Wildlife is everywhere in the Hawaiian Islands. You can see marine life out in the ocean. Turtles usually can be seen sunning themselves on the beach. And there is plenty of wildlife in the Hawaiian forests. But how can you get closer to the wildlife in Hawaii without actually touching the animals? Or disturbing their natural habitats too much? Today, I am going to answer both those questions so you can get closer to wildlife in Hawaii. The result will be an even better family vacation than you expected.  

Get Closer to Wildlife in Hawaii 

Watch the Whales in the Ocean 

Different types of whales arrive in the water surrounding Hawaii in October every year. The whales then stay in the warm water until April or May. If you want to see the whales, I recommend heading out on a whale watching tour. Your tour guide will make sure you understand what you can do to see the whales safely without disrupting their surroundings.  

Or you can simply head to the shallow channel of water between Maui and Molokai. That area, as well as a section between Ma’alaea and Lahaina, are excellent places to see the whales.  

Maybe you will want to do all of these, so you can spend even more time checking out the whales when vacationing in Hawaii.  

Go Swimming with Dolphins 

There are quite a few dolphins swimming around the Hawaiian Islands. Dolphins are usually considered the favorite of all the wildlife in Hawaii.  

One of the best ways to get close to the dolphins is by heading out into the ocean to swim with them. There are many tour boats that will take you out on this type of family adventure. Plus, the tour guides often know where the dolphins love to spend their days. So, you won’t be spending hours trying to find them on your own. 

As you are swimming, the dolphins are going to be playful. Don’t be surprised if they even approach you to check you out. They are curious creatures after all!  

Dive with the Sharks 

Yes, you will find plenty of sharks in Hawaii. If you are not scared of coming face to face with these creatures, you may want to do a tour. Most of the tours are done in Oahu.  

During a tour, your family can enter a shark cage that is lowered into the water. The cage will keep everyone safe, as the sharks swim all around you.  

You can even find tours that offer the chance to swim next to sharks without a cage. That may be an option depending on your comfort level.  

Capture a Glimpse of Sea Turtles 

Okay, so sea turtles are protected in Hawaii. That means you won’t be able to get too close to these creatures. However, you can still admire them from a few yards away.  

There are a couple of tours that will take you out to swim near these sea turtles. Or you can simply wander along the shoreline to watch them swim to and from the sand.  

The best places to watch the sea turtles include the southeast beaches in Maui, Turtle Beach in Oahu, and the northern and southern shorelines on the Big Island.  

These are the best ways to get closer to wildlife in Hawaii. If you are interested in seeing any wildlife up close during a family vacation in Hawaii, let me know. I can easily add a couple of wildlife activities to the itinerary I personalize for your family trip.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Hawaii or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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