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We started our adventure on the Star of Honolulu Whale Watch at the historic Aloha Tower Marketplace. If you drive there yourself it's only about a twenty minute drive from Waikiki. Parking is available for a fee ($2 on weekends or hourly fees during the week) or they offer a convenient shuttle bus service from Waikiki for $8 round trip. As we boarded we were greeted with aloha's by Captain Frank and the crew, and were shown to our deck where ship photographers took our picture and then we were led to our table. As we waited to depart we enjoyed a plentiful all you can eat continental buffet for breakfast with croissants, muffins, buns, island fruit danishes, fresh fruits, coffee, tea, and juices.

As we headed out of the harbor we went up to the observation deck to see if we could spot some Humpback whales. After just a few minutes underway the captain announced to the ship that a large pod of spinner dolphins were spotted heading toward us!

Wild dolphins swimming along side our boat as we cruise the Oahu coastline on the Star of Honolulu Whale Watch Cruise

The dolphins were swimming along popping out of the water like normally expected dolphin behavior but when they got into the wake of the boat they came leaping, spinning, and flipping out of the water! These dolphins are common to Hawaiian waters and are not trained animals or escaped performers. This behavior is just their nature. They certainly earned the name Spinner Dolphins! Check out these impressive acrobatic stunts!

Wow! What a show! They were close to the Star of Honolulu for only a few short moments as we were going out and they were coming in, but we could see them swimming and flipping in the harbor for about twenty minutes!

Soon after the spinner dolphins had moved out of sight we saw two Humpback Whales, presumedly a mother and calf because one was pretty small (about 2000lbs). The Humpbacks migrate from Alaska to Hawaii each year to mate and to give birth. Humpbacks can breed every two years and have a 11-12 month gestation period. The whales we spotted were just hanging out with their dorsal fins sticking out of the water. About five minutes later they tipped down with their tails wagging out of the water and slapped the surface as they dove deep. The ship stopped so we could all watch for more. As we waited for more sightings we got to learn more about the humpbacks through an informative and interesting audio presentation that was broadcast throughout the ship. In the indoor dining area there was also a large screen TV playing a video to accompany the audio presentation. We did see the pair a bit later on but they were much further away. The whales had been traveling in our direction but turned away while they were underwater.

That was the only whale sighting we had but the fun wasn't over yet. On board the ship there was lei making and palm frond weaving going on. A member of the cruise staff showed us what to do. We even learned how to weave little fishes out of palm fronds. The staff on the Star of Honolulu was genuinely friendly and went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time.

Breakfast Buffet	Lunch Buffet

After cruising the Waikiki coastline for a few hours we headed towards Pearl Harbor. As we made our way down the Honolulu coastline the audio/video presentation began to tell us about Hawaiian history and culture as well as the history of the Honolulu area. While we enjoyed the delicious all you can eat buffet lunch of BBQ beef, chicken curry, and cold cut sandwich fixin's, we relaxed in the air conditioned dining area and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Once in Pearl Harbor the audio/video presentation focused on the history of what happened at the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. As we cruised the harbor we got a fantastic view of the USS Missouri, a.k.a. the Mighty Mo. The photo above does not do justice to the awesome size of this battleship. In the photo you can't even tell the deck is filled with people or how enormous the deck cannons are. The Mighty Mo was at Pearl Harbor on the day Japan attacked The United  States of America in Hawaii and has returned in its' retirement as a floating museum. Japan signed the surrender treaty ending W.W.II aboard this ship. The USS Missouri was a participant in all the major US conflicts from W.W.II to Desert Storm. We also got an excellent view of the USS Arizona Memorial which is directly above the sunken USS Arizona. When it was sunk in the attack, the Arizona was filled with crewmen, 2,300 American soldiers died. The Arizona Memorial is a tribute to them as well as a place people can pay there respects.

As we departed Pearl Harbor we sought refuge from the hot sun in the air conditioned dining area where there was a hula show just beginning. The dancers did an nice variety of hula dances as well as utilized traditional hula instruments like uli uli (a feathered gourd rattle), ipu (gourd drum), ili ili (rock castanets), and pu' ili (split bamboo sticks shown above).

We were very impressed at how friendly and enthusiastic the staff was, from the photographers to the hula dancers. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. If you start feeling sea sick don't hesitate to tell one of the staff. They have ginger tablets available which works wonders for an upset stomach. The cruise lasted a total of almost 4 hours. We had a fantastic time and definitely recommend this whale watching cruise! Whales start to arrive around the islands as early as November and can be seen as late as May. Whale sightings are guaranteed on the Star of Honolulu whale watch  cruise between January 1-April 30 or you can take the cruise again for FREE!

For reservations for this deluxe whale watching cruise contact the Star of Honolulu at 808 983-7827. Be sure you tell them A Friend in the Islands at www.alohafriends.com referred you! We enjoyed the cruise as we described above for $37.55 plus tax/$25.33 plus tax without the 2 meals. Children's rates are half of the adult rate. They also offer a cruise combo package for $73.27 plus tax including the Deluxe Whale Watch Cruise and the Star Dinner Cruise. To read our review of the Star Dinner Cruise click here!

PLEASE NOTE: Prices for island activities featured within our site are NOT guaranteed. Since we are not affiliated with any of the activity providers we are not notified if services or prices change. You will need to contact the activity provider directly for a current price quote and for availability information.