…get yourself in an outrigger as fast as you can. 
I couldn’t wait to do it. Here’s our guide, Kane, getting our outrigger ready to go. All I was missing was the flower lei on my head and a sea shell calling horn.
We took off and paddled our way to a black beach.
Kane was explaining the wild life and starting talking about sea urchins. He proceeded to wander out and take a few sea urchins off the rocks and was explaining how some of these are a delicacy.
He then offered for us to try it. I kindly declined…but my husband…um, well…
Here is Kane’s face after the hubby downed this delicacy.
And then he muttered “I didn’t think he’d do it”….Rut Roh! Have I mentioned before that my husband has an extremely sensitive stomach?!
We then got back in the outrigger and paddled out to sea again so we could do some snorkeling.
We buoyed up to a spot that Kane called the “cleaning station” and proceeded to explain that the sea turtles come to this spot to let the fish nibble on them and clean the algae off their backs…isn’t nature a wonderful process?
The sea turtles were everywhere.
We then paddled back to shore. Experiences like this are a little bit of heaven to me ~ it was an incredible adventure.
Such gorgeous under the sea photos! Kona is amazing!
Thank you, Vic!
What a privilage you had to witness nature at work, and then to capture it as well… how envious I am… thanks for sharing…
It was a great day and so much fun to see the turtles.
Incredible. Beautiful. Heavenly!
Thanks, John.
Wow! So cool! Love the sea turtles and love all the photos. I’m terrified of getting my camera near water.
Hilarious your husband ate that. Ha!
I know what you mean about the camera. These were taken with a very inexpensive water camera we have.
What an amazing experience! You are so lucky to witness Hawaii’s natural beauty! Love that photo of the outrigger, so vibrant against the black sand. And those turtles! I just wanna touch them!
Yes, I loved the contrast of the yellow and black. The beaches are amazing with the white sand, green sand and black sand. Such beautiful diversity.
Wonderful photos. When I lived in Hawaii I raced outrigger canoes for one season. It was so much fun. It looks like opihi that your husband was eating. A big delicacy in Hawaii. Very expensive to buy because its so dangerous to get them. Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Love the photos. I’m so glad you got to see the sea turtles.
Maralee that is so cool about being on the outrigger team. I really enjoyed it. And yes, opihi is the name, I couldn’t remember it. Kane was saying that it was actually even against the law to take them if they aren’t a certain size.
Loving your photos – so want to be at the beach/water right now:) Happy Monday – Enjoy!
Thanks Renee. Yes, I know that you are prone to the beach like I am.
It sure looks incredible! Love the contrast between the yellow outrigger and the black beach. And the shots of the sea turtles are wonderful.
Yes, I loved that contrast. The black beach was beautiful and the sea turtles were a treat.
Looks like an amazing time!
It really was!
Beautiful photos. Makes me homesick!
I certainly didn’t want to leave. That was one of those vacations that flew by so fast.
You know, the photos of the boat are very much Susanesque (I.e., fabulous) but then I came to the turtles and find them absolutely spectacular. Would you be okay with one of them being the background on this animal-lover’s Pc?
I like that..Susanesque!
And yes, of course you can use whatever you want. The sea turtles were great. And by the way….we did try to sign up for a night time snorkel with the mantarays but it’s such a popular trip that several different companies were booked through the week. I REALLY wanted to do it and post a picture for you! Next time.
Let me just say now that when you first spoke of your trip, I went to, essentially, a Kona visitors bureau website – it was there that mention was made of swimming with rays. Sea turtles are a marvelous fill-in, by the way. Anyway – yes, next time!
Apparently Travel & Leisure magazine state that it’s one of those thing you have to do before you die…so I guess everyone decided to do it. I’ll admit, there was an element of fear there, but I would have done it.
Aw, the turtles especially are adorable!
The really are! Thanks
Oh, the yellows are absolutely stunning! And the turtles and the beach…love every one of them Susan!
Wow, I agree those photos of the black sand and yellow canoes are stellar!!!! Way to experience the local cuisine, Tommy Boy!!! We have to do the manta ray night dive next time…have you talked Vicki into sneaking you back in her luggage in October?? haha! Xoxo
If this isn’t paradise, it’s close! Makes me want to get out there on that outrigger myself. I’d pass on the sea urchin though.