Vacations travel

Each year
the Humpback Whales migrate around 4
0
miles
from summer feeding grounds in Alaska
to mate in Hawaii's warm waters.

During mating season
Humpback Whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity which makes Hawaii a popular destination for whale watching. This exciting surface behavior
such as breaching and tail slaps
make for exciting whale watching in Hawaii.

As a Hawaii local and avid waterman
I have 5 simple tips that will help you get the most out of your Hawaii whale watching adventure. So before planning your next Hawaii vacation
follow these tips and you might just have an unforgettable whale encounter!

1
Plan Your Trip During Peak Months

Humpback Whales begin arriving in Hawaii in November and head back to Alaska in late May. If you have planned a Hawaii vacation during this time
you should have no problem spotting whales. However
peak Hawaii whale watching season occurs during February and March. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet
shoot for these months.

2
Visit Islands Known For Whale Watching

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. If you are visiting Oahu
you can see whales there too
they just won't be as abundant.

3
Plan A Boat Tour

Hawaii whale watching tours are ideal for seeing these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. Not only will you be in the whale's environment
but because humpback whales are curious about their surrounding
they will sometimes approach your boat. Plan a Hawaii boat tour to truly get the most out of your whale watching adventure.

Boat tours are available departing from Lahaina Harbor many times throughout the day during whale season. On the Big Island and the island of Kauai
whale-watching opportunities abound with a full schedule of tours provided by seasoned
knowledgeable guides.

Humpback whales may also be observed from land if you prefer solid ground to the deck of a boat. On Kauai the Kilauea Lighthouse
Kealia Lookout and various high-points of land in coastal areas are good places to start. Once you're in the right place
spotting the whales is easy: just look for the majestic plumes of water ("blows") rising in the air and the playful splashes made by these gigantic creatures.

4
Respect their space

In Hawaii
whale watching is an avid activity
and like with most outdoors activities
there are rules. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale (known as the 100-yard minimum rule). However
there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. Experienced leaders of Hawaii whale watching tours know how to gently approach these animals and encourage them to come closer.

5
Preserve the Humpback Whale

The humpback whale almost came to extinction in 1966 after mass commercial whaling during the early 20th century. Today there are approximately 30
0
to 40
0
humpbacks worldwide. Federal laws protect them
but there are things we can all do to help preserve this amazing animal for future whale watching generation.

* Keep beaches and waters clean and debris-free
* Participate only in responsible whale watching activities
* Support efforts to stop illegal whaling
* Support legislation
research and preservation programs
* Patronize eco-friendly companies and organizations

You can read books about whales
but with so many opportunities to see them up-close and personal
there's no reason why you shouldn't start thinking now about your next Hawaii whale watching tour. It's fun
it's easy and it's a great experience for the whole family.