We analyze the hydrodynamic coupling of pairs of squirmers and the impact it has on their short and long-time behavior. The study combines an analytic analysis of the hydrodynamic interactions between pairs of squirmers with computer simulations to elucidate the quantitative capabilities of the theoretical approach. The numerical study allows us to address the motion of simple geometries of squirmers on long times and perform a complete discussion of the effective repulsive interactions in squirmer ensembles. The contrast between analytic and numerical results identifies the features of active motion responsible for such effective interactions. The framework developed also allows for an analysis of the hydrodynamic coupling between a squirmer and a solid wall and shows the possibility of bounded motion next to a solid wall. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.