Homo sapiens are not the only ones who like to winter in the
tropical climes of Hawaii. Humpback whales also come to Hawaii, from
their summer feeding grounds off the Alaskan coast, to give birth to
their young. Whale calves are born without the insulation that blubber
provides the adult whales, to protect them from the cold. That makes
the 3,500 mile journey, from the freezing cold waters to temperate
waters, worthwhile.
Embark on a journey of discovery, as you explore the fascinating underwater world off the coast of Hawaii. From indigenous marine life to seasonal visitors like the humpbacks, the marine life in Hawaii, sports a variety of animal life that adds to the pleasure of a vacation on the sun soaked sand, washed by warm waters and fired by lively luaus. Set sail on a breezy, warm morning, chug out on a Charter boat, to catch these gentle giants at work and play.
Sharing space with the biggest creatures that live, is an exceptional
experience, but some cautionary measures also need to be taken, as the
fact is, both whales and dolphins are sensitive creatures and are under
threat from habitat degradation, pollution, increasingly busy seas,
whaling and other deterrents. So before you head out on your
exploratory trip, here are some dos and don’ts to bone up on.
Important Hawaiian Whale Watching Tips
- Humpback whales start to arrive in Hawaiian water in November and stay there until the end of May, when they begin their return journey to Alaska. This is the best time of the year for whale watching. If you are still in the planning stage, keep in mind that within this period, the peak whale season is during February and March, so plan your trip accordingly.
- The Humpback whales can be seen all around the Hawaiian Islands, but they are more concentrated in numbers around the Big Islands of Kauai and Maui. There are whales to be seen at Oahu too, but not as many as there are on Kauai and Maui.
- There are places along the coast where you can see the whales. However, a charter boat trip out to where the whales are, is the best way to get close to them in their natural habitat. Experienced crews know where the pods of whales are and will be able to take you there.
- Responsible charter boat operators would have voluntarily signed up to the Code of Conduct and Ethics of whale watching, as this protects you and the animals. One such code is how close to the pod the boat can go, before the engines are cut, which is approximately 100 yards from the pod. Respect their space and they will respect yours. Though sometimes the more curious ones could approach the boat to inspect the visitors.
- Once the whale pod has been sighted, sit back and enjoy the most remarkable experience of your lifetime. Remember respect the whales, respect the laws and respect your fellow viewers too.
- Your boat operator will allow the animal to control their environment and the duration of the encounter. While approaching the whale pod the boat operator will maintain a parallel course with the pod.
- Good charter operators also follow a code of viewing and manner of approach. The boat operator on approach will keep the boat at or below the no-wake speed and will also coordinate with other vessels in the viewing zone. Time of viewing will generally be limited to 30 minutes.
So before you charter your boat, check out the operators and don’t be afraid to ask questions so that your whale watching excursion is an incredible adventure.
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