Kealakeua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour January 10th, 2012 Whale encounter!!

by Genaro and Jenny
(Los Angeles, CA)

This was our first trip to the big island and we love to snorkel so we spent much of it looking for the best spots, we had heard about Kealakekua Bay and wanted to try it out, did some research and Aloha Kayak was highly recommended so we gave it a shot.

Our guide John was great gave us a little history a little fun and a small taste of his every day life on the island he was a really good guide helping us get in the water at the tricky entry point but he made it seem so easy.

Made it across the bay snorkeling at captain cook was clear as clear can be John gave us ample warning for things to avoid and everyone made it through unscathed. Towards the end of snorkeling John told us he had seen whales within the bay all got in our boats and started to paddle back, the scene was perfect.

Deep blue waters, sun setting, blue skies and no one around about half way back we could see whales again swimming in the bay coming up for breaths every few minutes about 500 yards away, John told us to stop paddling and we just waited, again the whales came up and we could feel their presence getting closer and closer, now 200 yards away. 5 minutes later they came up again about 20 yards from one of our boats, we were so close you could hear their deep breath and see the barnacles on their back. My wife and I paralyzed in fear and excitement, we had thought of doing a whale watching tour but it wouldn't get any better than this.

Our kayak tour was the highlight of the trip hands down, we got it all, dolphins, snorkeling, and whales!! Well worth the trip and a great and professional guide in John, we will be telling this story for a long time!!