Adventure Awaits at Hawaii Ocean Rafting
Want more from your Hawaiian vacation than some great beach photos? Consider a trip with Hawaii Ocean Rafting. Their fast and easy to maneuver rafts bring visitors up close and personal with the coastal waters of Maui and Lana’i. It will reveal guests to details of these islands’ incredible diversity and marine life.
Hawaii Ocean Rafting’s mission for the past 30 years is to provide a deep appreciation for the natural wonders of the land. Founded by a skilled mechanic, Mark Robinson, who fell in love with boats and the beauty of Maui. He and his wife Jeri, share their passion with locals and visitors. Their charter boat company, Hawaii Ocean Rafting, offers whale-watching, snorkeling, and private charters with fairly unlimited options including scuba diving.
When to See Whales
Humpback season is between December and May. The whales arrive for their version of a Hawaiian vacation, traveling 3,000 miles from the icy Gulf of Alaska to the Hawaiian seas. They find mates and give birth in these warmer waters. A favorite spot is the Au’au Channel between West Maui and Lana’i. The water is shallow by whale standards, about 600 feet. It’s important for baby humpbacks to be born in shallow water to swim to the surface to take their first breath.
Hawaii Ocean Rafting departs from Lahaina Harbor, on the western side of the Island of Maui. They quickly reach prime whale-watching area four times a day during humpback season. Speedy, low-set rafts take passengers beyond the crowded larger boats. Here, you can get personal, eye-level views of the whales, who are unlikely to flee. These majestic animals sometimes approach the raft to investigate. Even swimming under it and poking their noses out of the water, an action called spy-holing. In those magical moments, which occur only a few times in a season, everyone sits tight and watches the whales for as long as they care to stay.
Watch for Whale Antics
Although massive, humpbacks are graceful creatures. Seeing a 40-ton whale leap out of the water is the experience of a lifetime. When breaching, they propel half their body above the waves and flop down, creating a huge splash. Sometimes they twirl in midair or flip to one side, raising a flipper as if waving. Lob-tailing is another humpback activity. They lift their tails, spin around and slap the water; the loud smack may be a warning to other whales competing for the lady humpback they are courting. As you may recall they have one of two focuses while vacationing in Hawaii, 1) mate or 2) give birth.
Hawaii Ocean Rafting offers some of the best opportunities for spotting humpbacks in action. The 30-foot, hard-bottomed rafts hold only 16 people, so everyone has a front row seat. The rafts are faster, more maneuverable, and guided by knowledgeable captains and crew. The crew members are selected for their commitment to giving respect for marine wildlife and ecology, and will be passed on to you.
Go Overboard
Vacationers who are eager to get their heads underwater will experience wondrous sights on the snorkeling tour. Offered year-round, these excursions earn top ratings, designed to make sure snorkelers see variety.
Snorkelers on the half-day trip can explore lava caves and swim over shallow coral reefs where brilliantly colored fish dart through the pristine water. Snorkelers report coming face-to-face with Hawaiian green turtles in many locations. The full-day tour goes all the way around the island of Lana’i, home to spectacular lava caves, coral beds, and protected tide pools. Cavorting dolphins are a common sight; a large pod of spinner dolphins lives in the water around Lana’i. Bottle-nose and spotted dolphins are usually sighted on any of the snorkeling trips.
Create Your Dream Boat Experience
Whichever activity you chose, it’s sure to delight participants, many of whom return multiple times. Moreover, people come away with a deeper connection to the natural beauty of Maui and Lana’i. That’s what everyone at Hawaii Ocean Rafting values most. If you are looking for spectacular deals on this and more adventures, don’t forget your Shaka Gold Card. Hawaiifun.org is ready to help you set up your Hawaiian vacation hassle free!Moreover, people come away with a deeper connection to the natural beauty of Maui and Lana’i. That’s what everyone at Hawaii Ocean Rafting values most. If you are looking for spectacular deals on this and more adventures, don’t forget your Shaka Gold Card. Hawaiifun.org is ready to help you set up your Hawaiian vacation hassle free!
