Each year during this time, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 humpback whales migrate south from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic. Scientists estimate that this 3,000 mile swimming trip takes them from 80 to 100 days.
The whales seem to favor the calmer bays and wide bank areas between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. With their bulky heads and two blow-holes, they can often be seen cavorting in the warm waters, breaching and slapping the surface of the water. Here they mate, or bear their "calves" conceived the previous winter.
A mature humpback whale is about 45 feet in lenth and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their calves weigh around 3,000 pounds at birth and feed off their mother's high-fat milk for six to eight months, consuming 100 to 130 gallons per day.
Strangely enough, the adult whales do not eat while in Hawaii, since they are "seasonal" feeders. However, when they return to their Arctic habitat an average humpback whale will consume 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of plankton, krill (small, shrimp-like creatures), and fish per day!
On Maui, the opportunities for whale-watching from land are extensive. A good vantage point for seeing whales from land is basically anywhere you get a pretty a wide ocean view. McGregor Point, at mile marker 9, as you head from Maalaea, toward Lahaina, is a well-known whale watching place. Continuing toward Lahaina, whales can also be seen off the Olowalu Reef--between McGregor Point and the town of Olowalu.
When you head south on the Wailea coast, the Outrigger Wailea Resort provides another excellent viewing spot, with a telescope installed by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. South from Wailea, Puu Olai overlooking Makeena Beach is considered Maui's best spot for whale-watching.
Whale watching requires patience. Scan the horizon for a cloud of spewing water that rises from 10 to 20 feet above the ocean's surface. Watch for a good half-hour or so; whales need to breath every 7 to 20 minutes, and their spray is simply water vapor that they exhale from their blow hole. So once you locate that tell-tale spray of water, focus your eyes on the area for another one. Here binoculars are especially helpful.
But the best way to see humpback whales is out in their domain--and you can book a whale-watching cruise for that. Maui is the home of the Pacific Whale Foundation. A non-profit whale research organization, it supports its research by offering whale-watching tours.
In addition, almost every snorkel and dive-boat in the area becomes a whale-watching vessel in winter. Maui whale-watching tours leave Lahaina and Maalaea harbors daily during the winter months. In addition to humpbacks, sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales and "false" killer whales can often be seen there. You can also view the whales on a rafting expedition. These excursions also leave daily from Lahaina harbor.
The whale may play a little game with you -- he will poke his head just above the water's surface to "scope out the scene." That kind of behavior is actually called a "spy hop," meaning it's his way of showing off (if he feels so inclined). He'll then leap completely out of the water. If he's only in the mood to exchange nods, he'll slap his tail or wave his side fins at you -- that's the humpback whale's way of saying "Hi!"
Whales communicate underwater through mysterious "songs," forming a perplexing series of sounds. Most whale-watching charters on Maui have a hydrophone on board, which will enable you to hear and enjoy the complex sounds of these majestic creatures.
Remember that humpback whales are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act, and you may come no closer than 100 yards. Even at that distance you will sense the power and beauty of these creatures, and you will come away with memories of a lifetime.
Hawaii Whale Watching Big Island
Hawaii whaled-scrutiny is greatly a memorable experience. In this expose, we will focus on whale scrutiny off the island of Maui. Whale-study flavor starts as early as November, but the largest number of whales move through Hawaii waters from mid December to mid-April. Each year during this time, about 1,500 to 2,000 humpback whales migrate south from their summer feeding proof in the Arctic. Scientists valuation that this 3,000 mile swimming tour takes them from 80 to 100 days.
The whales seem to bolster the soother bays and open panel areas between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. With their ungainly heads and two waft-holes, they can regularly be seen cavorting in the melt waters, breaching and slapping the shell of the water. Here they mate, or bring their "calves" conceived the preceding chill.
A mature humpback whale is about 45 feet in lenth and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their calves weigh around 3,000 pounds at birth and nourish off their mother's high-fat milk for six to eight months, consuming 100 to 130 gallons per day.
Strangely enough, the adult whales do not eat while in Hawaii, since they are "recurring" feeders. However, when they proceeds to their Arctic locale a normal humpback whale will consume 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of plankton, krill (small, shrimp-like creatures), and fish per day!
On Maui, the opportunities for whale scrutiny from land are broad. A good vantage crux for since whales from land is basically anywhere you get an appealing a large ocean behold. McGregor Point, at mile marker 9, as you precede from Maalaea, about Lahaina, is a well-known whale study place. Continuing toward Lahaina, whales can also be seen off the Olowalu Reef--between McGregor Point and the civic of Olowalu.
When you skull south on the Wailea coast, the Outrigger Wailea Resort provides another brilliant viewing speck, with a telescope installed by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. South from Wailea, Puu Olai overlooking Makeena Beach is considered Maui's best location for whale-watching.
Whale watching requires patience. Scan the horizon for a cloud of spewing water that rises from 10 to 20 feet above the ocean's rise. Watch for a good half-hour or so; whales penury to breath every 7 to 20 notes, and their spray simply water breath that they exhale from their bash break. So once you locate that tell-tale spray of water, focus your eyes on the section for another one. Here binoculars are especially useful.
Nevertheless the best way to see humpback whales is out in their district--and you can book a whale-watching cruise for that. Maui is the home of the Pacific Whale Foundation. A nonprofit whale inquiries organization, it wires its study by donation whale-watching tours.
In addition, almost every snorkel and dive vessel in the area becomes a whale-watching vessel in chill. Maui whale-watching tours dump Lahaina and Maalaea harbors daily during the frost months. Besides humpbacks, sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, aquiline whales, melon-headed whales and "false" killer whales can often be seen there. You can also sight the whales on a rafting expedition. These excursions also donate daily from Lahaina port.
The whale may play a little diversion with you -- he will poke his head just above the water's emerge to "scope out the view." That kind of manners is actually called a "spy hop," meaning it's his way of showing off (if he feels so tilting). He'll then leap completely out of the water. If he's only in the mood to swap nods, he'll slap his tail or wave his border fins at you -- that's the humpback whale's way of saying "Hi!"
Whales communicate underwater through mysterious "songs," forming a perplexing cycle of sounds. Most whale-watching charters on Maui have a hydrophone on embark, which will permit you to hear and have the obsession sounds of these superb creatures.
Remember the Marine Mammals secluded that humpback whales Protection Act, and you may come no closer than 100 yards. Even at that detach you will perceive the power and beauty of these creatures, and you will come away with memories of the days.
Both Bob Freer & July Somma are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bob Freer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fishing, Travel and Leisure and Hawaii Vacation. Bob Freer loves to share his experiences of travel. His current passion is Hawaii. He writes about the Hawaiian Islands on his website
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