If I told you I planned to visit the highest mountain the world, you’d probably nod and smile, but if told you I planned to visit it on a boat, you’d think I’d finally lost it. Mount Everest is thoroughly land locked, so unless there’s another flood of biblical proportions and I am riding on Noahs Arc, an aquatic visit to the mountain seems very unlikely.

But there you would be wrong, because Mt Everest is not the tallest mountain in the world. At 29,029 ft Everest is dwarfed by the Mauna Kea, the highest mountain and largest volcano on Earth, which rises over 33,000 ft from the ocean floor. Most people forget about Mauna Kea because it’s summit is only 13,802 ft above sea level, but clear away all that pesky water and the real winner is clear. Mount Everest is just a baby.

Mauna Kea is the tallest peak on the island of Hawaii, largest of the Hawaiian islands. A giant shield volcano which is still active Mauna Kea’s size is deceptive because the slopes of the volcano are very gentle. It is possible to drive all the way to the top where you’ll find astronomical observatories making use of the mountain’s height about the clouds, perfect climate and lack of light pollution. A perfect recipe for any stargazer.

One of the most intriguing sites around the island is off the coast of Volcano National Park, where Mauna Kea’s sister mountain, the still active Mauna Loa, spits molten lava into the sea expanding the island amongst clouds of steam and molten river flows.

Off the Kona coast of Hawaii it is usually possible to spot devil-fish or Manta rays. At night flood lights on the sea bed allow anyone to see these huge, graceful fish perform their underwater ballet as they feed on the rising plankton. You can also see magnificent green sea turtles in these waters.

December to May is some of the best whale watching on earth. If you’re lucky enough to visit then you may be able to see one of the huge humpbacks which come to breed in the warm Hawaiian waters, high above, the peak of Mauna Kea may still be covered in snow which frames a beautiful picture.

The waters around Hawaii are famously clear. Take a snorkel and enjoy the reefs, explore lava tubes and sea caves. The seas are filled with colorful fish and dolphins can be seen year round. Don’t forget to visit the black sand beeches. Some guides say that there are seven colors of sand on the one island, all the way from silver through gold, pink, green and grey to dark volcanic black.

The ocean around Hawaii maybe full of life, but it is not for the inexperienced sailor. Check you equipment carefully before you set off and if you hire a boat be sure you know how to operate the equipment, and most especially, the radio.
One thing is certain, one visit to Hawaii won’t be enough.

Author Bio: Whenever heading anywhere on a boat safety needs to be the first thing on your mind. A reliable form of communication can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You have several options, a traditional marine or cb radio, a Handheld CB Radio or 10 Meter Radios. A 10 meter radio offers greater broadcasting power while a handheld model offers portability and no installation.

Category: Travel
Keywords: cb radio, travel, sailing