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Body Glove Ocean Adventures puts our guest’s safety first. This is why we recently updated our equipment policy and do not promote the use of full-faced snorkel masks on our snorkel cruises. The research and data on the safety of full-faced masks is relatively new, and there are current concerns regarding their safety and effectiveness. While additional research needs to be done on these popular masks, we are not comfortable allowing the use of them on our vessel, the Kanoa II, at this time.   During snorkeling activity, our bodies require more oxygen and this causes us to breathe faster. The primary concern about full-faced masks is the lack of ventilation they provide. With a full-face mask, some of the exhaled carbon dioxide may not fully exit the device. This extra carbon dioxide can build up in the mask and…

Coral reefs are often considered the ‘canaries of the ocean,’ because they act as an alarm system for our marine environment. In recent years, scientists and concerned citizens have worked together to confront and alleviate some of the negative impacts facing our coral reefs by improving the resiliency of many coral species. Climate change and greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to the threats faced by coral reefs, including rising ocean temperatures, water acidification levels and disease. By reducing these stressors, humans can increase the resiliency of coral reefs and begin the restoration process needed to preserve their delicate habitat. Coral reefs in Hawaiʻi make up approximately 85 percent of all coral reefs in the United States, making Hawaiʻi an important location for restoration and propagation of these important species. With over 5,000 species of plants and animals making their home…

One of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, the Hawaiian monk seal has been in existence for over 15 million years. With less than 1,100 monk seals left on the planet, the excitementover this year’s successful birth of a new pup in Kona, Hawaiʻi is something to celebrate. Last February, Hawaiʻi Island welcomed…

Hawaiʻi Island artist, Eric Franke captures clean, earnest photographs of Hawaiian landscapes and uniquely expressive portraitures. A Kona native, Franke’s work is inspired by his experiences growing up in Hawaiʻi and incorporates his love of adventure and beauty into his artwork. On Friday, March 29 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Body Glove Cruises will…

There’s no better family vacation destination than Hawaii, but sometimes choosing one activity that everyone agrees upon can be challenging. Body Glove Hawaii has just made this decision much easier! The Kanoa II, Body Glove’s award-winning, multi-million-dollar catamaran now offers a new SCUBA option on their popular Dolphin and Snorkel Adventure Cruise. Certified Divers can now enjoy SCUBA diving in Kona’s crystal-clear waters and marine preserves, while snorkelers of all experience levels can explore the island’s pristine underwater sanctuary. Derrick Troch, an experienced dive instructor, has worked for Body Glove for nearly five years and is now leading the SCUBA dives. “We want to cater to the entire family,” said Troch. “It’s not your typical dive boat that is strictly diving. This trip is designed with families in mind, so if you have father and son who scuba dive, but…

On May 23, our Body Glove family said good-bye to one of our own. Denver Leaman worked as a naturalist for Body Glove Cruises for the past 25 years, sharing his extensive knowledge during the winter months for our Whale Watching excursions. His unparalleled talents were like no other. For our guests who knew Denver, and for those who didn’t, we would like to share with you a bit about this exceptional man who will be so greatly missed. Denver was incredibly intelligent and passionate. His dedication, wisdom and contributions to the scientific community were immeasurable. He received numerous recognitions for his work, yet what he will be most remembered for is his generous spirit and kind heart. The Body Glove crew had a game they would play with Denver and the passengers they called, “Stump the Naturalist.” The guests…

Corals and the reefs they build are truly an amazing aspect of the natural world. Corals are not only living things they are actually animals, although they may look like plants. While they are beautiful and incredible to behold, they also serve a variety of invaluable purposes. Coral reefs provide value to both humans and the environment.   What Is a Coral, Exactly? A coral is an animal that is classified as a cnidarian (meaning that is completely symmetrical from every angle). A coral resembles a sac with tentacles, and it has a hole in part of its body that acts as a mouth. The tentacles sting potential food that swims past the coral, grabbing onto the food and transferring it to the coral’s mouth. During the coral’s mating season, coral polyps release sperm and eggs in the water, and ultimately, those sperm…

Mathematicians at the University of Hawaiʻi estimate the Earth holds a total of seven quintillion, five hundred quadrillion grains of sand. How they came up with that number is a mystery to most, but where those grains of sand come from is a bit easier to understand. Poop. That’s right. Hawaiʻi’s beautiful, white sandy beaches contain a significant amount of fish poop. Parrotfish poop to be exact. Parrotfish are responsible for creating up to 85 percent of sand produced on reefs. Also known by their Hawaiian name, uhu, parrotfish don’t have stomachs. After munching on a delicious meal of dead coral, that same coral is broken down into sand before traveling through the long intestine and shooting out the exit door in blast of sand. Although other marine life like oysters and sponges also produce sand, the parrotfish is the…

Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? When it comes to boats, maybe not. Historically, naming boats and other seafaring vessels had very practical purposes. Ensuring you were boarding the correct boat was only one of them. If a boat had its own unique name, passengers and crew would know they were discussing the same voyage. In today’s world, a traveler might most likely tell a friend, “I’m leaving LAX for Kona on Hawaiian Airlines, flight 96.” However, in the days when long distance travel required boarding a vessel, one would say, “I’m setting sail tomorrow on Mayflower.” There’s only one Mayflower and everyone knew where to find it. Visitors to Kailua-Kona can gaze out over Kailua Bay, and recognize our 65 foot long catamaran, The Kanoa II. Kanoa means ‘wild and free,’ a perfect name for…

Shawn Cantor, more affectionately known as “Bruddah Kalima,” shares his musical talent aboard Body Glove’s Historical Sunset dinner cruise every Wednesday through Saturday evening. He first picked up the ukulele at the tender age of eight years and is playing and singing ever since. “My family is very talented, whether it’s playing an instrument or singing,” said Kalima. “Music has always been a part of my family. I started performing at a young age playing at parties with my family members. We’d all get together and sing and jam. I began performing public venues in my early 20’s.” As a young man, Kalima started playing with a band by the name of “Mango.” The five-piece band got together and learned a set of songs, and performed at the Aloha Theater in Kainaliu. “That was my first time playing on a…