Responsible Viewing · NOAA Recognized
Dolphin SMART
Conservation through respectful wild-dolphin viewing.
Wild dolphins on their terms — not ours.
Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest in the shallow bays off the Waiʻanae coast during the day, recovering from a full night of hunting in deep water. When boats crowd them or swimmers chase them, that rest is broken — and it takes a real toll on the animals over time.
Ocean Joy Cruises is a Dolphin SMART operator. We view spinner dolphins from a respectful distance, keep our approach calm and predictable, and never chase, encircle, or swim with them. You still get to watch these animals up close in the wild — the difference is that we let them decide how close.
It is a better experience for guests and a far better outcome for the dolphins. That is the whole point of Dolphin SMART.
The best dolphin encounter is one the dolphins choose.
Why we don't do swim-with tours.
- Swim-with programs disrupt rest
Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest in shallow bays by day. Swimmers and chasing boats interrupt that rest and can harm the pod over time.
- Chasing changes behavior
Encircling or pursuing dolphins for a closer look pushes them out of safe habitat and stresses mothers and calves.
- It's also the law
Federal guidance discourages approaching, swimming with, or feeding wild spinner dolphins. We view from a respectful distance.
Five commitments on every cruise.
Stay back
Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins; never chase, encircle, or trap a pod.
Move away cautiously
If dolphins approach, slow down and let them pass — disengage if they show disturbance.
Always put engine in neutral
Idle or neutral when dolphins are near the vessel to protect them from props.
Refrain from feeding, touching, swimming with
We never feed, touch, or swim with wild Hawaiian spinner dolphins.
Teach others
We brief every guest on responsible viewing before the dolphins appear.
The full program
Read the official Dolphin SMART guidance on NOAA / dolphinsmart.org.
A recognition — and a promise.
Dolphin SMART is a responsible-viewing recognition program developed to reduce the disturbance of wild dolphins by commercial operators and the public. Operators who earn it commit to a clear code of conduct on the water and to educating their guests about why it matters.
For us, it is not a badge on a wall — it is how we run every cruise. Learn more about the program and how you can be Dolphin SMART wherever you travel.