Body Glove Hawaii fits like a charm for Kona Coast ocean activity and sightseeing pleasures

Gorgeous scenery for people aboard Body Glove, popular with locals and tourists alike, here admiring the spectacular Kona coast. Vessels operate a variety of cruises including cultural and sightseeing cruises, snorkeling and dolphin cruises and more.

SUPER YACHT, CATAMARAN FIT LIKE A 'GLOVE' FOR BEAUTIFUL, CULTURAL RIDES UP THE KONA COAST

STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Welcome aboard Body Glove Hawaii for an unforgettable time.

Body Glove Hawaii prides itself in friendly service, which begins with a warm welcome by crew.

Body Glove's newly renovated vessels -- a comfy catamaran and its more adventurous smaller raft -- are tailor made for tourists and locals desiring to explore one of Hawaii's most beautiful corners.

Both music and history are part of the package on a fun dinner cruise

IF YOU HAVE wanted to take a boat trip up the gorgeous Kona coast, now's the time.

This young passenger was moved by the scenery to dance and sing.

Two different boats -- each graceful and comfortable -- await you. You choose depending on whether you're in the mood for snorkeling, whale and dolphin watching, or a luxury dinner cruise with cocktails, history commentary, live music and a tasty meal.

Body Glove's new catamaran is a perfect Hawaiian coastal pleasure boat, for entertainment, scenery viewing, relaxing with the breeze and a beverage, and communing with nature.  The smaller "super raft" is sleek, more intimate and built for moving quickly through the waters.

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers have enjoyed Body Glove several times, here on her exciting "super raft" trip.

Body Glove's varied itineraries and its pair of distinctive vessels offer adventurous snorkel and scenic tours, wildlife viewing and dinner cruising and just plain relaxing while enjoying some of the Pacific's most attractive shoreline and wildlife activity.

With Body Glove Hawaii families and kids of all ages will enjoy flotation and water toys on day trips, snorkeling with all the gear, whale and dolphin spotting.

Toward evening, adults love the sunset and dinner cruises, relaxing evening options with cocktails and food served by an attentive staff while you view the spectacular coastline.

A delicious dinner cruise meal is included with some Body Glove offerings. Your choices might include tender beef, veggies and mashed potatoes, satisfying and tasty.

Body Glove's two-story, 65-foot motor yacht is a sparkling, handsome addition to Kona's Honokohau Harbor. You'll see it awaiting as you approach to board. 

Next to it is Body Glove's "super raft," which we've enjoyed, too.  It's a pleasant experience, attracting couples and adventure seekers, a small group who enjoy being close to the water.  We recommend you try both -- they're so different.

 WE ACTUALLY expected we'd be jostled a bit on the "super raft" but we were perfectly comfortable. Yes, we did have a few bumps on the ride back to Kona from the Captain Cook's monument. But it was part of the fun.

Sun is setting while evening begins and passengers enjoy a lovely return to Kona Harbor on a newly renovated catamaran.

Body Glove's crew, captain and entertainment make the tour. The outfit hires top people who understand the importance of Hawaii's famous "aloha" or welcoming spirit.

The service and specialists are tops. Wildlife guides, musicians and trained historians are lively and well informed.

On either boat, the crew goes beyond the call to be helpful and courteous, pointing out places to watch or helping spot manta rays, whales and dolphins.

Snorkeling at Captain Cook Monument is breath taking

Body Glove tour boat is spacious and comfortable

We've had great times on every Body Glove experience -- from a rewarding whale watch to lovely dinner cruise and, super yacht outings and sunset and rainbow adventures.

Look closely and you'll see Pele looking back at you in the coastal rock formations.

ON THIS  recent trip, we enjoyed tasty veggie appetizers, drinks and dinner  on our journey up the coast. We heard tales of early explorers and the native peoples' struggle to sustain their culture through the challenging missionary years. 

A tour highlight: seeing Pele herself in an unusual rock formation.  According to Hawaiian mythology, the revered goddess of fire lives in the volcano on the Big Island.

The guide points to her face, visible in the sea cliff. We could picture a woman lying on her side with long, wild red hair and fierce, piercing eyes. It's Pele, Hawaiians believe, keeping us in line.

More information related to this story: bodyglovehawaii.com

www.whereiscookie.com

Coming in future whereiscookie.com stories: We head for the whales -- both off the California coast and the shores of Hawaii. Grey whales and humpbacks are our focus as they enjoy warmer waters,give birth and teach the ocean's ways to their calves before returning to their northern homes.

ON TAP: Visit our site often for new adventures. Look for tips on hot Vegas shows and an inside peek of The Sphere. We take you inside New York's Guggenheim Museum explaining why the structure itself is a work of art. We celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66 and move with the whales in Southern California.