Want to experience one of those days you treasure for a lifetime? One of the best activities available on the Big Island of Hawaii are the Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises!

They have a variety of ocean adventures - snorkel cruises to legendary Kealakekekua Bay (home of Captain Cook Monument), Mantra Ray dives, etc. Find out more here.

Fair Wind has a boat called the "Hula Kai", which is my favorite because they take you to a variety of interesting places. This trip we went to "Turtle Rock", which is a great place to see "Honu" turtles, octopuses, and a wide variety of beautiful tropical fish and other sea creatures.  

This time was an especially fun trip because we took the opportunity to play with the underwater jet packs that move you along about "4 times as fast as you can comfortably swim". I remember seeing these things in the movies. They're like something James Bond would use. What a blast! Now we're spoiled and wouldn't want to snorkel any other way! Here's Dean with one...

And my buddy Andy waving to the "sister ship", Fair Wind II as they head out to Kealakekekua bay...

One of the great things about the Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises is the way they treat you. Great food and lots of it - and incredible, friendly, knowledgeable staff! Here's one of the crew, Joshua Lambus sporting a pair of my 3D glasses. In addition to being a crew member, Joshua is a professional underwater photographer and has a gallery on Ali'i Drive (next to Lava Java). Check out Joshua's website.

Yan lives in Calistoga, in the incredibly beautiful "wine country" of Northern California.

Read more...