We have posted a number of photos spinner dolphins, whales, turtles, reefs, snorkeling and other adventures in this section which reflect some of the unique experiences of our charters. During hawaiis whale season you can go on a whale watching cruise along the big islands hilo, kona or kohala coast. First humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii cbs news. Here is a selection of big island whale watching tours or other cruises on which you are likely to see whales. Hawaii whale watching, oahu whale watch near ko olina, waikiki.
Experienced leaders of hawaii whale watching tours know. Hawaiis whale population is reportedly increasing at a rate of about 7% a year which means every year our sightings and encounters increase. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Instead of a random assortment of clips we wanted to tell a story about why humpbacks come to hawaii. 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. Whale sightings in maui typically occur between november and may. For the first time since 1966 when whaling was deemed illegal in the north pacific, humpbacks will no longer be considered an endangered species trying to come back from the brink of. If viewing whales by boat, opt for an early morning or late afternoon tour to avoid the midday heat and to sail when seas are calmest. The best months to see whales is usually between midjanuary and march as this is considered peak whale watching season. Sickly humpback whale spotted in hawaii waters this image provided by national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa shows a humpback whale sighted off maui, hawaii. With a small group of people, watch the gentle giants swim, feed, breach and play around your boat. In 2019, the first reported sighting came on the first of october off kee beach on. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount.
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. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Hiking enthusiasts can usually spot whales from the islands southeastern coast. Active volcanoes, monster waves, dreamlike beaches, surreal cliffs and thousands of humpback whales in winter. Offer is valid for a free return trip only, not available for. The ferry from lanai to maui spotted it near the harbor in lahaina so it is possible to have a whale but not likely. Even though noaa estimates there are almost 3,000 melon headed whales in hawaii, the chances of seeing one on a paddling tour in maui is definitely exceptionally slim.
A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. Watching humpback whales breaching off the coast of kohala on the big island of hawaii. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. Approximately 4,500 humpback whales visit the hawaiian islands each year to bask in the warm waters, breed and give birth before migrating back to their alaskan feeding grounds. Closer to the modern honolulu, whales can be seen off the cliffs surf break near diamond head. 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. Researchers saw the first whale about a week ago off the small island of niihau, near kauai, the. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world.
Here in the hawaiian islands, however, the white clumps of water that signify winter are found in splashes and spouts, when between 10,000 and 15,000 humpback whales arrive in hawaii for the holidays. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. A group of pseudorca encountered off lanai in march 2019. September 27 noaa reminds hawaii ocean users to follow whale protection rules first whale of the season spotted in honaunau bay. For over 20 years now, hundreds of volunteers in hawaii. This is only the groups third encounter with the killer whales even though they have been monitoring the hawaiian waters for 14 years killer whales are one of 18 marine mammals found in the hawaiian waters however many of these are rare and never seen. 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.
With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. However, there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. 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. 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. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. If you want to see humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, weve gathered some fantastic data and information to help you decide when and where to go. As you may recall, we had a little contest to predict the first whale arrival. In 2014, a sick sperm whale was sighted off of kihei, and it was presumed that the whale had. A soft gaze along the oceans horizon at poipu beach will bring to light one the greatest aerial shows kauai has to offer. December to april is an exciting time for the big island of hawaii because it marks whale watching season. Feds say first humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii. Hawaiian islands humpback whale news and events latest.
The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Though the official season doesnt start until novemberdecember its not uncommon to see these amazing creatures splashing around in hawaiis waters this early in october. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. The best whale watching in hawaii often happens on oahus shores. Humpback whale season in hawaii nearly extinct in the mid 1960s, the humpback population has grown with global whaling bans but are still considered endangered. My future wife and i will be in maui from 20 to 25 november on our honeymoon and i want to take her whale watching. Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight. There are so many whales in hawaii during peak whale season that locals refer to the ocean as whale soup. October 5, 2016 by dayna garland next year 2017 may go down as one of the most critical years for humpback whale research in hawaii in the last fifty years.
Hawaii the best tips for whale watching in hawaii whaletrips. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. The whales journey across vast oceans, navigating by instinct alone. When we visit hawaii during humpback whale season, we spend just about every spare moment whale watching. Hawaii s humpback whale season is in full swing by november, and winds down with the majority of whales departing in april and may. Marine mammal specialists estimate that up to 10,000 of these magnificent giants vacation in hawaiis warm waters. Flip nicklinminden pictures the sanctuary ocean count provides hawaii residents and visitors with the opportunity to actively participate in evaluating the status of humpback whales. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season. 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. In march the total count number goes down by half, but there seem to be. On this exciting big island whale watching tour, experience the thrill of traveling aboard a highspeed raft, and then seeing a whale swimming just in front of the boat. 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. Explore more things to do in hawaii go to experiences page.
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. Whale watching on the big island of hawaii big island. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. 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. With the first sighting of a humpback whale off the coast of maui in early october, whale watchers from around the world are eagerly making plans to view these majestic creatures in their natural winter habitat.
Whales at the end of october maui forum tripadvisor. The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Two thirds of the humpback whales in the north pacific, which is about 4 to 5000 whales, swim for 3,000 miles to. Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. 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. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. 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. Sometimes we see some in december and sometimes we see a few straggling moms and babies in april but october. Whale watching kauai returns the parrish collection kauai. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. 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. Captain zodiac board a 24foot zodiac boat in honokohau harbor in kailuakona and go on a threehour bouncy adventure through the water in search of whales. In hawaii, orcas are joining a population of approximately 18,000 humpback whales that are commencing their 3,000 mile annual journey to hawaii.
Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Captain andys has years of whale watching experience having been exploring the na pali since 1980. West maui is the site of maui whale watching of the humpbacks as they feed, mate, and take care of their young in the warm waters of the hawaiian islands. 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. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season is usually spotted sometime in early october. During the months from december to may, pods of humpback whales migrate through hawaiis warm waters, and this tour guarantees whale sightings. 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. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species. January 28 volunteers count whales in noaas hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. 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. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth.
Humpback whales have returned and free whale watching in hawaii is really possible. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head. Go whalewatching off the coast of oahu on this excursion from waikiki or ko olina. The humpback whale is known for making an annual migration of nearly 6,000 miles, one of the longest of any mammal. Every year since 1996 volunteers have been counting the whales at many locations throughout the hawaiian islands for the sanctuary ocean count. And even though these deep diving whales will spend ample time on the surface, they tend to congregate over offshore water that is many thousands of feet deep. A pod of four killer whales, orca whales, was found by cascadia research collective on friday 111 off the coast of kona hawaii. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Honolulu pride culminates on october 22 in a parade beginning at magic island through waikiki to kapiolani park where entertainment, vendors and booths will be set up all afternoon. Hawaii is their winter home, a place to play, to give birth and to start new generations.
I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer. Between november and march there are many opportunities for whale watching kauai. Whale watching on oahu graceful and gentle giants of the ocean, arching, breaching, and frolicking, hawaiis humpback whales take center stage during whale season. 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. The bay is great for swimming and snorkling plus you have the sea house and gazebo resturants right there our last trip in october 2008 the very first whale sighting in maui was the very end of october. The first humpback whales have arrived back in hawaii this week. Kauai whale watching tours whale watching kauai capt. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale known as the 100yard minimum rule.
I know maui is the real whale watching island but we loved oahu. Hawaiis first reported whale announced its arrival with a series of. February 6 advisory council recommends that humpback whale sanctuary consider ecosystembased management. In hawaii, whale watching is an avid activity, and like with most outdoors activities, there are rules.
Free whale watching in hawaii 2020 season underway. We will be on oahu from oct 19 26 and would like to try to see some whales. Whale watching season begins in hawaii luxe travel hawaii. These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. Visitors to the hawaiian islands can enjoy sighting these magnificent creatures from a land or sea vantage point between october and may each. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaiis shorelines.
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