Whale watching in Oahu / 7 days in Lanikai
Mar 1st, 2004, 06:06 PM
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Whale watching in Oahu / 7 days in Lanikai
Hi!
My family (husband, 7-year old daughter, my very-healthy-and-energetic mother) and I will be staying in Lanikai for 7 days at the end of March.
We are fascinated by the idea of whale watching, but have become confused trying to pick the right tour. There are so many!
We would like to get up close to the whales as much as respect for nature allows. I've heard on a catamaran is best.
Does anyone know of a reliable and respected tour? Please advise!
Also, this is our first stay outside of Waikiki (that was 8 years ago).
This time, besides trying to get as much of beautiful Lanikai and Kailua as possible, we plan hiking to Makapuu, snorkeling at Hanauma, and perhaps a drive to North Shore.
My daughter wants to see a hula show, but I am sad to find that the legendary Kodak Show is no more.
Am I missing anything?
Any suggestion is welcome!
Thank you so much for reading my message.
My family (husband, 7-year old daughter, my very-healthy-and-energetic mother) and I will be staying in Lanikai for 7 days at the end of March.
We are fascinated by the idea of whale watching, but have become confused trying to pick the right tour. There are so many!
We would like to get up close to the whales as much as respect for nature allows. I've heard on a catamaran is best.
Does anyone know of a reliable and respected tour? Please advise!
Also, this is our first stay outside of Waikiki (that was 8 years ago).
This time, besides trying to get as much of beautiful Lanikai and Kailua as possible, we plan hiking to Makapuu, snorkeling at Hanauma, and perhaps a drive to North Shore.
My daughter wants to see a hula show, but I am sad to find that the legendary Kodak Show is no more.
Am I missing anything?
Any suggestion is welcome!
Thank you so much for reading my message.
Mar 2nd, 2004, 09:56 AM
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There's a nightly free hula show on Kuhio beach starting around 6:30pm. Also the Hilton Hawaiian Village has their poolside show and fireworks every Friday for around $6pp. Get there early if you want to see this one. If you're looking for something during the day, try the Royal Hawaiian shopping center which has free hula shows scheduled throughout the week performed by dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center and also free hula lessons which might be fun for your daughter. Check their schedule posted here:
http://www.shopwaikiki.com/march04.shtml
I have never done a whale watch tour from Oahu, only Maui so can't help you there. I know there are strict regulations as to how close the boats can approach and they aren't allowed to "chase" any whales.
Have a fantastic time!
http://www.shopwaikiki.com/march04.shtml
I have never done a whale watch tour from Oahu, only Maui so can't help you there. I know there are strict regulations as to how close the boats can approach and they aren't allowed to "chase" any whales.
Have a fantastic time!
Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:10 AM
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If you're going to be staying in Lanikai - you will love it, it's gorgeous there - but don't miss going to Boots & Kimo's for the BEST macadamia pancakes ever! It's a little family-run place in Kailua, not far from Lanikai. You may have to wait a few minutes to get a table, but it's worth every minute.
Also, your daughter might enjoy the train or the maze at Dole on the way to the North Shore.
Also, your daughter might enjoy the train or the maze at Dole on the way to the North Shore.
Mar 3rd, 2004, 05:37 PM
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BashfulLY
I've read your comments on previous posts, and YES, Boots&Kimos is definitely on the list. Thanks!
You know, I'm sort of getting second thoughts about whale watching in Oahu. It seems Maui is the place to do it.
I was interested in one tour on the North Side, until I found out they had an accident a few years back when their boat flipped over in rough tides and the passengers had the scare of their lives. Another tour which sails out from Waianae sounds great (even has testimonials from celebrities), but for $95? It seems a bit pricy to me. But do you really get the adventure of a lifetime, like they say??
I've read your comments on previous posts, and YES, Boots&Kimos is definitely on the list. Thanks!
You know, I'm sort of getting second thoughts about whale watching in Oahu. It seems Maui is the place to do it.
I was interested in one tour on the North Side, until I found out they had an accident a few years back when their boat flipped over in rough tides and the passengers had the scare of their lives. Another tour which sails out from Waianae sounds great (even has testimonials from celebrities), but for $95? It seems a bit pricy to me. But do you really get the adventure of a lifetime, like they say??
Mar 3rd, 2004, 09:05 PM
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Aloha Islandmom,
How close are they to shore? We're staying on Sunset Beach end of the month.
I was considering a tour company, Deep Ecology-North Shore for a tour out of Haleiwa...
I'm also curious about the swells... how big?
Can't wait to be back "home".
How close are they to shore? We're staying on Sunset Beach end of the month.
I was considering a tour company, Deep Ecology-North Shore for a tour out of Haleiwa...
I'm also curious about the swells... how big?
Can't wait to be back "home".
Mar 3rd, 2004, 10:56 PM
#9
We were parked down at Diamond head last week watching the surfers and sailboarders and saw several whales playing in the water. They were jumping and splashing and blowing water. So much fun to watch, and we didn't even have binoculars! We stayed for about 45 minutes and they were still hanging out when we left.
Mar 4th, 2004, 05:23 AM
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lcuy
Wow! Some sight that must have been!
I hope we'll get lucky and have the same experience when we hike the Makapuu Lighthouse trail. Do you think a boat tour really isn't necessary?
Reading islandmom's, a tour sailing from the North Shore seems like a good choice.
Makai1, do you know what kind of boat Deep Ecology runs? We don't need a fancy cruise, but considering our party(w/1 senior, 1 child), we want something at least as stable as a catamaran. That was one of the reasons I was considering the North Shore Catamaran Charters. Does anyone know about this tour?
Wow! Some sight that must have been!
I hope we'll get lucky and have the same experience when we hike the Makapuu Lighthouse trail. Do you think a boat tour really isn't necessary?
Reading islandmom's, a tour sailing from the North Shore seems like a good choice.
Makai1, do you know what kind of boat Deep Ecology runs? We don't need a fancy cruise, but considering our party(w/1 senior, 1 child), we want something at least as stable as a catamaran. That was one of the reasons I was considering the North Shore Catamaran Charters. Does anyone know about this tour?
