The Body Glove Hawaii Blog

Ah, Hawai`i. For a 65-foot catamaran like me, there’s no better place to call home. I spend my days skimming across the surf, basking in the bright sunshine and carrying excited people to some of the prettiest places imaginable. Everyone aboard has a great time seeing all the beautiful wildlife that live near Hawai`i, from playful dolphins to curious schools of brilliant fish and gorgeous coral. If I had to pick, though, I’d say that my favorite time of year is whale season! When Is Whale Season? Every year, humpback whales make an astonishing journey of over 3,500 miles to visit the warm waters around Hawai`i. This is the perfect place for them to breed, calve and nurse their young. The whales like to use Hawai`i as a winter retreat before continuing on their journey, and the best time to…

As a guest, you’ll hear a lot about the multitude of climates that exist throughout the Big Island of Hawai`i.  I think it’s safe to say that, as locals, we’re all pretty impressed with our island’s diversity. But the number of climate zones you hear about varies depending on the person you’re talking to. What’s up with that? Here’s the scoop: out of the five climate zones that exist in the world, four of them are represented right here on the Big Island. What are the different climate zones? There are five major climate zones in the world. Here’s the breakdown: ·       Humid Tropical Climate ·       Dry (Arid and Semi-Arid) Climate ·       Temperate Climate ·       Continental (Cold) Climate ·       Polar Climate On the Big Island, the only climate zone that is not represented is the Continental (Cold) Climate, the one most of our guests are…

It’s the law: no person is allowed to intentionally get within 50 feet of a dolphin. This law means that we are not allowed to feed or swim with the dolphins. Doing so interrupts their natural behavior.  This includes their hunting, sleeping, breeding and nursing and can even drive dolphins to leave their usual territory in favor of quieter waters. So why are there so many companies in Kailua-Kona, HI that promise an opportunity to swim with dolphins? The answer is simple: our state simply does not have enough money to enforce the federal law. Dolphins in the Public Eye In recent years, documentary films like “Blackfish” and “The Cove” have brought the rights of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) to the forefront of people’s minds. Increasingly, keeping dolphins in captivity in places like entertainment parks and aquariums is seen as inhumane,…

Hawaii is a beautiful place both to live and to vacation. Those who visit this island paradise are wowed by the many amazing natural wonders, ranging from volcanoes to animal life. In fact, many species of both plants and animals are native to Hawaii, and can only be found in the state. Read on for more information about the unique sea life that’s found only in this tropical utopia. Hawaii is home to thousands of different species of fish, and as many as 50% of the fish that are found in Hawaii are found nowhere else   in the world. These fish are known as endemic Hawaiian fishes, meaning that they’re only found in the waters around the Hawaiian islands. Some of the amazing endemic fishes that you might be able to catch a peek of when snorkeling or scuba diving through one of…

Dolphins capture our interest like almost no other creature in the world. Their unique characteristics make them the personal favorite of people of all cultures.  They captivate and awe-inspire with their intelligence and playfulness. If you are so enamored, here are some neat dolphin facts for you to enjoy! Not Just Ocean Animals While most people believe dolphins to be creatures of the sea alone, there are also four species of dolphin in the world that are freshwater dwellers, all living in the rivers of South America and Asia. While these dolphins are much smaller than their saltwater counterparts—only growing to a length of about eight feet—they are unmistakably dolphins. Killer Whales Another common misconception is that the killer whale, or the orca, is, well, a whale. However, the killer whale is actually a type of dolphin, and the most powerful…

Historically Rich With winter officially behind us and spring working its way into full bloom, it is once again time to plan your summer getaway. Your family could take a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the museums and see the nation’s capitol, or head overseas for the chance to be steeped in Europe’s historical sites. If you’re interested in taking a vacation where you can learn some history, there’s no need to go all the way to Europe. Hawai’i has a unique history all its own, a gorgeous tropical landscape, a friendly culture, and you don’t need a passport to get there. The Settlers How many of the United States can claim they were once ruled by a king? Hawaii was once its own kingdom, complete with its own culture, its own cuisine, and its own style. The belt…

Whale Season 2014 This year’s humpback whale season here in Kailua Kona, HI was nothing short of epic.  Our first Whale Watching Adventure took place on December 13th, and over 100 trips later we are just catching our breath.  Our captains located whales on all but three of those 100+ adventures.  That’s an A+ success rate, and with so many whales spotted we were able to capture some incredible videos from our vessel.  You can check them out by clicking this link and perusing our posts at www.facebook.com/bodyglovehawaii. About the Whale Watching Excursion Our Whale Watching Excursion in Kona runs for 2.5 hours.  Light snacks and refreshments are offered, but don’t let them distract you.  All of our guests and crew participate in the search for whales, and the most vigilant eyes spot the first spout, pectoral fin, or fluke! Though we…

Over 8000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to the shores of the Hawaiian Islands each year, and Body Glove Cruises can get you a front row seat!  Here are some fun facts about these fascinating creatures: Fact #1: Not All Whales Have Teeth Out of the eighty-four species of whales, each species can be separated into one of two types: baleen whales or toothed whales. As the name implies, toothed whales have teeth. This helps them to tear meat and capture food. Dolphins (a group that includes Orcas) are the largest group of toothed cetacean mammals. The largest species of toothed whale is the cachalot, or sperm whale. Baleen whales, on the other hand, are without teeth. Instead, these whales have a type of filter that’s built into their mouths to help separate water from food (a process called “filter feeding”). The humpback whale…