AboutLena DeMarco Expertise Questions about luxury hotels, mid-range hotels, water activities, luaus, land excursions, beaches. I prefer Off the Beaten Path Itineraries. I am a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist by the Travel Institute. I used to work for the luxury division of Expedia and travel to Hawaii 2 times per year.
Experience I am a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist by the Travel Institute. I used to work for the luxury division of Expedia and travel to Hawaii 2 times per year.
Question Hello, my family will be travelling to Hawaii mid-march early April. The children are 9 & 7. I've been searching online for safe excursions during my 2nd trimester of pregnancy. I would love for us to do whale watching. Do you know which tour operators will accept me onboard. The other tours we are interested in are: snorkelling, submarine ride, haleakala. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Answer Hello Nadia,
I would call Kai Kanani in South Maui to see if they have any pregnancy restrictions. I recently took their Molokini snorkel and I feel that it is tame enough for children in the age ranges you mention. They also offer an excellent Whale watching excursion. The only thing to consider with this outfit is that they dock and disembark from the beach at the Maui Prince Hotel. This could be auspicious for two reasons: 1. getting in an out of the boat is not as easy as on dry land (but it really isn't that difficult either). Second, the location of the disembarkation is pretty far away from Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili. If you arent staying in the Wailea/ Makena area, then expect an hour long drive to and from.
Atlantis submarines out of Lahaina is your best bet (I belive your only bet, too) for a submarine ride. I belive they do not pose any pregnancy restrictions, but your children must be at least 36" tall. If they aren't, a good alternative would be the Maui Ocean Center. They offer an amazing aquarium experience!
For Haleakala -- everyone goes to see the sunrise. it can get crowded. I say go to see the sunset. It is awesome, and nowhere nearly as crowded. Only catch is that I do not know of any tours that go up there at sunset, so you will have to drive yourself (I assume you are renting a car -- a MUST for Maui). I have always driven myself when going up there and I recommend the same things to my clients. There are a number of tour companies that will take you there for sunrise - I just don't have a personal recommendation if you aren't going to ride a bike down (and i don't think you can being pregnant and with small children).
