Hawaii Nautical offers best boating from whale watching to snorkeling, fabulous sunset sails and more in pampering comfort and safety

STORY By Christene Meyers

PHOTOS By Bruce Keller

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Blue sky and billowing clouds invite Hawaii Nautical passengers to a beautiful catamaran in Honolulu.

If you’re in Hawaii and haven't gotten on a boat yet, you're missing something spectacular.

We're Hawaii regulars and spent two days of our latest trip with a favorite family run company, Hawaii Nautical.

It operates on three Hawaiian islands -- Maui, Oahu and the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Each island and several harbors offer stunning choices of ocean pleasures -- from turtle and whale watching to snorkeling, sunset and dinner sails.

Celebrating our 25th visit to the islands, we focused on Honolulu. We let Hawaii Nautical, Waikiki and the great Pacific cast its spell on us, joining dozens of other global travelers.

Sun, sports, comfort and marine life

It's difficult to beat Hawaii for water sports and sunshine.

Hawaii Nautical's catamarans are conveniently located and offer large, spacious room for fun.

Add to the mix, a sleek and comfy fleet with beautiful catamarans and more, and an appealing slate of choices -- snorkeling, whale watching, sunset cruises, what's your pleasure? They're all guaranteed to entertain, engage and make you want to book another outing. Hawaii Nautical knows what it's doing and lets you do it all, too, on a variety of vessels and offerings to suit your preference and adventure threshold.

A three-generation family outing with the Ganner family of Redwood City. That's little Peny in the background.

We recommend Hawaii Nautical for its sense of fun, which comes with a safety oriented protocol in each of its varied offerings. Great care is given to making sure you're comfortable and have sufficient beverages while enjoying, a pleasant commentary. State of the art equipment is on board and first and foremost, the crew makes sure you are safe.

Hawaii’s largest family-operated ocean activities provider has a handsome fleet of vessels serving many harbors across the three islands it serves. Each setting is unique. On both the Big Island and Oahu, we took three generations out for a dinner cruise. At Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, the boat came right up to us on our resort's private beach, just a few minutes walk from our hotel room.

Diamond Head is a sight to behold any time, but especially cloaked in a rainbow after a tropical rain.

Hawaii Nautical Finds Whales

First, as you board, you'll be greeted by an enthusiastic, friendly and helpful crew.

Their cordial welcome prepares for fun and instantaneous aloha spirit. It’s like sailing with hip pals who know where whales hang out and where to find the best snorkeling coves.

A humpback breaches to the excitement of passengers aboard Hawaii Nautical.

On this recent trip, we took both a whale watching excursion and the sunset catamaran cruise which offers spectacular views of Diamond Head. Within a few minutes, we were away from the crowds and traffic with the wind in our hair and cocktails in hand. The humpbacks were waiting -- and we weren't disappointed.

We like to visit in winter for the whales, with peak season into March, and some still around now. So right now is a good time to book a hotel for next year. Humpbacks, called kohala in Hawaiian, are still being seen because from November to May they migrate from Alaska to warmer, shallow waters of Hawaii. There they mate, give birth and nurse their calves. We were thrilled to see the tail slaps and breaches as they leaped in the water.

Aboard Hawaii Nautical catamaran, before passengers embark, the crew readies the ship

Snorkeling Time!

Snorkeling, however, is prime time right now. We're just entering the best period for this favorite Hawaii sport -- starting now and extending through September when the waters are calmer and visibility is better. Snorkeling can be enjoyed year-round. We've taken the clan to spot great fish in winter months, too.

The outfit's boats stop in pristine spots, and they provide all the gear you need. When I dare to snorkel -- a stretch because I am always a bit scared -- the crew is right there.

They helped us all navigate the ocean's gigantic aquarium. Our family saw green sea turtles (honu) and many tropical fish.

Why Hawaii Nautical?

A stroll to the boat is fun with Hawaii Nautical, here on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of three Hawaiian Islands where the family run business operates, offering many activities -- snorkeling to whale watching and sunset sails.

While there are many boat tours out there, we like the friendly, family run, personalized touches which are a tradition with Hawaii Nautical.

We've taken many excursions with them and never feel crowded or rushed. The boats are beautifully designed and spacious, and the crew makes sure we see marine life while treating the ocean with respect -- even cautioning to use only reef-safe sun screen. Bravo.

If you’re in Hawaii for a few days, consider booking a trip or two with Hawaii Nautical. Whether you're a dolphin or whale watcher, or prefer a leisurely sunset cruise with island snacks and sips, you'll be captivated by the aloha spirit, contagious once you step aboard. We've taken many ocean adventures and offer this as unsolicited praise for a well run operation that shows its pride in beautiful islands while sharing their wonders with us.

More information or to book: hawaiinautical.com/

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers on a stroll in central Kyoto, framed by one of many temples.

UP NEXT: Japan. From the snow-dusted peaks of the Japanese Alps to the steam rising from a bowl of ramen in a lantern-lit alley, we invite readers to share a journey through a land where tradition and modernity dance in perfect harmony. From food tours and temples, to tea ceremonies, bonsai, museums and rafting adventures, we share the many facets of this intriguing country. Come join us for sushi, emerald valleys and gracious people, whose politeness is as natural as the country's beloved cherry blossoms.

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