Snorkeling in Lanai 2

Though we saw many of these types of dolphins (between 30 to 50) swimming in family groups while on our way to Lanai and around Lanai on our way back we did not snorkel with them in the water at the sites our ship's crew picked for us. Also, these are not photos I took but were provided to me by the ships crew on a CD. But I thought I would share these pictures of Spinner dolphins taken by the crew over the years on dives.

 What we actually saw from the dive boat was the above water pictures like you see here. Because the boat is moving at around 20 knots or more and the dolphins are going that speed too or faster it is very difficult to take good pictures because there are so many people on the boat you can't just run to the side of the boat where they are. Also, the boat is moving and if you move too quickly without holding onto something as you are going over the waves you are going to fall overboard. So, taking a perfect picture is hard. So, these pictures are also from the CD but the two below are more likely what you will actually see of dolphins if you go on this snorkeling dive experience from Lahaina.

You will also see coral reefs with many schools of fish. My daughter dove down with her snorkel to about 40 feet but then again she is 23 and a very strong and healthy swimmer and diver. But, most people mainly stayed on the surface for the most part and watching all the coral and fish around them and below on the coral reefs as they breathed through their snorkels for air. It is pretty easy once you get used to breathing through a tube and are aware that water sometimes might come into your breathing tube so you are prepared for this so you tend to breathe in very shallow and if there is a little water you breathe out hard to clear the air tube of water. All the time the captain is making sure the boat is securely anchored and the 1st mate (an extremely strong swimmer) is ready to rescue anyone should they get into trouble. So, the first mate also doubles as a life guard to the guests snorkeling in the water. There is a ladder down the back into the water for walking into with your mask and snorkel and fins. Or you could just flip backwards off the rubber side pontoons of the boat into the water.