Whale Watching !!
This is the season for whale watching! And if you're feeling a little rich, try whale watching with the professionals.
The Oahu Navatek Whale Watching Lunch Cruise is one of the many options you might like to take if you're interested in whale watching. This cruise is operated by Atlantis Adventures, the same company which offers the Atlantis Submarine Tours in Honolulu.
This lunch cruise is a 2 and a half hour tour which docks off at Pier 6 near Aloha Towers. Pickups and drop offs are available from Waikiki but these arrangements need to be made while making your reservations.
Upon arrival at Pier 6, you'll be ushered by the crew members to take a memorable souvenir picture which will be brought to you while you are having lunch. This photo, together with the Navatek frame, would cost about $20. Within the first new minutes, expect to be served drinks of your choice. Non- alcoholic beverages are free of charge but the alcoholic cocktails are for sale. The crew members will brief you about the safety measures and soon after, an on-board naturalist will spill out some information about the whales, their nesting grounds and how to spot them. Lunch is served in a buffet style. You may choose to eat or walk around on the deck.
The main highlights of this cruise is not only the fact that you'll see a whale or two but the opportunity to experience the beauty of Honolulu's shoreline as well. Panoramic views of the coasts, the feeling of being in the Pacific Ocean and the sheer pleasure of soaking up the Hawaiian Sun will make this trip worthwhile. This cruise promises that you'll see a whale or you will have the opportunity to come back again for free.
During my trip, I saw dolphins, flying fishes, turtles and a whale. For that 2 and a half hours, I remembered why I decided to move to Hawaii.
However, the Navatek cruise itself was quite a disappointment. Without the natural Hawaiian setting, the cruise would not be able to stand on its own. Not only will you be forced to share tables with total strangers, the entertainers were not as pleasurable to watch and the food was considerably bland.
The Navatek Cruise is $60 for adults and $32 for children. Call their reservations department for Kamaaina rates only if you have a Hawaiian ID. It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper.
This cruise was a nice escape from the usual touristic activities. If you want to see Oahu in a different setting, this cruise will offer that to you. This cruise is perfect for people who have been to Hawaii many times before, people who are seeking new adventures, those who do get sea sick easily and for those who would like to stay in the shade but want to experience the outdoors at the same time. =)
Enjoy this while it lasts! This cruise ends on the 8th of April.
Natalie Paul
