A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. Take a trip to the beach or a scenic lookout and watch for the blows, pec slaps, flukeup dives, and breaches of hawaiis humpbacks. How februarys humpback whale counts in hawaii turned out. During the months from december to may, pods of humpback whales migrate through hawaiis warm waters, and this tour guarantees whale sightings. For those who are planning on spending the bulk of their time on the north shore, it too is a good place to arrange whale watching tours in oahu.
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. Home blog maui species of whales in hawaii december 15 april 15 is a special time of year. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Go whalewatching off the coast of oahu on this excursion from waikiki or ko olina. Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight. They are easily recognized by their rather large and bulbous heads and their strongly curved, broadbased dorsal fins. Hawaii whale watching tours run from december through may and are very popular. So, if you really, really want to see lots of humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, go during the peek of the season between january, february and march. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Each island also offers a variety of whalewatching cruises, which will bring you up. When we visit hawaii during humpback whale season, we spend just about every spare moment whale watching. It is generally believed that february is the absolute peek of the season.
Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Whale watching in hawaii is a relaxing activity and if youve got free time during the peak season, you can easily get a reservation for a whale tour or take a walk where whales are commonly spotted. We have timeshare so need to put in a request but not sure which island we need to be on for whale watching mauibig island some body please help much appreciated. One of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching. This is when thousands of pacific humpback whales make the journey from the waters off alaska to hawaiis warm waters to breed and give birth to their young. Were comfortable saying it whales are the biggest attraction in hawaii during the winter months. See whales in kona oahu, kauai, and big island multiisland adventures. Humpback whales, or na kohola, migrate from alaskan waters to hawaii in the winter and spring months of november sometimes earlier through may every year, seeking warm waters for breeding and birthing new calves. Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii.
Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Whale watching on oahu graceful and gentle giants of the ocean, arching, breaching, and frolicking, hawaii s humpback whales take center stage during whale season. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your whale watching experience. And for those lucky enough to experience this once in a lifetime influx of such extraordinary creatures these sea stars offer performances worthy of oscars, it is truly a.
Its a very cool experience to see these magnificent animals in action and cruising along our warm hawaiian waters. Hawaii whale watching tours can be booked on all the main islands and, like dolphin swims, they are ideal for anyone who is fascinated by marine life. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. October 14, 2016 the first ever longterm 1 week resighting of a killer whale from hawaiian waters was just made, by comparing video footage of a group of killer whales taken off molokai by tabitha pupuhi on october 10, 2016, to photos taken off kona in july 2016, both by the pacific island fisheries science center and during our july field project. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic. But im going to maui on my honeymoon in september the 4th12th and was wondering if there was any possibility i would see any whales lol silly question but i figured im going to be there id love to see a whale if. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. On february th, 2012, governor neil abercrombie officially proclaimed february 2012 as humpback whale awareness month in a ceremony at the state capitol. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young.
The best time to go whale watching in hawaii is between the months of november and april, as this is when pacific humpback whales. An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons. Explore more things to do in hawaii go to experiences page. Here are 5 simple tips that will help you get the most out of your hawaii whale watching experience. We offer an exclusive discount on hawaiian airlines when you book online from our hawaii airfare sale page. With a small group of people, watch the gentle giants swim, feed, breach and play around your boat. Under normal circumstances individual blue whales live to an age of 70 to 100 years. It is just about impossible for us to go out on the boat during this time and not see their abovewater displays and hear their songs underwater. A special whale count is held the last saturday of january, february, and march on the islands of oahu, kauai, and hawaii. What time of the year do you go to hawaii for whale watching. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species. In hawaii, humpback whales can be easily spotted from land or sea as they frequent hawaiis nearshore waters. Where they call hawaii their winter home december to april of each year.
The seasons first whale is usually spotted in november, but the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii is between january and april, from any island. Whales can be seen quite easily from most shorelines around the hawaiian islands. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. View your options here at tom barefoots t the hawaii whale watching season is the most anticipated time of year regarding activities in the islands. So unless youre already going in the next few weeks, now is a good time to plan for next season. Remember, by regulation, humpback whales cannot be approached closer than 100 yards.
Humpback whale watching tours look for humpback whales along the kona coast. Here is a selection of big island whale watching tours or other cruises on which you are likely to see whales. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaiis shorelines. If you are serious about seeing humpback whales in their hawaiian mating and calving grounds, the last couple weeks in february and the whole month of march are the best times to be here. 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. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and early may, but some months are. During these winter months thousands of pacific humpback whales migrate from their summer feedings grounds in the waters off alaska to the warm hawaiian waters to mate and nurse their.
The humpback whale is known for making an annual migration of nearly 6,000 miles, one of the longest of any mammal. Whale watching kauai returns the parrish collection kauai. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. 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. 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. Most sightings happen from july to october and, as the whales tend to come very close to the coast, you can easily see them from land. Tour lengths vary from three to seven hours with departure times in the early morning for a full day of sailing, snorkeling, and a trip to niiahu island, or in the late afternoon for a relaxing. Humpback whale month hawaiian islands humpback whale. The most frequently seen of mauis yearround whale residents are shortfinned pilot whales, which average 12 to 16 feet long and weigh 1. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaii s 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. Also see specially marked kauai vacation rentals in the promo collection. First humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii cbs news. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic whaletrips.
They race more than 3,000 miles from the gulf of alaska to hawaii, then stay for a lengthy vacation, frolicking just off our shores and delighting spectators from december through may. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Hawaii whale watching, oahu whale watch near ko olina, waikiki. For more information, call our reservation team at 8003255701 to plan your kauai. During the winter months in kauai, boat tours depart from the south shore at port allen. In 12 years of studies by cascadia research, a total of 32 sperm whales were sighted in hawaii31 of which were off of the big island.
Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. You can use the species and date filters to see changes throughout the year. These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. The whale watching season in kauai runs from november through march. Download a special information sheet about whales and the sanctuary. In 2014, a sick sperm whale was sighted off of kihei, and it was presumed that the whale had ventured to shallower water as it fought to stay alive. Best whale watching in hawaii honolulu by land or sea here are the best places to watch whales. The hawaiian humpback whale marine sanctuary is located in kihei and was created by congress in 1992 as a way to protect these magnificent creatures in hawaiian waters. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui an ideal jumpingoff spot for.
Best of whale watching, monterey california as of 7. Download the app to stay uptodate on the latest sightings. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. North pacific, killing significant numbers of which is the main period of residency of the whales.
Whaling catch data indicate that whales feeding along the aleutian islands may migrate to offshore waters north of hawaii in winter. Waikoloa whale watching 8am whale watch hawaii ocean sports offers wake up with the whales a 90 minute morning whale watch on a sailing catamaran, casting off. Honolulu ap there were at least nine collisions between humpback whales and boats last season, a marine sanctuary said. There are at about 10,000 to 15,000 humpback whales in the world, and over 1,000 of them visit the tropical waters of hawaii every year at the end of november. They consume enough during these months to support them during the winter months in hawaii, where it is believed they do not eat. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. For instance the end of june or early in november etc. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin. This was the third time that humpback whales received this special designation in the state of hawai.
Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Watching humpback whales breaching off the coast of kohala on the big island of hawaii. Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast. The warm waters off hawaii are the best spot to meet the humpbacks now.
Humpbacks are in hawaiian waters during the winter months to birth their calves and to mate. 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. Hi i am from new zealand can you please tell me when is the best time months to visit hawaii for whale watching. Kauai deals have started for humpback whale season. I know that the best time to go whale watching in maui hawaii is the winter months decemberapril. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. From the islands beaches or lookouts, you might catch sight of them in the distance. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10. Best island to see them from is maui, or lanai, but can be seen near any island. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Thats the official whale watching season here on the island of maui, when over 10,000 humpbacks annually migrate from the summer feeding grounds in alaska. Humpback whale watching december to april see humpback whales in hawaii.
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