Swimming with Turtles

[lovebears]

We will be in the ports of Mauii, (Kahului), Honolulu, Kauai,Kona and Hilo. I would like to snorkel with turtles if possible. Would appreciate any ideas for a good tour. Thanks so much!

[CruiserBruce]

From the Ma'alaea Harbor on Maui, there will be Molokini and Turtle City snorkel trips. About 5 hours, usually includes light breakfast and a lunch.

[lovebears]

Is there a particular tour company that is better than others?

[Kartgv]

Turtles are very common in many beach areas in the islands, but no one can guarantee that you'll see or swim with any (just like they can't guarantee you'll see a whale on a whale watch tour). In Kona, you can take the Keauhou Trolley right from the pier or a taxi about 4 miles south to Kahalu'u Beach Park. It's sheltered and shallow, with shade and restrooms, usually food and snorkel gear rental trucks, and there are almost always turtles on or near the rocks along the beach. Just be aware that the turtles are protected by law and you may not touch them or harass them in any way. If you're lucky enough to see one in the water, just swim along at a distance behind it and enjoy the grace and beauty of their movement through the water. This beach can get very crowded on ship days, so go as early as you can.

[lovebears]

Would it make sense to rent a car in Kona to drive to the beach and then are there other sights to see as well? Thanks for the great suggestion!

[Kartgv]

Yes, it does make sense to rent a car in Kona. There's a Dollar rental desk in the King Kamehameha Marriott Hotel right at the pier, but you need to reserve early or won't get a car. There are many posts on this board with lots of ideas of what to see in Kona, but here are just a few. You can drive right down Alii Drive for 5 miles or so, passing several beautiful beaches, some very interesting homes, and great scenery along the way. You could also drive a short distance up to the coffee growing area and tour a coffee farm/roasting center. A little further south is Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, also known as the Place of Refuge. There are frequently turtles basking in the sun there also, though you can't swim in that little bay. You could end your day by driving back to the pier, then about a mile further north to the Kona Brewing Company for a late lunch and a little beer sampling.

[beeandkmon]

If you want an amazing trip I recommend redline rafting company. It is an awesome trip. If you are on the POA you will have to rent a car the first day so you can leave EARLY the second day. Since this trip leaves so early you get ahead of the crowds. We arrived at Molokini and were the only ones there (about 45 minutes later there were over 1,000 people there). We also got to snorkel on the back of Molokini (and go in the elevator- google it, it is awesome!) We then swam in two turtle spots (turtle town and then turtle arches). They only take about 20 people on the boat so it is not crowded. The boat ride is thrilling and they were amazingly friendly. This trip is not for those who don't like adventure but if you do it will be the time of your life!

[Gunner22aa]

I second what CruizerBruce says. We did this as a ships sponsored tour on our last Hawaii trip and liked it so much we are doing it again in April. The crater snorkeling was nice but the stop at turtle town on the way back to port was fantastic. Only about 15 feet of water and there were turtles everywhere including a huge leatherback that I swear was the size of a sheet of plywood. They come there, sit on the bottom and the fish clean the parasites off of them.

[lovebears]

I second what CruizerBruce says. We did this as a ships sponsored tour on our last Hawaii trip and liked it so much we are doing it again in April. The crater snorkeling was nice but the stop at turtle town on the way back to port was fantastic. Only about 15 feet of water and there were turtles everywhere including a huge leatherback that I swear was the size of a sheet of plywood. They come there, sit on the bottom and the fish clean the parasites off of them.

 

What tour company would u recommend?

[Gunner22aa]

I can't remember the name of the tour company we were with. We were on a Princess cruise and it was whom ever they had contracted.