OVERVIEW

Gain a deeper understanding of how volcanoes have shaped Hawaii’s dramatic landscape and continue to express their often unpredictable power. After a brief stop at America’s southernmost bake shop, you will behold the beauty of Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Its jet-black sand is volcanic in origin and extraordinarily photogenic, especially if green sea turtles are basking on the beach. The island’s volcanic soil is ideal for growing coffee as you will discover at Ka’u Coffee Mill. After dining on a bento box lunch, you will travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. While gazing out over this otherworldly terrain from Steaming Bluff, you will feel the hot water vapor as it rises from steam vents in the ground. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with molten lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snap photos of a volcanically formed black-sand beach that sea turtles often frequent.
• Tour Ku’a Coffee Mill and sample a cup of its uniquely flavored coffee.
• Behold the eerie, somewhat hellish landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• See – and feel – hot water vapor rising out of the ground from vents known as fumaroles.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sail on a sleek catamaran to beautiful Kealakekua Bay and snorkel its sheltered waters, which are teeming with colorful marine life. The bay lies off the western shore and holds the Big Island’s only underwater state park, a marine sanctuary renowned for the clarity of its waters. The cruise will be immensely pleasurable as the 50-foot catamaran offers plenty of room to stretch out in the sun and relax in the shaded but open-air cabin. On the way, you will enjoy a light lunch of turkey with Havarti on Hawaiian rolls, served with pasta salad and chips. Hear about the island’s history, especially while passing the spot where legendary British explorer Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Still, the underwater wonders are the star attractions, including marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii such as lizardfish and flame angelfish, a flashy species often seen grazing on coral reef algae. Feel free to enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Kealakekua Bay on a 50-foot catamaran with spacious sunny and shaded areas.
• Snorkel the bay’s crystal-clear waters, which are teeming with brightly colored marine life.
• Look for species of fish not found anywhere else in Hawaii.
• Enjoy a picnic style lunch and an open bar onboard.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and reef safe sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Lounge about one of the most beautiful beaches on Nassau doing most anything you please for hours on end. This jaunt is named the Express Beach Break because it won’t take long to reach the beach, giving you all the more time to enjoy the tropical setting. Depending on the conditions and the time of day, you will be dropped off on a gorgeous stretch of sand on the preferred beach of choice, Good Man's Bay Beach. There you will spend hours relaxing however you see fit. Stretch out on the beach and bask in the sun, lie in the shade under a coconut palm, stroll along the lengthy shore and take a refreshing swim in the sea. The contrast of the wide white-sand beach and the turquoise waters makes for an idyllic setting that you won’t soon forget.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend hours relaxing on one of Nassau’s most beautiful beaches.
• Do most anything you please as the time is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
• Bask in the sun, lie in shade and stroll the lengthy beach whenever the mood strikes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Kona’s beaches and shopping on a narrated hop-on, hop-off tour. Step aboard and set out on an unforgettable journey along the scenic Kona Coast, the historic playground and birthplace of Hawaiian kings. This seven-mile beach and shopping adventure offers a seamless blend of history, culture and natural beauty, providing the perfect way to explore this iconic destination at your own pace. Relax on golden sands, snorkel in crystal clear waters, and browse local markets. Your tour begins with a live narration by an expert guide, bringing the stories of ancient Hawaii to life as you follow the Ali’i Trail, once walked by the kings of the islands. Along the way, enjoy the freedom to hop on and off the tour bus at seven incredible stops, each showcasing Kona's stunning landscapes, and a diverse array of shopping experiences, from local markets to boutique treasures. Discounts are offered from various vendors when you show your wristband.

Hike through the rainforest in Huleia National Wildlife Refuge to two spectacular waterfalls, where you may swim in the refreshing pools below. The refuge is closed to the public to protect the endangered species, but you will enjoy special access to this natural wonderland. As you follow a descending trail, the guide will describe the lush flora, which may include wild coffee, lobster claw heliconia and hau trees, the branches of which Hawaiians once used to make outrigger floats. Named for its stand of graceful bamboo, Bamboo Falls is the smaller of the cascades, while Papakolea Falls plummets down more than 60 feet. Both are breathtaking. Feel free to swim, stand under the waterfalls for a natural massage or simply relax on the rocky shore and behold nature’s beauty. Later, you will gaze out over Menehune Fish Pond, home to dozens of avian species such as the nēnē, Hawaii’s state bird.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold two little-known waterfalls in Huleia National Wildlife Refuge.
• Swim in the pools below the cascades or simply enjoy the beautiful peaceful settings.
• Learn about the surrounding flora and fauna, much of it indigenous and endangered.
• Admire nearby natural areas such as the Menehune Fish Pond.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.
• Wear water shoes or walking shoes with good traction.

Take an approximately 45-minute boat tour along the tip of this long and desolate peninsula. View pristine beaches, towering rock formations and the famed Los Arcos - a dramatic natural rock that arches out of the sea. A complimentary beverage will be served aboard while you listen to an recorded narration by Jean-Michel Cousteau about the underwater life and fragile ecology of Baja California.

You’ll be escorted to your motorcoach for an approximate 15-minute drive through town to a hand-blown glass workshop to witness artisans, as they create artwork from molten glass. You’ll have an opportunity to purchase items before continuing to a scenic stop for an unforgettable view of Land’s End, its famed arch and your ship at anchor. Here you’ll have ample time to enjoy a complimentary beverage, take pictures or just relax and enjoy the view.

OVERVIEW

Observe the wonders underwater through the completely transparent hull of a boat and then snorkel the crystal-clear waters for another perspective of the marine life. Unlike boats with only see-through bottoms, this one is almost entirely made of clear polycarbonate resin so there is nothing to block your view of life beneath the sea. Even the seating is transparent. Yet the boat is strong and sturdy enough to accommodate an outboard motor so you can easily zip through the water. As you cruise past Paradise Island and nearby Athol and Pearl islands, you will see an ever-changing parade of reef fish before pausing where the snorkeling conditions are ideal. There, you can get an even closer look at the marine life, which may include sea stars, massive Nassau groupers and Queen conch, a hard-shelled icon of the Bahamas. You might even spot playful bottlenose dolphins and graceful sea turtles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the crystal-clear sea in a boat with a hull that is 100% transparent.
• Enjoy an uninterrupted view of the bountiful marine life below the surface.
• Snorkel through waters teeming with schools of colorful fish and sea turtles.
• Cruise past Paradise Island and into the waters off Pearl and Athol islands or Balmoral Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes. Shoes will be removed and stored for the tour.

The Seahawk is another name for the Osprey bird of prey - and this one is our star attraction: 2,975 feet of open air, over the water ziplining fun! With a starting height of over 110 feet - don't worry, you'll take an elevator to get to the top; the 1,429-foot zip provides awesome views of the beach, reefs and surrounding islands help to distract the thought of launching yourself over the edge into the wild blue yonder.

Once you launch, open your eyes! Take in the blue hues of the Bahamian waters and watch for the marine life as you zip over coral reefs descending lower and lower finally landing adjacent to the Silver Cove lagoon.

The return is a includes a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb and for those with the mental and physical stamina try your hand at the 36-foot cargo net climb stationed 40 feet above the ground. Two additional long zips between these obstacles provide additional rushes of adrenaline and some great adventurous bragging rights!

Zip off into the desert and along the sea in a four person all-terrain vehicle, accompanied by a naturalist that will enlighten you on the unusual landscape, flora and fauna.

After departing from the pier, you will follow a scenic route through the strikingly beautiful terrain at the tip of Baja California. The deeper you delve into the stark desert landscape, the more enchanting it will become, especially with your guide pointing out the unusual land formations and elaborating on the most fascinating flora and fauna.

Next, after receiving your safety briefing and signing your waiver, you will zip off into the desert in a 4x4 all-terrain vehicle that’s ideal for negotiating the rugged landscape. As you drive along, you will pass through arid mountains, into deep canyons and follow the sand dunes that protect the beach-blessed coast.

You can expect a remarkably picturesque ride with the occasional stop for your guide to elaborate on the flora. Besides ever-present cacti, a variety of palms dot the landscape, as do damiana shrubs, whose serrated leaves are consumed as tea or infused into margaritas.

Back at the recreational center, tequila tasting will be offered for those of legal age. Afterwards, you will transfer back to the pier.

Drive a Jeep through downtown Nassau and its suburbs, taking in attractions such as the caves where the indigenous Lucayans once lived and then pausing to relax at the beach..

After a short walk from the pier, you will hop into a Jeep Wrangler and hit the open road. There is plenty to see during your time behind the wheel, starting with downtown Nassau, the capital, largest city and cultural hub of the Bahamas..

You will drive through the colorful shopping district on Bay Street and see highlights such as palm-dotted Rawson Square, lovely government buildings such as the Supreme Court and the pink-hued House of Assembly. You will then head west past lovely Cable Beach and on towards the Nassau Caves for a photo stop..

The Lucayans, the original residents of the Bahamas once lived in these caverns. Settlers later used the caves for religious services and the guano inside to fertilize their crops..

You will drive along JFK Drive, which recognizes President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 meeting in Nassau to discuss Polaris, the United Kingdom’s submarine-based nuclear-weapons program. The fabulous and sprawling Baha Mar resort is another Bahamian landmark that you will pass. .

Free time on one of Nassau’s most inviting beaches follows, during which you might stroll along the shore, bask in the sun or simply admire the natural beauty and serenity of the sea. Then after a bountiful lunch at the Bahamian Grill, you will return to the pier..

OVERVIEW

Stroll through the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan and enjoy free time browsing the shops and farmer’s market near Hilo Bay. To reach Liliuokalani Gardens, you will travel down Banyan Drive, a sun-dappled street lined with banyan trees that celebrities such as Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart planted. More botanical treasures await you within the gardens, which is named for Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the many Japanese immigrants that worked Hawaii’s sugarcane fields. While meandering through the serene setting, you will notice that nearly every plant is indigenous. They include species such as the rosy trumpet tree and the towering kukui, the national tree of Hawaii. Afterwards, continue to Wailuku State Park where you’ll find picturesque Rainbow Falls. Watch as water from the Wailuku River plunges 80 feet over the lip of the waterfall to cascade into the pool below, often forming a beautiful rainbow effect. Later, you will independently explore the abundant boutiques, art galleries and marketplaces along the waterfront. There will be plenty of time to dine on your own if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive down a beautifully shaded street lined with banyan trees that celebrities planted.
• Meander through Liliuokalani Gardens, a botanical oasis with mostly indigenous plants.
• View breathtaking Rainbow Falls at Wailuku State Park
• Spend time exploring Hilo’s main shopping and dining district along the bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Go fishing for halibut in Icy Strait, where these giant flatfish are voraciously feeding throughout the summer. Meeting at the dock, you will embark your comfortable cabin cruiser and receive a safety orientation before taking the 20–30-minute ride out to the premier fishing area in Icy Strait. These waters are teeming with halibut as they serve as the main migration corridor for halibut traveling from the Pacific to their summer feeding grounds and spawning streams in southeast Alaska. The largest Pacific flatfish, Alaskan halibut are renowned for their mammoth size. The former state record halibut-a 440-pound whopper-was landed near Hoonah, and catching a 100-pounder in Icy Strait isn't unusual. Imagine the thrill of hooking one of these monster fish and reeling it in from the depths. It's an amazing experience because halibut are longer than most flatfishes with a width one third of their length, so that husky girth produces a lot of resistance. You will spend approximately 2.5 hours on the water, fishing with bait that may include herring, salmon, and octopus, which is one of the halibut's favorite meals. If you catch one, you'll notice that halibut has smooth scales, a light-colored bottom side and a darker top. The colors are a natural camouflage that mimics the hues of the ocean floor and water. Not only are these waters home to halibut, but they are also filled with whales, sea lion, and seals so come prepared with your camera and binoculars. At the conclusion of your fishing time, you will head back to the pier where your tour concludes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for mammoth halibut in an area where 100-pounders are often caught.
• Look for whales, sea lions and seals as you fish.
• Enjoy the comforts of a cabin cruiser with all the tackle and gear provided.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear comfortable flat shoes with non-slip soles.
• Dress warmly in layers..
• Bring waterproof outerwear, as you may be exposed to the elements.
• Come prepared with a camera to document your fish story.