Without parasailing, the only way to combine the thrill of flying with gorgeous views of the sea is by training to become a rush-hour helicopter pilot for swimmers commuting to work in the English Channel. Forgo your pilot's license with today's Groupon: for $59, you get a standard tandem parasailing experience from Seabreeze Water Sports (a $118 value). This Groupon does not include transportation, though a hotel shuttle is available for $10 per person.

Seabreeze Water Sports's Coast Guard-licensed captain pilots a parasailing-specific KrantzKraft vessel, from which harnessed duos soar above the Maunalua Bay. Departing from Hawaii Kai Center, the parasailing excursion begins with a debriefing on the basics of the trip and how to fly through the air without vandalizing clouds. Tandems then take to the skies above the sparkling waters for one hour total, where for 8-10 minutes they'll glide high above photogenic locales such as Diamond Head, Koko Head, and the Koolau Mountain Range. To ensure riders don't sully their favorite antique loincloths, Seabreeze encourages all to wear swimsuits to take a dip in the tropical water.

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Sumptuous Accommodations amid Mountain Terrain

The Resort at Squaw Creek's golf course looks out over lush prairies and mountainsides covered in pine trees. It's a gorgeous scene in sunny weather, but summer is technically off-season here. In the distance, you can see the six peaks of Squaw Valley USA, a sort of Shangri-La that served as the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. When the landscape is blanketed with snow, the mountains are dotted with skiers and snowboarders. The golf course is transformed for the season into the Nordic Center, leaving it crisscrossed with tracks left by dogsleds, cross-country skis, and snowshoes.

Whatever the season, The Resort at Squaw Creek serves as a convenient home base from which to enjoy the outdoors; it's tucked into the Sierra Nevada on Lake Tahoe's north shore. Hiking trails wind through the property, and on hand you'll find a private outdoor ice rink and an onsite fly-fishing center. Guests can also feel free to stop by the outdoor pool complex's plunge pool and 120-foot water slide and choreograph water ballets in its heated lap pool and three hot tubs.

Six Peaks Grille, one of the resort's four dining venues, serves up breakfasts of fresh fruit, lox, and a goldmine of pastries kept warm in white linens. The breakfast buffet allows you to load up on made-to-order omelets, bacon, french toast, and pancakes.

The resort's 405 rooms and suites underwent a $53 million renovation in recent years. The deluxe forest-view room has a marble shower and a grand picture window that overlooks Tahoe National Forest. In fact, the entire guest tower-where all the rooms are located-is sheathed in lustrous black glass to maximize views of the valley.

Squaw Valley USA: Hiking and Cycling Through Mountains on Lake Tahoe's North Shore

Located about a 15-minute drive from North Lake Tahoe, Squaw Creek is situated amid some of northern California's most revered scenery and varied terrain. The resort rents out bicycles by the hour, including Marin cruisers for adults, Trek mountain bikes for kids, and tagalong carts for infants and beloved pet rocks. Use these to hop on Truckee River Trail, a gently rolling, paved path that follows a crystal-clear river 7 miles to Tahoe City. There, you'll happen upon a paved trail with views of the Lake of the Sky and access to Tahoe Vista's beaches 10 miles to the north.

Lupine and buckwheat paint the mountainside, and the High Camp here is a nice jumping-off point to hike on some dry, pebbly trails. If you're unaccustomed to the high altitude, you may find yourself easily winded on even short hikes; still, the 1.5-mile jaunt uphill to Emigrant Peak is worth the trip, as you get 360-degree views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.

Quaint clapboard buildings housing shops and restaurants line the Village at Squaw Valley. One of these is PlumpJack Cafe, the brainchild of former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom. In a dimly lit dining room, the restaurant serves seasonal contemporary fare such as the inventive ceviche cone, a feuille de brick cone filled with tuna, avocado, and ginger and topped with chili threads ($15).

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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Neglected cars try to escape their owners by parking in tow zones or running away from their garages to join the demolition derby. Keep custody of your car with this Groupon.

Choose Between Two Options $79 for a complete deluxe detail for any car (a $199 value) $89 for a complete deluxe detail for any truck or SUV (a $229 value)

After scheduling online, clients drop their vehicle off at the shop at 2057 Kalakaua Avenue. To begin the four- to five-hour detail, technicians wash the car's body, tires, wheels, and windows. They then zoom in to dress plastic molding and trim, as well as shampoo the interior. Wax treatment removes surface contaminants from the paint job while imparting a glorious polish and preventing the buildup of plaque.

Auto Detail Masters

The professional shiners at Auto Detail Masters have polished the ins and outs of more than 10,000 cars, trucks, and SUVs through their checklisted detailing services. Experienced technicians treat each car as if it were their own, doting on paint jobs with hand buffing and poly-sealant waxes and teaching the car to fetch sponges. Hardworking handyfolk work inside their shop, at the client's home, or in any space with enough room and outlets to cleanse autos inside and out.

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After a long day of besieging steppe settlements, the Mongol hordes liked to kick back with a vigorous massage, a copy of the Daily Khan, and a nice warm glass of fermented yak's milk. Conquer your own serenity with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options $10 for one all-day sauna and spa pass (a $20 value) $28 for three of the above (a $60 value) $45 for five of the above (a $100 value)

Herbal Spa Sauna & Salon

Steamy saunas and cool pools share space with an in-house salon, massage parlor, and nail studio in Herbal Spa Sauna & Salon's women-only environment. The journey through saunas and baths is ordered strategically for optimal effect, beginning with a hot-tub dip to calm muscles and relax minds. After a sojourn in the steam sauna opens pores and releases tension, the dry sauna heats cores with controlled 210-degree coals to ease muscles and a bath cools down bodies before limber limbs meditate in a jade room. Over at the salon, aestheticians work out any lingering stresses with body scrubs, massages, and pedicures that outfit toes with bright colors before their next trip into pitch-black shoe caves. Staffers stock locker rooms with complimentary robes, ice water, and shower products to ensure pleasant transitions to and from the tranquil retreat.

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Where most mainlanders have swing sets, monkey bars, and slides, we have sandy beaches and big surf. Celebrate our coastal playground with today's deal from Wet Feet Hawaii: For $25 (regularly $50), you'll get a full-day stand-up paddleboard rental. Owned by brother-and-sister team Jeff Chang and Karen Lar Rieu, this Eastern Honolulu shop stocks a large fleet of boards to supplement your amphibious lifestyle. Whether you're a first-timer or no stranger to SUP, you can transfer your rental to the nearest beach, ride unbroken swells 'til the evening, and glimpse gorgeous views of the shoreline -- all while getting a killer whole-body workout. Along with keeping you afloat seven days a week, Wet Feet supports local conservation organizations. After all, we'd rather be on the water than a pile of woodchips any day. Want more? Check out Wet Feet Hawaii on Facebook.

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In science-fiction movies, bad guys use lasers to burn down national landmarks, whereas good guys use lasers to burn CDs for cool aliens. Get closer encounters with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options $119 for three laser tattoo-removal sessions for a 2"x2" area (a $444 value) $159 for three sessions for a 4"x4" area (a $738 value) $199 for three sessions for a 6"x6" area (a $1,032 value)

After an initial consultation, laser specialists target unwanted ink with a Q-switched laser. The device utilizes three different wavelengths to target all colors of ink, gradually breaking up the pigments so they can be absorbed and processed by the body. The length and number of treatments varies, though most sessions last fewer than 30 minutes.

Q Laser Center

The staff at Q Laser Center leads clients on a laser-driven journey toward smoother, less visibly vascular, or tattoo-free skin. The Center prides itself on using safe, FDA-approved, and effective laser treatments, carried out in a clean and comfortable environment, free of stressors such as onrushing asteroids. In addition to laser treatments, the Center's team also helps to rejuvenate the skin with chemical peels, cosmetic injections, and other aesthetic services.

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If Waikiki's shorebirds have "decorated" your vehicle, check out today's deal from Capone's Ultimate Detail to clean up your ride: Get a Complete Ultimate Detail for a two-door car for $84 (regularly $170); a four-door car for $94 (regularly $190); or a SUV, truck, or van for $99 (regularly $200). In operation for more than a decade, this Kaka'ako business has been voted Hawaii's Best Auto Detailer for five years by Honolulu Star-Advertiser readers, and it won Talk of the Town customer satisfaction awards in 2010 and 2011. The meticulous bumper-to-bumper detailing includes an exterior hand wash and wax; engine and brake cleaning; tire dressing; shampooing of upholstery and mats; vacuuming of interior; leather conditioning; and windows, dashboard, console, and doorjambs wipe down. If you're looking to clean up your car, this deal's a shore thing. Want more? Check out Capone's Ultimate Detail on Facebook.

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Golf Resort with Ocean Views from Private Balconies

With the Mauna Kea volcano as backdrop, Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed the Hapuna Golf Course to complement the dramatic rise from the Pacific shore to about 700 feet above sea level. Named one of the top 20 courses in Hawaii by Links magazine in 2011, the course sits on the sprawling grounds of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The championship course could be the Hawaiian retreat's most striking feature were it not for its beach-a pristine expanse of white sand lining the turquoise Pacific on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.

Each of the hotel's oceanfront rooms offers views of the water from a private lanai. The intimate balcony features stone tile floors, a quaint cafe table, and comfy lounge chairs. Back at ground level, you can choreograph underwater ballets in the heated pool or lounge on cushy chairs under coconut palm trees and white canopy umbrellas. Nearby, there's a small, secluded cove where giant sea turtles occasionally seek harbor and snorkelers set off to explore Hawaii's abundant marine life.

After a day of exploring the waterfront, you can cap your night with a traditional luau on the Mauna Kea luau grounds. As musicians pluck at steel guitars and hula dancers sway, diners feast on Hawaiian specialties including poi, sashimi, and roasted kalua pig.

Kohala Coast, Hawaii: Big Island Paradise Abounding with Adventures on Sea & Land

The Big Island's Kohala Coast offers a nearly limitless selection of invigorating aquatic adventures. Certified instructors at scuba-diving centers within 15 minutes of the resort lead underwater tours through crystalline waters inhabited by whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and bottlenose mermaids. Amphibious travelers can also board catamarans for treks to areas frequented by humpback whales.

About a 60-mile drive from the hotel, Akaka Falls State Park is known for its waterfalls nestled in lush Hawaiian rainforest that teems with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns. The park's namesake Akaka Falls, reachable by a winding footpath, presents a majestic sight as it plummets nearly 500 feet into a bubbling ravine below.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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Think smartphones and tablets and cloud computing are cutting-edge? Behold! The future is truly upon us with today's deal from SeaBreeze Water Sports Hawaii: Pay $169 for a Jetlev jet pack joy ride on Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai (regularly $399). SeaBreeze is the only place in Hawaii that offers this breathtaking new experience. Under the guidance of Jetlev's certified flight instructors, you'll harness yourself to a patented water sports jet pack that will safely send you 30 feet in the air using controlled water pressure for a 20-minute flight of a lifetime. Your instructor will control your water throttle so you can enjoy the view of the Hawaii Kai coastline and the Koolaus. It'll give you a whole new perspective on the ocean -- that not even submarine-building, movie-making billionaires have breached. Want more? Check out Sea Breeze Water Sports Hawaii on Facebook.

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Winking at strangers might get you into trouble -- stop squinting and start seeing things more clearly with today's deal from Pan Pacific Laser Vision Center on Kapiolani Boulevard: For $2,950 (regularly $5,900) get bladeless LASIK or PRK corrective surgery for both eyes, including a pre-op consultation and one year of follow-up appointments. Serving the community since 1993 and working as the medical director of Pan Pacific since 1999, Dr. Stephen Gee has completed more than 16,000 successful procedures and specializes in corneal and comprehensive refractive surgery, correcting astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia. In the 10- to 15-minute blade-free LASIK procedure, a thin flap of the cornea is lifted and the cornea is reshaped using a pulse-light laser for a quick 24-hour recovery (in most cases). The PRK treatment is a similar form of laser outpatient surgery, where just the top layer of cornea is reshaped without any lifting to correct imperfections; typical recovery time is one week. Correct your vision and save your winks for moments of intentional flirting. Want more? Check out Pan Pacific Laser Vision Center on Facebook.

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Red sky at night is a sailor's delight, but red sky at morning means the ship's been steered inside a volcano. Discover further aquaformation with this Groupon.

Choose from Four Options $49 for a four-hour guided standup paddleboard tour for one, including a one-hour lesson (a $125 value) $58 for a four-hour standup paddleboard and snorkeling tour for one, including a one-hour lesson (a $150 value) $74 for a four-hour rental of snorkeling gear and a standup paddleboard or a kayak, including a two-hour lesson (a $185 value) $83 for an eight-hour rental of snorkeling gear and a standup paddleboard or a kayak, including a two-hour lesson (a $225 value)

After an introductory lesson, small groups practice their paddling skills in the water, then embark across crystal-clear waters, nabbing sights of sea turtles, dolphins, or whales on guided tours both above the water and among the reefs during snorkeling adventures. Alternatively, experienced paddlers and snorkelers can set forth on solo voyages with half- or full-day gear rentals.

West Oahu SUP

West Oahu SUP's staff of professional surfers and lifeguards rents out and sells watersports equipment, such as standup paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear, leads tours, and conducts lessons on a secluded beach flanked by mountains on both sides. Here, adventurers bask in the region's natural splendor, spotting wildlife such as sea turtles, dolphins, and Krakens, exploring reefs and lava formations during midday dives, or simply relaxing atop the waves. And at the end of a day spent working core muscles amid the island's beauty, patrons relax on the beach, the salt drying on their skin as their eyelids fall with the setting sun.

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There are plenty of bars posing as something else, but at Hanks Cafe, you get an honest bar serving up cold beer, strong drinks, and fun music. Experience the real thing with today's deal: $15 buys you $30 worth of food and drinks at Hanks Cafe!A haven for musicians, both on stage and at the bar, this bustling little joint offers everything you need for a great night out. Featuring funky decor with custom artwork and a tiny stage, Hanks Cafe is an ideal destination when you're tired of pretentiousness and are longing for something that's beyond authentic. Channeling the spirit of Honolulu's more raucous past, Hanks Cafe is a prime spot to enjoy what Honolulu was and what it could be again. Get real and get today's deal for Hanks Cafe!

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Entrust your pooch to the pet professionals at Pacific Paws Resort & Spa with either of today's deals: $16 buys you a professional dog bath and nail clipping and filing, a $62 value, or spend $15 for overnight boarding for any size dog, a $45 value!Pacific Paws Resort & Spa is staffed with experienced professionals who treat your dog right. Spare yourself the hassle of bathing your dog and clumsily treating its nails-the talented staff will handle the task with speed and expertise, ensuring that your dog is comfortable throughout. If you need to be away for a night, your furry friend will be comfortable and well cared for while at Pacific Paws Resort & Spa, and they even offer cage-free boarding for dogs who qualify. Get the best for your best friend with either of today's deals!

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When life's stresses start to weigh you down, it can be tough to keep your head above water. With today's deal from Na Pali Explorer, you won't want to: Get a private afternoon or sunset cruise and snorkeling expedition for up to 14 people for $1,390 (regularly $2,785). Known as the jewel of Kauai, Na Pali is home to cascading waterfalls, white sand beaches, sea caves, and arches -- and it can't be accessed by roads. On this 4.5-hour excursion, you'll get to explore the waters of the ancient Hawaiian fishing village of Nualolo Kai, which boasts some of the island's best snorkeling. You'll also get underwater disposable cameras, food, drinks, and a cap to wear for the day. Take a break from the daily grind when you dive headfirst into today's deal.

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