Just a walk across the street to the kehena beach view point and beach. December 15th is the official start of the humpback whale season in hawaii, but guests on our private whale watching tour could spot whales as early as november, and since the feeling of watching a humpback from a kayak is one of the islands best adventures, we figured it was time to discuss some basics about humpback whales in maui. We believe in delivering service, safety, and the spirit of aloha. We determine the proportions of whales identified on more than one day within the same season for west maui. Migrating from the northern pacific, the hawaiian humpback whales enjoy their winter in the warm waters off hawaiis coastlines. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. Big island whale watching is unavailable for cruise ship passengers who are in port for the day as these tours depart from the waikoloa area which is a significant drive from the dock. The gurgles, whistles, and squeaks of humpback whales singing off hawaiis island shores can now be heard live. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. The north pacific humpback whale is a baleen whale toothless, declared as an endangered and protected species.
Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and early may. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. Roughly 10,000 whales are thought to migrate to hawaii each year, and although the increase is promising, they are still an endangered species and are protected by federal law from harassment. Each year, tens of thousands of whales travel thousands of miles from their summer feeding grounds to winter breeding grounds.
Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. December to april is an exciting time for the big island of hawaii because it marks whale watching season. If you are visiting kona during whale season, the chance of seeing whales is pretty good. Sanctuary ocean count hawaiian islands humpback whale. Cultural significance of whales in hawaii whales have great cultural significance for native hawaiians. It is estimated that more than 10,000 of these whales migrate to the hawaiian islands each year during the winter, in search of a warmer climate. Also, it is right in the center of all the popular visiting sites kehena beach, the active lava flow in kalapana, ahalanue warm pond, kaimu, pohoiki surf spot, lava tree state park, kapoho tide pools, and volcanoes natl park.
To see humpback whales in their hawaiian mating and calving grounds on maui during the maui whale season, late february and march are the best times. Whale watching season in hawaii is always a special time, and will be a great part of your trip. Whale season in hawaii it takes lots of patience and time for me to share these wonderful graceful creatures with you. If no whales are sighted during your cruise guests can go out again for free. Theres plenty of whale watching tours or even snorkel tours to choose from. Humpback whales were spotted in the waters off hawaii for the first time this season, leading officials to warn ships and recreational boaters to steer clear of the endangered visitors. For hawaii locals, fall time doesnt mean autumn leaves, scarves and boots, or chilly weather. The humpback whale is known for making an annual migration of nearly 6,000 miles, one of the longest of any mammal. These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. Nearly extinct in the mid 1960s, the humpback population has grown with global whaling bans but are still considered endangered. But humpback whales visit the hawaiian islands every year from november to may, so its possible that you can see whales outside of that january to march peak whale season too. You wont see as many on the big island, but if youre on the shore you should still be able to see some. November, december and january are frequently listed as the start of the season with april and may usually designated as the end of the season.
Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight. Plus youre missing out by not spending more time on the kohala coast. The humpback whales leave the icy waters of alaska and migrate 6000 miles to hawaii every year to give birth and care for their calves. A list of tours to see humpback whales as they migrate through hawaiian waters during the winter months. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. You can learn more about them and noaas hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Join us on hawaiis most popular whale watch cruise along waikiki beach. Feds say first humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii. Hawaii nautical is one of hawaiis largest oceanactivity providers, with a fleet of vessels islandwide serving many harbors across oahu and the big island. Whether from the shore, in outrigger canoe or on a whalewatching boat tour, humpback wales are easy to see in hawaii from november to april, with january through march being the highest season for whale watching.
Cruise along the whitesand beaches of waikiki aboard a comfortable catamaran offering stunning 360degree views of the amazing, tropical surroundings. A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. You might consider doing your whale watching on maui. As many as 12,000 humpback whales winter in hawaiian waters each year. The first whales start arriving to the big island in late november, and more arrive as the season continues, until their numbers peak in the months of january, february, and march. Best chance to see them would be in the winter off the big island kona side or the channel between lanai and molokai. Join us annually from december through march, on our whale watching maui tour. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. The sanctuary serves to protect humpback whales and their habitat within hawaii.
Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Start your morning early and head out for a full day on the water to include whale watching, amazing views of the napali coastline, and snorkeling, with food and beverages included for a five or seven hour excursion. Active volcanoes, monster waves, dreamlike beaches, surreal cliffs and thousands of humpback whales in winter. In your research, you may have seen different timeframes defining humpback whale season in hawaii. It seems like a certain few individual sharks enjoy hawaii and return periodically but its still a holy grail sighting. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae breaching, maui, hawaii notice must accompany publication. A whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. We respect the ocean and the ecosystem, and follow strict guidelines so that all marine mammals and wildlife are protected. We recommend heading out on whale watching tour to get the best views possible, and to experience the beauty of the ocean. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll ever have the opportunity to partake in is a chance to witness the majesty of the north pacific humpback whales in their natural environment year, after year, these magical mammals grace hawaiian. During whale season, you can see whales from every coastline in hawaii.
Just like us, the humpback whales like some parts of hawaii more than other parts, but there really isnt a whalefree part of hawaii. Of these 22 whale and dolphin species, four the blue whale, the fin whale, the humpback whale, and the sperm whale,are endangered, while the rest are all federally protected. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaiis shorelines. Both tours are truly dedicated to the oahu whale watching experience, and expert naturalists share insightful information and educational commentary on the humpback whales behavior and biology. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales. The return of the kohola humpback whale is considered more of a homecoming than a visit. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. Every year between december and march, these marine mammals migrate through the ocean to breed and give birth. Its such a delight to see a humpback whales spout breath, or tail break the oceans surface, and absolutely thrilling to see a whale breach by jumping out of the water and creating a big splash. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season.
Whale watching ecoadventure from kailuakona 2020 big. When we visit hawaii during humpback whale season, we spend just about every spare moment whale watching. The whales leave hawaii again late april early may. Experience kona whale watching kona district, hawaii. Humpback whales migrate in the thousands from the gulf of alaska to and around the hawaiian islands, and in particular the island of maui, creating the perfect maui whale watching experience. What i would recommend is take a whale watching boat up north, and then do something else up there like explore waimea and honokaa and the waipio overlook or hawi and pololu and then have a nice dinner somewhere there or at the four seasons awesome sunsets and drive back at. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. The first whales start arriving to the big island in november, and their numbers steadily build up as the season goes on until they peak in the months january, february, and march. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and early may, but some months are better than others. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular. Graceful and gentle giants of the ocean, arching, breaching, and frolicking, hawaiis humpback whales take center stage during whale season. It takes hours of filming due to a large mass of ocean to scan over the. As temperatures start dropping nearly everywhere else in the u.
There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale up close and will be something that you remember forever. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if. Each year, the great humpback whales migrate some 4,500 miles, from summer feeding grounds in alaska, to mate in the warm waters of hawaii. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Noaas hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary reminds ocean users to stay safe and operate within the law during humpback whale season. Just as our idyllic weather welcomes tourists from around the world, the warm and shallow waters surrounding the hawaiian islands are a favorite destination for kohola, or humpback whales. Whale watching on oahu graceful and gentle giants of the ocean, arching, breaching, and frolicking, hawaiis humpback whales take center stage during whale season. Maximize your hawaii vacation by whale watching on the four winds ii. Explore more things to do in hawaii go to experiences page. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Experience the humpback whales in maui and view them in their natural habitat. Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii.
Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. Whales have platelike bristles known as baleen in their mouths instead of teeth, and they feed on krill and schools of. It depends on the change of seasons, water temp and storms up in alaska, but as soon as the water gets too cold the humpback whales make their annual visit to maui. According to noaa, the peak season for whale watching in oahu is january to march. First humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii cbs news. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Honolulu humpback whales were spotted in the waters off hawaii for the first time this season, leading officials to warn ships and recreational boaters to. Hawaii is a favorite wintering spot for na kohola humpback whales and has one of the largest seasonal populations of north pacific humpbacks in the world. Hawaiis waters are serve as habitat to 23 species of marine mammals, of which 22 are cetaceans whales or dolphins and one is a pinniped the hawaiian monk seal.
There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaii s humpback whales. For a more intimate and highly educational experience, captain tom bottrell, a professional marine ecologist, offers excellent kona whale watching tours of no more than six people. Weve seen whales from 5 different islands, and the end of january is a great. Whale watching has become a beloved activity for tourists and locals alike in the islands, and the tour boats and activity choices are abundant. Below you can see the results of an aerial survey that was held between 1993 and 2003 by dr. Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii. They play a large role in hawaiian legendincluding one creation storyand appear in ancient petroglyphs on several islands. As you cruise along the kona coast, look for the whales and other wildlife, and learn about them from the onboard staff. See humpback whales in the warm waters of hawaii on this 3hour whalewatching tour from kailuakona. The whales do seem to prefer west maui, perhaps because of the shallow, warmer water. Hawaii the best tips for whale watching in hawaii whaletrips. Hawaiis whale population is reportedly increasing at a rate of about 7% a year which means every year our sightings and encounters increase. Peak whale season is now underway as the humpback whales make their annual migration to the hawaiian islands. Sail in the company of whales, hawaii whale watching.
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