Sea Life Park Hawaii Dazzles and Delights

What do graceful dancing dolphins, hilarious sea lions, gentle stingrays, playful penguins, sea birds, sea turtles and schools of tropical fish have in common? They're all part of the unforgettable aquatic adventure that awaits visitors who venture through the gates of Sea Life Park Hawaii.

Perched between the majestic Ko'olau Mountain Range and beautiful Makapu'u Beach on the east side of Oahu, Sea Life Park is a world-class marine attraction the entire family will enjoy. Whether you want to kick back and watch exciting animal shows, swim with dolphins, play like a pirate, or learn fascinating things about aquatic life from the educational exhibits, Sea Life Park Hawaii is THE place to go. You can choose to stay dry all day, or take the plunge for an unforgettable dolphin encounter-either way, you'll have the time of your life.

Here are some of the many wonderful aquatic attractions available at Sea Life Park.

At Dolphin Cove, talented dolphins perform in an ocean-side lagoon complete with its own private island. You'll watch the thrilling show from a large open-air theater that offers a panoramic view of the picturesque coastline.

The Hawaiian Reef Aquarium offers a peek into Hawaii's underwater ecosystem from top to bottom. The 300,000 gallon aquarium showcases more than 2,000 reef animals and organisms, including sharks, sting rays, turtles and of course, colorful tropical fish.

At Stingray Lagoon you can meet these notoriously shy but curious aquatic creatures, and watch them glide effortlessly through the water in their environmentally authentic home.

Dolphins and penguins perform at the Hawaiian Ocean Theatre, created to teach guests about the newest training techniques and conservation efforts at Sea Life Park. A large glass tank offers both above and below-water views of the performances.

The humorous antics of mischievous sea lions delight guests of all ages at the Kolehe Kai Suf Club. And if ye be visitin' with young Captain-Hook wannabes, they can pretend-pillage at the Pirates' Lagoon, which has a giant "pirate ship" maze and interactive play areas.

Other attractions include a Sea Bird Sanctuary, Sea Turtle Lagoon, a Penguin Habitat, and the amazing Rocky Shores Exhibit which features above and below-water views of Hawaii's intertidal wildlife.

For a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime aquatic experience, Sea Life Park has several interactive add-ons. The Dolphin Adventure is the longest and most in-depth encounter with dolphins offered in all of Hawaii. Immerse yourself in the dolphin's world, where you'll learn about their anatomy and physiology, and experience a personal training lesson with Sea Life Park trainers. Enjoy a high-speed dorsal fin drag as you swim with your dolphin across the cove.

The Dolphin Discovery Swim lets you observe dolphins from a waist-deep platform while they play, kiss and "dance" with you. You also have the option of moving off the platform into slightly deeper water to enjoy a fun interactive experience with the dolphins.

Sea Life Park's Sea Trek is a unique underwater safari in the Hawaiian Reef Tank. Perfect for first-time divers, you don a special dive helmet and descend three fathoms to walk among the numerous tropical fish and turtles in the aquarium. You can practice your underwater photography skills and handfeed schools of fish, including the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, Hawaii's state fish.

The Hawaiian Ray Encounter lets you get up-close-and-personal with one of the most graceful and gentle ocean creatures, the stingray. Using float vests and a snorkel mask, you can observe and interact with these gentle creatures as you snorkel through the beautiful lagoon. Handfeed them a tasty tidbit, and marvel at the feel of their smooth skin a as they glide gracefully past you.

It would be unthinkable to visit Hawaii and not experience an authentic Polynesian luau. Sea Life Park offers a magical luau experience, set in the most enchanting place by the sea. Traditional ceremonies such as the imu presentation and the call of the conch shell transport you to a magical world where you'll enjoy an amazing dolphin show, a delectable all-you-can-eat Hawaiian buffet and a sensational Polynesian revue, complete with a spectacular fire dance. You'll dine under the stars, with breathtaking views of Makapu'u Point and its historic lighthouse, Rabbit Island and the Koolau mountain range.

Sea Life Park is located just 15 miles from Waikiki on Oahu's beautiful and scenic Makapuu Point. The park is open seven days a week, from 9:30am-5:00pm. Don't forget to stop into their wonderful gift shop, where you will find an ocean of unique sea-themed souvenirs to remind you of your delightful park experience.