Throughout history, people have described the feeling of a dolphin experience as something otherworldly, so much so that the marine mammals have been popularized in culture for thousands of years now. Whether it’s because they’re one of the most intelligent mammals on the planet or their friendly nature, dolphins continue to permeate culture to this day.

Dolphins in Human History & Mythology

The first chronicled dolphin experience dates all the way back to 1500 B.C. when the Minoan people in the Mediterranean painted extravagant pictures of the creatures on palace walls. The Greeks associated dolphins with the ocean god Poseidon and the goddess Aphrodite. In Hinduism, the Ganges river dolphin is depicted as the steed of the river’s deity, Ganga. Seafaring people from China to Europe believed that seeing dolphins in the water during nautical voyages was a sign of good luck and safe passage.

How Dolphins Appear in Popular Culture

Dolphins have made regular appearances in many television shows, movies, and books, such as “Flipper,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” and the “Uplift” book series. The American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish also reference dolphins in their song “Only Wanna Be With You.” A football team took on the title of the Miami Dolphins® and joined the NFL® in 1966.

Dolphin experiences continue to be wildly popular. Dolphin tours, in particular, allow people to see these creatures living in their natural habitat without endangering them.

If you want to get closer to these amazing animals, contact Dolphin Excurisions in Waianae, HI. For the past two decades, they’ve provided visitors and locals alike with a variety of amazing dolphin experiences, offering boat tours and snorkeling adventures that let you see the marine mammals in their natural habitat. Plan your next dolphin tour by calling (808) 239-5579, or learn more about their excursions online.