A single humpback whale was seen near the big islands kailuakona area on thursday, aug. Between eight to ten thousand whales travel long distances each year from alaska to spend january through march in hawaiian waters. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll ever have the opportunity to partake in is a chance to witness the majesty of the north pacific humpback whales in their natural environment year, after year, these magical mammals grace hawaiian. At birth, whale calves can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and are between 10 and 15 feet in length. Whale watching on kauai every year, kauai is graced by the presence of one of the oceans most majestic beings, the hawaiian humpback whale. In fact, humpback whales can achieve the trip from alaska to hawaii in as little as 36 days.
They escape the cold and stay in the warm hawaiian waters from. Last week a young, playful whale appeared beside some. You can even take a whale watching tour to see these playful creatures up close. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. Whale watching season whales have platelike bristles known as baleen in their mouths instead of teeth, and they feed on krill and schools of small fish such as herring. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular. So its hard on the mother, but perfect for the baby. As the winter months approach, there are two big seasonal events that come with the cooler weather. The more than 3,000mile journey is believed to take as little as 36 days up to 46 weeks oneway. By 1993, it was estimated that 4,000 whales from the north pacific ocean came to hawaii. The winter months are when the humpback whales make their way from the cold polar regions of the north to the warm tropical waters of the south. Whale species that migrate and the distance traveled. The north pacific humpback whale population has grown from approximately 1,400 in 1966 to 21,000 in 2014.
North pacific humpback whales kohola arrive in hawaii after their journey from alaska sometime from november to may, with most sightings january to march, making february the peak time. Feb 01, 2020 its currently peak humpback whale season. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. The pacific whale foundation now has over 200 employees, they research marine mammal behavior and the threats they face. Explore whale watching hawaiian islands humpback whale. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Humpback whale behavior, migration and communication. It is generally believed that february is the absolute peek of the season. And those visiting hawaii at this time are in for a treat.
While it is possible to see whales throughout the year in hawaii, mauis whale watching season is based on the yearly migration pattern of the humpback whales. 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. Whale watching season in hawaii is always a special time, and will be a great part of your trip. 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. Due to the mild weather during the summer season the polar regions produce an abundance of food including krill, plankton, and small fish for the whales to feed on. Humpback whales of hawaii polynesian hostel beach club. Breeding and calving grounds are shown in red and yellow representing warmer ocean water temperatures. Kohola begin arriving in hawaii in november, with the peak of migration and activity occurring in february and march. Each year approximately 4,500 hawaiian humpbacks migrate from alaska to breed, give birth, and bask in the warmer waters of hawaii. The best way to experience maui whale watch season is to take a guided boat tour with a professional captain and crew. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. Oahu whalewatching excursion provided by hawaii nautical. 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. As many as 12,000 humpback whales estimated to migrate to hawaii this season by hnn staff december 19, 2018 at 10.
Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Humpback whale behavior, migration and communication capt. Humpback whale migration from alaska to hawaii author. There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale up close and will be something that you remember forever. So, if you really, really want to see lots of humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, go during the peek of the season between january, february and march. For more information about humpback whale migration, check out maui whale watching website. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. While nursing in hawaii, humpback whale mothers are unable to feed again until they and their calves make the long voyage all the way back to alaska in spring. In 1993 it was estimated that there were 6,000 whales in the north pacific ocean, and that 4,000 of those came to hawai. Last week a young, playful whale appeared beside some kayaks. Humpback whales visit hawaiian waters each year from november to may with the peak of the season being from january to march. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola, or humpback whale, in oahus southern seas. Roughly 10,000 whales are thought to migrate to hawaii each year, and although the increase is promising, they are still an endangered species and are protected by federal law from harassment.
The best time to see whales on maui is november through may when thousands of north pacific humpback whales grace hawaiian waters during their annual winter migration. We are proud to offer whale watching tours from maui, kauai, oahu, and. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii. In hawaii, the yearly whale migration is considered a homecoming, since humpback calves are born in hawaii. Their great size and charismatic behavior are just a couple of reasons why our maui whale watch tours are. Humpback whales are also known as kohola in hawaii. Hawaiis whale population is reportedly increasing at a rate of about 7% a year which means every year our sightings and encounters increase. Jan 31, 2018 hawaii is home to a number of whale species, including the northern humpback whales that migrate to the islands each year between november and may before returning to their alaskan feeding grounds.
The gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. When it comes to understanding the migration patterns of whales and figuring out why different species migrate in different ways it is important to understand what the purpose for their migration is because not all whales migrate for the same reasons some whale will migrate in order to get to their local feeding or mating grounds as they tend to have specific locations. Using a unique whale id photo taken with powerful camera zoom lenses allows researchers to determine a seasonal attendance pattern. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. Tips offered to enjoy hawaiis famed humpback whales from shore to sea. Schedule a tour or charter a boat to spot these magnificent creatures. A whale tale up close makes a whale watching boat excursion so worthwhile. Theres arguably no better place in the world to see humpback whales than maui. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll ever have the opportunity to partake in is a chance to witness the majesty of the north pacific humpback whales in their natural environment year, after year, these magical. As many as 12,000 humpback whales estimated to migrate to. 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. In california, good whale watching can be found yearround on the southern california coast. On the oregon coast, several whale species, especially gray whales, may be seen yearround, and the state trains volunteers to assist tourists in the winter months, during whale migration season.
Hawaii ist fur whale watching eine besonders geeignete anlaufstelle. During hawaii s whale season, the ocean is full of activity from humpback whales migrating from the pacific northwest to breed and nurse their young. The distance record for humpback whale migration is 25. Jan 02, 2016 december usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. Average of 8,00010,000 humpback whales visit hawaii every year. Whale watching season on kauai february 18, 2014 1 comment in kauai activities, kauai events and festivals by tanya if you want to see whales, now is the time. The biggest reason for this migration is food, but there are many other factors at. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Putting it all together how to maximize whale watching in hawaii. There isnt an exact number, but since the north pacific whale conservation has put massive efforts towards protecting these gentle giants, the population has skyrocketed. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales. Treat yourself to scenic ocean views as expert guides take you.
There are a number of whales that remain in hawaiian waters year round but the massive influx of humpback whales makes spotting a whale during the migration season basically a guarantee. Its whalewatching season in hawaii, and these creatures are. Sep 26, 2017 putting it all together how to maximize whale watching in hawaii. Seeing humpback whales in hawaii whale migration skyline. For those who keep an eye on the blue horizon, the whales can put on quite a show with their acrobatic antics. Organized whale watching started in the united states, when the cabrillo national monument in san diego was declared a public venue for observing the migration of gray whales. During their time spent in hawaiian waters, baby calves will learn the. So, it is safe to assume that last seasons breeding, becomes the following seasons birthing. This animation shows the migration patterns of humpback whales on a global scale. Their pectoral fins can each grow to 15 feet long, about onethird the overall length of an adult humpback whale, and inspired the scientific name of megaptera, which means, b. These gentle giants journey to hawaii from alaska each winter, maybe for the same reason many people prefer traveling to.
The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary has actually recognized hawaii to be the only state in the u. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Its whalewatching season in hawaii, and these creatures. If you are visiting during one of the months of low to medium.
Humpback whalewatching tours are in full swing in hawaii, and some visitors are discovering the giant mammals to be curious creatures. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore marine life. The giant whales are an iconic part of winter on the islands. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, hawaii. Jan 05, 2018 in fact, humpback whales can achieve the trip from alaska to hawaii in as little as 36 days.
During the summer months, they feed in alaskan waters, then travel 3,000 to 4,000 miles through the pacific ocean to hawaii. These humpback whales spent the summer months feeding in alaska and have now arrived in hawaii, after traveling nearly 3,000 miles. The humpback whales are generally found in and around the alaskan waters. Here is an example of 4 different species of whale that follow different migration patterns. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Humpback whales were plentiful in oceans worldwide before the global population was depleted by commercial whaling at the start of the 20th century. Humpback whales humpback whale are a migratory species and are commonly known for making one of the longest migration trips of any animal. During peak months of migration, whale sightings are a common occurrence in hawaii. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island.
Humpback whale migration humpback whale migration north pacific humpback whales leave the icy waters around alaska during the fall, swimming practically nonstop for nearly 6 to 8 weeks before reaching their hawaiian winter home, where they mate, give birth, and nurture their calves. 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. These gentle giants journey to hawaii from alaska each winter, maybe for the same reason many people prefer traveling to the islands during cooler months. The first whales start arriving to the big island in late november, and more arrive as the season continues, until their numbers peak in the months of january, february, and march. 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. 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. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. A gray whale reported in 2015 broke all marine mammal migration records she traveled from russia to mexico and back again. Get up close with humpback whales near the big island of hawaii on this guided, whale watching excursion. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the. Humpback whales also migrate far one humpback was sighted off the antarctic peninsula in april 1986 and then resighted off colombia in august 1986, which means it. During hawaiis whale season, the ocean is full of activity from humpback whales migrating from the pacific northwest to breed and nurse their young. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and early may, but some months are better than others. North pacific humpback whales leave the icy waters around alaska during the fall, swimming practically nonstop for nearly 6 to 8 weeks before reaching their.
You can learn about whale habits, find out how to spot them in the ocean, and maybe hear a whale song. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Every winter, the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to hawaii are a source of wonder and interest among both island visitors and residents. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Whale watching tours on the big island of hawaii 2020. The guesstimate is about 10,000 that populate hawaii during whale season. Since these 40ton creatures the fifth largest of the worlds great whales are considered endangered, laws prohibit boats from approaching them. Hawaiis waters will soon be filled with thousands of humpback whales that have made the journey from the pacific northwest to give birth to their young, and getting an up. This touractivity will have a maximum of 49 travelers. That same season, for the first time in many, reports echoed across hawaii of a decrease in the numbers of whales migrating to hawaii for their breeding season. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old.
So if you book a ride on any of oahus many boat or rafting tours during humpback season, dont be surprised if youre guaranteed sightings. Whale watching season has started earlier than expected in hawaii. In your research, you may have seen different timeframes defining humpback whale season in hawaii. Most whale watching tours run from middecember through march to midapril. The warmer waters allow whales to breed and comfortably raise their young. Hawaii is home to a number of whale species, including the northern humpback whales that migrate to the islands each year between november and may before returning to their alaskan feeding grounds. They migrate each year from the foodrich icy waters of alaska, traveling nearly 3000 miles to the hawaiian islands. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaii s humpback whales. The gentle giants are treated with great respect and are believed to be aumakua family guardians by some native hawaiians. Whale watching on oahu from december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola, or humpback whale, in oahus southern seas. Whale sprout from the whale watch cruise boat in the waters near maui island.
It is believed that the humpback whales migrate to hawaii each winter because of the ideal warm waters, varying ocean depths, and lack of natural predators. Whale season is the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures, which populate the waters near the hawaiian shore to breed, give birth, and raise their young calves in safety. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii live. Jan 17, 2018 humpback whale watching tours are in full swing in hawaii, and some visitors are discovering the giant mammals to be curious creatures. Humpback whales arrive in hawaii for mating season nat. Dec 19, 2014 the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary has actually recognized hawaii to be the only state in the u. Sep 05, 2018 officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year.
184 1184 139 668 732 352 745 1046 947 1171 207 30 250 648 186 1446 1203 1639 1449 1238 392 1356 1345 655 958 1154 119 158 590 1359 657 1245 62 1116 881 469