Most folks come to Hawaii because it’s like a fabulous paradise. Great weather. Gorgeous mountains. Lush greenery. Volcanoes. Tropical beaches. The raw beauty of nature. That’s the paradise above the water.

Below the water is a whole different paradise.

I’m not talking snorkeling or scuba diving. Chances are good that grandma’s not going scuba diving. Same with little Billy. Snorkeling is OK for a quick view of sand, rocks, and a few fish, and not much more.

The truth is out there.

What’s it really like out there under the ocean waves? Sharks? Giant man-eating squid? Jellyfish the size of a car? Or worse—as large as Anna Nicole? Hawaii is an island paradise surrounded by water. What kind of paradise exists under all that water.

How can you find out?

Atlantis submarines. That’s right. Real submarines that go under the water so you can view that part of the island paradise that most folks never get to see.

It’s OK to erase those thoughts of Red October or Run Silent Run Deep (just testing to see how old you are and how much of your memory is left—who starred?**).

This is not your father’s submarine.

What I like about Atlantis submarines is that, well, they’re just a big pretty boat that happens to go under water. On purpose. There are huge porthole windows so you can see outside. In fact, inside it feels like an airplane—minus the leather seats.

The view out is amazing. Fish. Sharks. Submerged wrecked ships. Rocks. It’s amazing.

Atlantis bills itself as “Hawaii’s Only Real Submarine Tour.” You can tour the USS Bowfin in Pearl Harbor. That’s a “real” submarine. Yes, it’s actually in the water but it won’t take you anyplace. The Bowfin is more like a museum about a submarine than anything else.

Atlantis is much different. First, you get tickets. They’re surprisingly affordable and discounts abound. Second, you’ll ride a boat from the Hilton Hawaiian Village dock to a waiting submarine. Then you’ll go from the boat to the submarine, down some stairs. They’ll close the hatch and you’ll be on your way.

“Jellyfish the size of a car? Or worse—as large as Anna Nicole?”Their colorful brochure maps out the area where the submarine travels under water. You’ll dive over 100 feet down—through shipwrecks, submerged airplanes, coral reef, artificial Japanese reefs, fish, fish, and more fish.

This is a cool way to spend your lunch.

The ride is smooth, quiet, and stress free. And dry.

For more detail, check out the Atlantis web site at Atlantis Adventures.

** Clark Gable. If you remember that, you’re old.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.