Turtle Bay Resort Now Offering Eco-Friendly Kayak Tours

NORTH SHORE, O‘ahu—(July 7, 2009) -Turtle Bay Resort is now offering eco-friendly kayak tours featuring the brand new Peekaboo™ from Ocean Kayak. These state of the art kayaks not only allow for a stable platform for above water viewing but also offer an incredible window (plexi-glass on the bottom of the kayak) to see what is below water.

The kayak tours are operated by Shaka Kayaks, the only eco-kayak tour company in Hawaii. Tours depart daily from the Turtle Bay Resort lobby where guests are then transported out to the kayaks located at Kawela Bay. After a brief demonstration on proper kayaking techniques, guides assist in launching kayakers from the beach. From the launch site guests then have time to practice kayaking and become familiar with the equipment.

Kayakers will have the opportunity to view the beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish through the Peekaboo™ window on the kayak even getting a chance to see WWII wreckage settled at the bottom of the bay. Kayak tours last about two hours.

Rates for tours begin at $100 and include:

• Luxury transportation from Turtle Bay Resort lobby to and from the kayak launch area
• Choice of a single Peekaboo™ kayak or a double kayak (without the window)
• Adjustable kayak paddle (for left or right handed guests)
• Padded seat and backrest
• Fitted life vest (Coast Guard approved)
• Waterproof bag
• Refreshments

Shaka Kayaks is first and foremost an eco-friendly tour company with a motto of “take only pictures and leave only a wake.” They have developed an innovative waste management system that hopefully will be the model for other eco-adventure tours. They track inventory of all consumables that are brought along on the tour and then check them off on their checklist prior to leaving the beach to ensure that all trash has been collected and accounted for before being recycled.

Shaka Kayaks is also an environmentally friendly tour. Prior to participating in the tour guides will educate guests on how to properly interact with marine life. Some of the key points on interaction include strict National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) guidelines.

For reservations call (808) 381-4121. For additional information go to www.shakakayaks.com.

Turtle Bay Resort is the only full-scale resort on Oahu's exciting North Shore, home of world-famous surfing, remote coastlines and exciting activities. The resort is located on a promontory offering wide vistas of the ocean from every room.

Turtle Bay Resort offers world class golf and tennis, spa treatments, riding stables with ocean and trail riding, two lushly landscaped oceanside pools, seaside dining, North Shore and waterfall aerial tours by Paradise Helicopters, and 12 miles of walking and jogging trails along spectacular coastlines and through forested lands.

In addition, the Resort is home to the famous Hans Hedemann Surf School where guests can get a taste of the world's best surf.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, the 880-acre Turtle Bay Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International and is a Preferred Hotels® & Resorts Worldwide property - a collection of the world's finest independent luxury hotels.

Famous for world-class surfing, pristine white sand beaches, and its charming country setting, the North Shore also offers colorful cultural attractions, innovative ecological endeavors, and environmental adventures.

For reservations or more information, visit www.turtlebayresort.com or call (808) 293-6000.
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™. The privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations. Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut. International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

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