Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Super Hawaii Snorkeling at Lanai’s Shark Fin Cove

Kaunolu at Shark Fin Cove You may have heard of Hawaii’s famous snorkeling spots like Molokini off Maui, Hanauma Bay at Oahu, and Kealakekua Bay at the Big Island. Those are all great spots to snorkel, but let me tell you that Lanai’s Shark Fin Cove at Kaunolu is definitely on par with those more well known sites. Moorish Idols by Mila ZinKova We went out to Shark Fin Cove with Trilogy’s Lanai Snorkel Sail during our recent visit to Lanai.  The snorkeling was excellent, teaming with colorful tangs, parrot fish,  and of course the Hawaii State Fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a . We also saw a “Nemo fish” (clown fish), a puffer fish and an octopus. With the sea very calm the day we were there, we were able to move from the main part of the cove to a sheltered place closer to the lava rock named Shark Fin. What an interesting spot! There were dozens of Moorish idols facing the fin as if they were worshiping it. I’ve never seen anything like it. Despite the name Shark Fin, we did not see any sharks. (I was really glad of that!) Shark Fin gets its name from the shape of the lava rock jutting from the ocean, which looks like a giant shark fin. Our tour started southeast at Manele Bay and hovered near the south Lanai coast to Kaunolu I was absolutely thrilled that our snorkeling excursion went to Kaunolu as this was King Kamehameha the Great’s summer fishing retreat! I have been drawn to this place like you wouldn’t believe. So, I was crushed to learn that the four-wheel drive rental didn’t allow access to Kaunolu. Earlier during our visit, we had  sneaked a peek of Kaunolu on land (but I’m not going to say how) on the day we rented a Jeep. We couldn’t find the path that lead over to see Kehekili’s Leap (a 60ft tall cliff dive to the ocean) and the massively tall, sheer cliffs along the coast.   This snorkel excursion filled in those empty gaps and then some! After a nice deli lunch while floating near Shark Fin, the captain took us further along the south Lanai coast to see the tall cliffs.  Then we went in search of dolphins before heading back to Manele Bay. We hear that dolphin sightings are practically an everyday occurrence, but we didn’t have any luck that day. C’est la vie. I wasn’t disappointed, though, because I had just experienced some outstanding snorkeling at such a scenic and historic site. I really enjoyed seeing remote parts of Lanai from the catamaran. The views definitely captured our attention on the way to and from Kaunolu. (See this short video that I shot with my iPhone from the catamaran.) View of Pu'upehe (Sweetheart Rock) as we approached Manele Bay What to know when you go: This five-hour snorkeling excursion is currently offered four days per week. See this link for the schedule. Pricing is $169 plus tax. Children ages 3-12 are half off and youth 13-18 are 25% off. To make a reservation call 1-808-TRILOGY (808-874-5649) or toll-free at  888-Maui-800. Approximately 90% of the time, this tour goes out to Kaunolu as conditions allow. All snorkel gear is provided. A tasty deli lunch was provided. Wear sun protection and reapply as necessary. And, don’t forget your waterproof camera, like we did. Doh! (I braved bringing my iPhone along for the above water scenes, but I wasn’t about to test any underwater capabilities.) © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .

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Na Pali Snorkel Sail with Captain Andy’s

Capt Andy’s tagline is “Nobody has more fun!” Well, count me in as a believer. We had a blast on their Na Pali Snorkel Adventure . What made the trip so much fun? Our captain, Captain Trent, kept us entertained and laughing most of the way. Have you ever been to a comedy show and laughed so many times you lost count, but when the show was over, you couldn’t remember a single joke? That’s what it was like being on a Capt. Andy’s adventure with Captain Trent at the helm. Capt. Trent at the helm. On previous visits to Kauai , we took an afternoon Na Pali Coast sail , so we wanted to compare that experience to the morning sail plus get an idea of the quality of snorkeling off the coast. Well, we got to experience one of those objectives. I’ll explain more in a minute. Our excursion started bright and early with a 7:15am check in at the Port Allen Marina Center in Ele’ele. (See Google Map of this area .) Luckily, the check in office/shop offered free coffee to help wake us up. From the shop, we were lead to the catamaran by our captain. Once we were on board, we given a safety briefing and then we were off on our adventure. After we moved beyond Port Allen Harbor, a continental breakfast was served. As we headed towards the Na Pali Coast, we enjoyed seeing dolphins. Though it was the official end of humpback whale watching season, we still saw some whales. Just one of the many intriguing cliff views of the Na Pali Coast. As we approached the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the ooo’s and aah’s began. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen that coast, the scenery still catches us off guard each time. Captain Trent knew the coast very well and was able to angle the catamaran in close for the cliffs for excellent views of waterfalls, sea caves, and lava arches. We had never been that close to the cliffs from the water and it was fantastic! With our sailing adventure being at the beginning of May, we still experienced what locals would call “Winter” surf. That meant that the surf was rocky at times, and well, the crew wasn’t able to find a safe snorkeling spot. So, darn it, we’ll just have to go back on another tour to experience some Na Pali Coast snorkeling – with twisted arms, of course. As we searched for smooth water, we were able to sail away from the coast which allowed us a broader, “bigger picture” view of the coast. Once we found a smooth patch of water, a make-your-own-deli-sandwich lunch was served. The sails were raised and we enjoyed the peaceful ride and view of the coast. Na Pali Coast In total, the sailing adventure lasted 5.5 hours. Despite the the fact that we couldn’t snorkel, we still enjoyed our time. Here’s what to know when you go: The cost of the tour is $139 for adults and $99 for children. Book online 7 days (or more) before you go and receive a $10 web discount and a a free t-shirt. This discount is currently shown on this page . Wear a swimsuit and cover up. Bring sunscreen, towel, hat or visor, and sunglasses. Take proper precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Only one kid on our trip got motion sickness at the end of our rocky ride and I think it was because he napped the entire time. Be flexible in your expectations. As we experienced, sometimes the surf doesn’t allow you  to snorkel. We also experienced a mixture of clouds, rain, and sun. If possible ask to be on one of Captain Trent’s excursions. I’m not sure how the other captains compare, but we know Captain Trent was great. Have you been on one of Capt. Andy’s sailing or rafting adventures? How was your experience? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .

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