Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Watch

Dolphins or Nai’a are considered ‘aumakua in our Hawaiian culture. ’Amakua are spiritual guides and ancestral guardians that protect their ohana (family). There are some debates on dolphins being mentioned in Hawaiian history as they are not named specifically in traditional stories, myths or legends. The word nai‘a Some historians believe they were mentioned but under another name mano (shark). There are many stories of sharks and when thoroughly examined the description of the “shark” and it’s behavior implies that of a dolphin. One such example is the story of Mangaia and the goddess ‘Ina. Some have conclud- ed that the Hawaiian term mano was used interchangeably with sharks and dolphins in stories told.

Stories that do mention nai’a like No ka Lawai’a a me kāna Wahine, talked about dolphins having special powers, granting wishes and almost being human-like.

There are at least 8 dolphin species found in Maui near Lanai, but the three most common we see are spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins.

Spinner dolphins are the smallest of the three species weighing in at 4-7 ft in length and 50-170 lbs. Known for their aerial acrobatics, spinner dolphins can travel in pods up to 300 animals, making them a very playful and social species. Because spinner dolphins are nocturnal feeders, recent legislation has come into law protecting them from human encounters, like swimming with dolphins, that may disrupt their sleeping, eating and reproduction. As the dolphin pod moves during the day, they are prac- ticing resting behaviors which is called “milling”. During their resting period, which can be approximately 4-5 hours from sunrise to late afternoon, spinner dolphins will rest half of their brain, while the other half remains active to control breathing and possibly monitor for predators. This is the time of day when mom and calf dolphins interact the most as well and seeing baby spinner dolphins will definitely melt your heart.

Bottlenose dolphins are the species you may be familiar with in film or television. Bottlenose dolphins are found all over the world in every tropical and temperate ocean, the only place you won’t find them are the Artic and Antartic Oceans. It’s estimat- ed a few thousand have made Hawaii their home, permanently residing in pods of two-fifteen animals. Because their pods are smaller, it is often harder to spot bottlenose dolphins compared with their sister species the spinner dolphins. Spinners are some of the larger dolphin species growing to lengths of 6-15 feet and adults weighing up to 1400 lbs.

Pantropical spotted dolphins are, well you probably guessed, spotted! Their darker spots can be seen on the lighter underside of their belly, not showing until they are around the age of 5 years. This species’ coloring and size does vary depending on where it resides. Some species outside of Hawaii can have almost no spots even into adulthood. Unlike bottlenose who reside more in shallow water, pantropical spotted dolphins are found in both shallow and deep water. Most spotted dolphins travel in pods averaging around 65 animals, but will sometimes travel alone or in mega pods up to 350 animals. Spinner dolphins aren’t the only species that jump, all dolphins can, and spotted dolphins can jump up to 15 feet out of the water.

Each dolphin is given a unique name (specific sound) by it’s pod.

Dolphins communicate using sounds that are whistles and high pitch squeaking.

Dolphins are mammals and give birth to their live young in the water and nurse them.

Like all toothed whales, bottlenose dolphins are predatory animals and feed on crabs, fish, octopus and other marine animals.

When not resting, dolphins are some of the fastest swimming marine mammals, sprinting up to 22 mph.

Dolphins can give birth to one young every year typically in spring or fall after reachign sexual maturity around the age of 7 years old. The average lifespan is around 20 years, but dolphins have been know to live up to 50 years.

Lanai snorkel tours are for all level snorkelers and every snorkel spot is selected to be beginner friendly and fun for all levels of snorkelers. Our experienced captains select snorkel locations with the mildest current along Lanai’s shallow coast line with marine life including tropical fish, turtles and on occasion octopus, rays and other sea creatures. Between snorkel stops, we frequently encounter dolphins as their pods travel around Lanai and across the channel back to Maui.

Club Lanai Snorkel Spot

The closest snorkel stop is 8 miles directly across the channel from Lahaina. This spot is called Club, named for the busy club house that previously welcomed tourists at that beach. Club can often have crystal clear water, turtles, tropical fish and small reef sharks, making it one of our favorite snorkel stops.

Shark Fin Snorkel Spot

Shark Fin is a fan favorite snorkel stop thanks to its unique pinnacle reefs and variety of tropical fish. Named for the coral reef that jets out of the water in a shark fin shape, this snorkel stop is most commonly snorkeled on our 6HR snorkel tour. Shark fin is home to pyramid butterfly fish, parrot fish, octopus, tangs and many more schools of fish that you will snorkel with.

Manele Bay Snorkel Spot

Manele Bay is tucked away in a secluded bay overlooked by the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. This snorkel spot is popular for visitors staying on the island of Lanai as it’s an easy access from the sandy beach. When weather is less cooperative on the rest of the island, Lanai’s public small boat harbor makes for snorkeling in calmer winds and seas. See tropical fish and turtles at this popular snorkel spot.

Sweetheart Rock Snorkel Spot

Sweetheart Rock is as beautiful above water as it is below. With its unique rock formation, Puu Pehe, towering at 80 feet tall and legend of the tragic romance of Maui and Lanai lovers, this popular snorkel spot has lots to love. Tropical fish and sea turtles can be spotted here and Lanai’s resident spinners frequently pass by this snorkel stop.

There are many more Lanai snorkel spots that are remote and teeming with marine life like Fish Rock, Armchair, Lopa, Dinosaur, Budha Bay, Lighthouse and Barge Harbor, to name a few.

Lana’i was formed by one large extinct volcano, Lanaihale, and is one of the smallest inhabited islands (with approx 3,200 residents), in Hawaii, almost completely privately owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle. Lana’i was once home to the Dole Pineapple plantation, but is now known best for its pristine, remote snorkeling spots, exclusive resort and local community. Because the island of Lana’i has little coastal development or tourism, the reefs are better protected and are home to unique reef fish, turtles and multiple pods of a variety of dolphin species.

At their highest point, Lanai’s sea cliffs reach 300 meters (almost 1000 feet). While geologists still debate the event that led to these massive rock slides and sea cliff formations, there is no debate on the breathtaking view of these sea cliffs.

Lanai also holds many legends, one in particular about its inhabitants. Early inhabitants of Hawaii avoided Lanai because of its volcanic activity. One particular legend tells the story of Lanai as an evil land, where visiting it was forbidden. The legend says Maui’s chief sent his son, Prince Kaulalau, to drive away the evil spirits. Some stories say he was banished there, either way, he succeeded in his mission, exorcising the island, gaining control of Lanai and encouraging the native people from nearby islands to move to this newly inhabitable island.

It wasn’t until the 1790’s that Lanai became a part of the Hawaiian Kingdom under King Kamehameha. This wasn’t without resistance and blood shed. Lanai became primarily ranch land for sheep and cattle until it was purchased by the Dole family for $1.1 million dollars and became home to the Dole Pineapple Plantation in 1922, producing an estimated 75% of the world’s pineapple. High labor and land cost pushed Dole to phase out pineapple farming on Lanai over 150 years later in 1992, and later selling to Larry Ellison in 2012 for $300 million.

Today the island of Lanai has one small town, Lanai City, with a few places to dine, two hotels and not one traffic light to be found. A cultural center, cat sanctuary and some historic landmarks are a few things to see on the island, but the best part of visiting Lanai is along its coast, viewed from the water or while snorkeling its pristine reef.