Aquatic Anderson Coopers

3 Best Places To See Dolphins (The Anderson Coopers of the Sea)

August 20, 2012 ● by Matthew Bell

Sparking Dolphins in the sky! (Getty)
Sharks are kinda cool but Dolphins are the stars. They haven’t murdered anyone, ever, not even accidentally, and they sparkle. They’ve got amazing skin, sometimes shoot rainbows out of their butts and are great kissers. They also totally know some of the most chic beaches in the world. Actually—dolphins are like a race of aquatic Anderson Coopers. Sweet, charming, adorable, playful, wordly and with funny squeaky laughs.

Anderson Cooper, is that you? (Getty)
So, like since sharks get their own week on TV…where’s our Dolphin Week? And can Anderson host it? What? Dreaming is free (according to Blondie at least…) Sigh. Ok, so all this kvetching won’t make it happen so instead, be intrepid. Go somewhere you are guaranteed to see some dolphins. Like here—the 3 best places on Earth to go hang with dolphins in their natural environment—Take that Discovery Channel. You’re 99% guaranteed a sighting when you go. If you kiss, just remember they’re not really Anderson. Hold the tongue. That’d be kinda gross.

1—Kaikoura, New Zealand

Dolphins are stars in Kaikoura, New Zealand! (Getty)
Awwhhhh. Cute baby whales. Well, not quite. They’re called Dusky dolphins and they pretty much just hang out in the open ocean here and wait for some humans to boat on by so they can show off their impressive acrobatic skills. And jump on in, they don’t mind at all.

2—Oahu and Kona, Hawaii

This dolphin from Oahu, Hawaii, is cooler than most men we know. Just sayin...(Getty)
The Spinner and Spotted dolphins found in these waters are kinda like dolphin bullets. Literally, they love to spin underwater and then launch forward through the air. And when they’re not busy shooting through the air, they like to hang ten. Hmmmm surfing-bullet-dolphins? A way to bring about world peace? Maybe…

3—Azores Archipelago

Flying Dolphins in the Azores. SqWERK!! (Getty)
Here, on the only land found in the middle of the Atlantic, 8 different kinds of dolphins hang out to play. There’s not much else for them to do all the way out here so you’re pretty much guaranteed some face time. And, bonus, you get to brag about hanging out on the Azores.

Matt Bell is a New York based travel and style writer who contributes regularly to Esquire.com and Essential Homme Magazine. He has also written for Out.com, Next Magazine, American Spa Magazine and was the Senior Editor for Genre Magazine.