Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 133

price, you can experience the 2-hour narrated Ocean Coastline tour of the
southeast side of Oahu, an easy way to see the stunning views.
ECOTOURS
Oahu isn't just high-rises in Waikiki or urban sprawl in Honolulu, but extinct
craters, hidden waterfalls, lush rainforests, forgotten coastlines, and rainbow-
filled valleys. To experience the other side of Oahu, contact Oahu Nature Tours
( & 808/924-2473; www.oahunaturetours.com). They have a range of ecotours,
best for kids ages 6 and up, which start at $20 a person. They provide every-
thing: experts in geology, history, Hawaiian mythology, and archaeology; round-
trip transportation; entrance fees; bottled water and snacks; and use of day
packs, binoculars, flashlights, and rain gear.
If you want to explore a hidden, ancient Hawaii that most lifelong residents
have never seen, book a tour with Mauka Makai Excursions , 350 Ward Ave.,
Honolulu ( & 808/593-3525; www.oahu-ecotours.com), a Hawaiian-owned
and -operated ecotour company specializing in field trips (best for ages 6 and
up) to off-the-beaten-path (and sometimes hidden in the jungle) ancient tem-
ples, sea caves, sacred stones, petroglyphs, and other cultural treasures. Tours
range from a half-day ($45 adults, $32 children 6-17) to a full day ($75 adults,
$63 children). They provide bottled water, insect repellent, rain gear, beach gear,
fishing tackle, and hotel pickup; you bring your imagination.
8 For the Active Family
For general advice on the activities listed below, see “The Adventurous Family's
Vacation Planner,” in chapter 2.
IN THE WATER
If you want to rent beach toys (like a mask, snorkel, and fins; boogie boards;
surfboards; kayaks; and more), check out the following Waikiki rental shops:
Snorkel Bob's, on the way to Hanauma Bay at 700 Kapahulu Ave. (at Date St.),
Honolulu ( & 808/735-7944; www.snorkelbob.com); and Aloha Beach Ser-
vice, in the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel, 2365 Kalakaua Ave. ( & 808/922-
3111, ext. 2341) in Waikiki. On Oahu's windward side, try Kailua Sailboards
& Kayaks, 130 Kailua Rd., a block from the Kailua Beach Park ( & 808/262-
2555; www.kailuasailboards.com). On the North Shore, get equipment from
Surf-N-Sea, 62-595 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa ( & 808/637-9887; www.surfn
sea.com).
BOATING
A funny thing happens to families when they come to Hawaii: Maybe it's the
salt air, the warm tropical nights, or the blue Hawaiian moonlight, but other-
wise-rational people who have never set foot on a boat in their life suddenly
want to go out to sea. All of the special yachts discussed below will take you
whale-watching in season (roughly Dec-Apr).
Captain Bob's Adventure Cruises All ages. See the majestic windward
coast the way it should be seen—from a boat. Captain Bob takes families on a
4-hour, lazy day sail of Kaneohe Bay aboard his 42-foot catamaran, which skims
across the almost-always calm water above the shallow coral reef, lands at the dis-
appearing sandbar Ahu o Laka, and takes you past two small islands to snorkel
spots full of tropical fish and, sometimes, turtles. The color of the water alone is
worth the price. This is an all-day affair, but hey, getting out on the water is the