wheelchair excursions in Hawaii

[GeckoRN]

headed to Hawaii with RCCL in September. wondering if anyone has tried any of the wheelchair accessible excursions on the Big Island, in particular the dolphin viewing and snorkel excursion.

 

also wondered if you experienced something really fun or interesting in Hawaii islands (not necessarily ship excursion) that was wheelchair accessible.

 

thanks!

[Insuregal]

headed to Hawaii with RCCL in September. wondering if anyone has tried any of the wheelchair accessible excursions on the Big Island, in particular the dolphin viewing and snorkel excursion.

 

also wondered if you experienced something really fun or interesting in Hawaii islands (not necessarily ship excursion) that was wheelchair accessible.

 

thanks!

 

GeckoRN,

Are you asking about the Dolphin Encounter at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort on the Kona side? Not sure how easy it would be to get a wheelchair into that venue. I cannot speak to its accessibility, but the resort itself has one of the better luaus. Google street view actually has this resort available to virtually walk thru, so you could take a gander at it if you like. Also, the resort website has webcams that provide a live view of activities happening at it. (I don't represent them, just stayed there back in 2003.) :)

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. which has some accessibility. To quote their website: "The Kīlauea Visitor Center, Jaggar Museum, Volcano House, and Volcano Art Center are wheelchair accessible.

 

Pullouts along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road afford panoramic views of the park.

 

Accessible pathways include Waldron Ledge (Earthquake Trail), Devastation Trail, Pauahi Crater, Muliwai a Pele, and Kealakomo Overlook."

 

From what I have read, it seems that the Kona side of the island requires tendering in from the ship. So there may be restrictions for wheelchair access from that perspective.

 

Also loved the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens! This should be drive-able in a wheelchair.

 

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[GeckoRN]

GeckoRN,

Are you asking about the Dolphin Encounter at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort on the Kona side? Not sure how easy it would be to get a wheelchair into that venue. I cannot speak to its accessibility, but the resort itself has one of the better luaus. Google street view actually has this resort available to virtually walk thru, so you could take a gander at it if you like. Also, the resort website has webcams that provide a live view of activities happening at it. (I don't represent them, just stayed there back in 2003.) :)

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. which has some accessibility. To quote their website: "The Kīlauea Visitor Center, Jaggar Museum, Volcano House, and Volcano Art Center are wheelchair accessible.

 

Pullouts along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road afford panoramic views of the park.

 

Accessible pathways include Waldron Ledge (Earthquake Trail), Devastation Trail, Pauahi Crater, Muliwai a Pele, and Kealakomo Overlook."

 

From what I have read, it seems that the Kona side of the island requires tendering in from the ship. So there may be restrictions for wheelchair access from that perspective.

 

Also loved the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens! This should be drive-able in a wheelchair.

 

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

Thanks for all the info. I was actually wondering about the body glove cruise dolphin view and snorkel. Their site and accessible Hawaii both say it's very accessible but was hoping to hear from someone that has actually be on it. But if not maybe the Hilton is the way for us to go. Thanks for the insight on volcanos, very helpful and will add that to our trip.

[STEVE-O]

Thanks for all the info. I was actually wondering about the body glove cruise dolphin view and snorkel. Their site and accessible Hawaii both say it's very accessible but was hoping to hear from someone that has actually be on it. But if not maybe the Hilton is the way for us to go. Thanks for the insight on volcanos, very helpful and will add that to our trip.

 

BodyGlove in Kona has an accessible water craft....The bathrooms were too small for a wheelchair but there is -plenty- of room on the 1st deck.

 

As mentioned....Kona is a tender port. RCCL and Celebrity allow manual, folding wheelchairs on the tenders but not motorized WC's or scooters