It was 15 years ago that Atlantis launched the first U.S. passenger
submarine, choosing Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii as its
port.
Over the years, the company became Atlantis Adventures,
broadening its focus to include visitor attractions worldwide.
Today, Atlantis Adventures is celebrating the Hawaii anniversary
with a pair of value-added promotions. Clients booking an Atlantis
submarine excursion out of Kona pay $69 per person, a $15 savings
off the regular price, good through Dec. 31.
On Oahu, rates for the Deluxe Royal Sunset Dinner Cruise on the
Navatek I tour boat, run by Atlantis Adventures, have dropped to
$100 per person (regularly $127), through March 31, 2004.
Submarine operations continue to account for Atlantis’ core
business, according to Ronald Williams, president of Atlantis
Adventures in Hawaii. Along with a total of five submarines on the
Big Island, Oahu and Maui, the company has operations in nine
resort locations in Guam, Cozumel and throughout the Caribbean.
In recent years, however, Atlantis has been looking beyond
submarines, expanding its focus and investing in compatible
products. In April 2000, for instance, it assumed ownership and
operation of the Navatek I, based at Aloha Tower Marketplace in
Honolulu Harbor. Since then, Atlantis has invested $1.8 million in
renovations and upgrades to the vessel.
In Hawaii, Atlantis also operates, manages and provides
marketing services for Sea Life Park, a marine-life attraction on
Oahu’s Windward Coast.
In 2002, Atlantis’ Hawaii unit entertained 680,000 guests and
earned $39 million in revenue.
Williams said Atlantis is looking at ways to further expand its
attractions business, which combines entertainment, education and
ecotourism.
“In Hawaii, Atlantis Adventures is a major supplier of
attractions to key wholesalers in the U.S.,” said Williams. “We
make frequent visits to the mainland to enhance longstanding
relationships, and to evaluate trends that provide the catalyst for
the creation of new products.”
An Atlantis submarine excursion on the Big Island begins with a
seven-minute shuttle ride from the Kailua-Kona pier along the
coastline of Kona town. Guests then transfer to the submarine for a
35-minute ride in the air-conditioned vessel, descending to 120
feet under water.
The cruise explores 25 acres of coral-reef gardens, inhabited by
hundreds of species of tropical fish and other sea life. Passengers
view the underwater sites through large viewports. Tours are
offered daily from 10 a.m.
On Oahu, the two-hour dinner-cruise aboard Navatek I departs at
5:15 p.m. Clients get drinks and pupus, a steak and lobster dinner
with salad, drinks and chocolate mousse cake, while entertainers
perform a Hawaiian revue. Rates include round-trip transportation
from locations in Waikiki.
Atlantis runs whale-watching cruises on Navatek I from December
through April, and its submarine rides off Waikiki depart daily
from Hilton Hawaiian Village.
On Maui, submarine cruises depart from Lahaina Harbor. Atlantis
also offers packages on Maui and the Big Island that combine a
submarine ride with a luau, helicopter tour or
snorkel/whale-watching cruise.
800-548-6262; www.atlantisadventures.com.