One of the most spectacular displays of marine life is that of a huge whale performing the seemingly impossible, when it leaps out of the water. The Kohala or Humpbacked whales, one of the largest whales in existence, migrate from their hunting grounds in Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii, to mate and calve.
Measuring up to 52 feet in length and weighing up to 45 tons, one would imagine them to be lumbering behemoths but in reality are graceful acrobats that effortlessly glide through their natural habitats and occasionally “breach.” When a Kohala propels almost half its massive body out of the water, performs a graceful pirouette and lands on its side with a huge splash, it is said to be “breaching”. To watch a Kohala spout a fountain of water high in the air, carve a graceful arc through the water, to just leap high in the air in an act of pure exuberance is to watch nature in some of its purest and most perfect moments.
The Experience of a Lifetime
These majestic, gentle giants are a protected species. If you have never seen a whale up close, within the permitted parameters, now is the time to experience the most unforgettable adventure in your life.
A “dream” vacation in Hawaii will launch you into a seascape of activities and the adventure of a lifetime is to watch pods of Humpbacks sing and cavort, in their mating grounds. They are not creatures to be feared because they actually are very friendly and curious about the watchers themselves who get to witness them. The Kohala are known to often swim up close to the vessels. Not to fear, the boats used for watching the whales are sturdy, and the type used by Coast Guards, Police and Navy for rescue operations. The boats undergo strict Coast Guard safety regulations to ensure that all safety gear are in place.
Hawaiian waters are normally very calm so the trip out to watch the whales will be tranquil.
Why Hawaii?
The Humpbacks travel over 3,500 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Hawaii in less than 2 months. They come to give birth to their young. The 75 degree waters of Hawaii is the ideal environment for the Humpbacks to calve and raise their young, as the newborn calves do not have blubbers to protect them against the cold waters of Alaska.
There are so many reasons to go to Hawaii. The climate, the beaches, the food, the unique culture, and ethos of the islands are unlike any other, from the rest of North America, or even the rest of the world. Whether you want to go and chill out on the beaches, explore the many water sports on offer, or visit the rain forests and volcanoes, there is something for everyone on the islands
One Day is All You Need
There are a large number of companies offering day long whale watching trips. You board the private boats, head out into the clear, warm ocean waters and spend the day close to the whales, dolphins and all kinds of other marine life. You can even spend some time in the water yourself, if you are inclined to do so. Lunch, snacks, sodas etc. are usually available, to satiate hunger pangs, for a day on the high seas.
If you haven’t been to Hawaii, start planning your trip. If you have been there but have not seen the Kohala, a return trip is called for. Those who have been whale watching will need no encouragement to do it again – it is one of the few truly memorable experiences that are worth repeating.
References:
http://www.whalewatching.com/index
http://blog.sailtrilogy.com/ten-facts-about-whale-watching-in-maui/
Measuring up to 52 feet in length and weighing up to 45 tons, one would imagine them to be lumbering behemoths but in reality are graceful acrobats that effortlessly glide through their natural habitats and occasionally “breach.” When a Kohala propels almost half its massive body out of the water, performs a graceful pirouette and lands on its side with a huge splash, it is said to be “breaching”. To watch a Kohala spout a fountain of water high in the air, carve a graceful arc through the water, to just leap high in the air in an act of pure exuberance is to watch nature in some of its purest and most perfect moments.
The Experience of a Lifetime
These majestic, gentle giants are a protected species. If you have never seen a whale up close, within the permitted parameters, now is the time to experience the most unforgettable adventure in your life.
A “dream” vacation in Hawaii will launch you into a seascape of activities and the adventure of a lifetime is to watch pods of Humpbacks sing and cavort, in their mating grounds. They are not creatures to be feared because they actually are very friendly and curious about the watchers themselves who get to witness them. The Kohala are known to often swim up close to the vessels. Not to fear, the boats used for watching the whales are sturdy, and the type used by Coast Guards, Police and Navy for rescue operations. The boats undergo strict Coast Guard safety regulations to ensure that all safety gear are in place.
Hawaiian waters are normally very calm so the trip out to watch the whales will be tranquil.
Why Hawaii?
The Humpbacks travel over 3,500 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Hawaii in less than 2 months. They come to give birth to their young. The 75 degree waters of Hawaii is the ideal environment for the Humpbacks to calve and raise their young, as the newborn calves do not have blubbers to protect them against the cold waters of Alaska.
There are so many reasons to go to Hawaii. The climate, the beaches, the food, the unique culture, and ethos of the islands are unlike any other, from the rest of North America, or even the rest of the world. Whether you want to go and chill out on the beaches, explore the many water sports on offer, or visit the rain forests and volcanoes, there is something for everyone on the islands
One Day is All You Need
There are a large number of companies offering day long whale watching trips. You board the private boats, head out into the clear, warm ocean waters and spend the day close to the whales, dolphins and all kinds of other marine life. You can even spend some time in the water yourself, if you are inclined to do so. Lunch, snacks, sodas etc. are usually available, to satiate hunger pangs, for a day on the high seas.
If you haven’t been to Hawaii, start planning your trip. If you have been there but have not seen the Kohala, a return trip is called for. Those who have been whale watching will need no encouragement to do it again – it is one of the few truly memorable experiences that are worth repeating.
References:
http://www.whalewatching.com/index
http://blog.sailtrilogy.com/ten-facts-about-whale-watching-in-maui/
