Blue Dolphin Charters' Raft & Snorkel Adventure along Kaua'i's Na Pali Coast explores sea caves, coastal bays and shoreline areas with an eye-level view of Kaua'i's marine life. Small groups (four to 12 passengers), flexible sailing times and routes based on passenger requests can be accommodated, said Peggy Sowl, of Blue Dolphin Charters. "The tour also explores parts of Kaua'i's shoreline that larger vessels are unable to reach," she said.

The adventure usually departs Port Allen Harbor at 8 a.m. for a 5›-hour tour of the Na Pali Coast, and includes lunch and snorkeling. The afternoon whale-watching tour, winter only, departs at 1:30 p.m. When ocean swells are too large on Kaua'i's north shore, the raft excursion will offer a picnic

tour of Kaua'i's south side and its several snorkeling bays, including Maha'ulepu and Kipu Kai. $126. 877-511-1311, or 808-335-5553, www.kauaiboats.com.

AIRLINE CHANGES

DELTA, HAWAIIAN HOOKUP MEANS THEY SHARE FREQUENT-FLIER MILES

Delta Air Lines announced that Hawaiian Airlines is its newest partner, meaning you can earn and redeem frequent-flier miles on both airlines. Hawaiian Airlines begins its nonstop service between between Honolulu and Manila in April.

Delta also will follow United Airlines in charging $25 for a second checked bag, to start in May. The charge follows similar moves by United Airlines and US Airways last month as airlines grapple with fuel costs that jumped 68 percent in the past year. First-class travelers and the most-frequent fliers won't be charged the fee, said Betsy Talton, a spokeswoman at Atlanta-based Delta. That policy mirrors exemptions at UAL Corp.'s United and US Airways.

NEBRASKA

WATCH THE GREAT CRANE GATHERING, LIVE ON THE WEB TILL APRIL 6

For six weeks each year, swirling gray masses of sandhill cranes descend on south-central Nebraska, heralding the arrival of spring and the largest gathering of cranes in the world. The Platte River Valley becomes a six-week pit stop from late February to early April for a half-million sandhill cranes journeying north to their Arctic breeding grounds. In addition, several species of waterfowl can be seen, including snow geese, Canada geese, and mallards. The sounds of red-winged blackbirds can be heard over the cacophany of crane calls. Best viewing times: dawn and dusk, central time. www.video.nationalgeographic.com/video/cranecam.