I’ve written my share of blogs on whale watching adventures in paradise, but if you are traveling to Hawaii you should know that the massive mammals are not the only ones worth cruising the Pacific to watch frolic among the waves.
A company based on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu offers daily (except Mondays) dolphin watch and lunch cruises. Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events runs the Hoku Naia — a 65-foot, 149-passenger twin-hull catamaran — specifically for its two-hour Wild Dolphin Watch & Lunch Cruises. The catamaran is also equipped with a dining area, bar, restroom, barbecue facility, a wraparound main deck and an upper-level observation deck that provides 360-degree views.
The cruise departs from the Waianae Boat Harbor (located on the on the Leeward side of Oahu) at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $65 for adults, $39 for ages 3 through 11 and free for children 2 and younger. The price includes lunch, which consists of grilled hamburgers, chips, brownies and one nonalcoholic beverage. Additional nonalcoholic beverages may be purchased for $3. Vegetarian burgers are available with 24 hours’ advance notice.
If you are staying at a hotel in Waikiki you can pay $20 more (per person) to have the company drive you to and from the boat harbor. While on the bus you can watch a narrated video produced specifically for the dolphin watch tour. The film also provides information about Hawaiian history and culture, marine life and significant sights along the way. Your other option is to drive on your own and meet the group at the boat harbor 45 minutes prior to departure.
The tours depart from the Waianae Coast instead of downtown Honolulu because research has shown the Waianae range is largely shielded from the rains brought to the islands by northeasterly tradewinds. Less rain means less runoff and thus, you get to view the dolphins in some of the clearest water in Hawaii.
In addition to the dolphins, tour guests are often treated to views of other marine life — including flying fish, manta rays, false killer whales and endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles. And from November to April you are almost guaranteed views of migrating humpback whales as well.
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