June 22, 2004 -- Snorkeling in the sun is what many think as part of the perfect tropical vacation. We at Frommer's look longingly from our desk to Tahiti, where Islands in the Sun has introduced what they say is that island group's "first snorkeling vacation package." The promotion, named "Colorful Corals," isn't cheap, costing $3295 per person, sharing a twin, but it does include roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, and the following: Four nights at the InterContinental Beachcomber Resort Moorea, three nights at the Hotel Kia Ora on Rangiroa, and a day room at the InterContinental Beachcomber Resort Tahiti prior to the return flight home. The package also includes most meals, inter-island airfare, all transfers, baggage handling, a Tiki Village Theater show on Moorea, and three snorkeling excursions (two on Moorea and one off Rangiroa).
The Moorea snorkeling consists of a two-hour guided experience, with instruction and an opportunity to feed rays, followed by a guided excursion with explanations of the fish and coral. A second half-day of snorkeling includes lunch. Off Rangiroa at Tiputa Pass, you'll be dropped off so that you can float in with the tide. Rangiroa, the largest atoll in French Polynesia, is one of the four largest atolls in the world, with over 240 islets and 100 channels.
If you take other Islands in the Sun vacation packages to Moorea, you can add on a snorkeling component for as little as $51 (a two-hour ray feeding trip). You can get their brochure or reserve at 800/828-6877 or just visit www.islandsinthesun.com.
Hawaii
If you can get yourself to Hawaii, you might enjoy a "Big Experience" package at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, on the Big Island's south coast. Available for travel from October 1 through December 25, 2004, this deal gives you the room and a choice of an activity per person per night from these options: one-tank certified scuba dive; a Kealakekua Bay snorkel cruise; ocean kayaking; horseback riding; Volcanoes National Park tour; gourmet sunset sail; Kona Coffee plantation tour; surfing lesson; deep sea sport fishing; tropical rainforest hike; a luau; a round of golf; day-use Spa pass; or a 50-minute massage. You can choose the same activity more than once, but only one activity per day on the package.
A two-night minimum stay is required, with rates per room per night (double occupancy) as follows: $390, $430, $490 or $570, depending on type of room. You also have to pay taxes and a daily resort charge. You should have fun at this 530-room property, sited on an ancient lava flow on its own 22 acres. It's currently being renovated at the cost of $45,000,000, but reopens this fall with the spa, fitness center, tennis, two restaurants, business center, wedding chapel, and a "multilevel" pool meandering through the grounds, ending in a sand-bottom pool at a sunning beach. Contact them at 888/488-3535, email info@sheratonkeauhou.com or visit www.sheratonkeauhou.com.