Kayak in Maui

November 25, 2009 by  
Filed under Maui

Scuba divers observing fish and coral

Image via Wikipedia

Kayaking is a rewarding experience and great way to see all of those hidden or hard to get to natural beauties in Maui. There you can find flying fish, dolphins, and the occasional monk seal while on you kayaking adventures. During the winter months, you may even be lucky to see some humpback whales off the Maui coastline.

Maui offers pleasant, warm weather perfect for kayaking, and many of the great places to kayak are also great for snorkeling and scuba diving. If you are new to kayaking, there are numerous kayaking tours that you can take to explore all that the island has to offer.

If you kayak on your own or with your own group, there are some places you may want to check out, but not that some places are more dangerous that others and be aware of your own skill level and what environments you are capable of safely kayaking in. Also remember the usually safety practices, wear a lifejacket, wear sunscreen, as well as your snorkeling gear if you wish to explore the water below.

If you are a beginner kayaker, some places with easy access, calm winds, and low currents include Kapalua Bay, Black Rock, Olowalu Beach, Ulua and Mokapu Beaches, Holoa Point, and Ahihi Bay.

LaPerouse Bay, Papalaua Beach, and Airport Beach have slight higher currents and more exposed entry points.

Advanced kayakers can explore the North Coast of Maui, which has much stronger winds and currents, but breathtaking scenery with views of waterfalls, off-shore islets, and beautiful campsites.

Some of the most highly sought Oahu real estate

September 28, 2009 by  
Filed under Real Estate

Ko'olau Mountain range, Oahu, Hawaii

Some of the most highly sought Oahu real estate listings

are located in the Nuuanu Pali region of Oahu. Nuuanu Pali is a portion of the windward cliff of the Koolau Mountain Range and is popular for its panoramic views of the windward coast of Oahu. The lush green forest and brush that covers the area has been a hindrance to developers who have left the area alone for many years. Now that some portions of the Pali are being built on, many of the properties are quite spacious and feature breathtaking views of the green valleys and spectacular ridges that form the Pali’s intriguing backdrop.

The Nuuanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout that is located above the tunnels of the Pali Highway.

As part of a natural wind tunnel, the attraction is quite popular with visitors and residents alike because of the gusty winds and beautiful views. Although most Nuuanu Pali homes are on the windward side of Oahu, homeowners can quickly commute into downtown Honolulu to shop or work thanks to the Pali Highway that cuts its way from the windward side directly to Nuuanu Valley and the downtown business district. Historically, the Nuuanu Pali was the site of several battles in ancient Hawaii, most notably the battle where King Kamehameha the Great conquered the island of Oahu to bring together the entire island chain under his rule.

Kayaking While In Hawaii

September 23, 2009 by  
Filed under Water Sports

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Kauai Snorkeling Turtles 1
Image by Mr.Thomas via Flickr

The crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the soothing waters of local island rivers are ideal for kayakers of all skill levels. Whether a first-time or veteran kayaker, the memories of a kayaking adventure will serve as the cherry on the top of a superb and memorable Hawaii vacation.

Kayaking allows paddlers to reach secluded snorkeling areas, to swim alongside some of Hawaii’s most rare wildlife, and even catch glimpses of humpback whales and spinner dolphins that grace the coastal waters of several islands. In essence, kayaking provides a sound basis for seeing the natural beauty of Hawaii.

Not only does the landscape seem like it has popped out of a postcard, kayakers find that the calm waters make for relatively easy paddling. The protective reef of Kailua Bay allows for safe kayaking and a chance to venture to the beautiful Mokulua islands off of Lanikai Beach. On warm summer weekends, it’s not uncommon to see dozens of kayaks bobbing up and down in the waters off of Kailua Beach and Lanikai.