greenislandfilms
Apr 2019
What a great experience! They like to keep the number of passengers to around a half dozen so this is a much more intimate way to watch the whales and dolphins than in the middle of an army of people in one of those hulking great boats that look like a floating hotel. The Maori Warrior is the perfect size. Big enough to be comfortable -with a galley, a head (thatās a toilet for you landlubbers) and a rear deck furnished with comfy wicker and cushion chairs- but small enough that you feel close to the ocean and to the creatures in it. And Captain Robert seems to have a knack for finding the creatures. We saw a whale and calf the moment we pulled out of Kewalo Basin harbor! We saw them again later and then spent a lot of time in the midst of a pod of perhaps as many as 30 spinner dolphins who played along with us, racing along the bow, diving in front of the boat, spinning in the air and generally having a blast. The crew was fantastic. Captain Robert is friendly and relaxed but very professional (he told us that in his other life he was an accountant!). Heās always on the lookout to avoid the wash from cargo ships or anything else that might rock the boat and make his passengers feel uncomfortable. No one on our trip felt the slightest discomfort. Captain Robert has spent a lot of time in close proximity to whales, so heās a great guide. As for his number two, Nate could not have been more friendly or attentive. He regularly passed around snacks ā fresh pineapple, pastries- and soft drinks or water and constantly made sure his passengers were comfortable and knew where to look when we sighted the whales and dolphins. All in all, a wonderful afternoon. I highly recommend this excursion.