The first thought that crossed my mind was how glad I was that we were not staying at the Hilton Waikoloa. From the lobby, I could see the tram car loading passengers and blocking the entrance to the pool. This place is enormous. People were everywhere. Standing in lines. Standing in lines to register. Standing in lines to get on the train that will take them to their room somewhere far off in the distance, standing in lines at the restaurant waiting for a hot dog.
The Hilon Waikoloa is where you go if you want to kiss a dolphin. The outfit is Dolphin Quest. There are other opportunities on the island to swim with dolphins, but I am pretty sure this is the only encounter experience in which you can kiss a mammal.
Who wouldn't want to kiss a dolphin? They are so danged cute. Dolphin Quest has the business down pat. You are assigned to a group of 5 or 6 people -- our trainer was Lauren, and she seemed to be the head trainer. First thing she does is load up a fanny pack with fish, waddles out in the enclosed pool and slaps the water. The dolphin comes swimming toward us, eager for a snack.
These are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. I guess the Hawaiian spinner dolphins were not happy in captivity, so they substituted dolphins from the East Coast. They seemed happy and content as they stood on their heads, splashed water at us, dived under us, and let us pet and kiss them.
The dolphin's skin is unreal. I was prepared for it to feel differently. It is almost like something manufactured -- like soft pliable rubbery plastic. I can't think of a known product or surface to compare it to. It was smooth, yet firm. It looked delicate, evidenced by a few cuts or scratches.
The teeth, on the other hand, were a little scary. Dolphins have a lot of teeth, 72 to 104, according to Sea World. The number varies. Probably because if a dolphin loses a tooth, it doesn't grow back. When my opportunity arrived to kiss the dolphin, I stared down at those rows of teeth, closed my eyes, hoped it didn't bite off my nose and puckered.
Our trainer told us that wild fish sometimes swim into the pool, as it is connected to the ocean. You can already see salt water fish in the pool, just like those in Finding Nemo, doreys and tang-like. Sometimes, a puffer fish gets in and puffs up. The dolphins love the puffer fish because they look like balls. Plus, if you squeeze one, it squirts. The dolphins grab the puffers, bounce them around like beach balls and sometimes squirt each other with the puffers. If you take away the puffer, the dolphin can be so attached and addicted it will pout and have no interest in eating. Kind of like me if you take away my Zuma.
Below are photos of the Hilton, its beach (ick), pool, reception area, tram car and the pool where the dolphins play. I would show you a photo of me kissing the dolphin, but that part of the process is sort of flawed. They make you come back the next day to get them. Those available days on the Big Island are running short for me. Soon, I will return to my full-time job as a Sacramento short sale agent.
If you would like to stay at Disneyland, you would probably like the Hilton Waikoloa, but it is not a hotel I would recommend. However, the Dolphin Quest experience was a blast. You might want to bring a change of dry clothes, though. And be prepared to spend another $150 for a CD of photos.
photos: Elizabeth Weintraub and Dolphin Quest
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Elizabeth, Seems like you guys are taking full advantage of all the fun stuff to do in Hawaii! I like hearing about them as the last time I was in Hawaii was to visit my uncle when I was 4... doesn't count. But someday...
Wow, what a great description of the dolphin experience. I love the description of their skin. I've never ever done anything remotely connected to dolphins but now I want to!
And I'm with you, ultra-busy hotels with lines just do not do it for me.
Hi Linda: The dolphin experience was incredible -- a little hammy -- but still incredible.
Hi Kat: When I was much younger and not as finicky as I am now, I probably would not have figured out there is a better way to go on vacation than staying somewhere like the Hilton. If you don't know any better, it doesn't matter.