Hawaii Shark Encounters - Thrill of a Lifetime!

Are you looking for an adrenaline rush on your tropical island vacation? Forget about Bungy jumping or Ziplines! We have the ultimate adventure for you!  How about swimming with a shark? Well, swallow your fears and come face to face with one of Hawaii’s most majestic and misunderstood creatures of the deep!

Oahu’s North Shore has a large resident group of Galapagos and Sandbar sharks and Hawaii Shark Encounters visits a site where the sharks naturally occur to observe them. A specially designed shark cage not only protects but has plexiglass windows for a face to face encounter. Sometimes see as many as 30 sharks… and they come very close to the cage!

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I don’t know if it gets better than this. Just getting in is a thrill, when sharks are circling the boat! You enter the floating shark cage from above (directly from the boat) and stay on the surface using a mask and snorkel (provided). Within just a few minutes of being inside the cage I relaxed and felt safe, realizing the sharks could not (nor were they trying to) get in the cage.

No experience is required. The best view is definitely from inside the cage but if going in the water is not for you, you can always stay in the boat and view sharks as they swim on or near the surface with fins slicing through the water.

In addition to being an unbelievable adventure, this is also an educational tour taking you into a world that few can ever experience. Guides offer fascinating facts about shark biology and behavior, about ocean life, conservation issues and about the significance of sharks in Hawaiian culture.

Hawaii Shark Encounters has been seen on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, CNN, Inside Edition, ET, Animal Planet and more! There are so many great reviews for Hawaii Shark Encounters…

“Absolutely Amazing”     ”Don’t be afraid, be amazed”    ”This was on my bucket list”

Boat departs four times daily from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor on Oahu’s North Shore, for the 15 minute journey to the shark grounds (over 3 miles off shore). No rental car? No problem! We can include transfers from Waikiki if needed.

Word to the wise… it is a 32′ boat on the open ocean, and even on a calm day the boat still rocks! Early tour times offer calmer ocean conditions. Also, the water at the shark grounds is over 600 feet deep and you cannot see the bottom.

If you’re looking for THE wildest ride of your life, give the TravelGal a call at 800 644-6659

or email Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

New Zealand - The South Island, Christchurch & Queenstown

The South Island is home to some of New Zealand’s most striking landscapes… perfect for outdoor adventures.

Christchurch, the “Garden City,” is also called the “most English city outside England.” The largest city on the South Island, it is filled with beautiful parks and gardens, through which the Avon River runs. Whale-watching, visiting the International Antarctic Centre, punting on the Avon, hot air ballooning, and wine tasting are some highlights of a visit to Christchurch.

Toward the center of the South Island, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Activities include jetboat rides, garden tours, lake cruises, helicopter flights, bungy jumping, golf, skiing, gondola rides, guided walks, fishing, skydiving, wine tasting, and much more. If there’s any outdoor activity you crave, chances are you can find it in Queenstown! By far the most popular activity is the trip to Milford Sound, including a launch cruise on this stunning fiord.

Dunedin, New Zealand’s oldest city, is located on the southern coast. It is home to Edwardian heritage buildings, museums, galleries, and New Zealand’s first university. The nearby Otago Peninsula is a haven for wildlife, including seals, dolphins, albatross, and penguins.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The Huka Lodge Helicopter Adventure!

Your helicopter awaits on the front lawn of Huka Lodge. From here you will fly along the eastern edge of Lake Taupo towards the majestic Kaimanawa mountain ranges. As you approach, sit back in awe as the alpine scenery unfolds before you. Once your Pilot has set the aircraft down beside the crystal waters of the Rangatiki River, you may take a short walk to one of the many secluded pools which are home to some of New Zealand’s largest Rainbow trout. This is nature at its best!

Re-board your helicopter for the remainder of the flight, which continues west along the Kaimanawas towards Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and the snow-capped peaks and crater lake of Mt Ruapehu. On a clear day visibility exceeds 50km. Descend from the mountains, head towards the Western Bays of Lake Taupo where your pilot will set the aircraft down on a remote rock shelf where a well-appointed motor launch, a sumptuous lunch and a chilled bottle of New Zealand wine awaits you. En route back to Taupo you will have the opportunity to troll for trout or you may wish to try your hand at clay pigeon shooting or swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Taupo. On arrival at the Taupo Boat Harbour, a courtesy vehicle awaits to transfer you back to Huka Lodge. What a day! I’m ready to experience Huka Lodge now! [Read more]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!