Hawaii, United States
Wake up early, grab a coffee, and head to the top deck to enjoy a view like this.
Do you want to just be bumming it at your hotel beach and see less than 1% of what Hawaii does to offer? Or do you want to see the places that only 1% of visitors see and experience? There is a little known way to do this while visiting the Hawaiian Islands, and only a small number of open spots. Read on if you are thinking about heading to Hawaii but want an adventure instead of a vacation. And don't get me wrong, this is a very comfortable, pampered way of traveling as you are very well taken care of, but the adventure remains!
One of the small boats bringing in passengers for an adventure on the Big Island of Hawaii
The secret is to travel between the islands on the only small expedition cruise ship in Hawaii. It is called the Safari Explorer, run by the UnCruise company. UnCruise is more well known for its Alaska expedition cruises, but also runs trips in the Pacific Northwest, Baja, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, and the Galapagos.
UnCruise has been running Hawaii trips for the last 12 years, but it has never been a better time to go than now. It is adventure all day and wine-and-dine when back onboard. Onboard presentations help immerse you into the local wildlife, geology, culture and history of the islands. The itinerary takes you to the Big Island, Maui, Lana'i, and Molokai. Not only do you see two seldom-visited islands in Lana'i and Molokai, but you see Big Island and Maui in ways that few others experience. The trip is 1 week, from Saturday to Saturday, and one-way from Kona to Molokai, or the reverse every other week. And it runs from late November to mid April.
If you are wondering about the adventures then read on. Two small boats are towed behind which are used for snorkeling hard to reach places, whale watching, exploring rugged coastlines, and transporting you on land for incredible hikes. You have hiking options in a waterfall-filled rainforest in Molokai, a ridgeline in Lana'i, and behind closed gates on ancient royal lands 6000ft up on a volcano on the Big Island. You snorkel on 3 different islands, including a night snorkel with giant manta rays. You spend time whale watching in the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary waters which is the epicenter of the North Pacific Humpback Whale migration in winter. Then you spend time with local families on the island of Molokai, learning what it truly means to be Hawaiian.
Amazing gourmet meals and desserts await you onboard in your intimate small ship setting. You share the beautiful Safari Explorer ship with only 30 other passengers for the week, making your visit a very exclusive one. The best part of all of this is that the Safari Explorer is still a hidden gem. Not many people know that this is an option, so they book hotel rooms for $1000 a night, not including any food or activities, and then end up sitting on by the pool for the week. Just imagine what you could be doing instead!
Did you know that Hawaii can be a birdwatchers dream location? This is a Hawaiian Amakihi, and endemic species only found at high elevations on the big island.
You never know what you will find snorkeling. A guest holds up the molt of a spiny lobster off the backside of Lana'i
The small boats are a perfect snorkel platform. They zip us over to the coastline to snorkel places where you couldn't get to otherwise.
Sometimes you can stick your head underwater and watch turtles gliding by while listening to humpback whales singing.
It is always exciting, but quite rare, to snorkel with a shark, like this white tip reef shark off Maui.
The water is pretty clear out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Perfect for snorkeling.
Most people get exposed to zero Hawaiian culture when they visit Hawaii. This is the true Hawaii that people rarely see.
*Enjoying the after-sunset glow from the bow of the Safari Explorer. *
Snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii
You can explore by kayak and stand-up-paddleboard as well if you are feeling extra adventurous.
View from my kayak, inside a giant lava sea cave
Sea stars can look like this?
The underwater views are majestic.
Sometimes dolphins surround the boat, racing alongside or bowriding.
Checking out the bridge, where the nautical magic happens.
Hiking along a ridgeline at 6,000ft
Surrounded by dense rainforest and a towering waterfall in Molokai.
Sunset off Lana'i
There is beauty everywhere you look here Hawaii. This is the best way to see many different sides of the Hawaiian Islands, all in 7 days, without feeling rushed or repacking.
Check it out on pinmapple here:
