MaiTravelSite » Pacific Islands

Swimming With Dolphins and Turtles in Oahu

maitravelsite — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:10:57 +0000

Few places in the world as good as Oahu´s west coast when it comes to whale watching and dolphin encounters, and if this is one of the experiences in your bucket list make sure you join one of the tours that allow you to swim with dolphin and turtles tours when exploring Hawaii’s most visited island. In this video you’ll get to see what our tour with Sail Hawaii was like (an absolute blast), and if you need more info you might want to read my article on the experience too.

Have you swum with dolphins in Hawaii? Elsewhere? Spotted them from a boat? How about turtles? Share your story with us in the comments section below, and this video too if you liked it!

Swimming With Sharks in Oahu, Hawaii (Video)

maitravelsite — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:51:01 +0000

Sharks are predators that most people try to avoid in a lifetime and by any means, but as I shared some time ago in a previous article about our shark swim tour it’s an experience we were looking forward to and were able to enjoy with Hawaii Shark Encounters, one of the leading companies in Oahu for tours of this kind.

This time however you’re going to be able to watch our experience through this video, perhaps the one I’ve enjoyed most making and probably the best one I’ve also created so far. While watching it, you might want to keep in mind the following interesting facts about sharks:

Shark comes from the mayan world Xoc which means fish.
Sharks can live up to 30 years.
The largest shark is the whale shark which is up to 40 feet long.
Sharks have 5 to 15 rows of teeth in each jaw.
Sharks may have up to 3000 teeth at one time, and some species replace a row with new teeth every week
There are more than 360 described species of sharks.
The largest whale shark registered weight was 47300 lb or 21.5 tonnes.

And now enjoy the video! (if you’re getting this post via email you can watch the video by clicking here)

Have you ever swum with sharks? Where at? If not, is it something you’d dare to do? What other wildlife encounter tours have you enjoyed? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

5 Ideas for Active Holidays in Hawaii

maitravelsite — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:56:54 +0000

There is no shortage of relaxation to be had on Oahu; the perfect combination of sun, sea, and sand can help even the tensest of folks unwind. While working on a tan and catching up on a good book on a beach steps away from one of the luxurious Honolulu hotels is certainly an appealing prospect, it’s the thrilling, unique moments that make the most unforgettable memories. On the other end of the Oahu vacation spectrum is the potential for the extreme: the rush; the adrenaline. There are many activities that the island offers that you simply won’t find many other places on the globe. For those looking to get their blood pumping while taking in a flurry of once-in-a-lifetime sights and sounds from the air or under the sea, you’ve come to the right place.

You’re rested, relaxed, and ready. You’ve woken up at the Lotus Honolulu with an itch to try something new. Whether by land, sea, or air, you’re just hoping to feel your heart racing. With a centralized location facilitating an entire host of options, the decision is yours. It’s time to let yourself go!

By Sea:

Scuba Diving: Strap on your tank, cinch up your goggles, and make sure your flippers are on tight, because you’re going beneath the waves to explore a world unlike any other. After a quick certification process, you can head out on one of many scuba excursions offered out of Waikiki. Once you’ve secluded yourselves from the sounds of civilization, you’ll descend into a world made up of colorful reefs and rock formations populated with sea life of the widest variety. Keep your underwater camera poised for when a sea turtle inevitably swims by as you

Surfing: The Hawaii classic: gliding across the face of a wave on a board proves a thrill unlike anything else. Taking a lesson and popping up for the first time will be an incredibly rewarding experience that you will brag about for a long time. Many shore breaks on Oahu act as forgiving, manageable classrooms due to their soft surf. Having to try and try again has never been more fun.

By Air:

Skydiving: Oahu is filled to the brim with beautiful sights to behold–it’s just a matter of finding the time to see them all. One idea is to go for it all at once! Skydiving has been always been a staple of bucket lists, and there is no better place to give it a shot. As you hurdle towards the ground with your guide, you’ll experience the lush greens of the jungle canopies, the crisp blues of the Pacific, and the miles of flawless shore from a spectacular vantage point.

Parasailing: For those looking for an airborne rush a little bit closer to the ground, look no further than parasailing. As you lift out of the water and ascend into the air behind a speeding boat, the Hawaiian air will never taste sweeter. Head up with a friend as you coast above the waves, looking back at the shore from hundreds of feet in the air. The combination of speed and altitude will provide an afternoon that you’ll be sure to cherish.

By Land:

Mountain Biking: For a rush of speed, consider renting a bike and heading to one of Oahu’s famous mountain biking trails. Ride on a dirt trail with a group as you careen through the jungle, or enjoy a paved road for some uninhibited downhill fun!

Finding that combination between rush and relaxation will help you get the most out of your Hawaii vacation. With so many options available to you, keeping a packed schedule will be simple! After a thrilling day of adventure, find yourself a nice place to sit back with a cold drink and watch the sunset.

How many of these activities have you tried during your stay in Hawaii? And elsewhere? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, Hawaii (Video)

maitravelsite — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:33:20 +0000

Hanauma Bay is, without a doubt, Oahu’s most popular snorkeling spot. The beach is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the island and is just a 25 minutes bus ride from Waikiki. In this video you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy its spectacular surroundings and learn some tips before getting there, and make sure you also read our article on Hanauma Bay for more info. Enjoy!

Have you visited Hanauma Bay? What did you like most about it? And least? From what you see, is it a place you’d like to visit? Please remember to share this video if you liked it, and leave a comment below letting us now how watching it made you feel.

The Best Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii

maitravelsite — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:16:38 +0000

Sun, surf, white sand …Oahu has dozens of beaches scattered all around the island from which to choose. Being in Hawaii all of them are gorgeous in one way or another, but which are the best beaches in Oahu? The following are my favorite of all that I visited when I was recently there and are generally considered among the best too. I have, however, included one that is very well liked but did not impress me much. Which one is your favorite?

Waimea Bay Beach Park

Located in Oahu’s North Shore the beach in Waimea is relaxing, family friendly beach when the sea is calm and an exciting, adrenaline packed destination when the surf is big. The beach is about 700m long and has several facilities free of charge, including showers, toilet and a drinking fountain. There is a designated parking lot too, which although free is rather small and only holds about 70 cars- more often than not you will find cars parked on the main road’s shoulder.

Things to do in Waimea Bay beach include swimming, suntanning, jumping off the rock on the western end is very popular and, if there are waves and you’re an accomplished swimmer, then bodyboarding, surfing or bodysurfing will be a thrill and a challenge. If not you can always try one of these sports on Waimea river during the rainy season as it’s a lot of fun and not life threatening.

If here during the winter season you’ll be able to watch massive 10m plus waves and hardcore surfers riding these behemoths, and perhaps might be here during the legendary Eddie Aikau Memorial surf contest, held in memory of of this legendary surfer and local lifeguard who disappeared when attempting to reach the coast from a stranded papyrus boat during an expedition in 1978. The contest, by the way, only happens when the waves have at least 40ft faces! (don’t skip the video- you’ll be happy you’re watching the action from a distance and are not one of the surfers featured in it!).

Waikiki Beach

The view of Waikiki beach with extinct volcano Diamond Head in the background is probably the most famous of all in Hawaii and one you must not miss. The beach is long but narrow, crowded but fun, busy yet energizing a the same time, and a heck of a lot of fun. It’s a great place where to learn how to surf (ask for Max Surf rentals- he´s been here for 25 years, has the biggest board assortment and is the most affordable too), try traditional outrigger canoeing or gaze at spectacular sunsets from the western end of the beach, right beyond historical Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the only pink hotel in the islands.

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the island and some say in the world, which I find rather preposterous. I have yet to find the overwhelming appeal, but have included it in this list because many travelers seem to be delighted with it. Perhaps its beauty might derive from the conifer trees that abound instead of palm trees, there’s plenty of public parking and has little to no surf most of the year, making it ideal for families with young children.

Sunset Beach

Also in Oahu’s North Shore Sunset Beach is picture perfect by any standard. The beach is wide and long enough to accommodate comfortably alll visitors, and the clean white sand contrasts with the ocean’s deep blue water. Sunset beach is world famous for its surf, so you’ll find plenty of action too. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that there are no convenient facilities, yet the closest snack bar, supermarket and surf shop are just a five minute drive away along the main road- if there’s no traffic.

Sandy Beach

Sandy beach is relatively isolated, about a 5 minute drive from Hanauma Bay or 25 minutes from Waikiki. The beach is relatively small yet has public showers and toilet facilities as well as free parking. It’s a great place to get away from Honolulu’s urban lifestyle and relax- or not. The shore break is powerful and dangerous, making it ideal for bodyboarders and bodysurfers who come here to ride big waves just a few meters away from dry sand, but dangerous for the average swimmer.

Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park)

There is only one reason that has put this beach on the map despite it’s natural beauty: a powerful wave that breaks here and attracts surfers from all over the world to challenge their skills, particularly during the winter season. The wave is big, hollow and a challenge for even the most accomplished surfer.

The beach has a free small parking lot, but no toilet facilities, and is just a five minute drive west from Sunset Beach- unless there’s a big swell in which case traffic will bring you to a stop. The beach usually attracts younger crowds and surf enthusiasts, yet I recommend you stop by and witness the show when there’s a good swell.

Turtle Bay

The beach in Turtle Bay is very family friendly and safe for swimming. It might not be as exotic as the others in the list, but it has something instead that they don’t: wild turtles. Appropriately named Turtle Bay this is the best place where to spot and swim with wild turtles in Oahu without having to join a tour of pay any fees. You will simply need snorkeling gear (if at all) and to swim around this secluded bay until you find one; it could be a great opportunity to bring your waterproof camera because there is no easier place where to take pictures of turtles in the wild- simply watch this video of a turtle I filmed.

Hanauma Bay

Postcard worthy Hanauma Bay beach is extremely popular among tourists and locals because of its snorkeling. It is a national park (there is a fee to enter) and a must visit when in Oahu. To learn more about the bay read my post about snorkeling in Hanauma Bay.

These are my favorite and what I consider to be the best beaches in Oahu, but now it’s your turn:

Which is your favorite beach in Oahu? Why? Any tips or opinions about the beaches in this list? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

This post is brought to you with the collaboration of Flight Center Australia, Australia’s leading flight booking agency with great deals on Bali flights. I did not use their services on this trip, but I did when I traveled to Bali.

Swimming With Turtles in Oahu, Hawaii (Video)

maitravelsite — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:52:46 +0000

Hawaii is the perfect place to enjoy all things water related, and not surprisingly it is also the ideal place to go swimming with turtles. If in Oahu the easiest way to accomplish this is by joining a tour that will take you to the west coast of the island, but if you feel like going on your own then head to Turtle Bay. This spot is superb to find these delightful creatures, but if you also want to go snorkeling Shark’s Cove, a popular spot, is only 10 minutes away. Watch the video and enjoy the travel tips!

Have you been swimming with turtles during your travels? Where at? How was your experience? After seeing this video, would Turtle Bay be a place you’d check out? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and this post/video too if you liked it!