Hawaiian Seascapes - Lana'i to Hawaii

Welcome to Hawaii! Meet your Expedition Leader at the airport before transfering you to the awaiting Safari Explorer. Search for marine life during a sunset cruise before dropping anchor for the evening.

On Lana’i, you’ll find coves lined by steep rock faces, white-sand beaches, and ancient volcanic plugs sitting both above and below the water surface. Gear up for a day of play. Water activities include snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, and skiff exploration. The Humpback National Marine Sanctuary—located between Lana’i, Moloka’i, and Maui—provides front-row seats in these productive marine breeding grounds.

From Kaunakakai Harbor, you’ll meet the people of Moloka’i and experience their land and traditions as few visitors ever do. Get some sand between your toes on one of Hawaii’s longest beaches. Hands-on activities await in the picture book Halawa Valley. Discover the history and culture of this ancient homeland at a local museum;
learn to make lei’s at a plumeria farm; and treat your taste buds with a stop for coffee at a plantation and a visit to an organic macadamia nut farm. Spend leisure time in the charming paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town of Kaunakakai. “Talk story” with locals and enjoy an evening pa’ina (feast), complete with a home-style hawaiian music “jam” session.

In ancient times, Olowalu was considered a place of refuge. Today, you’ll have a treat of snorkeling among black rock and coral gardens teaming with underwater life. Later you’ll be underway in an authentic handcarved voyaging canoe sailing as the early Polynesian warriors did. The Safari Explorer turns towards Hawaii, the Big Island, this evening for two days of exploring along its leeward coast.

Head to Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook perished in 1779, for some of the island’s best snorkeling. At Kailua-Kona, rendezvous for a guided walking tour of the historic town of Kailua. This evening we’ll anchor at an offshore location to search for and night snorkel with Great Pacific Manta rays.

Fringed by coconut palms, Honomalino Bay offers a morning of snorkeling, paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking. The bay reveals a diversity of colorful corals, sea turtles, sponges, and tropical fishes. And to fill out your last day of ultimate relaxation, more skiff tours and kayaking await in Opihihali—an area known to be favored by marine mammals.

Aloha! As the Safari Explorer docks at Kawaihae Harbor, you'll be transferred to the Kona Airport or to the Mauna Lani Bay Resort to begin your optional post-cruise extension.