Humpback whale watching december to april see humpback whales in hawaii. Believe it or not, that is not always the case in kona. Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight. Some times and places are better than other for whale watching in hawaii. The foundation is a team of dedicated researchers, biologists, data analysts and support staff. During hawaiis whale season you can go on a whale watching cruise along the big islands hilo, kona or kohala coast.
Where they call hawaii their winter home december to april of each year. Body glove afternoon kona whale watching tour from kona pier. Other species of whales are attracted to hawaiis warm, shallow waters year round, so wherever you travel on the island of hawaii, keep your eyes open for these marine visitors. Dan salden and has studied humpback whale social affiliation each season since, each winter in hawaiian waters and some summers in alaskan waters. For a more intimate and highly educational experience, captain tom bottrell, a professional marine ecologist, offers excellent kona whale watching tours of no more than six people. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. It seems like a certain few individual sharks enjoy hawaii and return periodically but its still a holy grail sighting. Our vessel, the wicked wahine, is a fast, comfortable ride that. Enjoy kona coffee, soft drinks, crunchy granola bar snacks and the chance to see these large whales up close. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season. Whale watching season has started earlier than expected in hawaii. Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales.
The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. Located near kawaihae and spencer beach north of waikoloa, the elevated view from puukohola makes this one of the best places to spot whales. Here is a selection of big island whale watching tours or other cruises on which you are likely to see whales. Humpback whales visit hawaiian waters each year from november to may with the peak of the season being from january to march. Captain dan mcsweeneys whale watching adventures, holualoa. Honokohau marina north boat ramp, 74425 kealakehe pkwy, kailuakona, hi 96740 check in. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching.
If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. The peak hawaiian whale watch season is january through march. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. Open ocean safari freediving and snorkeling kona with whales and dolphins. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales. Since long before whale watching gained the enormous popularity it boasts today, captain dan mcsweeneys passion and caring for whales defined the character of his whale watching business. That while their season in hawaii isnt normally set to get underway for about a month. Check out our tips and tricks to see whales on hawaii if you are interested in learning how to see andor listen to the whales yourself, or our 6 great whale watching tips to make the best our of any whale watching cruise. Experience kona whale watching kona district, hawaii. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. Come see the humpback whales frolic in hawaiis warm waters.
Although most hawaii guidebooks state that whale watching season runs from november to april, the peak time for whales in kona is from midjanuary through early march. Swim with dolphins, whale watching kailuakona hawaii. The open ocean safari delivers opportunities to see whales, dolphins, whale sharks, big pelagic fish, sharks, mantas, and more. Join us at wahine charters to view oceanic attractions, as we follow the kona coastline on our search for hawaiian spinner dolphins. Hawaiis humpback whale season is in full swing by november, and winds down with the majority of whales departing in april and may. Federal law requires divers to keep a distance of least 100 yards from the humpbacks that make the islands their home from late november to early may. Between 10,000 and 15,000 humpback whales arrive in hawaii for the holidays each winter, with the largest concentration of them congregating in the waters between maui, molokai, and lanai just off shore from ka. Hilo whale watching is best from december april humpback whales are become a daily favorite, with sightings on every whale watch tour or you come again free. December to april is an exciting time for the big island of hawaii because it marks whale watching season. We understand your precious vacation dollars deserve to be spent on the very best. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. The pacific humpback whales call hawaii their seasonal home while they mate, calve and raise their young. If you are here in the winter, there are many whale watch cruises available during humpback season, offering a wide range of boats, activities, education and amenities.
Join the crew of hang loose for a kona whale watch tour. Book now and see these incredible creatures up close as they play, swim, and breach the waters off the coast of the big island a very exhilarating experience. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. The last whales could stick around until april before they make their trek back to alaska. He personally conducts the only whale watching company on hawaii i island that actively supports and protects. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Welcome to the official website for dan mcsweeneys whale watch learning adventures. Oct 03, 2019 humpback whales have returned and free whale watching in hawaii is really possible. Go on a whale watching adventure on this cruise in kailuakona. Every winter, our humpback whales in hawaii make the 3,000mile journey from alaska to hawaii to mate and give birth in our warm tranquil waters. One of the giants was reportedly seen breaching multiple times. Humpback whale watching tours look for humpback whales along the kona coast. Waikoloa whale watching 8am whale watch hawaii ocean sports offers wake up with the whales a 90 minute morning whale watch on a sailing catamaran, casting off. A single humpback whale was seen near the big islands kailuakona area on thursday, aug.
Reserve your seat on a kona whale watch tour today for a chance to get up close and personal with some of the largest mammals in the world. 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. Ocean sports offers a variety of tours including this wake up with the whales tour. 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. 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.
On the east side, hilo bay is another place popular for whale sightings. Big island whale watching cruise from kailuakona youll have an opportunity to see these magnificent whales in this special, onceinalifetime cruise. Just as our idyllic weather welcomes tourists from around the world, the warm and shallow waters surrounding the hawaiian islands are a favorite destination for kohola, or humpback whales. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaiis shorelines. Sperm whales, which tend to lounge along the surface like giant logs, are sometimes in residence, as are beaked whales, pilot whales and the. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii. Hawaii is one of the only places in the world where you can see a pacific humpback whales in their natural habitat. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march. Board a 48foot 15meter delta boat in honokohau harbor, and set sail on the water to try and spot whales in their natural habitat. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular.
Dec 12, 2017 its about 11 am here today, and the weather is perfect. See and experience this phenomenon, a rare opportunity to listen to their songs and learn all about the annual hawaii whale season. In fact, puukohola literally means hill of the whale in hawaiian. The sea smoke has won several awards, including accolades for voyages across the pacific ocean.
We are the original company to take people to meet and encounter the dolphins as their primary activity. 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. This whale surface behavior, such as breaching and tail slaps, make for exciting whale watching in hawaii. 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. We strive to offer the most safe, educational and deeply rich experience. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Dolphin swim hawaii swim with dolphins kona hawaii big islands best wild dolphin snorkeling encounters. The humpback whale is known for making an annual migration of nearly 6,000 miles, one of the longest of any mammal. Ocean sports wake up with the whales hawaii discount.
Every year more than 20,000 humpback whales return to hawaii for breeding season and were lucky enough to enjoy their company. Body glove afternoon kona whale watching tour from kona pier sail beautiful kona coast in search of humpback whales. Welcome to dan mcsweeneys whale watch learning adventures. We will begin processing online booking requests after september 1st, 2020 so please wait until then to submit your booking forms. Whether from the shore, in outrigger canoe or on a whalewatching boat tour, humpback wales are easy to see in hawaii from november to april, with january through march being the highest season for whale watching. This threehour whale watching tour is a mustdo on your big island vacation. Feb 21, 2016 humpback whales mother, baby, and escort seen on the captain zodiac whale watching tour march 2015. Ocean tours to learn about humpback whales and see them close up off the kona coast of hawaiis big island, personally guided by veteran whale researcher captain dan mcsweeney. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. If you are visiting kona during whale season, the chance of seeing whales is pretty good. Big island whale watching tour venture out with wahine charters and witness one of the largest animals on the planet on the best whale watching charter in hawaii.
So unless youre already going in the next few weeks, now is a good time to plan for next season. These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. Put your whale watching experience in the hands of a researcher who has studied whales his whole life. Have a whale of a time visit maui for whale season. It is estimated that more than 10,000 of these whales migrate to the hawaiian islands each year during the winter, in search of a warmer climate. For example, if you are visiting hawaii outside whale season which is between november and may your chances of seeing a whale are very slim. A single humpback whale was seen near the big islands kailua kona area on thursday, aug. Waikoloa whale watching 8am whale watch hawaii ocean sports offers wake up with the whales a 90 minute morning whale watch on a sailing catamaran, casting off from the shore of waikoloa. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if. There are many variations on the whale watching cruise in hawaii. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. When you dive with whales in hawaii, remember that the whales are diving with you. The humpback whales leave the icy waters of alaska and migrate 6000 miles to hawaii every year to give birth and care for their calves.
Humpback whales have returned and free whale watching in hawaii is really possible. Some of the best hawaii whale watching can be found where lava flows protrude out into the ocean along the west coast. Hawaii whale watching, oahu whale watch near ko olina, waikiki. Big island whale watching tours my kona adventures. Watch the northern pacific humpback whale in their playground and ours, beautiful hawaii. From december through marchapril, the magnificent humpback whales make their yearly migration from alaska to hawaii. Jan 18, 2017 kona hawaii humpback whale sighting filmed with hawaii marlin fishing and daron castoro. Open ocean safari freediving and snorkeling kona with. Luxury whale watching in kona hawaii alii ocean tours.
Get in touch with your wild side on our oahu whale watch tours. Choose from catamarans, zodiacs, jetboats and even kayak and outrigger canoe tours that depart from centralized locations including lahaina and kaanapali on maui, waikiki on oahu, and kailua kona on the big island. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales, which all might make an appearance during your cruise. Free whale watching in hawaii 2020 season underway. Whale watching tour get ready to see our hawaiian gentle giants in action. During whale season, you can see whales from every coastline in hawaii. Humpbacks are in hawaiian waters during the winter months to birth their calves and to mate. The whale watching season in kauai runs from november through march. Nov 17, 2016 whale watching is a great big island activity. Captain dan mcsweeneys whale watching adventures holualoa. Best chance to see them would be in the winter off the big island kona side or the channel between lanai and molokai.
Hawaii whale research foundation was founded in 1987 by dr. Maui, kauai and the big island are the most popular islands for hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. The hilo side see far less boaters with only a few commercial operation so enjoy a one on one whale encounter without another boat in sight unlike the kona whale watching partys. Kona dolphin swim swim with dolphins kona hawaii kona. Guaranteed whale watch in kona 2020 big island of hawaii. Humpback whales mother, baby, and escort seen on the captain zodiac whale watching tour march 2015. In your research, you may have seen different timeframes defining humpback whale season in hawaii.
Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. Join an epic expedition in search of hawaiis biggest and best marine life. Incredible sailing experiences and ample deck space 58 feet long by 28 feet wide make the sea smoke a favorite choice for excursions of all types. If viewing whales by boat, opt for an early morning or late afternoon tour to avoid the midday heat and to sail when seas are calmest. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii live. 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.
Kona hawaii humpback whale sighting filmed with hawaii marlin fishing and daron castoro. The channel between the kona side and the southeastern end of maui is a draw not only for humpbacks but some of the more elusive species. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. Whale watching on the big island of hawaii big island. Whale sightings are guaranteed, or you will be given a voucher for another tour. Whether from the shore, in outrigger canoe or on a whale watching boat tour, humpback wales are easy to see in hawaii from november to april, with january through march being the highest season for whale watching. Today is the second day in a row that ive seen a whale here. Its about 11 am here today, and the weather is perfect. Hawaii whale watching is definitely an activity you dont want to miss out on if youre visiting the islands during whale watching season. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Kona whale watching is great all year long because the water is usually calm, and the ocean gets very deep right offshore, so access to the whales may take only minutes. Flip nicklinminden pictures the sanctuary ocean count provides hawaii residents and visitors with the opportunity to actively participate in evaluating the status of humpback whales.
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