| Hawaii whale-watching is truly a memorable | | | | Whale watching requires patience. Scan the horizon |
| experience. In this article, we will focus on | | | | for a cloud of spewing water that rises from 10 to |
| whale-watching off the island of Maui. Whale-watching | | | | 20 feet above the ocean's surface. Watch for a |
| season starts as early as November, but the largest | | | | good half-hour or so; whales need to breath every 7 |
| number of whales travel through Hawaii waters from | | | | to 20 minutes, and their spray is simply water vapor |
| mid-December to mid-April. Each year during this time, | | | | that they exhale from their blow hole. So once you |
| approximately 1,500 to 2,000 humpback whales | | | | locate that tell-tale spray of water, focus your eyes |
| migrate south from their summer feeding grounds in | | | | on the area for another one. Here binoculars are |
| the Arctic. Scientists estimate that this 3,000 mile | | | | especially helpful. |
| swimming trip takes them from 80 to 100 days. | | | | But the best way to see humpback whales is out in |
| The whales seem to favor the calmer bays and wide | | | | their domain--and you can book a whale-watching |
| bank areas between the islands of Maui, Molokai and | | | | cruise for that. Maui is the home of the Pacific Whale |
| Lanai. With their bulky heads and two blow-holes, | | | | Foundation. A non-profit whale research organization, |
| they can often be seen cavorting in the warm | | | | it supports its research by offering whale-watching |
| waters, breaching and slapping the surface of the | | | | tours. |
| water. Here they mate, or bear their "calves" | | | | In addition, almost every snorkel and dive-boat in the |
| conceived the previous winter. | | | | area becomes a whale-watching vessel in winter. Maui |
| A mature humpback whale is about 45 feet in lenth | | | | whale-watching tours leave Lahaina and Maalaea |
| and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their calves | | | | harbors daily during the winter months. In addition to |
| weigh around 3,000 pounds at birth and feed off | | | | humpbacks, sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer |
| their mother's high-fat milk for six to eight months, | | | | whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales and |
| consuming 100 to 130 gallons per day. | | | | "false" killer whales can often be seen there. You can |
| Strangely enough, the adult whales do not eat while | | | | also view the whales on a rafting expedition. These |
| in Hawaii, since they are "seasonal" feeders. However, | | | | excursions also leave daily from Lahaina harbor. |
| when they return to their Arctic habitat an average | | | | The whale may play a little game with you -- he will |
| humpback whale will consume 4,500 to 5,000 pounds | | | | poke his head just above the water's surface to |
| of plankton, krill (small, shrimp-like creatures), and fish | | | | "scope out the scene." That kind of behavior is |
| per day! | | | | actually called a "spy hop," meaning it's his way of |
| On Maui, the opportunities for whale-watching from | | | | showing off (if he feels so inclined). He'll then leap |
| land are extensive. A good vantage point for seeing | | | | completely out of the water. If he's only in the mood |
| whales from land is basically anywhere you get a | | | | to exchange nods, he'll slap his tail or wave his side |
| pretty a wide ocean view. McGregor Point, at mile | | | | fins at you -- that's the humpback whale's way of |
| marker 9, as you head from Maalaea, toward | | | | saying "Hi!" |
| Lahaina, is a well-known whale watching place. | | | | Whales communicate underwater through mysterious |
| Continuing toward Lahaina, whales can also be seen | | | | "songs," forming a perplexing series of sounds. Most |
| off the Olowalu Reef--between McGregor Point and | | | | whale-watching charters on Maui have a hydrophone |
| the town of Olowalu. | | | | on board, which will enable you to hear and enjoy the |
| When you head south on the Wailea coast, the | | | | complex sounds of these majestic creatures. |
| Outrigger Wailea Resort provides another excellent | | | | Remember that humpback whales are protected by |
| viewing spot, with a telescope installed by the | | | | the Marine Mammals Protection Act, and you may |
| Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine | | | | come no closer than 100 yards. Even at that distance |
| Sanctuary. South from Wailea, Puu Olai overlooking | | | | you will sense the power and beauty of these |
| Makeena Beach is considered Maui's best spot for | | | | creatures, and you will come away with memories of |
| whale-watching. | | | | a lifetime. |