There’s something spellbinding about squinting into a Pacific morning sunrise and spying a pod of wild dolphins spinning out of a sun- polished sea. Seemingly carefree, these marine mammals can appear out of the blue and put on a show just for you.
SPINNER DOLPHINS , the most frequently observed species, are gregarious by nature. They were named for their habit of leaping above the surface of the water and swirling like glistening, silver-clad Olympians. Scientists can’t explain why spinners spin. It may be a method of communication or a way to get rid of parasites. Or, maybe these FRIENDLY CREATURES that appear to wear perpetual smiles just like the thrill.
Just off Maui’s south side, along the KANAIO COAST , adventurers can catch spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins in action. BLUE WATER RAFTING notes that the resident pod in this area varies from 60 to 100 dolphins.
Spinner dolphins can be seen almost daily along the south shore of LĀNA‘I . They commonly travel in pods of 50 to 150 individuals and feed at night, foraging in deep ocean channels and resting during the day in sheltered bays along the coast. BLUE WATER RAFTING 808-879-7238 CAPTAIN STEVE’S RAFTING 808-667-5565 PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION 808-249-8811 SOUTH PACIFIC KAYAKS 808-875-4848