If you're looking for what I can only describe as "an experience of a lifetime" then believe me you've come to the right place! I booked a swimming with dolphins tour on a recent trip to Hawaii and it was the best $99 dollars I spent on our whole trip. Not only did we experience a swim with wild spinner dolphins - a swim that lasted nearly 45 minutes - but we also got to swim with a sea turtle and saw many humpback whales along the way. My only regret is that I didn't take along with me an underwater camera but to be honest when I booked the trip I didn't know what to expect.

Melissa and Steve provided us with an experience never to be forgotten. I've always been dubious of booking "organised trips" because quite often they feel like a money making exercise and in actual fact we booked a second whale watching trip on our visit to Hawaii which was exactly that. I can honestly say that at no point did our trip with Morning Wildside Tours feel like this and in actual fact because we were following a couple of whales on our journey back to port we were asked if we minded extending the trip to see if we could get a better sighting.

The morning was so relaxed and with only 15 on the boat it felt very intimate. Melissa's knowledge and expertise left my husband and I wishing that one of our daughters would become a marine biologist (no pressure girls!!). Steve was a very experienced captain and neither one of them could have been more friendly.

Living in England means experiences like these can only take place on holiday and the only downside to this is that it has left us wanting more. We didn't get to see enough of Hawaii but what we did get, thanks to Melissa and Steve, was something that will live with us forever. If you think the tour will be like an experience at Sea World, think again. To be so close to nature and for these creatures to think nothing of you swmming alongside them is a credit to Morning Wildside's insistence on conservation and respect for these animals. When your guide tells you its time to get into the water, that mix of fear and excitement and that rush of adrenalin will be something you'll never forget.

Sarah, UK

This truely an amazing trip! The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The small group allowed for personalized interactions that enhanced the overall experience. We had the opportunity to swim with wild spinner dolphins, observe spotted dolphins and whales, then snorkel a second time. I would highy recommend this trip to anyone visiting Oahu.
The company seems to be dedicated to preservation of wildlife while giving their customers excellent service. A "must do" if you are interested in getting off the land and interacting with the marine wildlife in their envrironment!

K. Landmon, Atlanta, GA

Absolutely LOVED the Best of the West tour. Intimate setting (only six guests on board) with very knowledgable captain and staff. Boat was very stable, quick and comfortable -- provided ample spots for perfect whale/dolphin/turtle watching. Felt like you were right in the water with them! The captain knew the best location to go whale and dolphin watching -- avoided the party boats and commercial tours. Crew knew behavorial pattern of whales and could tell us when they would surface and which type they were. Very considerate of whale/dolphin's 'comfort zone' and respected their distance when needed. Staff swam with us during snorkling with turtles - scouting them out for us to see, and making sure we stayed close together for safety. We left our camera on board by mistake and they shipped it to us quickly!
Would highly recommend them for those wanting the ultimate experience w/out the crowd!

Wildside Specialty Tours, Oahu, Hawaii
I booked the Best of the West tour with my friend because of a tripadvisor member suggestion. It was absolutely awesome. The boat leaves from the west side of the island in Waianae. For those of you staying in Waikiki, give yourself an hour and 15 minutes to get there by car. We booked on-line and were e-mailed great directions to get to the boat. Tori and Armin were waiting for us. Tori is a marine biologist and Armin her husband knows all about the area. Once you check in they set you up with fins and snorkel and you head out to look for dolphins. The boat is beautiful and on the tour we did which was "The best of the west" there are only 6 people total with you. We found the dolphins and you are instructed how to swim with them not at them. We swam along with them for plenty of time before we got back on the boat and headed out for the sea-turtles. They are located further around the island. We swam with them for a while then headed back onto the boat for a lovely lunch of fresh sandwiches, fruit, chips etc. While you sat and ate lunch they play relaxing Jack Johnson music, which is a very nice break from all of the IZ you will hear when you are on the island! It was an amazing time. Tori took great photos and then put them up on shutterfly to share with everyone. This tour is absolutely perfect if you want to get close to the dolphins in a responsible way. Tori and Armin are more concerned for the animals and if they feel the dolphins don't want you around they don't let you in the water, which rarely happens, but I felt much more comfortable being with such dedicated ocean people. The cost was $149 a person which is a good deal on an island thats so expensive. If that is more than you want to spend they do have another tour that has more people on it. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone. I had the best time EVER!