Life is Sailing

(written July 13, 2025)

It was a hot, drenchingly humid afternoon the day we chose to visit the Gulfarium. I don’t think I have ever been so uncomfortable outside, literally melting inside my clothes. We had already seen a fun, impressive sea lion show. Those guys are super flexible and fun!

The dolphin shows were already finished, but we hoped perhaps the dolphins would still be out swimming, so we followed the Dolphin Encounter/Show signs. As we crested the top of a small incline, soothing melodies greeted our ears. It was like stepping into a different world. Before us five circular pools of water, each at a slightly different height, created the dolphin swimming arena. A row of about ten people leaned against a rail that overlooked the nearest pool in which swam three serene mammals. The bottle nose dolphins seemed in a happy mood, moving constantly, splashing out of the water, and squeaking to the curious onlookers. As we drew near to the water, two more dolphins emerged. Now five playful dolphins glided through the water, rolling and tumbling. They seemed to notice our crew, a couple of them swimming right up to the rail and peering at us with their dark, round eyes. “Hi, baby,” I crooned. She squealed right back to me and pressed up against the glass. Rolling onto her side, she lifted her left flipper and waved at us. We all sounded our surprise and glee, and our gray friend appeared delighted as she rolled into the water and arched out of the water.

One phrase I keep hearing from people here is “seeing dolphins never gets old.” Even the man who runs a Hawaiin food truck right at the the dolphin pools at the Gulfarium proclaimed this conviction. As I plan our next visit to the Gulfarium, I believe seeing these graceful, cheerful mammals will never grow old for me either.