Hawai’i Sea Turtle and Marine Life Expedition - to Benefit the New York Marine Rescue Center
Join us!
Sea Turtle and Marine Life Expedition on Land and Water in Hawai’i
To Benefit the New York Marine Rescue Center
October 24 - 31, 2026
Sea Turtle and Marine Life
Conservation Expedition
on Land and Water in Hawai’i
7 Days - 6 Nights
October 24-31 2026
$8100.00 pp / double occupancy (ex flights)
Single Supplement $1,145.00
Small Group, Max 12 Guests
10% of your ticket cost is a tax-deductible donation in your name to
The New York Marine Conservation Center (Charity Navigator ★★★)
The Experience
Follow sea turtles, and they will show you the most beautiful places on earth.
The Hawaiian islands of Maui and Hawaii are two sea turtle favorites. Discover what the turtles have known for centuries.
★ Learn from your expert guide and the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute how Green Sea Turtles and other Marine Life are protected, rescued, and released in this island paradise.
★ Kayak in Maui’s crystal clear waters, a favorite of the Green Sea Turtle.
★ Refresh in a waterfall after delving into the Iao Valley Monument's lush mysteries.
★ Slip into the ancient world in double-hulled canoes on a night journey to watch or snorkel Hawaii’s plethora of marine life, including its famous Manta Rays.
★ Walk on a living lava field - if you dare!
★ Make a difference 10% of your trip cost supports the New York Marine Rescue Center, your trip supports local business and conservation efforts on Maui and Hawai’i
The Highlights
The “Needle” at IOA State Park, once the burial grounds of Hawaiian royalty, is most famously remembered for the battle of 1790, when, in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands, Kamehameha landed his war fleet here. Image: ©Billy McDonald
Introducing
The Island of Maui and Hawaii
Green sea turtle cleaned of algae by Yellow Tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens) in Maui. Image thanks to Anelakai Adventures
Follow sea turtles, and they will show you the most beautiful places on earth.
Hawaii is one of those places, but these turtles face many of the same challenges as the turtles rescued by the New York Marine Rescue Center. We will meet their colleagues (and possibly some rescued patients) at the Maui Ocean Marine Institute.
And we will discover what the sea turtles know: these islands are a paradise. Come and be enchanted at Makena Beach, Maui’s largest and considered its most exceptional. And it is such a great favorite with Green Sea Turtles, that it is called “Turtle Town.”
Sheltered from the trade winds by two large promontories of black lava rock, Makena Beach has a wild feel unlike other beaches on the island. It offers stunning views of Molokini and Kahoolawe from atop 360-foot Py’u Ola’i (Earthquake Hill), but beware! This impressive hill was created by a volcanic explosion, and the resulting cinder, called “tephra,” is gravel-like and makes for precarious hiking.
We will go inland to explore the mysteries of Iao Valley State Monument and the ever-expanding live lava fields of Kaloko Honuokohau National Historic Park, too. And we will look for Manta Rays at night, the way the ancients did - in double-hulled canoes. No motors, no gas, no pollution - only respect for the sea.
Come and learn what the sea turtles already know: Hawai’i is a natural paradise.
Night expedition by double-hulled canoe to find Manta Rays. Image ©Anelakai Adventures
Detailed Itinerary
Your Itinerary for Sea Turtle and Marine Life Conservation Expedition in Hawaii
Day 1
Arrival Day! Saturday (October 24, 2026)
Arrival in Maui, Hawaii!
Welcome to Maui!
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Residence Inn Wailes
Day 2:
Sunday, (October 25, 2026)
Maui
The Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute works to protect marine life such as Sea Turtles and endangered Monk seals. We will visit them and learn how their work echoes the work of The NY Marine Rescue Center. These two institutions and those like them are the hope of Earth’s marine life. Image: Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute
This morning, we will enjoy an early breakfast and a briefing in the hotel.
Afterward, we’ll depart together for the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI) – sea turtle rehabilitation facility.
We’ll learn about the work being done there to rescue and care for injured animals. The Center also has a coral conservation, restoration, and education program.
If there is a beach clean-up happening, we may participate.
We will remain at the Center to enjoy lunch at their Seascape Restaurant, featuring 100% sustainable & award-winning island cuisine!
Afternoon Visit the Maui Ocean Center (where the MOCMI facility is housed), a world-class aquarium where visitors can walk through a 75-foot-long tunnel surrounded by Hawaii’s unique marine life. The center emphasizes marine conservation and Hawaiian cultural connections to the sea.
After our visits we will return to the hotel for a little rest
This evening, we will meet in the lobby and walk together to dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Residence Inn Wailes
Green Sea Turtles in the water. Image Anelakai thanks to Adventures.
Day 3:
Monday, (October 26, 2026)
Maui
We will enjoy Breakfast at the hotel, and after, we will depart for our kayaking excursion!
We will enjoy South Maui’s pristine waters and visit “Turtle Town,” an area known for abundant Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, as well as hundreds of species of subtropical fish.
Note on Turtle Town: Turtle Town, as its name implies, is home to a large number of these intriguing and gentle sea creatures. Experts believe the turtles congregate at Turtle Town partly because of the abundance of algae they eat and a special type of seagrass.
Curious by nature, the turtles will often swim right up to you if you calmly swim or float along and give them their space- a truly wonderful experience! Weighing up to 500 pounds, the turtles tend to swim very slowly; however, they can reach speeds up to 20 mph if a predator is nearby.
Wedge-tailed Shearwaters or Us’u kani, spend their lives at sea, coming on land only to breed. Image:
Because Hawaiian green sea turtles are a protected species, our recommended tour providers educate their visitors on proper ways to interact with them to avoid stressing them. This includes not chasing or touching them.
Lunch – we will either have a picnic lunch or dine at a local restaurant
After lunch, we will visit nesting/hatching sites – we may participate in monitoring and excavation activities, as possible.
Later, there may be a presentation by the Polynesian Voyaging Society (this is tentative, pending speaker confirmation; location TBD). PVS was founded in 1973 to preserve and revive the Polynesian navigation and voyaging practices using wayfinding – the traditional Polynesian method of navigation based on the stars, ocean swells, winds, and birds without modern instruments. Their mission centers on education, cultural revitalization, and caring for the planet.
Evening Dinner on your own to relax, explore the area, and “digest” all we have experienced so far.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Residence Inn Wailes
Day 4:
Tuesday, (October 27, 2026)
Maui
We will explore the wild and wonderful Ioa Valley State Monument Image: ©Denis Pepin
We will enjoy our Morning Breakfast at the hotel and check out
After check-out, we will depart on a bus to the ’Īao Valley – State Monument
The ʻĪao valley is rich in cultural and spiritual values and is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai, where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790. We’ll discover its rich biodiversity—the towering native koa and ʻōhiʻa forests, rare ferns, vibrant birdlife, and endemic species that thrive in the valley’s cool, misty ecosystem
We will enjoy our lunch at a Native Hawaiian family-owned regenerative farm.
After lunch, we will depart for Kahului Airport. Our flight is at 5:20 p.m. We should arrive in Hilo around 6 PM, transfer to our hotel, and check in.
Our relaxing dinner will be together at The Rim Restaurant at the Volcano House.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Volcano House
Day 5
Wednesday (October 28, 2026)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park / Kona
The Hawaiian Islands are constantly changing through volcanis eruptions. Explore on foot across the Hawaii’s lava fields in Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Image: ©The Pacific Islands Institute.
Eruption at Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. Image J.Wei for the NPS
We will enjoy our morning breakfast at The Rim Restaurant, and afterwards, check out of the hotel
Today, we will have a tour of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park – making multiple stops determined by the evolving conditions of this fascinating geologically active area.
NOTE: If there is volcanic activity at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, we will only explore the sections of the park that are open to the public and are safe to visit.
Please plan for a flexible schedule. Conditions may dictate elimination or modification to accommodate necessary route changes.
Picnic lunch or at a local restaurant
After lunch, we will continue to explore the park and then transfer to Kona via the southside of the island. We will stop totake in Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
This evening, we will arrive at the hotel and check in.
Dinner will be on your own to explore and enjoy.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Day 6:
Thursday, (October 29, 2026)
This morning, after our Breakfast at the hotel, we will head off to visit Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, where the coastal settlements, fishponds, and sacred sites of early Native Hawaiians have been preserved.
The park showcases the ingenuity of traditional Hawaiian aquaculture at ancient fishponds. We’ll take a walk along the scenic coastal path and observe native wildlife, including sea turtles and shorebirds. And we’ll keep our eyes tuned for sightings of monk seals, which have also been reported at this park!
We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch or eat at a local restaurant, depending on the circumstances of the day.
After lunch, we’ll have an afternoon visit to a Kona Coffee Farm and receive an inside look at the history, farming, and processing of coffee before sampling award-winning 100% Kona Coffee.
We will return to the hotel early. You’ll have time for an early dinner on your own, then change and get ready. Tonight, we have the extraordinary experience of viewing Manta Rays Hawaiian style from a traditional double canoe.
After this unforgettable adventure, we will return to the hotel for a good night’s sleep, dreaming of Hawaii’s amazing marine life.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Day 7:
Friday (October 30, 2026)
Kiholo Preserve
Kiholo Tide Pool with Green Seat Turtle. Image Thanks to he NPS and Kirk Lee Aeder
On our final morning, we will again enjoy breakfast at our hotel and then head off for the Kiholo Preserve
Kiholo provides a thriving habitat for abundant marine life, including two dozen native fish species, endemic mollusks, and shrubs. A 200-foot stone channel connects the ponds to Kiholo Bay, where green sea turtles feed and rest. Threatened seabirds frequent the area, and recent suveys found the offshore reef is in Hawai'i’s most climate-resilient of the 20 reefs studied.
We will return to the hotel after our visit.
The afternoon is yours to explore the area, have lunch, complete your last-minute shopping, or just relax by the pool.
This evening, we will meet for our farewell dinner to celebrate our Hawaíian Sea Turtle and Ancient Culture expedition.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Day 8:
Saturday, October 31
Farewell to Beautiful Hawaii
We will have our final breakfast in Hawaii at the hotel. Your airport pickup will be scheduled according to your flight schedule. And we will fly home with unforgettable memories of our Sea Turtle and Marine Life Expedition By Land and Sea in Hawaii
Meals: Breakfast
Sunrise on a Maui Beach Image Billy McDonald
Accommodations
Our Accommodations
The historic Volcanoes Hotel, at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i Image thanks to The Volcanoes Hotel
Although our first choice is always to stay in smaller local accommodations, on Maui at this time, it is not possible.
Image thanks to Residence Inn Wailea
1 Residence Inn Wailea
Near Wailea Beach. With a stay at Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea in Kihei (Wailea), you'll be a 5-minute drive from Wailea Beach and 6 minutes from Kamaole Beach Park and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) walking distance from shops at Wailea.
Make yourself at home in one of the 200 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops. 32-inch flat-screen televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while wireless internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks. At Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM and on weekends from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
Learn More, Residence Inn Wailea
2. Volcano House
The Rim Restaurant at Volcano House
At the edge of the active lava flows of Kuloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, 4000 feet above sea level in a unique ecological zone, the Volcano House is nestled in nature and is committed to preserving it for future generations. This is their impressive Environmental Policy.
There are only 35 guest rooms and a small campsite for those seeking a more immersive nature experience. We will have both breakfast and dinner at their Certified Green restaurant, the Rim at Volcano House, against the backdrop of the Kilauea caldera and the billowing Halema’uma’u Crater.
Courtyard by Marriot, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
3. Courtyard by Marriott, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
This beachfront hotel features 455 guest rooms and suites, complete with modern amenities, spacious lanais, and sparkling ocean views. Relax beside the infinity pool, reserve a private cabana with ocean views, or rent a kayak and explore the turquoise waters of Kailua Bay. Located in the heart of Kona, dozens of shops, restaurants, and attractions are all just a short walk away. Conclude your evening in our spacious accommodations, offering complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-panel TVs, and private balconies.
What to Expect
What to Expect on Our Sea Turtle and Marine Life Expedition in Hawaii
Expect beauty. Flowers are part of the culture and fragrence of Hawaii. This is a Maiapilo at Kaloko-Honokohau National Park.
Included
• Full-time Local guide
• Transfer between the airport and the hotel on arrival and departure days
• Accommodations at hotels noted on the itinerary or equal
• Interisland flight between Maui and Hilo, including i standard sized checked bag
• Meals: Breakfast (7) Lunch (5) Dinner (4)
• All transfers as noted in the itinerary to/from group activities in a private vehicle(s).
• Entrance fees and Taxes on arrangements noted in the itinerary
• Standard gratuities are included for hotel porters, bus drivers, and restaurants for activities noted in the itinerary.
Excluded
• International & domestic flights and baggage fees
• Excess baggage fees on flights between islands
• Visa and Insurance fees
• Laundry services
• Items of a personal nature
• Gratuities for local Guide
• Alcoholic beverages/ drinks
• Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above
Is this Trip Right For Me?
The view from your double-hulled boat, the way the ancient people navigated the waters surrounding these islands.Image thanks to Anelakai Adventures.
Theme: Sea Turtle and Marine Life Watching, Learning, and Conservation on Maui and Hawai’i.
Trip Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days
Trip Type: Marine Life, especially Sea Turtle watching, study, and conservation on land and sea
Max: 10 guests + Professional Naturalist Guide + Destination: Wildlife leader.
Service Level: Good
Activity level: Walking, moderate hiking, kayaking, and paddling. Optional: Swimming and snorkeling
Marine life thrives in the waters around the Hawaiian islands. Our activities may include participating in a beach clean-up morning with the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute, possible turtle nest monitoring, walking with or without moderate elevation gain on uneven ground, kayaking, and paddling a double-hulled canoe. There may be opportunities to swim and snorkel.
Swimming and Snorkeling: Bring your snorkeling gear. But obey best practices and rules. On Maui, only enter open water when swimming or snorkeling is cleared by a lifeguard or guides. At the beaches, the surf is not suitable for inexperienced swimmers.
Best For: Adults interested in marine life conservation and beautiful surroundings.
Age Requirements: 18+ years
Travel Notes
► Activity Level: Moderate - expect to walk / hike and some elevation gain on uneven ground. There may be swimming or snorkeling or paddling
► Weather and Temperature Changes: In October, the temperature in Maui can range from a high of 87°F to a low of 70-F with a14% average change of precipitation.
► Health: State of Hawaii Department of Health
Please Note: Destination: Wildlife is not connected in any way, nor does it endorse or indemnify information on the site.
► Visa Requirement: A VISA and passport are not required for US citizens traveling to Hawaii. For international guests, please see Travel.State.Gov.
Please Note: Destination: Wildlife is not connected in any way, nor does it endorse or indemnify information on the site.
► Drinking water: Precious clean drinking water is essential to all life. Please bring a refillable personal container for daytime use.
► Single-Use Plastics: The policy at Destination: Wildlife is to ban or limit Single-Use Plastics on our tours, as much as possible. That includes beverage bottles, plastic bags, containers, single-use straws, etc. Clean drinking water will be available in the vehicle. Please bring your own refillable water container.
► Group Size: 9 guests, plus your host from Destination: Wildlife, and a professional naturalist guide with a specialty in marinelife.
► Packing: Pack as lightly as possible in one soft-sided bag plus your carry-on. A packing list will be provided.
► Recommended Equipment: binoculars, camera, short lens, long lens, personal, reusable water bottle or canteen, insect repellent, sunscreen, and hat. A walking stick can be useful.
► Travel insurance: ** Travel insurance is mandatory ** for all international travel. Ask us about the best policy for your needs.
Travel Insurance
For all Destination: Wildlife tours, guests must have a minimum level of travel insurance coverage for medical emergencies. We highly recommend comprehensive travel protection for your tour. If you decide against Travel insurance, you must sign a waiver of release before departure. Travel insurance may cover you for cancellation due to illness, lost bags, missed flights, and other unexpected occurrences. Please see our cancellation policy on our General Terms and Conditions page.
Important note: Most travel insurance does not cover preexisting conditions unless purchased within 14 days (of the initial deposit and 7 days for some carriers). A pre-existing condition can be anything from an allergy to a back problem to a heart issue. We highly recommend purchasing your travel insurance immediately after making a deposit. Additionally, if your job, business, or the condition of a family member may cause you to cancel after your deposit, ask about specific plans to help protect your investment.
Please contact us if you need assistance.
Terms and Conditions
Your deposit holds your spot. We strongly recommend Travel Insurance.
Due to the nature of our tours, no refunds are available once a tour has started or for any package, accommodation, meals, or other services included. We understand that sometimes, even the most eagerly anticipated plans may need to be canceled. We strongly recommend that every traveler purchase travel insurance. Cancellation Policy.
Cancellation: More than 120 Days
Forfeiture of 10% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, and any non-refundable train/airfare. *
Cancellation 120 to 90 Days
Forfeiture of 50% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, and any non-refundable train/airfare.*
Cancellation 90 or Less
Forfeiture of 100% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, and any non-refundable train/airfare.*
*Where another guest fills the space, a portion of your fees may be eligible for an additional partial refund, subject to Destination: Wildlife's sole and exclusive discretion.
Making a Difference
How Your Trip Makes A Difference
How Your Trip Helps Biodiversity and People in Hawaii and Marine Life in New York
10% of your trip cost is a tax-deductible donation in your name to the
New York Marine Rescue Center
The New York Marine Rescue Center’s Mission
Provide a sustainable response effort for marine mammals and sea turtles stranding throughout New York.
Operate the only facility in New York permitted to rehabilitate marine mammals and sea turtles;
Collect sound science to help identify stranding trends, highlight viruses, and continue to protect endangered and threatened species; and
Encourage conservation and stewardship of the marine environment through scientific research and public educational programs.
Rescue: The New York Marine Rescue Center has rescued more than 3,900 animals since inception in 1996… Since 1996, we have rehabilitated and released over 119 sea turtles, 762 seals, and 7 cetaceans.
Research: As part of our research efforts, the release and tracking of rehabilitated animals are among our primary goals. Tracking information through satellite tags, radio tags, and flipper tags provides valuable information on the various species as they re-enter the wild.
Preserve and Protect the Marine Environment
The data obtained supports our mission to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts, including education, rehabilitation, and research.
Our itinerary was specifically designed to align with the NYMRC’s mission.
Our visit supports the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute
Our Mission
To inspire lifelong environmental stewardship and ensure the survival of sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals and coral reefs in Hawai‘i through science-based conservation efforts, education, and outreach. Sea Turtle Conservation: The MOCMI provides rapid response and hands-on rehabilitation for sick or injured turtles in their state-of-the-art facility and with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
Coral Reef Restoration: Operating Maui's only land-based coral nursery, MOCMI restores Hawai‘i’s coral reefs through evidence-based propagation. Using corals of opportunity, we test thermal resilience and apply the latest scientific knowledge to grow strong, healthy corals and strategically outplant them to restore reef habitats. By blending Western science with Indigenous knowledge, we work to protect and sustain these vital ecosystems for generations to come..
Conservation Education: At the Marine Institute, we provide hands-on educational experiences for Maui youth, university students, and aspiring marine scientists worldwide. Through mentorship, field research, and interactive programs, MOCMI inspires the next generation of ocean stewards.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Response: Established in October 2025, MOCMI’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Program manages the Maui Monk Seal Response Hotline. Trained responders collect population data and respond to haul-outs, molting, and pupping events. In partnership with NOAA, we support the recovery of this endangered species through education, public outreach, and hands-on conservation, helping to ensure a safer future for these endangered monk seals.
Maui is still recovering from the devastating fires of 2023. Our visit supports multiple conservation initiatives and local businesses. .
Reviews
Reviews for Destination: Wildlife
Read more reviews for Destination: Wildlife’s Unforgettable Journeys that Do Good!
Liz G, New York State
Southern Spain Birding and Culture, 2025
The GBT [Grassland Bird Trust] trips are a sparkling jewel that lights up our year. Each day was totally different and totally wonderful. Nacho was amazing -full of knowledge, tireless, sensitive to individuals’ needs and skills. I constantly marveled at his vocabulary. He totally understood our humor, and I felt he liked our group a lot. I feel we get very personal attention with Destination Wildlife, and the group size is terrific.
Isabella, K, Illinois
Winter Wolf Watching and Learning in Yellowstone, 2025
On a scale of 1 to 10
10, I’ve already been bragging to everyone.
What was your favorite part of the trip?
..my heart’s/soul’s desire was to visually experience a Wolf in the wild, simply being Wolf, and this trip afforded me that.
Is there anything Destination: Wildlife could have done to improve your experience?
For me, the trip, as a whole, was perfect. From the L&C in Bozeman (best beds ever!!) and all points in between. I can find no fault. I must say, the people that made up the group, less included, were the best 💖 What a fortunate stroke of serendipity as a group’s makeup can easily make or break a trip.
Cara was magnificent, I couldn't imagine a better guide!! How fortunate we were! Exceeded expectations.
Roberta R., New York
Southern Colombia Birding and Culture, 2024
Exceed - Roger was amazing… talented, professional, passionate about his work, skilled, kind, helpful in every way, and a good sense of humor.
Cathy H., Maryland
Southern Colombia Birding and Culture, 2024
It was a 10+. Communication was great. I feel taken care of on your trips.
Kathy R., New York
Birding and Safari in Namibia, 2023
We were so impressed with Destination Wildlife's meticulous organizational skills as well as the wonderful choice of lodges. Marc (the guide) more than exceeded our expectations. What was your favorite part of the trip? Seeing new birds for the first time with all of our new friends on the trip.
John C., Connecticut
Birding and Safari in Namibia, 2023
[What was your favorite moment?] I am at a loss, as the whole trip was filled with so many memorable moments. One just has to go and see, and they’ll understand. The guides were more than expected and so knowledgeable in so many other areas. Roberta, Les, and Destination Wildlife met my expectations 100%. The whole experience for me was a 10.
Kate S, New York state
Birding in Costa Rica
10, it was an amazing trip (Please rate from 1- worst to 10 – best)
Liz and Alan G, New York state:
Birding Costa Rica and Private Sail Cruise 2021
We are in awe of the care that you took to make our trip successful. The attention to detail and your ready availability when things didn’t go as planned. Your excitement as our trip progressed and the supervision to the very end to make sure everything turned out alright. Thank you for all that you do. Liz & Alan
Noreen Q, New York State
Exploring Women’s Winter Wolf Trek
The trip was fabulous and couldn't have been much better. My one suggestion is around the Zoom call. I was impressed that you did a Zoom call rather than just sending a gear list - it is an example of how much personal attention you devoted to us.