Now through April 15, 2004, the award-winning Waikoloa Beach is offering one FREE whale-watching cruise per guest room with every stay of five nights or more as part of its Celebration of Whales program. Narration by a marine naturalist and complimentary soft drinks and snacks are included in the cruises, which cost $59 for adults not covered in the Celebration of Whales program and $39 for children. When whales are at their peak in the month of March, guests are guaranteed a sighting or their next whale-watching cruise is free. The cruises are launched directly from the palm-fringed beach fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, a convenience not available at other island resorts. Guests simply walk to the beach and climb aboard one of the sleek luxury catamarans operated by Ocean Sports.
Also available to guests of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott is the new Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center, which is scheduled to open on Saturday, December 6. The grand opening is set to begin at 12:00 noon with a Hawaiian blessing by Daniel Akaka, Jr. Following the blessing, attendees will be invited to sign up, on a space available basis, for one of three free whale search sails that day aboard the Sea Smoke. The day's sails are scheduled for 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm, with limited seating on each sail. Sign up will be accepted at the Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center following the blessing on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center is a partnership between the hotel, the National Marine Whale Sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Ocean Sports. It is located at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott hotel adjacent to the tennis center and is being operated by Ocean Sports. A tour of the Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center is FREE, and it is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm.
The Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center features extraordinary photographic images and video footage of Humpback Whales taken by renowned nature photographers and videographers in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters. Educational materials provided by the National Marine Whale Sanctuary and developed by local marine naturalists provide insight into the underwater world of these magnificent mammals. Visitors may also listen to the latest whale songs through hydrophobic digital recordings.
Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii each winter staying until mid-April. They come to breed, calve, and nurse their young. Approximately 5,000 whales migrate to Hawaii each year. Whale "babies" weigh in at 1.5 tons and are 10-16 feet long. Adult females grow to 45-feet and weigh an average of 45 tons, while the males weigh an average of 42 tons and average 42 feet in length. The whales eat krill, plankton and small fish, however, during their Hawaiian vacation they rarely eat. The whales are extremely active during their stay in Hawaii. The interactions between the male, female, and baby whales often result in incredible displays of breaches, tail-slaps, lunges, fin-slaps, loud singing, and spouting.
In addition to the humpback whales, the Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center will feature displays of other residents of the Pacific Archipelago including the endangered Green Sea Turtle, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, and indigenous species of the Hawaiian island chain, the near-shore coral reef system, plus cultural and historical information.
Throughout the year the Hawaiian Humpback Whale Center will host guest speakers including eminent marine naturalists, environmentalists, researchers, public policy makers, nature photographers, and others who will talk about a wide range of ocean related subjects. Interactive displays and whale and marine artifacts will be added to the center throughout the year as the center expands.
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott, recently named a winner in Travel + Leisure's 2003 World's Best Awards, is surrounded by 17 acres of regal palm trees, flower-filled gardens and dramatic lava fields with ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. Rimmed with historic fishponds, its golden crescent of beach embracing Anaehoomalu Bay was once the playground of Hawaiian royalty.
The "Celebration of Whales" one free cruise offer can be combined with any promotional package or the Marriott Leisure Rate of $189 per night, double, for a garden view room through December 22. From January 1, 2004 the Leisure Rate will be $195. For reservations, see your travel agent, call 888-924-5656 or log onto www.WaikoloaBeachMarriott.com.
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott is owned by Honolulu-based Outrigger Enterprises, Inc. Through a franchise agreement with Marriott International, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts operates the resort under the Marriott brand.
