Family vacations are about bonding experiences and the more interactive the experience, the more likely a family is to bond. At Hilton Waikoloa Village, Dolphin Quest is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with dolphins while bonding with your family. Today, Darren and I explored the world of dolphins; and in doing so, we connected more with each other.

We were first introduced to the dolphins in the shallow water. During this “get to know you” session, we fed, kissed, and held the dolphins. Happily, I kissed and fed the male dolphin. He was calm and gentle. I felt at ease like it was an everyday encounter. Darren’s endless grin suggested the same experience. He laughed when the dolphin splashed and played and he listened intently to every word from the instructor. When we were able to hold the dolphin together, I looked at the expression on Darren’s face and it made my day. We weren’t just bonding with the dolphins, we were bonding with each other.

The next portion of the encounter allowed us to dive in and go for a swim with the dolphins. We pulled on a mask for fantastic underwater views as the dolphins spun, flipped, and seemed to fly through the water. It was like magic. One second they were rushing by below and the next second they were soaring gracefully through the air. Their speed was astounding. I’d never been able to watch the dolphins below with a mask before. It added a more interactive, personal touch to the encounter. We were more a part of their world rather than watching from above.

During the Encounter Deluxe, we smiled, laughed, and and had loads of fun together. It was an intimate experience, allowing Darren and I to hold a dolphin as a team, learn about their behaviors and actions, and experience their playful ways. As we shared the unique, personal adventure together, it reminded me of Darren’s playful, inquisitive nature and put a permanent smile on my face.

Hours later, we’re still grinning and chatting about the dolphin fun. Plus, we took home some big smile moments in photos that will remind us of our happiness for a lifetime. The more we grow old together, the younger at heart we become.