Humpback Whale Watching Off the Coast of Maui; One of Life’s Truly Great Experiences
Whale-watching is truly a top class experience. For everyone, whales would have been very much restricted to films and people could see them jump out of waters while swimming. The pleasure of watching them alive is something adventurous. The whale-watching season starts as early as November. The largest numbers of whales travel through Maui waters from mid-December to mid-April. Every year about 1500 to 2000 whales migrate from Arctic covering a distance of 3000 miles. The estimated time taken is about 80 to 100 days. The favorite hunting place for the whales is the calm bay areas found between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Whales can be found cavorting in the clear waters flapping their wings on the surface of the waters. A normal humpback whale is about 45 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. They are breast fed for about 6 to 8 months after their birth. They consume about 100 to 130 gallons of milk per day. These whales eat less during the migration period but consume 4500 to 5000 pounds of plankton, krill and fish per day when they return to Arctic. There are lots of vantage points for whale watching in Maui. People can get to see whales from the land area. McGregor point, at mile market 9, when people head to Lahaina from Maalaea is a well known whale watching place. On their way, large groups of whales can be found on the Olawalu Reef between McGregor point and the town of Olowalu.
Puu Olai which is overlooking Makeena Beach to its south is considered to be the best spot for whale watching in Maui. This activity obviously demands greater patience. The water is blown up to 20 feet above by the killer giants. Whales will come up to the surface to breathe every 7 to 20 minutes. Focusing the eyes on the sprayed water from the surface may help you in whale watching. Binoculars may be very helpful. People can book a cruise to see whales at their best with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Almost every snorkel and dive boat becomes a spectacular whale watching vessel in the season. Lahaina and Maalea are the best spots for whale watching in Maui. The other kinds of whales like sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales and beaked whales can be easily seen.
Whales may be entertaining at times. They completely poke their head in to the shallow waters and suddenly rise up and may slap their tails or wave their fins at the audience. People say that it’s the usual Whale’s way of saying “HI”. They make perplexed sounds to communicate. The cruise may have equipments like hydrophone on board to enjoy the complex sound given by whales. People are not allowed to go closer more than 100 yards. The true power and beauty of the creature can be thoroughly enjoyed even at this distance.
Whale-watching is truly a top class experience. For everyone, whales would have been very much restricted to films and people could see them jump out of waters while swimming. The pleasure of watching them alive is something adventurous. The whale-watching season starts as early as November. The largest numbers of whales travel through Maui waters from mid-December to mid-April. Every year about 1500 to 2000 whales migrate from Arctic covering a distance of 3000 miles. The estimated time taken is about 80 to 100 days. The favorite hunting place for the whales is the calm bay areas found between the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Whales can be found cavorting in the clear waters flapping their wings on the surface of the waters. A normal humpback whale is about 45 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. They are breast fed for about 6 to 8 months after their birth. They consume about 100 to 130 gallons of milk per day. These whales eat less during the migration period but consume 4500 to 5000 pounds of plankton, krill and fish per day when they return to Arctic. There are lots of vantage points for whale watching in Maui. People can get to see whales from the land area. McGregor point, at mile market 9, when people head to Lahaina from Maalaea is a well known whale watching place. On their way, large groups of whales can be found on the Olawalu Reef between McGregor point and the town of Olowalu.
Puu Olai which is overlooking Makeena Beach to its south is considered to be the best spot for whale watching in Maui. This activity obviously demands greater patience. The water is blown up to 20 feet above by the killer giants. Whales will come up to the surface to breathe every 7 to 20 minutes. Focusing the eyes on the sprayed water from the surface may help you in whale watching. Binoculars may be very helpful. People can book a cruise to see whales at their best with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Almost every snorkel and dive boat becomes a spectacular whale watching vessel in the season. Lahaina and Maalea are the best spots for whale watching in Maui. The other kinds of whales like sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales and beaked whales can be easily seen.
Whales may be entertaining at times. They completely poke their head in to the shallow waters and suddenly rise up and may slap their tails or wave their fins at the audience. People say that it’s the usual Whale’s way of saying “HI”. They make perplexed sounds to communicate. The cruise may have equipments like hydrophone on board to enjoy the complex sound given by whales. People are not allowed to go closer more than 100 yards. The true power and beauty of the creature can be thoroughly enjoyed even at this distance.
Prices start at $31 per adult and $17 per child plus tax. (Dec-Apr)
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