The time for catching fish has finally returned, and the Ono’s are loving our lures! This past Friday morning got really exciting on the Four Winds II, right as we were about to pull into Molokini Crater! There’s nothing that get’s the heart racing quite like the sound of the clicker and someone saying, “FISH ON”! The crew immediately put one of the passengers on the pole to help reel it in, and sure enough it was at least a 15lb fish. After a few minutes of action and furry, we finally got everything settled and made ready to get in the water.. After all, we are a snorkel trip! It was a great morning in Molokini Crater with the visibility well over 100 ft.! Everyone had seemed to have all the snorkeling they wanted after about 2 hours, so we pulled out to show them the backside of the Crater. Wouldn’t you know it, not even half way around I looked over at the reel, and it was going crazy! Could it be two fish in one day? The crew member that set the line had accidentally forgotten to set the clicker so we didn’t even know it was on! We grabbed another passenger to take on the next Ono. It was a mission to bring it in because it was so far back, so I ended up hand lining it the last 50 yards. The second one was even bigger then the first, at least 20lbs! BEAUTIFUL!
Ono is an absolutely delicious white fish with a little bit of a sweet flavor, and a nice firm texture. Definitely order it next time you hear it as a special!
We are now at the “tail” end of whale season, and what a season it has been?!? The numbers increase every year, making 2009/2010 the best year yet. It’s was a tremendous season, like whale soup out in Maalaea Bay! We still get a glimpse of the late bloomers, but it’s more like right place right time to see them. We’ve been hit by a cold front over the past week, making it a little breezy out there. Not that it stops the newborn whales from getting their exercise for the trip North! They are collectively on their way back up to Alaska to their feeding waters. It’s always a bit sad to see them go, but I suppose we can give them a break. After all, how would you like not eating for over a month? Have no fear, just a few summer months and then they will be back in full force. They are absolutely magnificent creatures, and Maui is so lucky to have them as guests for over 5 months of the year!
Glass Bottom Viewing Room aboard Four Winds II
My family had such a great trip on the Four Winds II in Maui (March 3 morning trip). I just wanted to say thank you for the friendly, great, wonderful crew and the awesome Capt. John. The Captain went out of his way to show everyone the whales which was totally incredible despite the very windy and rough conditions.
Our two year old son and his grandparents, who did not go in the water, had lots of fun watching the fish and the people snorkeling from the glassbottom. Even though they don’t snorkel the experience was totally wonderful and they would go again.
Thanks!! or as you say in Hawaii “Mahalo”,
Serena Childs
As we bring in the year 2010, the Hawaiin Islands also bring in the Humpback Whales, and boy are they bringing in a show! Their seems to be more whales then previous years already and they are all about ”showning their stuff”. The other day on the Maui Magic, we had 2 juvenile whales breaching like crazy. It was as if they were doing their morning excersises and wanted us to join in! After about 10 minutes we finally just had to leave to make sure we got our passengers some snorkeling time. While snorkeling in Molokini, or any snorkel spot for that matter, if you dive down even a few feet you can hear the whales singing and making their noises. The passengers that go for the SNUBA option really get a treat as they are serenaded throughout their entire dive! The new year has also graced us with some amazing weather. Sunny skies and 80 degree temps spoil us everyday….sorry you poor midwesterners! Get out of the snow drifts and get out here to Maui!
Our wonderful Hawaiian Humpback Whales have returned to Maalaea Bay, and all the folks enjoying our snorkel trips are now enjoying some whale watching as well. Both of our excursions, the Maui Magic, and the Four Winds II, keep their trips pretty much the same throughout the whale season. The difference is that we get to see the whales while en-route. It may take us a tad bit longer to to our destinations, (Molokini, La Perouse, Turtle Town, Turtle Arches, etc.), but it’s well worth it to see the whales in action. The whales visit us from Alaska during the winter months to give birth and mate. In no time at all, we’ll have baby whales breaching and tail slapping to get their strength up for the big trip back up north! For the real whale action you want to be here somewhere between mid-January to mid-March, but even now we are getting some pretty spectacular shows! There is nothing quite like seeing a 45 ton animal leap out of the water…I love whale season!
Isn’t it wonderful when you come across someone that is so intoxicating, you can’t help but be as happy as they are? I came across just this person the other day on the Four Winds. 
She was a little blonde haired girl name Corinn. Her smile and laughter was so infectious, she had the entire boat wrapped around her finger after just a few minutes. At age 7, this was her first time snorkeling and she was ecstatic about the challenge. She was the first one off the boat with her mom and dad in tow. They could hardly believe their eyes as she took to it immediately . 
You could hear her laughter and screams of excitement through the snorkel, again making everyone laugh along with her. After about 45 minutes she was worn out, so she jumped on the boat for a bite to eat. She ate her hot dog as she played 50 fish questions with the crew and in no time at all was ready for round 2. This time she decided that since she was so good at snorkeling, that it was safe to bring her baby doll “Bell” out to give it a go. After about 10 minutes she realized that poor Bell filled up with water so she had to come back to the boat. Have no fear, Corrine assured me that she saw lots of fish in the 10 minutes! By the end of the trip I was getting the best bear hugs I have ever received along with a promise that our little friend Corinn was coming back to visit. I sure hope so! 
One of the common questions we get is about Maui’s slow season….is there one? As a matter of fact, we are in it! Our passengers are enjoying both low numbers on the boats and less boats in Molokini Crater! Other slower parts of the year include September, early May (everyone is waiting for summer vacation) and early December (after Thanksgiving and before Christmas). These three times of year are a really great time to visit Maui. Hotels and airlines are usually throwing out some great deals, and all of the activities are available on pretty much any day you choose! Temperatures stay about the same through the whole year and the snorkeling is fantastic year around, so off season is the perfect time to relax in paradise!
“I can’t swim” is a very common comment we get on the Four Winds II, and even though we are a snorkel excursion, we say “NO PROBLEM”. You actually don’t have to be able to swim to snorkel and we had a wonderful family prove that yesterday on or afternoon snorkel to Coral Gardens. After getting the $100 question followed by 10 more, the family was ready to give it a try. Dad was first in the water with wet suit, flotation belt, and boogie board. After a anxious start, he calmed down and started to get the hang of it. The 10 year old son was in next and he took to it immediately! After 5 minutes he had let go of the boogie board and was screaming with excitement through his snorkel! It’s not unusual for kids to get used to it faster then the adults…they aren’t as aware of there mortality and don’t let their brain get in the way, if you know what I mean! Next was the 3 year old. Dad was still a little shaky, so big brother took her around on a sea board and they had the time of their lives. In fact, we had a very hard time getting them out of the water so they could get something to eat!
If you don’t know how to swim, all you need to do to snorkel is get some guidance from the crew and have the guts to try. We do a snorkel class before you go in, we have all the flotation you could possibly need, and you will get personal assistance into the water. If you are REALLY nervous, just let one of our crew know and they will gladly get in the water with you to help get you on your way. Once you realize how easy it is, you most likely won’t want to get out of the water!
It’s been a great summer so far, and with it coming to a close, we’ve had a lot of families taking advantage of our beautiful island of Maui before school starts up again. One particular family spotted my blog and decided to come check us out. (I kind of feel famous!) I know the kids, Jillian and Sammy, had a great time! They helped the captain drive on the way out to Molokini, were practicully fish in the water snorkeling around, took full advantage of the slide, devoured the bbq lunch, and of course helped us find some turtles on the way back. It’s so fun being a part of a family vacation and enhancing their experience!
We’ve had so many beautiful days over the past couple of weeks,even with the hurricanes looming to the south of us…we are so very fortunate! I can’t help but think about the fact that it is ALREADY August and our summer is nearly gone. The whales will be back in the Hawaiian Islands in a blink of an eye, and we will be staring at them in awe just like every time the visit us! We are so spoiled aren’t we?
Now here’s a tip all you wanting to get away from the daily grind…September is a fantastic time to travel to Maui! The weather is great, and you will most definitely enjoy small crowds throughout all the activities, restaruants, beaches, and resorts! You can also find some real steals on airline prices so get booking!
Rachel called to book her reservation on the Four Winds and asked me about SNUBA. She said she was scared to death, but so badly wanted to try it. I explained to her how the system worked and how easy it was to do! (for more info. see our website) The part that made her feel better was that you only have to go down as far as you want to. You can stay on the surface and hold on to the raft until your ready then start to descend to 20 ft. or you don’t have to descend at all! It just so happened, that she booked her families Molokini snorkel trip on the Four Winds II, the same day I was working. I was able to give the SNUBA instructor a heads up on her apprehension so he could give her the confidence to go through with it. I knew how badly she wanted to try, and I didn’t want her to talk herself out of it! I checked on her a couple of times as they were listening to the class, and I half to admit, I thought she was not going for it. The look on her face was complete and utter terror! After the class I hunted her down and pulled her aside to see what she thought… to my surprise she was still in! I gave her a quick “ata girl” hug and was on my way to help the snorkelers get in at Molokini Crater. The next time I saw her she was glowing! She gave me a play by play of the dive, telling me how wonderful and patient the instructor was, and that she had the absolute time of her life! She couldn’t even believe how easy the experience was and that after the first few minutes she wasn’t even thinking about how scared she had been. She was too busy taking pictures of all the fish, urchins, eels and more. She said they even spotted an octopus! Seeing these people go through these transformations is an experience so satisfying and exhilarating, it makes me hope that I can do this for a very long time!