Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you dive,
goearlyinthemorning.
Trade winds often rough up the seas in the after-
noon, so most operators schedule early-morning dives that end at noon. To organize a dive
on your own, order The Oahu Snorkelers and Shore Divers Guide, by Francisco B. de Car-
valho (2003).
Tip:
It's usually worth the extra bucks to go with a good dive operator. We've listed the
operators that'll give you the most for your money.
STAND-UP PADDLING
A new sport in Hawaii, stand-up paddling consists of, well, standing on
an oversized surfboard and using a long handed paddle to propel yourself over the water.
There are numerous places to both practice this sport as well as take lessons, especially in
Waikiki, on the North Shore, and on the windward side at Kailua.
SNORKELING
Snorkeling is one of Hawaii's main attractions, and almost anyone can do it. All
you need is a mask, a snorkel, fins, and some basic swimming skills. In many places, all you
have to do is wade into the water and look down at the magical underwater world.
If you've never snorkeled before, most resorts and excursion boats offer snorkeling
equipment and lessons. You don't really need lessons, however; it's plenty easy to figure
out for yourself, especially once you're at the beach, where everybody around you will be
doing it. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent it from one of dozens of dive shops
and activities booths.
While everyone heads for Oahu's Hanauma Bay—the perfect spot for first-timers—other
favorite snorkel spots abound all over the island. See “Watersports”.
Somesnorkelingtips:
Always snorkel with a buddy. Look up every once in a while to
see where you are and if there's any boat traffic. Don't touch anything; not only can you
damage coral, but camouflaged fish and shells with poisonous spines may also surprise
you. Always check with a dive shop, lifeguards, or others on the beach about the area in
which you plan to snorkel and ask if there are any dangerous conditions you should know
about.
SPORTFISHING
You can also try for spearfish, swordfish, various tuna, mahimahi (dorado), rain-
bow runners, wahoo, barracuda, trevallies, bonefish, and such bottom fish as snappers and
groupers—and the biggest catch of them all, marlin. Visiting anglers currently need no li-
cense.
Charter fishing boats range widely both in size (from small 24-foot open skiffs to luxuri-
ous 50-foot-plus yachts) and in price (from about $100 per person to “share” a boat with
other anglers for a half-day, to $900 a day to book an entire luxury sportfishing yacht on
an exclusive basis). Shop around. Prices vary according to the boat, the crowd, and the
captain. Also, many boat captains tag and release marlin or keep the fish for themselves
(sorry, that's Hawaii style). If you want to eat your mahimahi for dinner or have your marlin
mounted, tell the captain before you go.
Money-saving tip:
Try contacting the charter-boat captain directly and bargaining.
Many charter captains pay a 20% to 30% commission to charter-booking agencies and may
be willing to give you a discount if you book directly.
SURFING
The ancient Hawaiian practice of hee nalu (wave sliding) is probably the sport most
people picture when they think of Hawaii. Believe it or not, you, too, can do some wave
