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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 3, 2010

Holoholo

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Atlantis' Whale Watch Lunch Cruise guarantees "See a whale or sail again for free!"

Photo courtesy Atlantis Navatek Cruises

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Skyline Eco-Adventures on Maui offers two zipline courses: the Haleakalä Skyline Tour and the Kaanapali Skyline Adventure.

The Haleakalä Skyline Tour takes guests over gulches and through the trees along the slopes of Haleakalä. Set on the way to Haleakalä National Park, this two-hour family-friendly tour combines a short hike through a forest, an "Indiana Jones"-style swinging bridge, and five progressively longer ziplines, including the final zip, which is one of the fastest in the U.S., reaching speeds of up to 40 mph. Cost: $95 plus tax.

In West Maui, the Kaanapali Skyline Adventure is set above Käanapali Beach Resort. The four-hour tour features eight lines — the longest at more than 1,000 feet — and traverses the valleys of Mount Kahalawai with panoramic views. The adventure takes riders over streams and waterfalls for views of West Maui from a 1,000-foot overlook where the neighboring islands of Länai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe are visible. Cost is $149.95 plus tax. www.zipline.com, 808-878-8400.

WHALE WATCHING: Atlantis Navatek Cruises has launched its Whale Watch Lunch Cruise to spot humpback whales enjoying Hawaii's waters in winter. It's a 2›-hour cruise along East Oahu's coastline backed by Atlantis' guarantee, "See a whale or sail again for free!"

Lunch is a buffet with complimentary sodas, coffee and tea.

Navatek I carries guests along the scenic coastline beyond Waikíkí Beach and Diamond Head crater toward Koko Head.

An onboard naturalist helps guests search for humpbacks while providing insightful comments about their behavior and characteristics. If the naturalist does not see a humpback during the cruise, all guests are offered a complimentary return whale watch cruise (with lunch available for an added fee).

Atlantis' Whale Watch Lunch Cruise departs noon daily from Pier 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu Harbor through April 11.

$69 for adults, $35 ages 2-12, and includes the lunch buffet and roundtrip ground transportation from Waikíkí. Bookings online receive a 10 percent discount. www.atlantissubmarines.com.

HIKING ADVENTURE: Hawaii Forest & Trail's Twilight Volcano Adventure takes guests on a journey through Hawaii Island's ecosystems and climate zones before experiencing an erupting volcano. Easy to moderate; ages 8 and older recommended.

Tour includes deli-style lunch with soft drinks, juice and bottled water. Also, beverages, snacks, bottled water, hot cocoa and cookies. Dinner is served family style at a Pähoa restaurant.

Length of tour: 12 hours roundtrip, departs from Hawaii Forest & Trail Headquarters, and Waikoloa Queen's Marketplace.

Cost: Adult: $179, plus tax. Group size limited to 12 guests. Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. Sometimes cool, wet or muddy conditions are encountered. Comfortable walking shoes, long pants, and a light jacket are required.

Resort pickups and lava viewing at the ocean entry are included. www.hawaii-forest.com, 800-464-1993.

SHERATON SPECIALS: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa rates begin at $199 with breakfast for two and guaranteed upgrade to partial ocean view. www.SheratonKeauhou.com.

FREE MASSAGE: Champagne Cove in Kapoho offers a free one-hour massage on site with any four-day booking. Champagne Cove can accommodate two to 12 people. Rates start at $115 per room per night. http://bigislandvacationrentals.com/champagnecovemain.

OCEANVIEW B&B: Bougainvillea Bed & Breakfast in Oceanview offers a fifth night free with four nights, through March 2010. Rates start at $89 per double, $79 per single. www.bougainvilleabedandbreakfast.com, 808-929-7089, 800-688-1763.