I want to send out a Big Mahalo to all of the “Sea Riders” who have gone out on our Whale Watching excursions this year! So Far, we have had a remarkable season and some amazing encounters! Several sightings of Entangled and distressed or deceased Humpbacks as well, So I want you to know that you have also contributed to Whale Research when you go out on our 2 Hour PM Excursions!

We also sponsor Outreach for the children of Kaua’I and help various non-profit organizations who could not contribute monetarily.

This season we have 3 NOAA Teacher Workshops with Jean Souza and volunteers from the Kaua’I Marine Sanctuary.

We also comp a teenage Hawaiian Mentorship program and Hale Opio ( )

Whale Watching Fund Raiser for “Surf Haiti” a great, non-profit organization that helps with getting Clean Water to the community there, still suffering from the Earthquake.

I have been blessed with the vessel and the location— to be able to give back is amazing in this economy and without Your support that wouldn’t be possible!

Thankyou from Captain Tara and Crew @ Kaua’I Sea Riders!

NOAA Teacher Workshop Jan/2012

Have just retrieved my shirt from the dash of your experienced and venerable “Jimmy” pickup.

Thank you for hanging onto it for me…more importantly, thank you from Sheila and myself for the most spiritual and uplifting experience of our Kauai visit.  We hope to someday go with you again to see the whales.  Till then we leave the beautiful monsters in your caring and capable hands.

Mahalo nui loa.

Roger & Sheila

Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings/PMRF

In the Hawaiian Islands, Green Sea Turtles have made a great comeback in the past few decades. On our Snorkel charters, it still amazes me to see the sheer number of animals we are blessed to swim with everyday. As a Marine Biologist, I am then overwhelmed that I have lived long enough to see female sea turtles come back to the major Hawaiian Islands to nest. Here on Kaua’i we can boast more turtle nests than anywhere in the state!
This fall season it has been recorded that 19 Kaua’i beaches (360 degrees around the island) have had successful sea turtle nests. Although the true tally of live turtle hatchlings has not been published, the 2011 estimate is 500-1,000!
This increase is very encouraging, yet only a few hatchlings per nest will survive to adulthood.

Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute

Turtle tracks-Polihale

Female often come ashore to nest, several times in a season, but will wait 2 or 3 years to nest again. Green Sea Turtles nest at night and dig a “body pit” with rear flippers She will deposit approximately 100 eggs into this flask shaped egg cavity. The female will cover the nest with sand and head back to the sea. That is the end of her parental involvement.

The incubation period is 2 months.

Turtles use a specialized egg-tooth called a caruncle to break free of their shell and then use teamwork to climb to the surface. The journey to the ocean is when the turtle hatchlings become affected by environmental hazards. Vehicle tracks and marine debris are some of the physical threats caused by humans, but by far the lights on a beach will disorient and misdirect the young turtles and prevent them from reaching the sea.  Predators, such as sea birds, octopus and  fish, will await the turtle luau. These surviving hatchlings truly learn to swim quickly and frantically into open ocean using amazing instincts and magnetic orientation!

When we encounter drift nets and plastic on our Sea Rider Charters, I always hope that there are Frog Fish in the flotsam.  This Sargasso Fish is not one we would see otherwise on the Hawaiian Reef and we have an opportunity to view one of the most unusual critters of the ocean AND save marine life from entanglement!

Under the Waterfall

Kaua’i Sea Riders offers a discount rate for teenagers for the summer Na Pali Charters.

As a Mom of 3 I realize that traveling with the entourage can be stressful and expensive! In our normal busy lives it is hard to get everyone on the same page. So when you are visiting the Hawaiian Islands in summer with the family, check out Kaua’i's Na Pali Coast by Zodiac with Captain Tara and crew! This adventure on the ocean will surely get your kids to smile!

The above photo is of Bree, a recent High School graduate, who was lovin’ this vacation with her Mom (Melissa), Dad (Joe) and siblings Dean and Miranda.

Due to rising fuel costs, we will have to raise our rates after June 30, 2011 – so take advantage of our spring special of $125 for adults ; $115 for Teens (ages 13-18) and $105 for children (5 – 12). We love  families and know this NaPali Coast tour will be a cherished memory that will last you and your family a lifetime!  Group rates and Private charters are also available.

We depart from Kikiaola Boat Harbor in Waimea; a shorter distance than from other harbors and as a result we spend more time exploring and snorkeling on the remote Na Pali Coast.

Experience this spectacular shoreline, sea caves, waterfalls and exotic sea life from our 24′ foot Zodiac “Hurricane” known for it’s safe and smooth ride.   And of course, don’t forget that our “3 Hour Tour” – our popular South Shore Kauai Snorkel tour is available year-round, for those who want to spend more time in the water snorkeling than on the boat traveling to the NaPali Coast.

My boyfriend Ryan and I went on one of your tours the week of Feb. 14th this year.  I have been on many whale watches and this one surpassed them all.  Having an experienced marine biologist guide makes a world of difference.  You are extremely knowledgeable and your passion for whales is infectious.

If your goal is to experience whales up close and personal then this is the Kauai whale watching tour to go on.

I hope you are doing well and I look forward to seeing you again next year!  Thank you for such an incredible experience!

Steve and I want to thank you again for taking us and our family last week out on your boat.  (I am the one who got so sick.  But I really appreciate your kindness.)  Everyone else had a great time!  We made memories we will never forget.

I really love how you took the time to teach us and fit us with our masks and gear.  And then got in the water to help Lizzy and I snorkel.  You made me much more comfortable in the water.  Now I just need to get my nausea under control!  Then I will think about going pro.

We are serious about taking you to dinner and a tour of Salt Lake if you decide to come and see your son.  We would love to see you again.

Thank your crew for us too.  You really run a class act!

Jennifer Reich
Utah

My wife Sarah and I want to thank you for a wonderful trip on your boat on our march 2nd morning trip to see the whales, dolphins, fish and the sea turtles. It was very much a highlight of our trip to the island!

We will definitely recommend your trip to anyone interested in having a great day on the water, seeing all of the sea life. When we return to the island, we will book another trip with you.   Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion about the sea.

Marty and Sarah Quast

Pilot Whales/ Koa Kai Survey "Mark Cotter" U Mass.

This photo is of  mother and calf  Short-finned Pilot Whales, taken off of Lana’i. Kaua’i Sea Riders charters were left in the capable hands of Captain Rob and Crew Nick! I was fortunate to have a great opportunity as a Field Biologist on the 90′ vessel “Au’kele” as a Marine Mammal Observer. We covered a large area of ocean in the southern part of the Hawaiian Islands, including the sea mounts west of the Big Island. Basically the survey was conducted to locate as many marine mammals as possible and to quantify and observe behavior and collect data on rare odonticae (toothed whales) including the extremely endangered pseudorca (false killer whales)
The survey was for HDR Consulting and the U.S. Navy. Great group of scientists from all over the country, with various experience and backgrounds. I have been busy with Sea Riders, my kids  and coral reef , monk seal research, so it was the first time in many years that I have been able to do this type of shipboard research. It was awesome to spend time with peers in the field of Marine Biology and pick their brains about the whales, dolphins and seals they have experienced throughout the world.
At the same time sharing Hawai’i and applying stewardship, science and technology. I learned so much- Mahalo to all who made this survey possible!