Dolphin Quest
Dolphin Quest
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Dolphin Quest Hawaii, located at the spectacular Hilton Waikoloa Village, brings people and dolphins closer than ever in fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all ages. This unique experience is on-of-a-kind on Hawaii's Big Island and is great for kids, adults or the entire family! Reservations can be made a year in advance. Dolphin Quest's Learning Center Lagoon, opened in 1988, was the first of its kind and inspired a new generation of large, natural habitats for marine mammals. A portion of the proceeds from your Dolphin Quest encounter program supports vital marine education, conservation and scientific study. TripAdvisor Excellence Certificate winners since 2015!
Does not meet animal welfare guidelines
Tripadvisor does not provide bookings for this experience because it does not meet our animal welfare guidelines.
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  • Michele C
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much fun!!!
    Like other reviewers, I will say that the price was my biggest concern when deciding to book this excursion. It was definitely worth it, though! We had so much fun. The trainer was very knowledgeable and friendly and we learned a lot about the dolphins and their behavior. It was a bit short—35 minutes total time in the water, but we had a lot of fun!!!
    Mahalo! Michele C, for sharing your dolphin experience with us. We are beyond thrilled to be part of your family's forever memory. Our marine mammal specialists make sure each participant has the opportunity to touch, feed, play, and have that personal interaction with a dolphin.
    Written 28 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 March 2023
  • Hans D
    McLean, Virginia32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Educational and Fun
    My wife, daughter (7) and I did a dolphin encounter in the morning and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. Each small group is assigned to an expert on dolphins and everyone gets a chance to learn about the biology, physiology, and behavior of the dolphins. Sure, it was fun learn about the dolphins, but it was nothing compared to watching them do the tricks! Each of us got a chance to interact with the dolphin and do some tricks, and then we got to do things as a family together - swim together, watch them sing, and do tricks. Our guide, Charlie, was exceptionally friendly and did a great job blending education with hands-on experience. Pro Tip: It is expensive, but we got the photo package, and it was worth it. The photos are really good and they capture all aspects of the experience. Easy to share with friends and family and print out for family memories for many years.
    It's amazing to hear that you and your family had an educational and enriching time visiting our dolphin family and us. We're thrilled to hear you had such an exciting and enriching up-close experience with our marine mammals at Dolphin Quest Hawaii! We hope the memory lasts you a lifetime and you'll come back and revisit us. Mahalo for the five-star review!
    Written 28 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 23 March 2023
  • Noel M
    St. Johns, Florida10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Outstanding
    Maddi is the best person for this job. She made my daughter and I feel important and special. We don’t much money so we paid for the less expensive option but the way Maddi treated us you could not tell. She was awesome with the whole group and even remembered our names. This was our first time with the dolphins and she made it memorable . Thank you.
    Mahalo noelm938, for your kind words about our Dolphin Quest Crew members! We are so glad to hear that you and you and your daughter enjoyed the dolphin swim. We aim to inspire our guests to care for our ocean and its habitants. Mahalo for the five-star review!
    Written 28 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 March 2023
  • Outandaboutat50
    Kailua-Kona, Hawaii1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic experience with a reputable company
    I was impressed with this company. Our ‘in the water with dolphins’ time was adequate, if the dolphin disengaged our time was paused and restarted. The sessions are not back to back so there’s down time for the dolphins and they actually seemed excited to start a new session. The staff love their jobs and seemed to really enjoy interacting with both dolphins and guests. I’d highly recommend this experience. (The journey from parking to the lagoon is a ways without signage-spa staff were helpful with directions)
    We appreciate your awesome five-star review! It's amazing to hear that you and your family had an educational and enriching time visiting our dolphin family and us. Mahalo, and we hope you all will come to revisit us!
    Written 28 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 26 March 2023
  • Nikki R
    Maple Valley, Washington3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Family Fun
    We went to Hawaii on a family vacation ranging from 8-82 looking for fun and exciting adventures. Only 7 of us made it in to swim with the dolphins, while the rest watched from the restaurant but everyone had an amazing experience!! The littles were fearless🐬 the teens were timid and the 50 year old was teased by the rest of the family 🤣 Such a great experience and the photos are awesome!
    Greetings, nikkir494 and Mahalo, for visiting us at Dolphin Quest Hawaii! It means a lot to us to know that our Crew and Dolphins were able to provide you with a fun and hands-on experience! We appreciate your positive feedback and hope you will revisit us in Hawaii or our Bermuda and Oahu locations.
    Written 6 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 March 2023
  • jenlyn76
    Corydon, Indiana4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly recommend!
    Great experience! We stayed at the resort and got to see the dolphins and trainers everyday. My daughter did the trainer for a day experience and spent 4 hours with the trainers and dolphins. It was an awesome time. The trainers were all so friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
    Good Day, jenlyn76! Mahalo for sharing your dolphin experience with us. We are beyond thrilled to be part of your daughter's forever memory. Our marine mammal specialists make sure each participant has the opportunity to touch, feed, play, and have that personal interaction with a dolphin. So again, thank you, and be sure to revisit us!
    Written 6 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Tracey O
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Connecting with dolphins
    Wonderful experience interacting with the dolphins in a small group setting! My friend and I were grouped with one other adult and there was a different group of kids. We were able to touch, give hand signals and swim next to them. The staff was constantly monitoring the dolphins and did not push them, but modified activity based on behavior presented, which was great! We were given a lock for a small locker to put our purse shoes and towel in. Suggest that if you are not staying at the hotel and not familiar with the grounds that you get there at least the 45 minutes prior.
    Mahalo 382traceyo for the five-star review! It was a pleasure hosting you and your friend at our location on the Big Island of Hawaii, and we hope you'll revisit us sometime soon.
    Written 6 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 April 2023
  • Phyllis Annie S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bucket List item checked off -- incredible experience!
    I just wanted to share that my boyfriend and I had a really wonderful experience at Dolphin Quest when we went there on Monday March 27th, 2023! Check in was easy, the safety instructions were clear, all of the staff was friendly, and our dolphin handler Kaylee made the experience very personalized! We felt very welcome and being up close and personal with the dolphins was amazing! We checked off a bucket list item for sure, and we will definitely do it again! The crew seems to authentically love working there and they obviously care about the dolphins and guests.
    Aloha, annieslife, We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this lovely review. It sounds like you and your boyfriend had quite a memorable and educational experience with our marine mammals. Mahalo and we hope you will come to revisit us!
    Written 6 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 April 2023
  • Debramia
    Petaluma, California2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Super fun experience with these beautiful mammals.
    My 11 year old son had a great experience with the dolphins. Charlie the dolphin trainer worked very well with the group and the dolphins making everyone feel comfortable and allowing everyone multiple turns getting close to the dolphin. Such wonderful animals. I would highly recommend this experience for everyone.
    Good Day! Mahalo for sharing your dolphin experience with us. We are beyond thrilled to be part of your family's forever memory. Our marine mammal specialists make sure each participant has the opportunity to touch, feed, play, and have that personal interaction with a dolphin. Mahalo, and we hope you all will come to revisit us!
    Written 6 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 April 2023
  • jaa928
    San Diego, California33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cultural exchange with another species!
    We had a great time learning about and playing with a handful of the dolphins. You get up close and personal, giving commands and kisses to these amazing creatures. The layout was very accessible so we could watch comfortably nearby while our kids did the encounter. They offer photography in the water with the dolphins but do nothing to discourage you from taking your own pictures. It was well worth it!
    Aloha, jaa928! Mahalo for sharing your dolphin experience with us. We are beyond thrilled to be part of your family's forever memory. Our marine mammal specialists make sure each participant has the opportunity to touch, feed, play, and have that personal interaction with a dolphin. So again, thank you, and be sure to revisit us!
    Written 19 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,528 reviews
Excellent
2,754
Very good
456
Average
175
Poor
80
Terrible
64

Methgen
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024
The trainer was knowledgeable and helpful. We really enjoyed the experience. We would reccomend the Dolphin Quest to anyone visiting the big island.
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wanita I
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
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.
Written 15 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the glowing review and the perfect rating! We’re so happy to hear you loved everything about your visit. Our dolphin ohana and team are thrilled to have shared those moments with you and can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones back for more unforgettable moments!
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

staninshady
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024
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
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled that your encounter was the highlight of your trip and that you felt the warm, fun, and welcoming atmosphere from our Dolphins and trainers! We hope to welcome you and the grand kids back soon to create more memorable moments with the whole family!
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jimhemphill007
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024
This was a really terrific experience with lots of hands-on time with the dolphins. Started right on time, too!
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you found it terrific and enjoyed plenty of hands-on time with our dolphins. Punctuality is very important to us, and we're happy to hear we started right on time. Looking forward to your next visit for more wonderful moments!
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

nw3551
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024
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.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear you had a memorable encounter and that Kayla welcomed you with her friendliness and expertise. It's wonderful that you could feel her passion for her work. Being able to interact so closely with our dolphins is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we're so glad you'll cherish these memories. We can't wait to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments!
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

shellbel20
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024
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.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so pleased you noticed our dedication to the dolphins' welfare and safety, which is always our top priority. It's fantastic to hear you found the experience immensely valuable and consider it one of your best. We agree that it's something everyone should experience. Thank you for highlighting the friendliness and expertise of our trainers, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable moments!
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Amelia L
Memphis, TN47 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
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.
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and concerns. We deeply appreciate your thoughtful feedback and understand your perspective on dolphin welfare. It's important to us that you know the health and safety of our dolphins are our highest priority. Our dolphins live in large, natural ocean habitats and are never forced to participate in encounters. They do have extensive areas to swim freely and socialize with each other. Regarding the release of dolphins into the wild. For our dolphins safety, and due to it being illegal as well as regulatory constraints, releasing dolphins that have been under human care is not feasible. Our team, including highly skilled trainers, focuses on providing the best possible care, ensuring our dolphins lead happy, enriched lives. Their safety, care, happiness, and wellbeing is always our first priority. We're glad to hear that you found our staff great, and we truly take your feedback to heart as we continually strive to educate and inspire our guests about marine life conservation while upholding the highest standards of animal care. Your visit contributes to our broader mission of conservation and education, supporting vital research and conservation efforts. We hope we can continue to share our dedication and commitment to these beautiful animals with you.
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

monica m
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024
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. ☺️
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha, monicamP5336KL. Thank you for visiting us at Dolphin Quest Hawaii and for your kind words. It means a lot to us at Dolphin Quest to know that our Crew and dolphins were a highlight of your visit to the island. Each of our unique encounters is experiential learning for guests of all abilities, providing them the opportunity to learn, play, and interact with dolphins first-hand in a healthy and sustainable environment. Thank you for this wonderful review!
Written 16 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mark G
Fremont, Nebraska, United States8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
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.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha, Mark G. Mahalo, for the five-star review! It was a pleasure hosting you and your family at our location on the Big Island of Hawaii, and we hope you'll revisit us sometime soon.
Written 16 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

keithcasto
Campbell, CA1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
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!
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha, keithcasto. Mahalo for visiting us at Dolphin Quest and for leaving us this wonderful five-star review.
Written 16 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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DOLPHIN QUEST: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dolphin Quest

Dolphin Quest is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM