Hanauma Bay Dive Tours Photo and Video Blog

Swimming with dolphins in Hawaii!

2009-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Aloha,

A friend of mine has a swim with dolphins tour. Sometimes I like to out on his tour and swim with dolphins. It is a lot of fun. I took these photos a while back. I have not been out in a while. I think I will again soon and take some new photos.

Imagine this: You're in the water, with a mask and snorkel, surrounded by Spinner Dolphins as they go about their everyday activities. Watch them swimming or playing and if your lucky, maybe they'll do a spin for you!
Novice snorkelers.... No Problems.
Your professional guide will instruct you, giving advice and pointing out dolphin behavior. (Snorkeling and safety gear provided) Getting Wet with the dolphins is an event that is certain to make your day, if not your entire vacation!
Spinner dolphins are the most common cetacean found around the Hawaiian Islands. They average 6 feet (2 m) in length and 175 pounds (80 kg). Pod size ranges between 10-100 individuals. Spinners travel far offshore at night to their feeding grounds and return close to shore each morning to rest. Rest behavior is characterized by swimming in tight groups, surfacing synchronously to breathe and gliding along the sandy bottom in a "carpet" formation. Aerial activity, such as spins, head and tail slappings, increases as they "awaken" during the late morning hours and through the afternoon.
Cetacean Swim Guidelines
It is our hope that these suggestions will help to protect Hawaii's dolphins from unintentional harm.
1) Let the dolphins approach you. Maintain a quiet, relaxed manner when swimming among or near them. Avoid separating dolphins from the pod at large. 2) Swim with your hands by your sides. Chasing after, reaching for, or touching the dolphins will frighten or startle them, and they will move away. Be as quiet as possible when moving through the water. 3) Leave foreign objects aboard, such as rope, plastics, or playtoys. Dolphins prefer to find and play with leaves and other organic debris. Follow their lead. 4) Trust in nature's food supply. To attempt to feed wild dolphins would be harmful to their health needs as well as their social behaviors and it is illegal. 5) Be sensitive to dolphin behaviors. If they are in a state of rest or traveling, please respect that they may choose not to interact with you. Honor their habitat. 6.) Be considerate. Watch out for other swimmers, allowing them adequate space for an intimate encounter. 7) Be cautious approaching the dolphins. Watch for swimmers. When near the dolphins, go slowly, quietly and with focused attention so as not to disturb or change their course or behaviors. 8.) Avoid sudden actions or noise. Erratic changes in speed, direction, or sound can confuse or startle dolphins.9.) Avoid diving down with dolphins. Dolphins play out a cat-and-mouse game with their predators everyday of their life. In the unlikely event that a predator does charge a dolphin you do not want to be close to them underwater. Your guides on the boat will explain.

Swim with Dolphin Adventure

3 hour Swim with Dolphin Adventure: Adult - $115.00 plus tax. Children (4 -12 years old) - $85.00 plus tax. Hotel pick up...9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Leaves boat harbor...11:00 a.m. Returns to Waikiki... 3:30 p.m. Limited to 22 passengers. Our boat has a capacity for 30 guests, for our excursion we limit the number to 22 guests, this limit and the fact that the dolphins are more playful during mornings gives a better opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Playtime and photo opportunities with the dolphins (30-40 minutes). Snorkeling among some of the most pristine reefs, teeming with colorful fish and inquisitive Hawaii Green Sea Turtles (30 - 45 minutes weather permitting). Excursion duration on the water 3 hours. This tour operates seven days a week. Includes: Fresh tropical juices, bottled water, tropical fruits, yogurt, cheese and granola bars.

Things we reccommend for you to bring along....Swimsuit, towel, Cameras (including video), lots and lots of film, sunscreen, light clothing for coverup and a small bottle of water. Gear included with your excursion; Snorkeling gear, flotation tube, Baja Bags (for dry storage), raingear (rarely needed) and all safety equipment is provided. Please note that the boat ride is very dry therefore cameras and video equipment will be safe and are very welcome onboard.

What does "Hanauma" mean?

2009-09-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Aloha,

There is a wall mural at the Hanauma Bay entrance. It is made of tiles and shows some of the marine life at Hanauma Bay. Hanauma has several meanings in Hawaiian. One meaning is curved shape which describes the bay.

Another meaning is arm wrestling, which is why the artist made some coral in the picture looking like arm wrestling. If you look at the water underneath the arms wrestling, you can see it is in the shape of a map of Oahu. Hanauma Bay is located on the south shore on the map. There is the Hawaii Trigger Fish pointing to Hanauma Bay. The Hawaii Trigger Fish is called Humuhumunukunukuapua'a in Hawaiian. It is a tongue twister.

I took this photo today of the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a today. The water was murky today. Winter time is the best time to taker photos at Hanauma Bay.

I took this photo of a parrot fish today. The male parrotfish is one of my favorite fish to photograph. It is very colorful. It is also a tasty fish. I had two tours today. We spent most of the time in the inner reef. At the very end, we went outside the reef and one customer got sick from the waves and through up. We then came back inside. She was okay when we got out of the water. Some people get motion sickness in the water easily. We did not see any turtles.

In the afternoon, we went t the outer reef and saw four turtles. Nobody got sick even though it was a little choppy. There were five people in the morning tour who had never been snorkeling. In the afternoon there were only two people and they had experience snorkeling. I enjoy working at Hanauma Bay. Everyday I take new people snorkeling from all over the world and the ocean conditions change everyday. I still find new things in the ocean that I have not seen. The first time I went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was thirty years ago. It has changed a lot.

Aloha!

Hawaii North Shore's Pupukea Beach (Shark's Cove)

2009-09-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hanauma Bay is not the only Marine Life Conservation District teeming with fish, coral and shells in Hawaii. There is an 80-acre beach park on the North Shore called "Sharks Cove". They do not have sharks there. They say the shape of the cove resembles a sharks mouth. I sometimes take people snorkeling and scuba diving there in the summer. There are big waves there in the winter and it is dangerous to go in the water. There are some nice caverns and lava tubes out side the cove on the right side.

Since Monday was Labor Day, I had four days off. I decided to go to the North Shore with a friend. We stopped off at Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill for some shrimp and at Turtle Bay resort for a few drinks.

There is a shrimp farm on the North Shore and many places selling shrimp plate lunches.

The waiter there new me from Hanauma Bay. He lives on the North Shore and works as a Lifeguard at Hanauma Bay once a week. I did not know that he worked there. I would not want to drive from the North Shore to Hanauma Bay. It is the opposite side of the island and probably takes an hour and a half to drive.

It was nice to relax in the country and enjoy the scenery. Tomorrow I will be back at work at Hanauma Bay.

Senator Obama at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

2009-09-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Aloha!

Hanauma Bay is closed every week on Tuesday. The park takes care of maintenance such as cutting the grass, fixing broken toilets and showers. They do however let famous people in to the park on Tuesdays.
I have not seen many famous people at Hanauma Bay, since I go there only on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I did see Robin William's and his family and President Obama at Hanauma Bay. Not at the same time. Senator Obama came to Hanauma Bay on Thursday August 14, 2008. At first I thought why Senator Obama did not come on a Tuesday and have the beach alone for himself and his family. Then I remembered that he was running for President and wanted publicity.

I arrived at the bay before he was there. I was met by the Secret Service as I pulled my van up to the loading zone. They wanted to know how long I was going to park there and informed me Senator Obama was arriving soon and wanted to keep the loading zone open. I told them I would park my van soon.

I saw Obama arrive and my first thought was to start taking photos of him. However, I felt it was not appropriate since no one else was taking photos. I watched as he was greeted by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and other Hawaii VIP's.

His group boarded the trolley bus and rode to the bottom. Obama and his group stood in line to rent snorkel gear from the concession there. Now everyone was taking pictures. I decided not to take any pictures. Later his family set up on the grass area near the information booth.

The HanaumaBay Park manager who is also a scuba instructor taught the Obama family how to snorkel and took them on a tour in the water. I wish that I could had taken him to the outer reef and taken some video of him in the water. They stayed in the inner reef and had a life guard on a surfboard with them keeping people away from them.

I am glad that Senator Obama became President. It is nice to have someone from Hawaii in The White House.

This labor day I will go Salsa dancing Hawaii Bachata Meet Up Group
and go to a barbecue at the beach. Do you like to barbecue?

Hanauma Bay From Above

2009-09-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Aloha,
One of the best ways to see Hawaii and Hanauma Bay is by helicopter. I have been in a helicopter a few times, but I prefer being on the ground and in the water. Today I took 5 people snorkeling in the afternoon. There was a family of three with a eight year old son from Texas and a couple from California. They had never snorkeled before. We stayed in the inner reef and saw a turtle and some parrot fish. They had a good time.
On the way back to Waikiki, I talked to the couple from California. The guy was a professional on-line poker player. He told me about his job. He said he was successful at it. We had an interesting conversation. I don't like to gamble because I hate to loose. We do have gambling in Hawaii, so many people go to Las Vegas. Viva Las Vegas!

This is a photo I took today at Hanauma Bay. Have you been to Hanauma Bay? Have you been in a helicopter?

J-Wave Interview and Manta Ray at Hanauma Bay

2009-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Aloha,
Today, I took four people snorkeling at Hanauma in the morning. There was a mother and daughter from Ontario, Canada and a mother and son from Yokohama, Japan. It was everyones first time snorkeling. They had a good time. The water was a little rough, which is normal for summer. It was low tide and we stayed in the inner reef.
The 14 year old son told me that he saw an octopus. He was very happy. I did not see it. I like to see Octopus more than turtles because I see turtles all the time. I do not see Octopuses very much. Perhaps it its because I like to eat them. Octopus is called "Tako" in Japan and in Hawaii. I like tako poke, tako with vinegar and tako yaki. Taki is one of my favorite foods. I also like ika (squid) and maguro (tuna).
Last month I was interviewed by a Japanese radio station. They wanted to know about my perspective of Hanauma Bay. I gave them some photos that I took at Hanauma Bay for their website and told them about our snorkel tour. I studied Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii and I lived in Japan for seven months. My Japanese is fairly good, but I was still nervous about the interview. I think it went well.
I have only seen Mantas at Hanauma Bay about eight times over the last 20 years. I took this photo and video last year. I have seen spotted Eagle Rays often. It is amazing watching them glide through the water.

Have you seen a Manta Ray? Do you like to eat sushi and sashimi?

Hanauma Bay's Toilet Bowl

2009-09-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Aloha,

Many people ask me where the Toilet Bowl is and what is it.

The Toilet Bowl has been described as a natural spa that gently rises and falls with the tide. However, in reality it is a hole that fills up when waves rush in through an underground tunnel and empties when water flushes out through the tunnel. In rough surf the force is very strong and sucks people into the tunnel and bangs them up. Many people have been hurt there and some people have died.

It is closed now, which makes the lifeguards happy because they had to run down there often and rescue people and bandage them up. The Toilet Bowl is located to the far left of the bay around the corner. It can not be seen from the beach.

These photos I took on a calm day when it was safe and fun to use. Did you have a chance to go to the Toilet Bowl? What was your experience?

Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour

2009-09-01T23:32:00.001-07:00

Hanauma Bay Guided Snorkel Tour!

www.hanaumabaydivetours.com

I have been fortunate to work as a scuba instructor and snorkel instructor at Hanauma Bay. Guided snorkel tours are not for everyone, but it has been fun teaching people from all over the world to snorkel who have never been in an ocean and taking experienced snorkelers to some of the best spots in the bay. If you are planning on coming to Hawaii please take a look at our website. If you have any questions about Hanauma Bay or snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii, let me know. Mahalo (thank you).

Snorkeling is one of the favorite activities visitors do while in Hawaii and Hanauma Bay is a destination everyone wants to go to. Our tour includes high quality sanitized dry snorkel equipment, safety snorkeling vests, beach mats, bottled water, snacks, lock box and roundtrip transportation from all Waikiki hotels. Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is safe and appropriate for all ages and experience levels.

Hanauma Bay Snorkel Tour: Adults and Children: $59.00. Hotel pick up times: 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Return time 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This tour consists of small groups. One instructor for five students maximum.

*No need to wait in line on our guided Snorkel Tour. All snorkel equipment, Waikiki transportation, Hanauma Bay tram fare and drinks and snacks are included. This tour includes instruction in the water by a scuba instructor/life guard and a tour to the best snorkeling spots in Hanauma Bay. Hawaii State tax of 4.72% and $7.50 entrance fee is not included. Snorkel Tour is not offered on Tuesdays, weekends and Hawaii State Holidays.

http://www.hanaumabaydivetours.com

Aloha!