Special Events Calendar & Fundraiser's for
the Wild Dolphin Foundation

Dolphins Days of Summer and Fall

Calm warm waters in the summer lend themselves to connecting with wild dolphins. Wild Side adds a midweek, six passenger, early morning cruise over summer months to take advantage of both good weather and early sunrises. Our Junior Naturalist Program last 2 1/2 hours, have a dolphin focus and include snorkeling with turtles. They are offered at $70 off the normal rate of the longer Best of the West (more dolphins, more time, year round whale watching, etc.). Fun for the whole family, join our marine biologist crew, or take our overnighter 2-day Dolphin Swim Charter to maximize your experience.

Valentines Day Whale Tails, Chocolate, and Champagne Sunset Cruise, Feb. 14th

Treat yourself and your loved one to a magical night under the stars, a "sea of love" romantic and serene, including breeding season for humpback whales or frisky dolphin activity! Join us aboard a 50' yacht for, phenomenal views of constellations and planets. Sails limited to 18 passengers to keep excursion... intimate. Early bookings are recommended.

Get onboard @ $95 per person by booking the Sunset Sailing Cruise on Feb. 14th on our secure online reservation form.

Cetacean Day, April 14th

Celebrated worldwide to honor all dolphins and whales (cetaceans). In Hawaii, we celebrate all week! Spend time learning about, from, and amongst wild cetaceans, where they belong, in their natural habitat. Led by docents from the Wild Dolphin Foundation, along with an intimate group of fellow journeyers.

Get onboard by booking or the Best of the West on secure online reservation form and mention Cetacean Day for a 10% discount that entire week.

Dive into Earth Day, April 22nd

Join in marine conservation activities! Says the Coral Reef Alliance: "People are invited throughout the week to organize and participate in a wide range of activities to help protect underwater ecosystems." In conjunction with the Wild Dolphin Foundation, participate in afternoon fish and turtle surveys with Wild Side Specialty Tours marine biologists. Snorkel equipment, refreshments and training provided on 2 1/2 afternoon sailing charters.

Get onboard by booking the Best of the West on secure online reservation form and mention Cetacean Day for a 10% discount that entire week.

Meteor shower and Annual Dolphin Convocation, May 6, 2011

Each year in the first week of May, huge numbers of dolphins gather in the Indonesian waters swimming in a gigantic spiral pattern. No one knows exactly why this happens In Hawaii, we see similar occurrences with our spinner dolphins during the same time. Join our marine biologist team this spring to venture out and research this strange phenomenon, and watch the preceding meteor shower

Get onboard by booking the Overnight Cruise on secure online reservation form and mention the 2 Day, Overnight Meteor Shower (May 6, 2011) @ 625 person.

Hawaii Endangered Species Day, 3rd Friday in May

Celebrated annually by thousands of people across the United States on the third Friday in May. Endangered Species Day in Hawai‘i is a fun and unique way for keiki and adults to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species in Hawai‘i and around the globe. With 420 species on the endangered species list for the state of Hawai‘i, there will be plenty of honorees to recognize in the Hawaiian Islands alone. Protecting wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that residents and visitors alike can continue to experience the rich variety of native species that help to define Hawai‘i, many of which are critically endangered and are found nowhere else on earth! Join wildlife biologists from the Wild Dolphin Foundation, onboard to help us discover, record and learn about the protected species of marine life that we encounter.

World Turtle Day; May 23rd

World Turtle Day was started to increase respect and knowledge for the world's oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the pet trade. We are seeing smaller and smaller turtles coming into the rescue meaning that older adults are disappearing from the wild, and the breeding stock is drastically reduced. the day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.

World Oceans Day, Sailing Celebration, June 8, every year

First declared in 1992 to express a shared belief in halting the worldwide loss of marine resources. Share in"Edu-tainment" events happening worldwide near and around that date. We will be focusing on Hawaii's ocean resources this week. Limited to 6 -15 passengers per sail, a sensitive journey will be taken to explore dolphin habitats, turtles and reef ecosystems.

Get out on the sea for World Ocean Day by booking the Best of the West within that week including June 8th, mention World Oceans Day on the comment section of the secure online reservation form, and get a 10% discount.

Ten things you can do to help protect your oceans.

Meteor Showers all summer long!

For peak dates see Meteor Showers 2010 and then get onboard @ $95 per person (or more for meteor showers that are overnoghters).

4th of July Annual Fundraiser

Back by popular demand, the 4th of July Sail, at $95 per person, is a fundraiser for the Wild Dolphin Foundation to promote wildlife conservation efforts.

Departure is from Kewalo Basin Harbor at 7:00 pm (6:45 check-in) for a sunset cruise w/ BBQ dinner, 18 passengers max. The “main” fireworks (we will be able to see several from the water), begin at 8:30, with simultaneous soundtrack broadcast over our theater sound system. Star and planet gazing with narration is also included. We return to the harbor at approx. 10:00 pm.

As the 4th of July sail is always a sell-out event, please lock in your reservations by use of our secure online reservation form. Note “July 4th” as your date and choose “Night Cruise” for the charter option. We'll send confirmation along with driving directions, etc. upon receipt... Please see our Sunset Sail / Night Cruise page for more general information, and links to our other unique ocean tours.

Discoverers' Day: Explore the ocean blue

Ghost Ship, Halloween Night, Oct. 31th

Master Storyteller Jeff Gere (winner of the "Oracle Award for Storytelling Service ") hosts our 5th annual Wild Dolphin Foundation "Ghost Ship" fundraiser. Three hours of true, local, supernatural tales rooted in Hawaiian culture and other chilling stories, mixing humor with horror - on the water - in the dark.

Set sail into the sunset at 5:30 for three hours of "chicken skin" goose-bump experiences, non-alcoholic drinks (BYO witch's brew), and heavy pupus included. $99 per person.

Want to do something even scarier? After the charter, join a group of us up the Makaha Golf Resort, spending the night in the haunted wing. If interested in the overnighter, contact us at reservations@sailhawaii.com, if you dare.

Veteran's and Memorial Day Overnighters

When it comes to operating in dangerous shores or deep oceans, the U.S. military often turns to a unique force: marine mammals. Dolphins have been trained in attack-and-kill missions since the Cold War, and can detect underwater mines better than any man-made device.

Learn more about these unseen veterans and experience them in their natural habitat - in Hawaii - where World War II began. Historical sites affected by the war and viewed from the coastline will include the Aloha Tower, Pearl Harbor entrance, Barber's Point, and the entire Waianae Coastline.

Our marine biologist crew will take you underwater to view items preserved and left over from war times, such as a sunken plane and a tank, now covered in coral reef and tropical fish.  On a lighter note, encounters both above and under the water with dolphins are in the works, and we may even run into some pre-season humpback whales.  All  food and lodging is included, do please bring your own snorkel gear, or let us know if needed. $675 per person, six passengers maximum, see more details on live-aboard accommodations.

Talk like a Pirate Day - Sept. 19th

Ahoy there, scallywags and sea wenches! Prepare to have your timbers thoroughly shivered. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is recognized 'round the world with participants talking, dressing, and partying like pirates of the Spanish Main. Get some ideas to join the fun with us at www.talklikeapirate.com Prepare to be boarded!

Whales Tails and Full Moon Sails

Offered only 5 (full moon) nights a year during humpback whale season. Here in Hawaii, the most remote island chain in the world, you'll experience major constellations and the full moon's path across the ocean from an optimal vantage point, sailing away from ambient on-shore lights. Stir-fry dinner prepared during whale sightings and laid out shortly after sunset. Full moon to follow!

During our 2 1/2 hour voyage, we are happy to share our knowledge with you on topics including; ancient Polynesian voyaging and celestial navigation, astronomy, whale and dolphin behavior, sea lore and local legends. Or, to drop in a hydrophone to eavesdrop on whale serenades...

Check dates here and then get onboard @ $95 per person by booking the Sunset Sailing Cruise on secure online reservation form.

Portion of proceeds donated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation for conservation efforts.

Hawaii Special Events

Notice: Wild Side (complete terms and agreements) reserves the right to substitute vessels, and to seasonally modify departure and arrival times. Due to our popularity and limited group sizes, cancellations with less than 10 day notice and "No Shows" are subject to full charge. Prices quoted do not include state tax, harbor fees or fuel surcharge.

Although our sighting rates are at 90+% we cannot guarantee sightings, interaction with wild dolphins whales, snorkeling, nor ideal weather conditions. We reserve the right to not facilitate in-water OR shipboard encounters which we feel may compromise the well-being of our guests or ocean wildlife. All passengers are required to wear flotation devices.

Reservation Office hours: 8-4 (Hawaii Standard TIme)