with these beautiful dolphins and it was so worth it!! Crossing this off my buckelist. ☺️

It was surreal to be able to play and touch these amazing creatures! All of the kids and adults alike were blown away by their intellect and grace. Although the price of admission was a bit on a higher side, I am glad that all of those funds go towards marine species conservation and protection. We had a truly amazing time!

Very patient with my 5 year old and she just had the best bond with dolphin Malu. Malu has the cutest and silliest little tricks and is so incredibly intelligent. We had a great time!

Only spent 30 minutes in water with group of people so actual encounter with dolphin was less than 10 minutes. Felt completely safe and I’m happy to help fund the program but $320 is extremely expensive for short experience.

We had an incredible experience with dolphin quest. Our guide Tanner was a real gracious and very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed this experience very much!

My 14 year old enjoyed his dolphin encounter. It was one of the highlights of our Hawaiian vacation.

It was amazing! The kids loved it and the trainer was wonderful!❤️ i have done this three times and would highly recommend it. Instead of giving presents for Christmas I give experiences- this was my Christmas present for my grandsons. They all said it was the best and they will forever have the memories.

Its a boring encounter here at the Hilton. We did it 3x in cancun and there were more stuff that my kids did such as a dolphin taking you from end to end of the pool with their bottle nose, kissing you on your cheek , shaking your hands and dolphins did more stuff like diving.

It was a great experience for my child and I. Good interactions and time spent with the dolphins. Very expensive. Not sure we would do it again at the current price.

It was truly a wonderful experience. You can tell the dolphins have great relationships with their keepers. Highly recommend!!!

My biggest dream came true
the nicest and most helpful staff who were committed and took the dolphins' needs into account

Truly enjoyed the Dolphin Quest experience. The staff is excellent. They are welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful. I loved learning about the Dolphins and interacting with them. That made you feel safe and confident to interact with the dolphins. They took pictures to help us remember the experience that were great. I certainly recommend this experience to anyone interested young and old.

We booked an encounter while staying at the Hilton. My daughter loves Dolphins and really enjoyed this experience. The staff were friendly and amazing. They did a lot of education about dolphins. Even if you don't do an encounter with them, it is fun to watch them work with the Dolphins and they wiill come over and answer questions. My daughter said that this was the highlight of her stay.

We have had opportunities to interact with Dolphins throughout the years in many parts of the world and have always enjoyed those opportunities. We particularly enjoyed our experience with Dolphin Quest - not only the interaction with these marvelous creatures but the care and knowledge of the staff was impressive and appreciated. We loved the fact that while we were on the Waikaloa property we could always drop by and watch the beautiful dolphins. It was a very peaceful and happy setting.

Swimming with Dolphins has been on my bucket list forever and Dolphin Quest did not disappoint!! It was incredible to be in the water with them and the trainer was outstanding!! She was very friendly and knowledgeable and made us at ease in the water. The two dolphins are beautiful animals and we loved every minute of the swim, just wish it could have been longer!! Mahalo!!

Had an amazing time! Got to hug, pet, and swim with several bottlenose dolphins. Even got a dolphin kiss! It was amazing!

While this experience is extremely expensive, it was worth every penny. The trainers are incredible, and the animals are treated so well. In fact, if the dolphins show any signs of not wanting to be there, they let them go play and they bring in a different one. It's an experience we'll always cherish!

This was truly a memorable experience for myself and my daughters! I was initially a little hesitant, but you can honestly tell how happy these animals are and how much they love their trainers. We learned so much through this experience and our trainer was so great with my children, and everyone else, making sure that everyone received quality time with the dolphins. As a frugal traveler, this experience was worth every penny!

We had an amazing experience at Dolphin Quest. Our dolphin trainer was Katie. She was so personable, kind, and patient with my 5 year old granddaughter. Our family of 4 was with 1 other gentleman. Everyone in our group had individual and group time with the dolphins. It was very education and fun! The photographer did a wonderful job with the photos and I purchased the download rights to all the photos. I would highly recommend this experience. It is well worth the cost.

I did this with my six-year-old daughter and we both loved it. Our guide/instructor was kind and energetic, and the dolphins seemed very happy and healthy. It's not cheap but I don't regret spending the money since we'll remember it forever. (The photos we bought -- also not cheap -- are wonderful).

This experience is great for families or couples! The dolphins are trained as well as any we've seen at bigger venues such as Sea World or Sea Life Park. A little pricey, but where else can you get this kind of small group interaction with some of the smartest, most gentle animals in the ocean. I would recommend this experience for families and animal-lovers, alike.

This is a unique educational experience with these magnificent creatures! The trainers are very knowledgeable about each of the dolphins and you can see the bond that they have with these dolphins. I loved that you get the opportunity to interact with multiple dolphins throughout the session and getting the opportunity to see their unique personalities and characteristics.

We did the tiny tots and had a great experience. There were some technical difficulties with the dolphins that I think was handled with grace and patience from the instructors and dolphin caregivers. We were also given free photos for the extra time spent sorting things out, which was greatly appreciated! Everything from the experience to the customer was excellent!

The staff was so friendly and accommodating. My husband is disabled and needs more time to get around. The young ladies gave great care to him and his needs. The dolphins were fabulous! We enjoyed our time.

This was an excellent attraction at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. I would say this is a once in a life time experience! We had a family reunion and 24 people signed up to do this and we got to have a private Dolphin time in groups of 6. The staff was excellent and really knew how to entertain everyone with the dolphins. It’s about a 45 minute attraction and each had enough time with dolphins. If you are ever in Kona this might be a great experience!

It was amazing. I was worried at first because of my son's disability but the workers were patient,friendly and very accommodating. We had a great time.

Wonderful experience; the trainers take you in the water in groups and you get to touch and interact with 4 different dolphins. You can't take your phone with you for photos so don't be like me and buy a waterproof pouch for your phone just for this. I also made the mistake of purchasing water shoes but they have you remove any hats and glasses before getting in the water. They provide everyone with a life vest and goggles. You'll have plenty of pictures of you and your family to choose from afterwards and print packages as well. Also come prepared to ask questions about dolphins to the trainers, they encourage it. The ladies who you'll meet are very passionate about the dolphins at this location and train with them daily so get ready for some water splashing tricks as well. Your kids will love it!

For my 68th birthday, I swam with the dolphins!! It was amazing & they took some great pictures for me to share with grandkids.

Went with my adult daughter and we had a great time. The Trainers were awesome and we got to work with 3 dolphins.

Had a wonderful time with 3 dolphins and their trainer, Allyson!! We would definitely swim with dolphins again!

I had the time of my life. Our trainer was wonderful and honestly made the experience one to remember forever. She truly loves her job and it shows. She answered all of questions and made us all wish to become trainers (dream come true). I would highly recommend this and would do it again in a heartbeat!

This was a truly memorable experience for myself and my daughters! I went into this a little skeptical, but was completely blown away by this amazing opportunity to interact with these incredible creatures. Our trainer was AMAZING! She was kind, knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly engaging! She made sure that everyone received quality and memorable connections with the dolphins. We learned so much about the dolphins we met and also about this group’s initiative to make a change around the world. We watched the dolphins a lot while we were on the property (over multiple days). The dolphins were so excited to interact with the trainers and their guests. They reminded me of my pups at home, just waiting to play and show off their tricks. You can tell that the dolphins have made powerful connections with their trainers and that they seem happy and content in their environment. We watched one waving at a trainer as he walked down the dock trying to get his attention, and the trainer waving back. Overall, I just wanted to share with those thinking about this vacation opportunity, that it is well worth it!

Amazing experience that was worth the money spent. The instructors/trainers were professional, warm, and remembered everyone’s names in the group. The dolphins were remarkable!

Far beyond expectations! Even my grumpy husband enjoyed it!! Thank you for providing such a safe environment!

I booked this for my birthday, and I had a fantastic time with dolphins! Communicate with them was so much fun 🐬

We did a dolphin encounter and it was incredible. We ranged in age from 7 to 84 and everyone loved it. Seeing the dolphins and interacting with them was very moving. Our guide jasmine was fabulous! The only drawback is a very long walk to the encounter with lots of stairs and no real handicap access or assistance. But everything else was incredible!

If possible, I would like to visit again. My son really enjoyed the program. It was very nice tine. Thanks a lot.

Beautiful location (Waikoloa), beautiful memories for a lifetime. The staff is friendly, warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. Our trainer and photographer were top notch. They gave us an experience of a lifetime with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest. A+++++

If you are on the Big Island, this is a must do experience. Unlike many other dolphin encounter providers, this one puts the physical and emotional heath of the dolphins first. The staff are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.

We did the deluxe program as a family. We all loved it and got awesome pictures. The trainers are amazing and so are the Dolphins. I enjoyed it so much I also did the trainer for a day program. Also, amazing!!!

Wonderful experience for my young kids. Very informative and fun! The dolphins are amazing and well taken care of and the interaction was so neat! Would highly recommend.

They were so excited and had such a great experience! The staff was amazing engaging the kids the whole time! Was very memorable.

My daughter and I really enjoyed the program.
Dolphins are so cute, friendly and intelligent.
The fee was rather expensive for us, but it was worth it.
Thank you!

A lot more interaction with the dolphins than the dolphin swim I previously did down in the gulf. The dolphins were actually having fun with us.

You can spend money on materialistic souvenirs or you can spend money on unforgettable experiences and memories. We chose to build family memories from each trip. This is truly a wonderful and memorable experience for my kids (11 year old and 6 year old) and myself. We had a fun time learning about dolphins and had an interactive experience where we get to touch and communicate with them. The guide was very educated and answer all our questions. The total experience was 30 minutes long but it was enough for us to gain an unforgettable experience!

The dolphin experience was so wonderful! The staff very knowledgeable, friendly and smart! The dolphins were just the best! I felt very safe and honored to be able to "hang out" with such beautiful mammals!

Was initially skeptical based on price. Dolphin experience was worth every penny and I plan to do it again.

My 9 year old son was so excited to swim with the dolphins. There is absolutely no swimming with the dolphins. My son and 5 other children go in knee to waist height water to take individual turns petting the dolphin and feeding it a fish while the other children stand to the side and the photographer takes pictures. The trainer also has the dolphin splash the kids. They get 30 minutes to do this, meaning each child gets approximately 2-3 minutes actually being next to the dolphin. A complete waster of $254.00. My son had more fun watching the trainers feed the dolphins and watching them play in the water. Do not waste your money! I do not recommend!

It was great until I see how very unprofessional the employee. There a sweet girl I met during checked in and there this other girl bossing people around and not do anything . Her name was Shannan . She too bossy and lazy. She was being very unprofessional. She was also talking bad things about her boss . She said she hates her boss and horrible things about her boss . Like why even work ? Sad the manager did not do anything about it. The space for the dolphins is too small. They should let go of the dolphins instead of being in cages . I didn’t bring my families to listen to the employees drama at work. We came to check it out and it’s not worth it. $289 per person for 30 minutes in the water is not worth it . Charging us extra for pictures. We don’t want to pay for pictures but we can’t bring electronics in the water. Too expensive and very unprofessional. Never coming back ever again. I was too unhappy with this place .

This has always been something on my bucket list and I feel so blessed to be able to experience it with my wife and five kids!! Such an incredible experience!! 10/10

This was my second time, my first being almost 30 yrs. Ago. So special because the dolphins I saw back then, I got to see again. This speaks volumes to this program. The ability to interact with these magical creatures is second to none in my book. A MUST do😍.

We will do this every time we come to the Big Island from here on out. Top tier experience. Nothing like it. And the dolphins are clearly well cared for and loved. The dolphin we met was described as the golden retriever of dolphins, and the description was apt. She seemed to enjoy meeting people as much as we enjoyed meeting her.

It was about $240 for “15 min” with 2year old and 1 parent. If a second parent wanted to come it was then another $280. They take great pictures however it’s another $190 for the digital photos. No option to purchase a single photo. You can take your own but the photographer will be standing in the way of your photos. We actually only got 9 minutes in the water even though they say it’s 15 minutes. It was cool but way way way over priced and too little time with the dolphin. Also there were two other parents and two other kids at the same time for the 9 minutes you get. I would not recommend it or do it again for 9 minutes at $240 with additional families. It was a disappointment.

My kids have a fun and meaningful time with the cute dolphins! They learnt some basic facts and interacted with the dolphin.

The staff was very welcoming and knowledgeable and made our experience very fun. I would recommend this experience to anyone that has ever wanted to swim with dolphins.

The crew was fantastic. Very knowledgeable about the dolphins. They made sure that everyone participated. We had a wonderful time

Incredible experience at Dolphin Quest in Waikoloa. The trainers truly loved the animals and were informative about their handling and care. They have about 10 dolphins and they switch out with each session. I was hesitant about doing this as I am an animal welfare advocate. However, the education that is provided, the experience in interacting and increased knowledge of habitat made me feel much more comfortable. The dolphins, I was told, also have ability to go into lagoon at night. Well done Dolphin Quest. Mahalo.

The staff was so nice and extremely knowledgeable! They have so much passion with what they do! I had a child with autism, a grandma who can’t swim and a six year old afraid of animals and everyone had a blast! Definite must do!

It was excellent experience for my son. All members are very kind and thoughtful. This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves dolphins to participate.

Staff and Dolpins all performed flawlessly. Grace is an excellent host and trainer !!! A once in a lifetime experience that our grandchildren will never forget.

My autistic daughter loves swimming and love’s dolphins! I was super worried that the staff wouldn’t be able to handle her excitement. But they did an amazing job! She had the most amazing time! I can not thank dolphin quest enough!!! Thank you!

Incredible experience.. bucket item complete.. staff was super informative and made the experience so fun...it was an honor to be able to swim with such beautiful creatures

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. The area that they have for the dolphins to live in is SO small and l should not be legal. They have no room to be free and swim and it’s ridiculous that there is so much room for everything else on this property except space for animals that should be living in such a large body of water. Please do not support this activity as the wellbeing of these animals are more important than spending $200 for 10 minutes with them.

My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the water with these highly intelligent mammals and from all appearances, they enjoyed it as much also. The group leader was knowledgeable about them and that made the experience more enjoyable but not anywhere as enjoyable as patting them softly or even getting a kiss by them. An experience you’ll never forget.

This was probably the most amazing experience we had on the island. I first want to address the idiots who comment (mostly on google) that these beautiful animals are being abused. I absolutely know you did not pay or attend the excursion. These animals are treated well and are shallow water dolphins. The oldest there is 53 years old and she is a very intelligent and happy animal. She would not have lived this long in the wild. The dolphins eat human grade/restaurant quality food and only participate with humans if they want. When you ACTUALLY PAY for this experience, you are warned up front that the dolphin can choose to swim away and not participate. Ours did and we appreciated their ability to be around us or not.

This organization is owned by a vet and is accredited with higher standards than are even required. We are extreme animal enthusiasts and would never participate in an activity that was hurting any animal. I am thrilled to learn so much about dolphins and also to observe the connection each trainer has for these animals. The water is deeper further in the lagoon and these animals are well cared for. There is actually 3 different areas the dolphins are free to roam in. No, it’s not as large as the ocean, but my house is not as large as the planet either! The side comments from the people who didn’t pay to participate are ridiculous! Thank you so much for teaching us about these beautiful mammals and learning about them so that we can ensure their existence for many generations to come!

This resort location is huge! You can plan to spend the entire day here--enjoy lunch, and get a resort pass if you aren't staying here and enjoy the lagoon and pools. It's a colorful resort with lots of hotels and shops in the middle of nowhere---lol! It is pricey but well worth the memories! self-Parking is free if you show the valet desk your receipt for dolphin encounter!

Very friendly knowledgeable staff we had an awesome dolphin experience. It is a must do when you come to Hawaii. Loved every minute of it and would totally do it again. Water is a little chilly, but understandable. highly recommend we all had an awesome time and was glad we did it.

This was a spontaneous booking after we discovered this benefit at our hotel. We were unsure about spending the money on top of the other excursions we paid for but we were so glad that we did it!! It was AMAZING being so up close and personal with the dolphins and it made it nearly impossible to not fall in love with them. We had Maddie as our trainer and she was absolutely wonderful and so incredibly knowledgeable! But the best part, as a fellow animal lover and advocate, was seeing how happy the dolphins were and how much the staff cares for them. It was an absolute joy and we will definitely do it again!

This was a very magical experience for my girls. Dolphin quest is very inclusive and made arrangements for my special needs daughter. They went above any beyond to accommodate her needs. They genuinely cared about her comfort, sensory issues, and specific needs at every step. If you have a special needs child, call and explain your situation to see how they can accommodate your specific needs. The inclusivity was heart warming, I love it when my daughter can be included without it feeling like a burden. This made my mommy heart feel so happy for her and every other child like her that can be included.

If you've dreamed of this like I have you won't be disappointed. Staff were funny and friendly, the dolphins were amazing. You pat them, hold them and swim with them. Only complaint is that it was pretty quick, no more than 15 mins in the water with them. The kids loved it!

My family had an amazing time with the dolphins. A literal dream come true for my wife. No complaints from us. We'll remember it forever.

This was a surprise for my 2 kids, 10y & 12 yr. The staff & all that participated in the experience were very professional throughout the event. All the dolphins were great & behaved. I would definitely recommend this experience for anyone interested.

I recently stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa and was genuinely shocked to discover Dolphin Quest Hawaii operates on the property with captive dolphins. I hadn’t realized there were dolphins being kept there, and once I saw it, it completely changed the feel of the trip.

It’s honestly insane that in 2025 we’re still confining dolphins for entertainment. When I visited, there were five dolphins in what looked like an incredibly small, shallow pool. Watching them circle in such a limited space was depressing, not “fun” or “educational.”

If you care about animal welfare, I can’t recommend supporting this. I wish I’d known ahead of time so I could have avoided it—and I hope others think twice before spending money on an attraction that normalizes keeping intelligent marine animals in captivity.

Absolutely fantastic experience! Love, love, love the dolphins. Only drawback was I wish it was longer!

The instructor was great and the dolphins were Awesome. The only issue is I paid $170.00 for photos which I did not get. Otherwise it would be a 5!

Have a 3 year old who did the tots session with Dad and loved it. The photos captured were amazing memories.

Had 6 and 9 year olds swim in the regular program and they loved it. The trainer confirmed their comfort with swimming and we were able to swim into the deep area to experience the dolphins swim under us.

Taught my kiddos about wildlife conservation and what they can do to help keep our oceans clean and safe for animals.

Recommend to all families traveling around Waikōloa on the big island.

The trainers and educators are awesome! Sarah and Savannah were very passionate about their work and truly made this an experience of a lifetime! I have been telling people all week about them and will continue to tell people how wonderful Dolphin Quest is! They really care about the dolphins and all marine life! Thank you for making this dream come true for me and exceeding all of my expectations!

The dolphins and the trainers were amazing my 10 year old daughter had the best time. The photo packages were way too expensive. We would have purchased some if they were reasonably priced. Even with a discount they were $100+ for digital & $70 for a single printed option.

We had a great time meeting, swimming with and learning about the Dolphins. Highly recommend it! Was one of the highlights of our trip.

1st time in Hawaii with family, Able to swim with dolphins and my brother on his 65th birthday. Great Memories

My 3 granddaughters & I enjoyed an amazing adventure with our dolphin trainer Grace, Halea and mom Kona. The pre instructions were clear and helpful. She immediately learned all our names and made us feel confident and relaxed. The Dolphins were simply incredible. Happy, playful and complely calm, we swam with them, played games with them and watched them completely engage with our group of 6. Nothing adequately describes how impressive and enjoyable the Dolphin Encounter is. By far the highlight of our trip to Hawaii. Thank you, Grace for the knowledge of dolphins, information about the species and your kind and caring presence.

It was a very good experience, I love the dolphins they were so sweet and we were sweet to them lol. Wouldn’t mind doing something like that again 😊💕

Wonderful experience! Trainers very knowledgeable and well in-tuned to the needs of those beautiful dolphins.

I’ve always wanted to experience an interaction with a dolphin and after learning about the affiliations and certifications of dolphin quest I couldn’t miss the chance. What an incredible opportunity to learn, interact and enjoy being in the presence of these intelligent beings. Jasmine was an excellent teacher and the dolphins were all amazing. It’s clear they are loved and well cared for.

Four kids have enjoyed the experience with a dolphin very much, even not understanding English instructions. Thank you for the trainers.

We had an incredible 5-star experience at Dolphin Quest in Waikaloa! Our trainer Kara was exceptional, and the dolphins Iwa and Kona were absolutely amazing. The interaction with these beautiful creatures was a dream come true. It was and unforgettable adventure that we'll cherish forever. Thank you, Dolphin Quest, for making our day so special!

What an amazing experience. Tanner, our dolphin leader was brilliant. He led us through every phase of our dolphin journey. He gave us insights into these beautiful creatures & answered all of our questions. The tricks they performed, WOW. The entire staff was helpful as well.

Our family enjoyed the Dolphin experience at the highest level. There are enough things to do already around the pool at the Hotel, including the evening sunset views and food. A must for young children.

This was an amazing experience. All the trainers really seem to love their job, and the dolphins seem very well taken care of. I wish it could've lasted longer!

We thoroughly enjoyed our dolphin quest experience and their team is super sweet!! This was a much needed respite adventure and was worth the money!

This was a good experience and my wife and daughter loved the time in the water. They were with a group of 6 and spent a solid 30-35min in the water.

Trainer and staff were good and friendly.

Biggest complaint is that pics are not included at the steep price point. This wouldn’t be an issue if they allowed others to take pics during the interaction.

You can take pics but they keep you far away and have their photographer close up.

Then they drop the $175 digital photo package on you as you leave. Or and ala cart style for $40-50 per image.

Absolute gouge and ripoff. They could easily allow one extra member to take pics if desired. Or better yet, include 1-2 pics for the $350 package

My child was a “trainer for the day”. All the real trainers were wearing sweat suits.my daughter wasn’t offered one. Instead she was given a safety vest that was too small on her (she is 11). After spending four hours in and out cold water, she got sick that same night. I am very disappointed all the trainers were wearing wet suites and she wasn’t offered one. She said many times she was cold. After paying nearly $1000 they couldn’t let her barrow one…

I am 32 and when I was maybe 5-6? I went ti Dolphin quest. I have a picture from then and did it now and it was such a treat! I even got to swim with 2 mommies and their babies! Fed Kona and took awesome pictures with her and Pele! Ask about the dolphin painting - I got a custom painting! A MUST DO!

The staff were inviting, informative/knowledgeable, and kind! The dolphins are incredible, & the interaction was a lifelong dream come true!

We booked a 15 minute tiny tots session and purchased the photo package, as well.

We have 2 children, so both my husband and I went in the water (one adult per child). A mother and daughter were placed in between us, so in all of our photos, we have another family in the center with my husband and eldest on one side and my youngest and me on the opposite side. At the end, I asked the trainer if there would be additional pictures or poses (which is typical, because when my husband and I went pre-children, they offered us lots of poses, had us kiss the dolphin, etc) and she said “well we took your pictures while we were in here showing tricks.” I paid HUNDREDS of dollars for photos of another family that I can’t even use.

In addition, the trainer went around and asked us our names and the kids’ ages. After confirming our last names, she started calling the first family “Team Japan” and us “The Other Team.” I think it would be more appropriate to call us “Team (last name)”. The entire experience rubbed me the wrong way.

The dolphin enclosure is so small. It’s very sad to see so many of these intelligent animals confined to such a small space. The area of the lagoon devoted to people paddle boating is more than twice the size.

Dolphin Quest was AWESOME. So much Fun. Amazing to be able to swim with a Dolphin and touch them. Instruction was excellent. Booking, communication, being there - everything was excellent. Description was just as stated. No problems. Lots of fun

Once in a life time experience! The trainers are very professional, knowledgeable and fun! It was great time playing with the dolphins. The dolphins really seem to like people and have fun as well.

This gets zero stars. We stayed here because of a crazy time share deal but I had no ideas that had this inhumane enclosure here. These poor 15 dolphins have the tiniest and most shallow pool I have ever seen. Just 20 feet over there is a lagoon that is 50 times its size. There are less people in the lagoon than dolphins in their only enclosure. They were most likely born into captivity and will spend their whole lives in this tiny enclosure. I hate this place and my vacation was just ruined.

My family and I went to Waikoloa Village for a family vacation. We went to Dolphin Quest and had Allyson as our group leader and Jaydin as our photographer. Allyson was both extremely knowledgeable and friendly. She took her time explaining how to interact with the dolphins. The dolphins were so fascinating and smart. One even painted a picture for my daughter's birthday! The dolphins allowed us to touch them and even swim with them. I especially loved that Jaydin photographed the whole interaction. I think Dolphin Quest is a wonderful program for the future of dolphins and a great idea to have as part of Waikoloa Village Resort. I would definitely go back in the future.

It was the best part of my Hawaii trip. I fell in love with sweet Ipo! What an amazing experience! Such a gift! Our trainer was a delight! This os her calling in life! Words can’t describe how wonderful!!! Will be back to do it again! 🫶🏻🥰🏝️

This was a really terrific experience with lots of hands-on time with the dolphins. Started right on time, too!

I had a magical 83rd birthday at Dolphin Quest. I was excited to go (brought me to tears just imagining being with the dolphins) and it was more than I imagined.
The dolphin trainers/caretakers clearly love their work and the dolphins; and it’s reciprocal. The well being of the animals is first and foremost.
Visitors are in small groups which makes interaction with the dolphins easier and more personal. Our trainer, Ashley, was exemplary. I imagine they all are.
Everyone treated me care and kindness as well, starting with check-in through to the end.
If it seems a bit expensive; it not. Worth every penny and I hope to do it again.

Dolphin Quest was amazing! My boys did the kids quest and had a great time!! My oldest is 9 and i think he would have preferred to do the encounter deluxe in the deeper water, but otherwise it was awesome.

The experience with the dolphin and trainer was average at best. The costs for the experience was nearly $300 per person with an additional $150 for photo package. I would highly recommend watching the experience before purchasing so you know exactly what you are getting, this is a mistake that we made. Swimming with the Manta Rays however was the highlight of our vacation, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Big Island.

We took our grandchildren to Dolphin Quest and was rewarded with a fantastic adventure!! Our trainers, Maddie and Savannah, were top knotch. They made the grandkids (5 and 7), their mother and grandmother feel very comfortable with the dolphis and were great teachers as well as great trainers! It was by far the highlight of the vacation in Hawaii!

We signed our five year old daughter up for the dolphin quest, and it was probably the best day of her life to date!

This was such a wonderful experience. So fun and unique to get to interact with the dolphins and see the trainer relationships. I’d definitely buy the photo pack if it’s possible.

Worth every penny! We all had a really wonderful visit with the dolphins and trainers. I highly recommend this experience.

We had a great time at Dolphin Quest in Hawaii. Our family has done this type of experience a few times in the USA, but this was by far the BEST interaction with dolphins we have had. Our trainer, Maddie was AMAZING and very sweet, and funny. We were able to encounter 4 different dolphins and they seemed to enjoy splashing us and interacting. We didn't want to it to end. Def recommend to anyone nearby in Hawaii!

The time, the care, the individual interactions with several of the dolphins, just perfect!!! Loved every minute of it!!! Every staff member was very kind.

Starting with the employees, then the trainers, and even the dolphins, the entire experience was delightful. Dolphin Quest really takes care of these dolphins, living long, healthy, happy lives. Thanks for providing this opportunity for others to experience. It was fantastic!

It is a great small group experience where you can closely interract with dolphins, touch them, swim with them.

Everyone was Amazing! Including the beutiful Dolfins. I have always wanted to swim with Dolfins and the trainer made it comfortable and easy for all of us.

I can not believe how amazing these creatures are. Getting the chance to meet them up close and personal was something I will remember for the rest of my life. I'm so happy we decided to do this. I recommend to anyone thinking m, just do it. You will not regret it

My husband and kids had the best time. At 12 & 14 my son and daughter were thrilled at the experience to swim and interact with the dolphins. I was impressed with the professionalism that all the staff exhibited!
A truly memorable experience! Thank you

This was a great time! The staff is very friendly and our trainer was super knowledgable about the dolphins and made it a great experience. The pictures turned out great. Overall an incredible time getting to pet and interact with such a beautiful creature.

It was a great experience! I would recommend it to all that visit. Also being able to see the dolphins perform each day was fun!!

Had a spectacular time hanging out with trainer Kelly, and dolphins Nimbus and Haleau (sorry for misspelling!). Educational, enjoyable, and aside from the cold water, very entertaining! Would highly recommend for anyone to do. Plus it supports research and conservation efforts!

Amazing! The dolphins are like dogs that want lots of pets and attention. We swam around with them and watched them do tricks. Wonderful staff and experience.

Best experience ever! This was educational and fun. The dolphins are as friendly as puppy dogs. A once in a lifetime experience.

I cannot say enough good things about our Dolphin Quest experience! The ability to see firsthand the connection between trainer and dolphin was amazing and being able to touch and interact with the dolphins was truly magical! We enjoyed every minute and highly recommend it!

We had a room above the dolphin Lagoon, and watched the trainers and dolphins work. I decided after watching people interact with the trainers and dolphins to do it myself. It was a wonderful experience interacting with the dolphins and learning about them through the trainers. I would recommend, the experience for any individual or family, no matter what age. I saw little children where the mothers were holding them and Mature adults Interacting with the Dolphins.

I'd be willing to spend one half what we did. Good presentation, just way overpriced. Like $16/minute per person!

Swimming with the dolphins was an awesome experience. It was even better than we anticipated. Charlie was our instructor and she did a great job making sure everyone in our group had an individual unique moment with the dolphins.

My husband and I did this 20+ years ago and paid for our three kids to do so this summer. It is pricey but we feel worth it! What a precious experience!!!

Unlike other similar outfits, they out the well being of their dolphins first. The trailers are incredibly knowledgeable and have obvious close relationships with them.

I bought this experience for my significant other for her birthday.
It was on her bucket list.
I did not disappoint.
The Dolphins were so friendly and well trained and the staff and trainers were polite and very knowledgeable.
6 out of 5 stars.
The most entertaining and fun day on the big island !!

You are given a mask and a life jacket and put into groups of 5. They allow you to touch/pet 3 different dolphins but there is no "free" swim time with them. Frankly, I hope the dolphins have larger areas in which to free swim with one another other than the smallish area where we were. If I had to do it over again, I probably would not. It isn't the $300+ per person that bothers me, it is just I feel as if I am encouraging people to keep this going. If they were animals that could not be returned to the wild for a reason, maybe I could justify it more. With that said, the workers were great.

The trainers were informational. The trainer talked a lot and Low interaction with the Dolphins. This wasn’t my daughter’s first time and was very underwhelming from the other experiences she’s had. We may try trainer for a day next Christmas to see if that would allow her the experience she’s looking for.

Dolphin Quest was so much better than we expected. The staff were incredible! The dolphins were amazing! I wish I could give ten starts!!!

The best experience. Informative and you get to swim with such intelligent and unique creatures. Definitely worth it. Will be back to Hawaii and this is a big reason.

When asked, this was my daughter's favorite memory of our trip to Big Island! Thank you for making the experience personable and the educational info on dolphins interactive!

Half hour visit with the dolphins. Lots of interactions with two different dolphins. One of the highlights with my recent trip to Hawaii.

The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Our group had a wonderful time. I would definitely recommend this to people of all ages.

Everyone we interacted with was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging! The dolphins are well cared for and loved

Amazing time swimming, playing, and interacting with dolphins. Excellent experience for children and adults alike.

Are the dolphins sick and still made to perform? I watched one dolphin get IV fluids of some kind and the way he/she went up to trainers like no big deal ---is this done all of the time?

Bucket list, memory maker, phenomenal. If you can make the trip, the experience is amazing. Exactly what you get to do is swim with the dolphins. These amazing mammals, are smart and curious. Dolphin quest is a well run organization, that truly cares for the dolphins. I highly reccommend.

One of the absolute highlights of our trip! We loved swimming with the dolphins and also learned a lot about them. The facility is owned by two marine veterinarians, so it has an educational side, which we loved. Would highly recommend this to anyone.

The grandkids ages 6 and 8 loved the experience. They said it was the best thing they did on the island. It was pretty cool for the grown-ups too. We would do it again. Staff were very professional and worked well with the kiddos.

We had always wanted to do this activity and it was better than we expected. The trainers are knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The dolphins are amazing and extremely well taken care of. We will do this again every time we come back! This is a remarkable adventure.

This was the great opportunity for my daughters(2 & 7 years old) and also me (38 years old mom). The instructors were very knowledgeable and friendly.

The staff were well trained and very informative. They guaranteed that each person in our party had a personal bonding experience with our new finny friends. This was one of the top highlights of our trip.

Would recommend it to all ages. The trainers were great and it was a fun event. Would go back with the grand kids. Was the highlight of our trip

This was an incredible experience!! Tanner was our guide and he was amazing. Getting to interact directly with the dolphins was the highlight of our vacation. It was expensive but totally worth it- especially when you learn all about the conservation and rescue efforts your activity supports.

Greatest dolphin interaction! I’ve had the pleasure to have a dolphin interactions at Sea World, in San Diego, CA and at Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL. Dolphin Quest, Hilton Waikoloa was an amazing experience overall and my fiancée’s first time to swim with dolphins! Cutting to end, she loved it! Definitely recommend booking your experience with Dolphin Quest! Here’s why… The friendly phone call, the morning of, confirming our reservation began the excitement of the day. Arriving to the Dolphin Quest area, at the resort was beautiful and welcoming. The entire staff was friendly, engaging, and informative. For all the animal lovers out there, there was a very big emphasis that the dolphins were happy and not forced to do anything they didn’t want to. You can really feel that sense while you’re there. Great job, Dolphin Quest Waikoloa! Highly recommend!

I was a kid of the “Flipper” generation. As I grew older, that dream never died. When I discovered that Dolphin Quest existed and what the experience would be I had to do it.

Our first time to swim with dolphins and it was worth it! Bucket list item for sure. Pre-purchase all photos was worth it. Saved $ and got 82 pictures. The trainers were fantastic and it's every relaxed and an overall great experience.

We were sceptical before we got there but learned so much about dolphins in captivity. The trainers all know each one of the dolphins really well and treat them very lovingly. You get to touch the dolphins a lot and they intereact with you very often. It was such a fun time I would highly recommend it to family and friends.

a beautiful moments with dolphins. friendly monitors and a very good experience for all the family. .

We did this with teenagers and all enjoyed the experience! Nothing negative to say. Staff are experienced and friendly. We paid for pictures and are extremely happy we did.

My wife and I had an amazing experience. The staff was excellent as well. Kayleigh our trainer was wonderful. We talked with her for ten to fifteen minutes after our session. She answered all of our questions and she was very helpful. We would love to do this again sometime!

Staff was super engaging and helpful. Would 100% recommend this place. The dolphins seem genuinely happy in their environment and trainers spend a lot of time with them.

I don’t know where to start! Being able to swim, talk to, learn about, and of course cuddle with the dolphins is by far one of the best things I have ever done. Some one said dolphins are like the puppies of the sea, and I have to agree, the dolphins made my vacation one of my best. When I come back to Hawaii I will always have a swim and some cuddles with my dolphin friends! Thank you dolphin Quest’

We had an absolute blast meeting our new dolphin friends. We made memories that will last a long time. The team made every part of the experience smooth.

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Dolphin Quest in Waikoloa and we had the best time ever! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the dolphins. Our guide was Ashley and she was the best! She not only taught us about the dolphins, but allowed us to touch them, hold them, and actually swim with them! This was a terrific experience for us both and would highly recommend to anyone!

It was a wonderful experience to be in the water and up close with dolphins. The staff is really knowledgeable, and they take such great care of the dolphins. I would do this all over again!!!

This was by far the most spiritual experience I have ever had. A life long love of dolphins and an amazing learning experience.

We planned on doing this activity when we booked the resort for our trip. Once we arrived and walked over to the Dolphin area I could've cried! They had 10 dolphins that I counted in a small shallow lagoon. TERRIBLE! If you read more reviews you will also notice they do not meet the safe animal welfare requirements. We did not give them our money.

The dolphins are beautiful and intelligent as are their trainers so patient as the teach us all about their special friends. Truly made me think of working in a field like this. Love knowing the fees help the animals.

The up close, interactive nature of this was incredible! Highly recommend for families or anyone who enjoys animals/nature.

My daughters wanted to do this when we were there in Oct 2023. My oldest had experienced this in Oahu about 5 years prior and the experiences were completely different. In Oahu you had much more interactions with the dolphins, where at dolphin quest this was not the case. In fact there was very minimal interaction. You were mainly just in the pool with dolphins and the interaction was primarily to get photos. I found this to be overpriced considering the experience provided.

I loved this! it was so magical to swim with dolphins. They could do tons of tricks and it was one of my best experiences at Hilton ever. This is a must on a trip to Hawaii. this is truly unique and unlike anything you could do else wear. this activity is cruelty free. The dolphins are not abused and are healthy.

Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Great people to be around and my daughter enjoyed her time swimming with dolphins.

Seeing my 10 year old daughter smile was priceless. The dolphin staff were very friendly and the photo shop staff were very knowledgeable.

We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa where Dolphin Quest is located on the Big Island. En route, I realized I had not booked a session but then waffled about whether to do it for various reasons (cost, controversy about dolphins in captivity, etc.). However, after witnessing the trainers/staff with Dolphin Quest & their interactions with the animals (our room overlooked the dolphin area), we decided to go for it! I did it with my two kids, 9 & 11 yo, & I'm pretty sure we didn't stop grinning from beginning to end. The experience is dolphin-led so if they want to leave & go explore an area, the trainers do not force them to come back. The animals look well-cared for & are truly loved by their caretakers. Only regret I have is not pre-purchasing the photo package for a little savings!

The trainers were so amazing with both the dolphins and us! We had such a great time being able to swim with the dolphins. The camera crew was right there to take photos for our memory sake as we got to hold the dolphins, per the dolphins, and later swim with them! Thank you so much!!

My husband and I had an incredible experience with the dolphins. Charlie was our trainer and her love and knowledge of the dolphins added to the experience. Dolphins were healthy and beautiful.

Lots of interaction with the amazing animals and the biologists who work with them truly care about the welfare of the dolphins, and they made the encounter fun
A must do!!

My family and I had a wonderful time with the dolphins, “Nimbus and Eva”. We loved interacting, petting them and even getting kisses. Highly recommended!

This visit was our Third visit to Dolphin Quest. We have swam with The Dolphins in many parts of the World. We Love Dolphins. It is worth every Penny and these Dolphins are happy and well cared for.
And yes, we will be visiting Dolphin Quest for a fourth time, on our next vacation to Hawaii, the Big Island.

My wife and I had a great time meeting Nimbus and Eva. Charlie was our handler. It was very informative and it seemed like the dolphins really enjoyed interacting with us, as well.

My granddaughter and I had truly wonderful time interacting with the dolphins. The staff and trainers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the dolphins and the time to answer all of our questions.

Definitely a worthwhile experience, both educational and fun. This was a lifelong bucket list experience and I’m totally happy we decided to sign up for this. Everyone working at Dolphin Quest we met was super friendly and helpful, the dolphins were amazon, and the people in our group were great too.

Purchased this package to create an exceptional experience and Dolphin Quest did not disappoint! It was amazing!

Our family (my wife, our nine-year-old son, and myself) participated in Dolphin Quest on Thanksgiving, and it was an experience we will never forget. We expected something memorable, but it far exceeded anything we imagined.

What surprised us most was how educational the entire program was. The trainers didn’t just introduce us to the dolphins, they taught us about their behavior, communication, care, and conservation. It felt meaningful, not just entertaining.

The 16 dolphins that live in the lagoon are clearly happy, healthy, and incredibly well cared for. You can feel the bond between the trainers and the animals, and watching our son interact with them in such a natural, calm environment was something truly special.

We left with huge smiles, a deeper appreciation for these amazing animals, and memories we’ll be talking about forever.

Highly recommend Dolphin Quest to anyone visiting Kona. It’s an extraordinary experience for families and anyone who wants to learn, connect, and be inspired.

Caring knowledgeable staff facilitate safe interaction with the dolphins which is a once in a lifetime experience. Most importantly, this program supports critical research aimed at protecting all dolphins in the wild.

We had a wonderful time at Dolphin Quest with our 5, 8, and 10 year old grandchildren. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience we will never forget.Trainers were very knowledgeable and paid a great deal of attention to all of us to get the maximum dolphin experience.

Excellent!! The Dolphins are fun and the trainers are excellent!! This was a great time for everyone!!

This cost a bomb but was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our family from adults to kids for the summer.

Having a personal moment with a dolphin is indescribable. If you possibly can, do this. Set this as a priority I would say. Dolphin Quest is a highly professional organization who is promoting good in the world. The staff know what they are doing and not only taught us a lot, but they also kept us safe in an incredible experience that we will never forget.

AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME !
A dream come true for my whole family.
Expensive, but worth every penny we spent and even helped support saving the dolphins!

Our two grandkids (ages 3 and 4) and their moms had a fun and memorable dolphin encounter! The trainers did an awesome job preparing them and also during the time with the dolphins! It was well worth it and I’m glad we did that! It was a once in a lifetime experience!

Doing a swim with the dolphins has been on my bucket list for a long time and Dolphin Quest did not disappoint. I had such a great experience. I was staying near the resort where Dolphin Quest is located and kept going there just to watch the dolphins swim and play. I had many conversations with several of the trainers and found that they were happy to answer all of my questions.

For anyone who wants to do a swim with the dolphins, Dolphin Quest is a great place to have that awesome experience. Thank you!

Bucket list item checked off! What an incredible experience!!!! Fell in love with Nimbus after he gave me a kiss, but all of the 14 dolphins were so much fun and incredible to watch during our stay at the Hilton! We were also able to interact with Nimbus' favorite dolphin and the oldest dolphin here, Iwa (pronounced Eva) is FIFTY TWO years old! This was definitely our highlight of the Hilton stay. Even after our swim with the dolphins we spent hours talking to the trainers and just enjoying these beautiful dolphins play! Specifically Grace was incredibly knowledgeable and answered question after question after question for us! She deserves a special shout out!! All of the trainers were amazing but Grace stood out to us! Swimming with the dolphins is an investment for sure but it is 100% a memory of lifetime. Thank you to all of the folks at dolphin quest for loving these babies and making this possible!

We look forward to our next swim already!

Almost $300 per person and $177 for photos. Photos include pictures of people we didn’t know, I was not pleased with that considering the price.

The team was awesome!
Liz was able to get my daughters on a reservation last
minute and was incredibly helpful.
The dolphin team was so patient and professional. Great Experience!

Time went by fast- learned a few things about the dolphins. We paid for the photos and not much photos taken. Others in our photos and they did not let us know when they were taking the photos. Over priced for the amount of photos taken and I had to ask to get individual photos with the dolphins. It is a good experience but I sa too overpriced.

We had an amazing time meeting the dolphins! All of the trainers and stuff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They made sure we had an amazing visit that exceeded our expectations.

Amazing experience, worth the money. The staff are amazing and really care about the dolphins. Education and fun, great for kids, young couples, and older adults.

This was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it! The dolphins are very well taken care of by the facility. This was a bucket list experience for sure! Thank you.

More of an expensive photo op for kids inside a large pool. Not much educational value. Dolphins and environment are well cared.

Did this activity with the family. Everyone loved it so much. Would definitely recommend this activity.

It was a really special experience and we learned a lot. My husband absolutely loves dolphins and the opportunity to swim with them was something we couldn't miss. We learned a lot about dolphins during this experience as well. However, I felt like our individual time with the dolphin was kind of short when you are in a group of 6. For the price you're paying I was expecting to be with the dolphins for the full 45 minutes. However, we were out of the water and on the beach probably around 5-10 minutes short of that 45 minutes, which might not seem like much but when you are paying close to $300 per person every minute counts. The staff were super friendly. I am happy that I did it. But I don't feel an overwhelming need to do it again. When we return with our daughter we will do the short session meant for little ones and my husband will go with her.

Great experience! But you should tell beforehand that the water will be very cold. My 6-year old was freezing.