Whale watching Maui is the best holiday destination for you and your family. Humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawaii annually to mate, give birth, and nurture their calves. The ocean in Hawaii is shallow, warm, clear, and lacks natural predators. Maui is an island in Hawaii famous for whale watching from the shorelines. To view the whales up close, go on a whale watching tour.
Whale watching tours
A professional captain and crew will guide your boat tour. This way, you can be familiar with the whale habits, know how to spot them, and listen to a whale song. The north pacific humpback male whales can sing underwater and be heard up to 12 miles away. The first whale sightings occur in October and November. March and December are the whale seasons. February is the peak season.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects humpback whales by forbidding vessels from getting within 100 yards. No one can own a whale and it is illegal to injure, kill, or sell them to other countries. These whales grow up to 40-45 feet with the female being slightly larger. Once the whales are in Hawaii, they don’t eat until they leave for Alaska.
Male whales do not take care of their calves. The female whales choose their partner. They mate with different males throughout their lifetime. It is up to the female whales to teach their calves how to swim and protect themselves from predators when they swim back to Alaska. The opening of a whale’s throat is the size of a grapefruit. Do not worry about them swallowing you.
Items to carry for whale watching Maui trip
- Hat and sunglasses
It will protect your eyes while watching the whales. Ensure your hat and sunglasses are in a secure location. Polarized sunglasses are recommended for whale watching.
- Reef safe sunscreen
You should use sunscreen protection on exposed skin and apply lip protection that contains sunblock. The chances of getting sunburns are high because of the sun and its reflection on the water. Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
- Binoculars
They are used in watching whales that are far from the boat or shoreline. After spotting a whale, focus and watch the whale’s behavior using the binoculars. Do not use binoculars for long to avoid seasickness.
- Go-pro and cameras
It is the best way to capture your whale-watching experience on videos and photos. Be careful not to get your camera wet or exposed to salt air. Ensure your cameras and phones have a waterproof casing and are charged fully. Choose a camera equipped with a zoom lens. Go-pro is best for taking underwater photos.
- Food and beverages
Consider the time you will be gone for the trip and carry snacks and bottled water. Confirm if the whale watching boats have available food to plan accordingly.
- Clothing
Carry a light jacket for morning trips and chilly rides due to the wind. Always put on the appropriate footwear. For instance, closed-toed shoes are recommended for hiking on the shorelines. Carry a towel if you get wet from sitting up front on a raft or sailboat.
- Seasickness medication
If you get seasick, you should take your medication at least one hour before the trip begins. Stay hydrated while on the boat by drinking lots of water. Eating bread, crackers, and drinking carbonated beverages can help to reduce seasickness. You can also buy a motion sickness wristband. You should keep your eyes on the horizon.
Tour options for whale watching Maui
- Catamaran
It is appropriate for a group tour with up to 100 people. To make sure everyone sees something in the peak whale season, the tour operators spread people out and rotate the boat.
- Sailboat
It carries fewer people compared to a catamaran. Groups of 60 people or less go for a whale-watching tour. They provide upscale amenities like food and beverages.
- Raft
It carries a small group of people. Raft rides are faster when compared to catamarans and sailboats. You will cover more ground. You will get a beautiful view if a whale ventures close by. These rides are usually bumpy. The sailing experience won’t be luxurious and smooth.
- Kayaking
It is a way of exercising while looking for whales. Go looking for whales accompanied by a guide. The ground covered is small but the experience is exhilarating, unique, and adrenaline-filled.
- Outrigger canoe
It is powered by your arms. You can’t cover as much ground.
What should you expect while whale watching?
- Blow
The adult humpback whales swim to the surface after 15 to 20 minutes to breathe. They also deep dive into the ocean for 45 minutes. When a fine mist of hot and condensed air expels from their lungs, we call this a blow. It can go up to 20 feet high. A blow is the easiest way to identify a whale.
- Mugging
It is when a whale takes a closer look by approaching the boat. The boat is not allowed anywhere within 100 yards of the whale.
- Breaching
Humpback whales are known to gain speed quickly. They launch their bodies out of the water and land with a terrific splash.
- Tail slapping
The tail is raised out of the water. When it hits the water surface, it creates a gunshot-like sound.
- Whale songs
When the surface activity is minimal, the whale songs can be heard if a hydrophone is placed underwater.
Conclusion
Maui is an island in Hawaii that is famous for whale watching. The water is warm, clear, and lacks natural predators. It makes it a suitable breeding ground for the north pacific humpback whales. They move from Alaska to Hawaii on an annual basis to mate, give birth, and take care of their calves. These creatures sing underwater and are heard up to 12 miles away. When going for whale watching Maui tours, you should carry a camera, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, food, beverages, appropriate clothing, and seasickness medication.
Comments are closed.