Posted on: Sunday, January 6, 2002

Travel
Whale tour options

There are dozens of vessels statewide that provide whale-watch tours. Among operators recommended by travel writers:

Maui:

• Pacific Whale Foundation, nonprofit research organization, knowledgeable guides, inexpensive two-hour tours; (800) 942-5311, (808) 879-8811, pacificwhale.org.

• Maka Kai, recommended by concierge desks for its small, intimate groups; book through Ocean Activities Center, (800) 798-0652 or (808) 879-4485.

• Trilogy Ocean Sports, catamaran sailing, fun staff and everyone raves about the cinnamon rolls); (888) MAUI-800 (628-4800), sailtrilogy.com.

Moloka'i:

• Molokai Charters, on the 42-foot sloop Satan's Doll, (808) 553-5852.

O'ahu:

• Navatek I, a stable SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) for those with queasy stomachs, leaves from Aloha Tower Marketplace, 973-1311, goatlantis.com.

• Dream Cruises (out of Pier 2 at the harbor and Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor), which also has year-round dolphin-watching trips, 592-5200, dreamcruises.com.

• Wild Side Specialty Tours, sailboat cruises with marine biologist and whale researcher as guides, 306-7273, sailhawaii.com.

Kaua'i:

• Liko Kauai Cruises, from Kekaha Small Boat Harbor, (888) SEA-LIKO (732-5456) or (808) 338-0333, liko-kauai.com.

• Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures, (808) 335-6833, captainandys.com.

Big Island:

• Captain Dan McSweeney's Year-Round Whale Watching Adventures, longtime researcher and captain guarantees a sighting year-round of any of five different whale species, (888) 942-5376 or (808) 322-0028, ilovewhales.com.

• Body Glove Cruises, Kona, Greenpeace Hawaii members serve as guides; (800) 551-8911 or (808) 326-7122, bodyglovehawaii.com.

• Aloha Kayak, for the adventurous who want to see whales from sea level; (877) 322-1441 or (808) 322-2868, alohakayak.com.