WHALE WATCHING IN HAWAII
Aboard the Kamanu Sailing vessel
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Humpback Whales come to Hawaii every winter, seeking refuge
from sub-freezing temperatures. They bask in the
warm, hospitable waters of every island, to the
delight of appreciative Island residents. They help
boost the local economy. And then they return home.
No, we’re not referring to tourists. Each year,
humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters to breed,
give birth and nurse their young. And Island
residents and visitors alike welcome these gentle
leviathans with open arms.
Scientists estimate that about two-thirds of the
entire humpback whale population in the North
Pacific visit the Islands each winter. At birth,
whale calves can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and
measure between 10 and 15 feet in length. An adult
humpback can grow to more than 40 feet in length and
weigh more than 40 tons.
Whale watching is an extremely popular activity in
Hawaii. "People want to go out and see nature, and
the whale is without a doubt the symbol of the
marine life experience," explained one veteran whale
researcher. "Seeing a whale, even at a distance, is
just so gratifying to people. We have a connection
with whales. People look at whales as very
intelligent creatures that share the planet with
us."
Hawaii’s whale watching season takes place from late
November to mid-April. There are numerous whale
watching excursions throughout the state, many of
which guarantee sightings and provide expert
narration to heighten the experience. Many of these
operators have microphones that they drop in the
water, letting you hear the whales in the area.
(Whale factoid: Although both sexes produce a wide
variety of sounds, only the male actually "sings.")
Tracking and staying with a whale is an acquired
skill, so look for an operator with experience.
Federal law requires all ocean vessels to maintain a
distance of at least 100 yards from the whales, and
less experienced operators often get too close or
stay too far.
You’ll want to bring your camera and lots of film. A
word of advice, though: Always have your camera
ready. You never know when or where a humpback might
show up.
Whales may be viewed from all the Hawaiian islands,
but most of the whales congregate in the waters off
The
Big Island’s Kona Coast, with deep waters close
to its lee shores, is also fertile territory for
whale sightings |
Our Whale Watch season starts on December 15 th each year
and ends around May 15 th.
Our Boat has a very experienced crew and Whale naturalist
aboard everyday during whale season. Come and see the 8th
wonder of the world ,the Humpback Whale aboard the Kamanu
Sail and Snorkel boat. |
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