Top 5 Maui Vacation Sightseeing Tours

Maui is one of the most scenic vacation destinations in the world, which is why we get so many returning visitors. If you're tempted to spend most of your vacation lounging by the pool at your hotel or spending your days on the beach, that's understandable, but there's so much more to see and do on the island, taking time to explore is worth it! You can see Maui's most breathtaking vistas by car, by helicopter and by boat, depending on which option appeals to you and your fellow travelers the most. With that in mind, here are our Top 5 Sightseeing Tour suggestions.

1. Haleakala Crater

The summit of Haleakala stands an impressive 10,023 feet above sea level. Make the long drive up its towering slope and you will feel like you're on top of the world. The drive itself boasts dramatic sights, but there's nothing quite like the summit. On clear days, you can see far out into the ocean where the neighboring islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, Kaho'olawe and Molokini rise up from the blue. The sunrise is a magnificent experience, and so is the night sky. There are few places on Earth where you can see the stars with such clarity. Just make sure you bundle up, because the elevation is cold, and can drop below freezing at night. This is a day trip, so you'll want to fill your gas tank before you go.

2. Hana

Spend a day driving along the winding road through Hana and you'll find yourself immersed in lush, emerald green jungle where there are more waterfalls than you can count. Some plunge from towering cliffs, while others fan out on their way down gentler slopes. On sunny mornings, their spray creates a myriad of dazzling rainbows. During certain stretches of the drive, you'll get stunning ocean views as well. Mid-way along the journey around East Maui, you'll find the quiet town of Hana, where you can pick up drinks and snacks. Considering the length of this remarkable trip, you'll want to bring food with you from the start, and you'll need a full tank of gas.

3. Maui Wine, Ulupalakua Vineyards

This drive will take you up on the lower slopes of Haleakala to Ulupalakua, a quiet agricultural area that feels like a world unto itself. Perched above South Maui, you'll get to soak in those gorgeous views of the ocean and the neighboring islands of Molokini and Kaho'olawe as you make your way to the vineyards. When you arrive, you can explore the historic King's Cottage, join a tour, and do some wine tasting. It's a good spot for finding unique gifts to bring to friends and family back home, like specialty wines, food items and other treats.

4. Helicopter Tour

Sightseeing by car is economical, but the driver has to focus on the road. If you have a small group and you want everyone to make the most of the mesmerizing Maui sights, a helicopter tour is a great way to go. Multiple tour companies can take you up to see the island from a rare perspective, and there are several different kinds of tours that you can find. Some of the options include tours of the whole island of Maui, certain parts of Maui, and even combinations that include flying over the island of Molokai.

5. Sunset Dinner Cruise

Last but not least, if you're an ocean lover, you can take in the magnificent sight of the West Maui coastline aboard our Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise. While you soak up the beauty of the surrounding ocean and the majestic mountains rearing up in the distance, you get a delicious dinner served by friendly waitstaff, and an evening of live entertainment. Watching the sunset from the ocean is a magical experience, and so is watching thousands of twinkling stars appear in the inky night sky. The silky surface of the water off West Maui's coastline tends to be quite calm, and our craft are specially designed to give you the smoothest possible ride. If you join us between December and May, humpback whale sightings are a regular occurrence. In a way, the ocean makes the island, so when it comes to sightseeing, a cruise like this is hard to beat.

If you have the time and the ability, choosing one or more of these sightseeing excursions really is worth the effort. You'll likely take your most captivating pictures on one of these journeys. In fact, if you have the time and the means, you might just want to do all five trips! Just make sure you get the rest and relaxation you need on your vacation, too! If you're interested in other activity ideas, we suggest a Maui Snorkel Tour.

By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the island of Lanai? Well you can! Just use the promo code VIP20 after clicking on this link: Hawaii Ocean Project Adventures.

Best Shave Ice on Maui - HOP to it

After a fun day on a snorkel adventure to Molokini or Lanai, nothing says "refreshing" quite like Hawaiian shave ice. What makes Hawaiian shave ice so good? For some, it's the fresh syrups, for others it may be the add-ins, but for most people it's the actual ice. Here are our choices for the best shave ice on Maui.

1. Ululani's (various locations)-- There's something about the silky smooth ice and the not overly sweet syrups that always have us wishing we ordered the next size up. By offering 45+ flavors and sugar free options, there really is something for everyone. If that's too many options for your sun-addled brain to comprehend, they offer numerous flavor combinations that are proven winners. Finally, to feel like a real local, add the mochi balls for extra texture and flavor! (Ululani's)

2. Surfing Monkey Shave Ice (Kihei/Wailea)-- They moved from a shack to a full retail outlet in early 2017 and they brought along their house-made syrups. Created with all natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors, it's these syrups that truly sets Surfing Monkey apart from the others. If you need a pick-me-up, try the coffee shave ice made with 100% Kona coffee. (Surfing Monkey Shave Ice)

3. Local Boys Shave Ice (Lahaina/Kihei)-- Locally sourced ingredients like Hawaiian cane sugar and Hawaiian spring water puts the "local" in Local Boys. You can order your shave ice with fresh fruit for an even more authentic Maui treat. You can find Local Boys on South Kihei Road in Kihei and on Front Street, near the Banyan Tree in Lahaina. (Local Boys Shave Ice)

4. Island Cream Company (Lahaina)-- This one is for the kids. Why? Island Cream Co. will shave the ice, but they have a nifty mechanism that allows you to add your own syrup. That's right, you pour your own syrups, choosing from one of 40 flavors... or all 40! We sat and watched kids tentatively make their flavor choices, then giggle as they kept adding more and more flavors. As a bonus, the ice cream is some of the best on the island if that's more your style. (Island Cream Company)

5. Tobi's Shave Ice (Paia)-- Go for the shave ice, but stick around for the poke! Yep, this may be the only shave ice shop in existence where the shave ice is upstaged by the poke, but rest assured, the shave ice is really good. We recommend stopping by after a long day on the Road to Hana. (Tobi's Shave Ice)

Now that you've seen our favorite places, tell us where you like to go and what you like to order in the comments below or by hitting us up on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject.

10 Fun Facts About Dolphins

Spinner dolphin sightings are common on our Lanai snorkel tours. We'll take you to areas off Lanai's gorgeous coastline that dolphin pods tend to favor. These charismatic marine mammals are known throughout the world as some of the smartest and most playful creatures on Earth. In fact, there are a number of fascinating things about dolphins, and it seems like marine scientists are always discovering new surprising facts about them. How many of the following fun facts do you know?

1. Scientists have discovered that dolphins give themselves names, which are communicated through their own unique whistles in a way that other dolphins are proven to recognize.

2. The two halves of a dolphin's brain take turns sleeping. This mean's they're only ever half asleep, and this helps keep them safe from predators, while also allowing them to breathe when necessary.

3. Another one of their dualistic qualities is their pair of stomachs. They have one for storing food, and another for digesting food.

4. Dolphins can dive to depths of up to 1,000 feet, usually in search of prey.

5. The duration of a dolphin's pregnancy ranges from 9 to 17 months, depending on the species, and babies stay with their caring mothers for 3 to 8 years.

6. Their skin is extremely delicate, but even the deepest wounds heal with amazing speed, a quality that we humans would surely appreciate!

7. Highly social creatures, dolphins have been observed tending to the sick, old and injured members of their pods.

8. Their eyesight is powerful both in and out of the water, their sense of touch is well developed, and they can hear frequencies 10 times higher than adult humans can, but they lack any sense of smell.

9. After humans, dolphins have the largest brains in relation to their bodies.

10. While their average lifespan is estimated at around 17 years, some have been documented at 50 years of age!

One last fun fact is that some dolphins can swim up to 20 miles per hour, which is pretty impressive! Here in Hawaii, spinner dolphins give us quite a show with their signature corkscrew spinning in the air when they come shooting up out of the water. Spinners are small for dolphins, but what they lack in size, they make up for with big personalities! If you love dolphins, we hope you'll join us aboard a Lanai snorkeling tour to see some in their natural Hawaiian habitat. If you have any questions, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Can You See The Eclipse On Maui?

By now, you've probably heard there's a solar eclipse occurring on August 21. But you may be wondering if you can see it from Maui. We'll attempt to answer some of your basic questions...

I'll be on Maui on August 21. Will I be able to see the eclipse?
The short answer is yes, and no.

That was helpful. Can you be a little be a little more specific?
Sure. According to eclipse2017.org, you should be able to view a partial eclipse during sunrise, beginning at approximately 5:50 AM and ending at around 7:25 AM.

Since it's just a partial eclipse, can I view it with my naked eyes?
NO!!! Definitely not. But, the folks at Space.com put together an excellent viewing guide that we highly recommend you check out.

Back to the basics. What is a total solar eclipse?
In simple terms, it's when the sun is completely blocked by the moon, thus blotting out the light. Because of our location, in relation to the event, we will only be able to see a partial eclipse.

How long does the "darkness" last?
In this case, it should last up to 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

I think I just decided I want to see the full eclipse! Where should I go?
On the mainland, the eclipse path starts in Oregon, followed by Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and finally, South Carolina.

Oh, maybe I don't want to travel to see it. Is there somewhere I can watch the full eclipse on the internet?
Of course. You can see everything on the internet! NASA will be showing the event live on their website.

One last bit of trivia... did you know the last full solar eclipse that could be seen in the United States occurred here in Hawaii in 1991?

Are you planning on waking up early for the eclipse? Tell us where you plan to watch it on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject. or Book Now!

Best Pie on Maui - HOP to it

Pie or cake? That's the age old question. Here on Maui, we're blessed with some amazing bakeries. Some do pie, some do cake and some do both. But today, we're focusing solely on pie. Sure these bakeries all have the standard flavors, but when on Maui, aren't you up for trying something different, something made with our unique fruit? We hope so. And we hope you'll try these places.

Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop (Lahaina)
Whether you prefer sweet or savory pies, Leoda's has you covered. On the sweet side, the Macnut Chocolate and the Coconut Cream Pies are our favorites, but honestly, we've yet to try a flavor that wasn't great. The hand held pies are fun to eat and also delicious. Who doesn't like eating with their hands? As for the savory pies, we recommend the Meat 'n Potatoes. With large chunks of braised beef and potatoes and a little heat provided by a creamy horseradish sauce, these are the perfect pot pies. (Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop)
Maui Pie (Kihei)
A relative newcomer to the bakery scene, Maui Pie has quickly become a popular destination amongst locals and tourists. Of course they serve up the standards, Apple, Chocolate Cream, Cherry, etc. But since you're on Maui, you'd be remiss not to try the Lilikoi, Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie or Mango Strawberry. All pies are baked in the shop with heart. Literally. If you look closely, there's a tiny heart on each pie. So cute! (Maui Pie)
Sugar Beach Bake Shop (Kihei)
Because the shop is rather hidden, tucked away in North Kihei, it's usually not high on the list of places to try. But trust us, it's well worth the excursion. The Lilikoi Key Lime pie, not too sweet and not too tart, might be the best kept secret on Maui. Beyond the pie, though, everything we've tried at this little shop has been outstanding. Pro tip: Grab a spicy Spam musubi with jalapenos for the road. Who knew a slice of jalapeno could lift the humble Spam musubi to a whole new level? (Sugar Beach Bake Shop)
Stillwell's Bakery (Wailuku)
Since opening in 1994, Stillwell's has established itself as one of the top bakeries on Maui. While probably known more for their cakes, their pies are also top notch. The Macadamia Nut Cream Pie is an island classic and not to be missed. (Stillwell's Bakery)
Kimo's (Lahaina)
Kimo's isn't a pie shop or bakery. But no list of best pies on Maui would be complete without mentioning their Hula Pie. This frozen pie dessert, made up of macadamia nut ice cream with chocolate fudge, served on a chocolate cookie crumble crust, might be the single best slice of pie on Maui. Head up to the lanai bar and grab a slice at sunset. You won't be disappointed. (Kimo's)

Leave us a message below or hit us up on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject and tell us your favorite pie places on Maui.

Underwater Drones Expand Ocean Exploration

The Hawaiian islands represent one of the most biologically diverse locations on the planet. The marine life throughout our archipelago is spectacular, as you'll find on our Lanai and Molokini snorkel tours. But a lot of the most fascinating and mysterious creatures live at depths that are difficult to reach, or mostly inaccessible to humans. What if a new technology made these aquatic wonderlands easier to explore and therefore understand? There is one such technology, and depending on its level of success, the world could be in for a deluge of discoveries!

While you may be familiar with flying drones that are used for photography, filming, and even parcel delivery, you may not know that there are underwater drones as well, thanks to the OpenROV (remotely operated vehicles) project. These drones allow us a look at the underwater world from remote locations, and they have led to some big strides in science and conservation.

The technology was developed by National Geographic Emerging Explorer David Lang through his OpenROV project, which helps both scientists and interested citizens examine the marine life and conditions beneath the surface. Lang's goal was to accelerate marine discoveries by allowing people access to cameras on ROVs. You've probably heard it said that we know more about the moons of other planets in our solar systems than we do about the depths of our own ocean. That's still true, according to scientists, but Lang's ROVs may prove to be the best way to change all of that.

Recently, his project got enough grant money to distribute 1,000 units of its newest drone, a model known as the Trident. The units will be distributed by OpenExplorer, a companion site for the project. These free drones will go to citizen scientists, non profit organizations and classrooms. The drones that are already out being used in the world's oceans have led to some interesting efforts. National Geographic has highlighted the top five.

1. Watching for changes along California's coast

Folks are volunteering at Pelican Cove on the Palos Verdes Peninsula to photograph sea creatures in the area, and plan to use the Trident drones to track any changes in the location of these sea creatures. They'll be keeping an eye out for changes in sea level, temperature and acidity to explain the changes. Pelican Cove is part of a marine protected area, so citizens are especially interested in the health of the ecosystem there.

2. Safeguarding fish stocks in the Mexican Caribbean

A conservation group known as COBI will be using the Trident to educate fishermen on the status of fish populations. They're currently identifying spawning sites for grouper and snapper in the Caribbean to curb overfishing. They're also training local fishermen how to dive to evaluate the fisheries themselves, but the Trident will let them reach more difficult depths in their explorations. It's all part of an effort to keep fishing sustainable.

3. Saving an underwater world in British Columbia

Off the coast of British Columbia in Howe Sound, scientists have found an ancient ecosystem of glass sponges that were once thought to be extinct. National Geographic Explorer Erika Bergman is leading a team to study these reefs using drones and manned submarines. If successful, she and her team will make the Salish Sea area a UNESCO World Heritage site, preventing further damage to a magnificent ecosystem full of these rare sponges and their neighbors, which include octopus, anemones, cod, rockfish, sharks and much more.

4. Aiding "robomussels" in New England

A team from Acadia National Park is monitoring the Gulf of Maine for ocean acidification and warming. They're doing this by placing tiny temperature loggers inside live mussels to track conditions. The Trident will help them get visuals on the conditions off their coastline, which they will share with students to inspire them about ocean health, conservation and science.

5. Unlocking the secrets of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea is known to harbor countless shipwrecks from far back in the history of civilization. A Swiss nonprofit known as the Octopus Foundation is planning to chart the depths of this sea and explore whatever wrecks have withstood the elements over the years. They estimate there are about 750,000 antiquated wrecks down in those depths. It could be a high estimate... but it's more likely a low one. The organization uses storytelling to share the history of these places and historical events.

Lucky for us, and for you, plenty of Hawaii's reefs are accessible in pleasantly warm temperatures so you can go out exploring in person. Join us aboard a Molokini or Lanai Snorkel Tour and you'll see these marine wonders yourself! In the meantime, if you're interested in new marine discoveries, maybe keep an eye open for news about OpenROV's for some interesting reports. Mahalo!

The Colorful Sands of Maui Beaches

Maui is blessed with the best beaches in the world. A unique thing about our beaches is the variety of sands you can discover. Here's a quick primer on three different types of sands and where you can find them on Maui. Plus, we'll point you to two more sands found on other islands.

Golden sand
Golden sands are the most common you'll find on Maui. Our beaches are primarily volcanic in origin. Mixed into this base is organically formed "sand" created by sloughed off dead corals, broken shells of sea creatures, minerals, and bio matter deposited by fish. When combined, the result is the golden sands found in Lahaina, Wailea, Kihei and most beaches around Maui.

Red sand
Kaihalulu Beach, located south of Hana Bay at the base Ka'uiki Head, is an excellent example of a rare, red sand beach. Ka'uiki head is a cindercone, rich with iron. As it erodes, this iron seeps onto the beach to give it a magnificent, deep red hue. To get to Kaihalulu Beach, you must traverse a fairly treacherous hiking trail. Unless you are accustomed to hiking and walking along steep ledges, you may want to steer clear.

Black sand
The nicest black sand beach on Maui is Wai'anapanapa State Park, located just off the Road to Hana. When volcanic lava meets the ocean, it rapidly cools and shatters. The smallest of the shattered debris becomes black sand. While black sand beaches can form in mere hours, without an ongoing source of lava, they can also quickly disappear. Since Wai'anapanapa was formed by a now dormant volcano, the black sand you see on the beach is all the black sand you'll ever see here. Because of this, it's against the law to remove sand from the beach.

White sand beaches of Oahu
Mainland beaches, like the white sand beaches of Florida, are primarily formed with quartz minerals. Hawaii, however, does not have quartz deposits. The best examples of white sand beaches in Hawaii are Lanikai and Waimanolo on Oahu. These beaches are made up primarily of carbonate shells of marine organisms. Another source of white "sand" is the refuse created when fishes eat dead coral. The fishes cannot digest it and "poop" it back out. One parrotfish can create more than 800 pounds of "sand" per year!

Green sand beach on the Big Island
Papakolea Beach, located in a bay southwest of the Mauna Loa volcano, is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The green coloring comes from the green crystals (olivine) that formed when magma from the volcano cooled. Because these green crystals are more dense than normal volcanic ash sediments, they accumulate on the beach, rather than being swept out to sea. If you examine the sand at Papakolea Beach closely, you'll see the green crystal sand mixed in among black lava sand and white coral sand.

What are your favorite beaches on Maui? Tell us in the comments below, or hit us up on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject and tell us where you love to go.

Five Favorite Books About Hawai'i - HOP to it

Because you need a good book to read at the beach, we’ve put together a list of our favorite books about Hawaii and its people. Until we finished writing it, we didn't realize the common theme with all of them (minus the guidebook) is the resiliency of the human spirit. These stories make us proud to live in Hawai'i.

1. "Three-Year Swim Club" by Julie Checkoway
Published in 2015, this best seller tells the true story of the fabled Three-Year Swim Club, a group of "ditch kids" who learned to swim in the irrigation canals of the sugar mill and their seemingly off-his-rocker Maui swim coach, Soichi Sakamoto. Sakamoto had dreams of leading this group of scrawny kids to the 1940 Olympics. If this rags-to-riches story wasn't true, you wouldn't believe it could ever happen. "Three-Year Swim Club" is an inspirational gem that will have you cheering from the edge of your seat.

2. "Under the Blood Red Sun" by Graham Salisbury
Set during the start of WWII, this fictional Young Adult book explores the attack on Pearl Harbor through the eyes of a 13-year old, Japanese-American boy. It's an emotionally difficult book, but it somehow manages to send a positive message. It's on the reading list of most public schools in Hawaii.

3. "Eddie Would Go" by Stuart Holmes Coleman
When traveling in Hawaii, you're bound see bumper stickers, t-shirts and signs proclaiming "Eddie Would Go." If you're curious about what the saying means, look no further than this book. While to some, "Eddie Would Go" is simply the tag line to the annual big wave surf contest named in Eddie Aikau's honor, the story behind the man is fascinating. Aikau was the first lifeguard on Oahu's famed North Shore. Beyond that, he was a legendary surfer and waterman, who gave up his life while trying to save his peers from a sinking, double-hulled voyaging canoe by attempting to paddle a surfboard 12 miles to shore. While the crew on the canoe was ultimately rescued by the Coast Guard, Aikau never made it back. "Eddie Would Go" expertly captures Aikau's Aloha Spirit and what it means to be a Hawaiian waterman.

4. "Moloka'i: A Novel" by Alan Brennert
When seven-year old Rachel Kalama wakes up one morning with a rose-colored spot on her skin, her life, and the lives of those who love her, are forever changed. The spot turns out to be leprosy, and thus begins her new life in Kalaupapa, the leper colony on the island of Moloka'i. While Rachel's story is most certainly tragic, this historical fiction novel brings to life her determination to live a "normal" life and is inspirational to even the hardest cynics.

5. "Maui Trailblazer" by Jerry and Janine Sprout
We'll end our list with our favorite guidebook about Maui. This book isn't for everyone, but if you're planning on doing any hiking or are looking for fun water activities, "Maui Trailblazer" will point you in the right direction. Its trail coverage for hikes and nature walks is excellent. The book also reviews snorkel locations big and small, as well as surf spots. We prefer this book to the popular Maui Revealed book because we find it's far more respectful of the land and Maui customs.

What are you favorite books about Hawaii? Leave a comment below or hit us up on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject and tell us what you love to read.

10 Reasons We Love Living in Hawai'i

The #luckywelivehawaii hashtag exists for a reason. Whether you live in Hawaii or are just visiting, here are 10 reasons happiness happens in Hawaii.

The weather-- It never really gets too hot or too cold. When it does get too hot, the trade winds come in to save the day.
The ocean-- No matter where you are, you're just a short car ride away from the majestic Pacific Ocean.
The beaches-- This goes hand-in-hand with the ocean. Our beaches are clean, pristine and offer various types of terrain, from white sandy beaches to black lava beaches to red sand beaches, we have it all.
The food-- Poke, malasadas, loco moco, chow fun, shave ice. OK, our food may not be the most healthy, but it sure is ono (tasty.)
The sunsets-- Every night nature puts on a show that produces some of the most beautiful images you'll ever see. Even locals who have spent their entire lives here gaze in awe at the sunsets.
The rainbows-- Yes, rainbows happen. A lot. And like the sunsets, we never get tired of them.
The turtles-- Our ocean has an abundance of turtles. On some beaches, there are more turtles than humans. And we love every one of them.
The hiking-- Look around you. Somewhere in your field of vision is probably a place to hike. Whether you're seeking waterfalls (another thing to be grateful about,) windmills, or once-in-a-lifetime views, great hiking is available near you.
The history-- The Hawaiian Islands have a unique history and culture. It's a history to be proud of and embraced.
The people-- People come from all over the world to live in and visit Hawaii. Most of the people here are chill, friendly and happy. Maybe that's because of the first nine items on this list!

What is it about Hawai'i that makes you happy? Leave a comment below or hit us up on Twitter @HIOceanProject and Instagram @hawaiioceanproject

New Glowing Shark Species Discovered in Hawaii

A new shark species from the deep waters off the northwestern Hawaiian islands has been discovered recently. Don't worry, this diminutive creature is less than a foot long, and you won't see it on our Hawaii snorkeling tours because it has been found only at depths of 1,000 feet. That explains its most exciting feature: it glows in the dark. Very little light is able to reach such great depths, so many creatures living there make their own. In the case of this shark, the light attracts its prey.

The new species is a member of the Lanternshark family, and measures under a foot in length and two pounds when fully grown. This particular species, Etmopterus lailae, has taken over 17 years to identify since its first discovery. Although it was first seen then, marine scientists were only recently able to confirm that it is a new species.

The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa. Stephen M. Kajiura was one of the co-authors, and he began working on the project when he was still in graduate school at the University of Hawaii. He now has a Ph.D., works as a professor of biological sciences, and is the director of the Elasmobranch Research Laboratory in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at Florida Atlantic University.

According to Kajiura, there are a total of 450 known species of sharks worldwide, which isn't much, so identifying a new shark species is a pretty exciting situation, for those who discovered it, along with the scientific community and marine life enthusiasts. Given the tiny size of the shark, and its deep water habitat, finding it in the first place was even luckier than the average new species discovery.

After a rigorous process of comparisons between the physiology of this shark versus other specimens of similar species, the participating scientists found that Etmopterus lailae was different from other Lanternsharks. It has an unusually large, bulging snout that indicates special adaptations. The nostrils are prominent, and so are the olfactory organs, which are involved in processing smells. Being a predator in the deep, dark ocean at 1,000 feet requires this species to have an especially good sense of smell.

Although there are a number of differences between this shark and other Lanternsharks, it does have the bioluminescence in common with its relatives. Marine scientists have attributed this trait to several possible functions, including mate recognition, camouflage, and the ability to lure small prey. It's amazing, the kinds of adaptations you see from marine creatures in the Hawaiian island chain. Although this elusive little creature was an extremely rare find for scientists, you can see a wide variety of stunning marine life when you join us aboard our Lanai Snorkeling Tour and our Molokini Snorkeling Tour. Exploring the underwater world in Hawaii is one of the most enjoyable experiences vacationers can have. We hope you'll join us soon! Mahalo!