Whale watching boat tours can offer a closer view of humpbacks. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. Closer to the modern honolulu, whales can be seen off the cliffs surf break near diamond head. Its that super duper awesome time of year when the humpback whales swim around their hawaii playground.
The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. Where they call hawaii their winter home december to april of each year. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Makapuu lighthouse and hanauma bay offer several seaside overlooks that provide a distant vantage. During the months from december to may, pods of humpback whales migrate through hawaiis warm waters, and this tour guarantees whale sightings. You can also spot whales from oahus many beaches and from southeastern oahu spots like the scenic makapuu lighthouse, hanauma bay, and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head.
Oahu whale watching tours are a particular delight for visitors coming to hawaii to escape the winter chill and the humpback whales seen on these whale watches can often be. Each year, the great humpback whales migrate some 4,500 miles, from summer feeding grounds in alaska, to mate in the warm waters of hawaii. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Having the opportunity to watch 40ton whale leap out of the ocean to create a big splash is one of the many reasons that make winter a good time to visit hawaii hawaii is a sanctuary for humpback whales. November, december and january are frequently listed as the start of the season with april and may usually designated as the end of the season. 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 watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. The best whale watching in hawaii often happens on oahus shores. One of the giants was reportedly seen breaching multiple times. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if. Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii. We wanted to see how close we can get to the humpback whales here in oahu.
Humpback whales have returned and free whale watching in hawaii is really possible. The later you can take a whale watching tour in december, the more whales you will see. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if you go during whale season. The whale watching season generally starts around the 15th of the month and goes until the 15th of may. Both tours are truly dedicated to the oahu whale watching experience, and expert naturalists share insightful information and educational commentary on the humpback whales behavior and biology. Wild side hawaii whale watching, swimming with wild dolphins, snorkeling tour oahubased combination of best snorkeling, swimming with wild dolphins, year round whalewatching, incredible history, stunning landscapes, and a mesmerizing wealth of natural beauty that only mother nature at her finest can provide our mission is quite simply, conservation through experience. During the winter months from december through april, thousands of pacific humpback whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds off alaska to the warm hawaiian waters to mate and nurse their young. Small group 610 passengers charters include yearround whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and snorkeling with giant sea turtles and endemic tropical reef fish. Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii. Most whale watching tours run from middecember through march to midapril. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world.
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. Portion of proceeds donated to marine conservation orgs. Come along see catch these beautiful mammals at their best on our exciting ecofriendly whale watching excursions. Honolulu whale watching deals in honolulu, hi groupon. Whale watching around oahu is pretty dismal in december. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. Hawaiian islands humpback whale sanctuary ocean count. The gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. Sanctuary ocean count hawaiian islands humpback whale. Humpbacks are in hawaiian waters during the winter months to birth their calves and to mate. From december through april, kohala, the humpback whale, makes the annual migration to play and breach in hawaiian waters. We offer daily sunset dinner cruises and seasonal whale watch cruises. Waikiki and kewalo basin charters are not in the sanctuary. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola, or humpback whale, in oahus southern seas.
Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Can you see the whales with their calves or is it just adults you can see usually. Whale watching cruise along scenic oahu west coast. If so, we might actually skip honolulu to spare us one interisland flight. Wild side deemed one of the top five american whale watching tours its whale season. A humpback whale breaches off the coast of oahu in hawaii. Oahu whale watching tours the whale watching season is usually under way by the 15th of december and usually lasts through april. 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 very best months are february and march when whale sightings are almost guaranteed. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season. With a small group of people, watch the gentle giants swim, feed. Whale watching tours and cruises depart from various ports. With a small group of people, watch the gentle giants swim, feed, breach and play around your boat. Reef fishing and snorkel adventure for one or two adults or children from tradewind charters up to 44% off.
If you are visiting during one of the months of low to medium humpback whale activity or from one of the islands that have less activity, taking a boat tour can help increase your chances of seeing whales. Where is the best place to go whale watching in hawaii. If you are very passionate about whale watching, but arent interested in a boat tour, you could consider spending the day in waipio valley, hiking to pololu valley, or having a sunset picnic in holoholokai beach park. Whalewatching cruise for one, two, or four from pink sails waikiki up to 72% off. Get in touch with your wild side on our oahu whale watch tours. Get in touch with your wild side and meet your finned counterparts on our oahu whale watch and dolphin encounter charters hawaii is the only birthing grounds of humpback whales in the us, and has year round whale watching of other marine mammals. It takes hours of filming due to a large mass of ocean to scan over the. December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. From december to april thousands of humpbacks gather in the waters off hawaii. Chose a oneandahalf or twohour whale watch adventure that takes off from lahaina harbor with 17 other guests aboard its 30foot rigidhulled inflatable raft. 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. Dec early may you might be fortunate to see humpback whales surfacing. For your personal whale tale, book a tour on a whale watching cruise.
Volunteers monitor the water for signs of humpback whale activity. Kauai whale watching tours whale watching kauai capt. You can use the species and date filters to see changes throughout the year. Hawaii is a favorite wintering spot for na kohola humpback whales and has one of the largest seasonal populations of north pacific humpbacks in the world. The waianae coast is the best place in oahu to spot whales. If one is seeking to enjoy an encounter with the species, there are myriad options available. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march. For a leisure midday whale experience, choose the stars popular premier whale watch cruise. That while their season in hawaii isnt normally set to get underway for about a month.
Every december through april, thousands of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of hawaii. In your research, you may have seen different timeframes defining humpback whale season in hawaii. For the big island you will have best chance of seeing whales in the north kona, and north and south kohala districts. Andys tours offer an opportunity to view these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Whale watching island divers hawaii oahus friendliest. Whale season in hawaii it takes lots of patience and time for me to share these wonderful graceful creatures with you. Humpback whale watching tours look for humpback whales along the kona coast. The trail, leading to a picturesque lighthouse, offers great views and in the. 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. Hawaii ist fur whale watching eine besonders geeignete anlaufstelle. An oahu whale watching cruise allows you to see humpback whales. There is a mandatory 14day selfquarantine for all visitors and residents of the state of hawaii. Oahu, hawaii whale watching, swimming with wild dolphins. Hiking enthusiasts can usually spot whales from the islands southeastern coast. Island divers hawaii whale watching charter is the only charter on oahu which conducts their tours inside the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Volunteers are essential in conducting the sanctuarys annual ocean count event. Whale watching hawaii oahu year round whale watch oahu.
Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. There were a couple of whales spotted of the west coast of oahu a week or so ago. I will be on oahu and i was wondering where and when is the best place to go whale watching in hawaii. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. If no whales are sighted during your cruise guests can go out again for free. The makapuu lighthouse trail is a popular hike any time of the year, but from december through april, when humpback whales are in residence, its amazing. Hawaii whale watching, oahu whale watch near ko olina, waikiki. 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. The whole family will enjoy it with our educational kids. Whale watching december thru march hawaii activities. Whales are also likely to be seen, though are not guaranteed, on all of our daytime adventures including snorkeling trips. 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. Oahu events in december including honolulu city lights, pipeline masters, and. In fact, whale watching is one of oahus main attractions, drawing onlookers from across the world.
Is there a better place on one of the other islands. Were fodors choice for whale watching on oahu, and deemed by cbs josh horwitz author of war of the whales as one of the top five american whale watching tours. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Witness the beauty and majesty of the amazing humpback whales as they make their annual migration through hawaiian waters. Oahus only marinebiologist founded and led ocean wildlife tours. One of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching. We are proud to offer whale watching tours from maui, kauai, oahu, and. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of november and. Humpback whale watching december to april see humpback whales in hawaii. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species. Try handson hawaiian culture activities such as lei making, ukulele and hula lessons. 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. Shoreline spotting is best from january to march when humpback activity is at its peak alert.
Boat tours and whale watching cruises, for instance, have become increasingly popular, with both commercial and private tour companies offering all. Whale watching in oahu a breathtaking adventure in hawaii. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities on oahu during this time. Whale season decemberapril every december through april, thousands of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of hawaii. Whale watching on oahu from december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola, or humpback whale, in oahus southern seas. By team whale tail hawaii tourism authority hta tor johnson. Courtesy of a research hydrophone, you can listen to live whale song through the vessel stereo system. 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. Spotting humpback whales are one of the best winter activities in hawaii.
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