The Hawaii Traveler » snorkeling

Hawaii’s Best: Snorkeling

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:47:48 +0000

Although snorkeling is a subjective experience, pretty much everyone agrees that it’s one of the best ways to spend time in Hawai’i. It’s fun, it’s interesting, it takes little preparation, and it’s cheap. Whether you decide to boat to a snorkeling destination or just walk into the water, your chances of catching some of the most beautiful scenery ever are excellent. To increase your chances of having a great experience, also check out Best Places Hawaii’s 10 best places to snorkel.

It doesn’t appear at the 10 best list, probably because it’s relatively inaccessible, but if you get a chance to snorkel off the island of Ni’ihau, take it. Not only is the snorkeling unforgettable, but you’ll be captivated by the story of this tiny, very private island.

Looking to go a little deeper, without all the equipment and technical hoo-ha of SCUBA? Try Snuba, a dive system for adults and children that’s just as easy as snorkeling, but with most of the scenic benefits and opportunities of SCUBA.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Franklin_Dattein

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Snorkeling for First-time Fish Watchers

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:39:06 +0000

If you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll no doubt be amazed and impressed with the sights you’ll see off the Hawai’i coast.First: Hit a place such as Snorkel Bob’s for equipment, maps, and a fish card, for identifying the scaly creatures that await. (Or just look and appreciate.) Wear your rash guard for protecting your back from the rays while you’re looking below. It’s easy to sunburn unnoticed, since the water can keep you feeling cool, even when you’re burning up.

You might be interested to know that more than 20 percent of Hawaiian reef fishes are found nowhere else in the world. You’re also likely to see plenty of the state fish, the very common humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or trigger fish.

The Trigger fish, named for its defense mechanism of swimming to the nearest hole and erecting its first dorsal when threatened, was used in ancient times as fire fuel. The Hawaiians dried the fish and used the carcases to start fires for cooking more tastier fish.

Wherever you snorkel in the islands, you’re bound to find an eyeful of fish on which to figuratively feast. Enjoy!

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Mystery Island

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:42:58 +0000

There is one Hawaiian island that I’ve never visited, and that I will most likely never step foot on. It’s the same island that you’ve never visited, nor will you probably ever walk on. It’s Ni’ihau, and one reason I’m pretty sure you or I won’t ever find ourselves there is because it’s also called The Forbidden Island.

Ni’ihau is a small island seventeen miles off the Kaua’i coast. It’s spectacular, at least from the boat I was on. So was the snorkeling.

The trip across the Kalakahi Channel is pretty long, but it’s worth it. Even if you don’t snorkel, you’re likely to see dolphins, turtles, and whales (in season) on the way there. You’ll catch an abundant eyeful of fish if you do get into the water just off-shore, and if you’re lucky, the monk seals who live there may give you a swim-by.

Life on the island is reported to be a lot as it was a hundred years ago. Not only are its citizens invited native Hawaiians, but Hawaiian is the everyday language spoken. There are no modern services on the island, and it’s so private that a very large, very serious Hawaiian personally escorts intruders off of the premises–legend has it. Simply because of its mystery, I’m beyond fascinated by what life may be like there. So if you have any sources of information on Ni’ihau, please pass them along. I’m all ears.

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler