The Life in Business: Dolphin Journeys

Dolphin Journeys has been a real journey for owner, Captain Nancy Sweatt. If she hadn’t been hit with a Mack truck with 50,000 pounds of rock in it, she says, she might not be where she is today. A life-altering incident that led to lots of pain and grueling rehabilitation eventually led her to Hawaii, where she swam in the ocean, and found herself surrounded by spinner dolphins. As many others have reported, she experienced a deep, emotional and physical healing.

Since she was a toddler, the ocean has always been Sweatt’s favorite place to be and now her life’s work. She has a BS in geology/oceanography and spent several years working in the South Pacific as an oil geologist. She realized her real interest is in marine preservation and sharing her love of the ocean and its dolphins with others. In Hawaii since 1995, she has a captain’s license and is certified as a First Responder.

“We do not sell ‘dolphin trips’; we sell joy. The elation experienced by our guests when they have their first experience being welcomed by dolphins into their world is a rare and treasured feeling.”

Dolphin Journeys also mentors college students in its Sea Life Internship, teaching them the ins and outs of an entrepreneurial tourism business and enhancing their knowledge of the marine environment and its inhabitants.

Sweatt serves as chair of a committee currently working with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). “We hope to build consensus among the various participants in the ocean environment as to what are best practices to provide adequate confidence to [all] that we are doing the right, pono, thing with the dolphins. I believe a key value in conservation is educating visitors about a resource, and we do that extensively with each guest,” she says.

“The companies and groups involved with swimming with our resident dolphins have voluntarily established standards of behavior around dolphins, and most happily comply, knowing that these are our precious friends and most valued resources! The local dolphins are thriving and giving every indication they enjoy the interaction with humans. We invite readers to become members of CORAL as task force members if they wish to be involved.” ❖

Dolphin Journeys excursions depart from the Honokohau Marina – call 329-3030 or 800-384-1218, email, or visit their website.