Day 3 - A day with the marine life
This morning our group transferred to Lahaina Harbor for our Lana’i Wild Dolphin Snorkel Cruise.
The cruise is operated by the Pacific Whale Foundation aboard a 50-foot smooth-riding catamaran, which departs every morning.
The Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-profit organisation devoted to protecting the ocean environment.
Prior to departure from the wharf, a group photo was taken and we were issued with our snorkeling equipment. The friendly crew then made their way around the boat to serve us breakfast using recyclable plates, serviettes and cups.
Shortly after, we arrived at our first snorkeling destination. The water looked so inviting and it was well worth the snorkel too as we observed a variety of marine life including octopus.
Throughout the cruise, the experienced marine research naturalists on board conducted free information classes for passengers.
We then proceeded to Lana’i for more snorkeling and swimming. On our way, we were met by hundreds of spinner dolphins who put on a show for us as we cheered them on - what an amazing sight!
The spinner dolphins were named for their habit of leaping above the surface of the water and swirling like glistening silver-clad Olympians. We were told that scientists can’t explain why these creatures spin. They are seen almost every day along the south shore of Lana’i and commonly travel in pods, feeding at night and resting during the day.
A delicious BBQ lunch was served on board followed by a spotting of green sea turtles. Passengers learnt that the turtles are referred to as green not for the colour of the algae growing on their backs, but for the colour of their fat tissue that is tinted green from the algae and seagrass that they eat.
We then cruised back to Lahaina Harbor and disembarked at 1.30pm. The group thoroughly enjoyed the entire cruise experience – snorkeling, viewing the dolphins and turtles and the hospitable and informative staff.
And for those who hadn’t seen enough marine life, our next stop was the Maui Ocean Center.
Located at Ma’alaea Harbor Village between Kahului and Lahaina, the $20 million center features a number of indoor and outdoor exhibits including a turtle lagoon, Hammerhead Harbor, Marine Mammal Discovery Center, Living Reef building and a touch pool filled with sea stars, helmet shells and other tide-pool animals.
The walls are fitted with more than 40 aquariums, home to thousands of live corals, eels, reef fish, Hawaiian spotted tobies, hammerhead sharks, hump back whales and the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
In 2006, the Maui Ocean Center was voted Hawaii’s number one family attraction. It is open daily from 9am to 5pm, featuring a souvenir shop and offers plenty of free parking.
Following our fun-filled marine-life day, we proceeded to our accommodation for the evening, the Maui Kama’ole Resort where we enjoyed a pool-side dinner with the delightful staff of the resort who prepared some local Hawaiian dishes for us.
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