Page 89 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

SNORKELING/SAILING TRIPS Most visitors to Hawaii do not WHALE WATCHING In Hawaii, the best whale watching is from De-
leave the island before seeing the underwater world. Aa great exam- cember through April, when the migrating humpback whales spend
ple would be taking a snorkeling trip to the Marine Life Preserve at their time frolicking and rearing calves in Hawaiian waters. However,
Kealakekua Bay. Mornings are usually better as the trade winds pick from Kona you can go whale watching at any time with Captain Dan
up all day. Tour operators and dive shops take snorkeling groups to the McSweeny’s Year-Round Whale Watching Adventures. Captain Dan
bay and other spots via catamaran, zodiac, and power boats. See a dive finds pilot, sperm, false killer, melon-headed, pygmy killer, and beaked
shop or activity center to sign up. whales, plus spinner dolphins. Departures from Honokohau Harbor.
(808) 322-0028 www.ilovewhales.com
GUIDED NATURE ADVENTURES Hawaii Forest & Trail has eight
different Nature Adventures to remote and pristine natural areas. They BIG ISLAND MOUNTAIN BIKING According to the Big Island
include Kohala mule trail rides, Mauna Kea summit & star watching, Mountain Biking Association
Kilauea volcano hikes, birdwatching, and spectacular waterfall hikes.
(800) 464-1993 or (808) 331-8505 Hawaiian Walkways has guided in Hilo (www.interpac.net/~mtbike), Hawaii has world-class moun-
hiking tours to amazing places that include Waipio waterfalls, Kilauea tain biking, and that alone is worth a trip to the Big Island. Several

Volcano, Saddle Road and their Kona Cloud Forest Botanical Walk. bike shops rent bikes. Good rides include:
(808) 775-0372.
Volcanoes Ride only on paved roads within the National Park. No
OCEAN KAYAKING Almost anyone can get into an ocean kayak and offroading allowed!
enjoy a paddle on The Big Island’s leeward side. Kayaks can be rented
at Kailua or Kealakekua, or in front of the King Kamehameha Kona Kilohana Trail Begins between mile markers 44 and 45 on the Saddle
Beach Hotel. A beautiful eight-mile intermediate paddle goes from Road and ascends 6.6 miles to a lookout point at 7446 feet, where the
Honokohau Harbor to Kekaha Kai Beach Park. Hilo Bay is also a great view is endless.
place to paddle. Serious paddlers enjoy the challenge of the Hamakua
Coast on the windward side of Hawaii. Kulani Trails Eucalyptus and fern grove at the Waiakea Arboretum
south of Hilo.
WINDSURFING Anaehoomalu Bay (“A-Bay”) on the Kohala Coast
has a trade wind which curls around the island and blows you toward Mana Road From the Mauna Kea access road, you can ride around
shore, rather than taking you out to sea. This is ideal for learning to Mauna Kea and down to Waimea, on 45 miles of mostly downhill dirt
windsurf. Ocean Sports at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Hotel will get road.
you started. (808) 885-5555 Experienced windsurfers can go to Hilo
Bay and Puako. Old Puna Trail (Beach Road) Ride 5 miles along 1830s coastal Beach
Road from Kaloli Point to Haena Beach. Nene’s nest at Haena, and
Monk Seals sometimes haul out.