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Overview

During this week-long Hawaii yacht cruise, you will see and experience the Maui County group of islands (Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i) and the Big Island from a different perspective than that of a high-end resort or a big cruise ship.  Explore remote coves and shoreline by foot, kayak, paddle boarding, sailboat, mountain bike and motor launch.  The warm, shallow waters provide one of the world’s most important habitats for humpback whales — two-thirds of the North Pacific population migrate to Hawaii each winter for breeding, calving and nursing.

Our flexible itinerary focuses on dipping into hideaway coves and inlets, mostly staying on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands chain (sheltered from the northerly winds and waves). Along the way, experience traditional Hawaiian culture with opportunities to meet the locals on their land and in their homes. Each evening, the yacht sets anchor in a different sheltered harbor or inlet. Our itineraries and small guest contingent have little impact on the islands, and our all-American crew includes Hawaii residents, especially Captains and Expedition Leaders/Naturalists who have personal knowledge of the islands.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Maui

Welcome to Hawaii! You’ll be transferred to the quaint 19th-century whaling village of Lahaina. After dinner onboard the Safari Explorer , join us for a historic walking tour of Lahaina, site of our overnight anchorage.

Day 2: Explorers’ Moloka’i

Located in the middle of the Humpback National Marine Sanctuary between Moloka’i, Lana’i and Maui, this maritime tropical wonderland offers front-row seats to the breeding grounds for humpback whales and other myriad marine wildlife. Early this morning we’ll anchor in Hale ‘o’ Lono Harbor to explore Moloka’i as you like: hike the switchbacks of the Kalaupapa Trail or ride on a surefooted mule (optional); bike around the island; join a local guide for a hike in untouched Mo’omomi Preserve; kayak; and, end your day under the stars onboard the Safari Explorer for a relaxed time to “talk story” with an engaging local guest.

Kalaupapa Peninsula, now a national historic park, boasts the tallest sea cliffs in the world as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records, measuring 3,600 to 3,900 feet. The historic town of Kalaupapa sits 1,700 feet below the trailhead and at the end of a 2.9-mile switchback trail. This special community was once home to Belgian missionary, Father Damien, who watched over the 19th-century isolated colony. Beginning in 1873, this selfless priest gave hope to Hansen’s disease victims who were exiled to this cliff-backed peninsula by developing a village where they could live out their lives. For those who do not wish to descend the trail to the settlement, you can view Kalaupapa Peninsula from the 1,000-foot elevation of Palaau State Park. This 34-acre recreation area offers winding trails among eucalyptus and ironwood trees as well as breathtaking views of the north coast of Moloka’i.

Day 3: Moloka’i – The Traditional Isle

Breakfast brings us to the Kaunakakai dock for a second enriching day to meet the people of Moloka’i and experience their land and traditions as few visitors ever do. Today’s destination is the picture book Halawa Valley. Several hands-on activities await: hike with Lawrence through his land to a private towering waterfall, listening to traditional wisdom along the way; learn about the history and archaeology of this ancient homeland on a guided walk; join Uncle Anakala and his ‘ohana to restore taro terraces and pause for a refreshing brunch; help ready poi for tonight’s Pa’ina (local feast); spend leisure time back in Kaunakakai. Early evening venture to Uncle Herb’s  to watch or lend a hand to net fish with an old-style Hawaiian net by wading waist-high through age-old fishponds. Your catch will be a highlight on tonight’s menu at the festive Pa’ina (luau.) Afterwards, listen to or join in a homestyle Hawaiian music “jam” session. This is genuine Hawaii!

The scenic Halawa Valley on the island’s north coast features many archeological sites that are only accessible via a winding two-lane paved road. The scenic valley is spectacularly revealed from turnouts.  View a sheltered cove, gray sand beach and grasslands bisected by the slow curve of the Halawa Stream. Further up, lush greenery covers the valley flow and lower slopes, and at its end two spectacular waterfalls plunge from its rim. The cultural resources found in the valley represent a more complete picture of the early Hawaiian culture and a classic example of wetland agricultural adaptation. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists to help restore ancient terracing taro fields, a mainstay of old Hawaii livelihood and unique heritage. These taro farms represent so much stirring history and guests are welcomed to work with their hands to help restore the ancient fields to their former manicured and productive state. The Pa’ina on Moloka’i authentically represents Hawaiian luaus since it is not a staged commercial production designed for large groups.

Day 4: Lana’i – The Private Island

On Lana’i, steep rock faces line many protected coves. We’ll cruise by white-sand beaches to Nanahoa Beach where we will anchor close to the ancient volcanic plugs sitting both above and below the water surface. Choose snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, motor launch exploration and other water activities. This afternoon we will be underway again to Manele Bay for more activities: hiking, taking off on a more leisurely nature walk, sailing, swimming, kayaking or enjoying a bike ride on the old roads that criss-cross through what were once pineapple plantations. Along the route, be on the lookout for deer grazing in the fields. For golfers, an (optional) opportunity exists to play either The Challenge at Manele Bay or The Experience at Koele – two challenging and extremely beautiful championship courses.

Optional Golf

Challenge at Manele Bay – Carved out of the rugged coast, The Challenge at Manele Bay sprawls across ancient lava fields, with 180-degree ocean panoramas from every hole. A theater of color unfolds: red cliffs plunging down to blue sea, green fairways engulfing white sand traps and blossoms from fissures in the black lava rock. This was the palette of designer Jack Nicklaus, who shaped the 7,039–yard, par 72 championship course, carefully protecting and preserving the archaeological ruins within its borders.

Teeing off from the cliffs at Hulopoe Bay with the Pacific surging below, you face perhaps the world’s most unforgiving water hazard. The twelfth hole is nothing short of a leap of faith, with 200 yards of churning waves to cross. Other holes demand shots over yawning ravines. Fortunately, the five-tee concept – with courses of shorter yardage mapped in red, white, blue, gold and “Nicklaus” – allows golfers of all levels to emerge unscathed.

The Experience at Koele – Chiseled from the mountains, the front nine holes of The Experience at Koele run through old pineapple fields and deep valley gorges laced with kiawe trees and rare, regal koa. The back nine wind past pine cathedrals and thickets of eucalyptus with untrammeled views of neighboring Maui and Moloka’i rising from the sea, and deliver a staggering finish: a 250-foot drop from the signature seventeenth hole to the deepest ravine on Lana’i.

In designing the 7,014-yard, par 72 championship course, Greg Norman and Ted Robinson sought to conserve as many native plants as possible while creating a battlefield worthy of golf aficionados. As legions of discerning golfers have discovered, playing a round at the Experience at Koele ensures you will take home bragging rights, regardless of your score.

Day 5: Marine Wildlife; East Maui; Molokini – Underwater Paradise

It’s time to be on deck with your Captain and Expedition Leaders/Naturalists to join their trained eyes in searching for whales and marine mammals. This is one of Hawaii’s prime humpback whale locations. Later, as we ease along the leeward coast of Maui, we’ll go ashore and explore secluded beaches and bays – most of which are inaccessible to highway or other travelers. Hike on the Laparuse Trail (King’s Highway) to view ancient Hawaiian ruins. Keep your eyes on the water for dolphins. Golfers can choose to play a round of golf (optional.) Toward the evening hours when dayboats have vacated the area, we’ll anchor off the back side of Molokin’i, an almost submerged crater off the coast of Maui. Here we’ll have the rare opportunity to experience night snorkeling and scuba diving (optional; for certified divers) to view multitudes of fish and even harmless sharks.

Molokini, an uninhabited 23-acre island, is crescent-shaped which provides protection from the waves and ocean currents. The reef has a beautiful underwater sanctuary for more than 250 species of fish and other marine wildlife. With clear views to depths of 150 feet, the sanctuary offers one of the most breathtaking snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.  Doing these activities at night is even more spectacular as the lights from the yacht draw more marine life toward the surface. Back onboard the yacht, relax in the upper deck hot tub or sauna, or perhaps relieve sore muscles with a complimentary massage.

Optional Golf

Makena Golf – Enjoy a peaceful 18-holes of championship golf at the North Course – designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and opened in 1993. In fact, to make it feel more like a nature walk and less like a golf course, even cart paths on the North Course are tucked away and hidden from view. You will have some obstacles to overcome, however. And as an added bonus to save golfers some time looking for lost balls, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed most fairways so that everything slides back towards the center.

Day 6: Coastal Adventures; the Big Island

This morning we approach the Big Island’s southern coast. En route we search for dolphins, whales and even the elusive whale shark. At the edge around Ka Lae (southernmost tip of the United States), we stop at Black Sands Beach. If conditions allow, we’ll look for active lava flows into the ocean. We hug the coast northward, passing by the sacred Place of Refuge, a National Historic Park that once was a sanctuary of Hawaii’s past and now a safe haven for all of the native wildlife living there. Our next stop is Kealakekua Bay. Once anchored, we’ll enjoy a snorkeling excursion in the bay that reveals a diversity of colorful corals, sponges and tropical fishes. Go ashore at the very place where Captain Cook died in battle. Green sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and large barracuda are often found in this area.

Day 7: The Big Island – Historical Sights

We set sail this morning for the Kohala Coast. Along the 40 plus miles of coastline there are long white sand beaches and a host of important historical sights including extensive petroglyph fields. At Kailua-Kona there is an opportunity to join an historic walking tour of the town of Kailua and the gallery-rich village of Holualoa. For those so-inclined an (optional) helicopter tour is available. The aerial tour will travel over the lush tropical landscape to view remote waterfalls, and linger over the bright orange lava flows and steam clouds rising from Kilauea’s caldera. For fishermen, optional deep-sea fishing can be arranged. Back onboard the Safari Explorer , we are underway for Mano Point. Here we’ll enjoy a real treat of snorkeling at night with Great Pacific Manta rays! Before calling it a day, enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail in the salon or Wine Library and share your day’s experiences with your fellow travelers. After your Captain’s Farewell Dinner, retire to the main salon area for a photographic recap of your week’s adventure.

Day 8: Disembarkation Kona, the Big Island

Aloha! As the Safari Explorer docks in the morning north of Kailua-Kona, we’ll transfer you to the Kona International Airport or to your hotel to begin your post cruise extension.

Rates and Dates

All rates are shown in US dollars, per person, double occupancy. Any stateroom (except Single stateroom) may be sold as a single for 175% of double occupancy rate.

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