Hawaii Visitor News

Hawaii whale watching tours are some of the most popular activities for winter visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. Over a million people per year from all over the world take advantage of this unique attraction—the only place in the United States to enjoy the Humpback whales’ seasonal migration.

Each year in February, Maui’s Pacific Whale Foundation conducts a whale count from data collected on several of the islands. Both residents and visitors are encouraged to register for this event and participate in an effort to document the number of Humpback whales in the region. Pacific Whale Foundation also sponsors an annual Whale Festival in Kihei, Maui, complete with a parade and fair where music, food and exhibits by environmental organizations.

Humpback Whale Habits
No one is sure when Humpback whales (whose biological name is megaptera noveangliae are known as “kohola” in the native Hawaiian language) began to make this journey each year to spend winter months in the warm, hospitable Pacific waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Some believe the mass migration of Humpback whales to Hawaiian waters did not begin until the twentieth century.

Humpbacks travel 3,000 to 5,000 miles from their northern Pacific Ocean feeding grounds to reach their tropical winter home. They begin arriving during November, with peak whale watching season extending from December through April, when the whales once again say goodbye to Hawaii and return to their summer homes to feed and grow in Alaskan waters.

Humpback whales do not eat during the time spent in Hawaiian seas, spending the entire winter resting, mating and giving birth to a new generation, ensuring their existence for generations to come. Female whales give birth only once every two to three years, so each calf born is a national treasure to be cherished by all.

Endangered Humpback Whales are Reviving
The Humpback whale has been on the international endangered species list since 1964, when mechanized commercial whaling had reduced the number of known Humpbacks to a mere 1,000 worldwide. Since attaining the endangered protection and benefiting from a ban on the commercial harvest of the Humpback species, recent counts of the whales in Hawaiian waters during the winter season have reached 8,000 to 10,000 — clear evidence that the endangered species is recovering from the brink of extinction with this special protection in place.

Whale Watching Cruises
Whale watching cruises have contributed to the awareness of and support for this special creature and its habitat. Modern whale watching tours and all recreational boats are required by law to remain at least 100 yards away from Humpback whales—further from mothers and calves; however, the whales sometimes follow their own rules and may come in closer to boats in their area for a closer look. It is not uncommon for the humpback to swim around and under non-threatening vessels in the area, which can provide a closer connection between curious humans and whales alike.
     

Whale Watching in Hawaii Tours
Hawaii whale watching cruises are available from many of the islands, including Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Vessels available for your choice range from larger vessels for a stable comfortable ride for all levels and special needs to rigid, inflatable hulled boats for a more rugged, close-to-the-water adventure. On-board naturalists present Humpback whale facts and local history to enhance the experience.
 
Consider mobility and accessibility and your personal needs when choosing your Hawaiian whale watching experience. Some cruises are also offered with package rates that include a luau or other island attractions at local resorts with pick up and return transporation. Consider the complete range of offers and your personal preferences when booking your Hawaii whale watching tour.

Hawaii whale watching, Oahu cruises set sail from the harbor at Honolulu and Waikiki and feature a variety of choices, including glass-bottomed boats for underwater observation of all ocean creatures, including the whale, if it chooses to pass beneath the vessel.

Hawaii whale watching, Big Island cruises depart from both the Kailua/Kona harbor and the Keahuhou Bay area. Most are conveniently located near popular resort areas.

Maui whale watching tours originate from Lahaina and Ma’alea harbors. Ironically, Lahaina was a major whaling center in the past, which now promotes the appreciation and preservation of the humpback whale with sightseeing and educational cruises featuring this gentle creature. More whales seem to choose the waters near Maui than any other, making a peak season whale watching cruise here a primary goal of any serious whale watcher.

Hawaii whale watching, Kauai cruises sail from Port Allen and Waimea, traveling along the rugged coastline of Na Pali National Park. The majestic and varied shoreline contrasts with the ocean base of this winter home and playground of the humpback whale.

What You’ll See on a Hawaii Whale Watching Cruise

• Whales are warm-blooded mammals, breathing air from the surface and giving live birth to their young. Whales breathe through dual blowholes on the top of their heads, so the water spout created when they exhale as they come to the surface is a common way of spotting the creatures in the open ocean—the origin of the “Thar she blows.” cry of the ancient whalers. Watch for this telltale sign.
• Adult whales are from 35 to 48 feet long and commonly weigh about one ton per foot of length—the female growing larger than the male on a diet of plankton, small fish and krill in the northern Pacific feeding ground.
• If you are lucky enough to see mother and calf, remember that the baby weighed close to 2 tons when born and drinks up to 100 lbs. of mother’s milk each day. Sightings of mothers and calves are highest mid-to late season.
• Male whales communicate with a unique “song,” and many whale watching cruises use underwater audio equipment to pick up and transmit these haunting and individual sounds, which are normally heard only under the surface of the waves. Some whale songs may last up to 20 minutes and carry up to 20 miles under the surface of the ocean.
• Humpback whales surface in a variety of ways, from a full breech jump out of the water to playful tail and fin slaps. No one is completely sure of the meaning of each action, but it is believed they are a combination of communication with other whales, a means of seeing what might be present above the water and an expression of playfulness and joy.
• If you see a tail slap (commonly called “lobtailing”), pay special attention to the markings on the tail. Each humpback whale can be identified from individual markings on the tail flukes (much like unique fingerprints identify humans) and is the main way for researchers to identify, name and track adult whales from year to year.

Hawaii Whale Watching Tips
If a Hawaii whale watching adventure is on your agenda, keep in mind a few simple tips for your whale watch trip day.

• Most Hawaii whale watching cruises are from 2 to 5 hours long, and many whale watching cruise operators promise a 99% success rate of whale sightings during season. You may see individual whales or a group, which is known as a “pod.” Whales normally do not stay in groups for long periods of time, except for mother and calf relationships which may extend for multiple years.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat, and bring sun block lotion. The sunlight off the water intensifies the affect of the sun’s rays and can cause a painful sunburn. The glare of the sunlight off the water is also strong, and you will have a much better whale watching experience if your eyes are shaded by a hat and glare is reduced with good polarized sunglass lenses.
• The weather can change quickly on the water, so it’s a good idea to have a light jacket along to ward off cool breezes and mist from wind on the water.
• Binoculars can be useful on a whale watching cruise to observe whales at a distance and observe individual whales more closely.

– By Brenda Mathews