Maui has one of the most stunning natural phenomena on Earth during winter. The kohola, which number in the thousands, (or humpback whales) travel across oceans between Alaska as well as the north Pacific, to reach the warm and shallow water channels that run across Maui, Molokai and Kaho’lawe. This is a long trip that covers hundreds of kilometers. They participate in the oceanic ritual of birthing their young and then caring for the babies. The magnificent animals are abundance in January and in March. The locals make fun of calling it “whale soup”.
As the start of”whale” season in Maui’s waters drew towards the end of December, I found myself bobbing in the calm waters of Polo Beach, the site where Wailea’s Fairmont Kea Lani resort. While I soaked in the majestic sight of the whales – called kama’aina in the local dialect local to the island- revered by Polynesian culture , and featured in ancient petroglyphs and Hawaiian tales of creation, am reminded of the spiritual bond between us and the natural world. While they sing, dance as they socialize off shore and you feel the mythical power that is the kohola, which symbolizes power, strength and unity.
In the course of several days in a Kilohana room with views of the ocean, I began to scan for the sky, hoping to encountering whales. In a short time I saw a misty spout, indicative of a whale exhaling, and then I saw a tail fluke breaking the surface with a swift swoop accompanied by a dark pectoral fin visible within a short time. I tried to hold back my excitement, I uttered “whale!” to the surrounding swimmers who was focusing on a gigantic sea turtle, which had been spotted nearby. The spectacular moment culminated with a stunning breach and arching leap.
Whale watching season on Maui come to an end with considerable impact. There are a variety of ways to observe available, encompassing boat excursions as well as guided kayaking tours. places to walk along the southern and west coasts of Maui and several luxury oceanfront hotel establishments such as Westin Maui’s Hokupa’a wings, the Sheraton Maui’s Moana wings, and Fairmont Kea Lani’s Kilohana Suites and villas. Their balconies provide the perfect vantage point to observe this stunning display of the natural world.
We pay homage to the mammalian journey; holiday for Homo sapiens, as well as a hunt for Megaptera Novaeangliae (humpback whales). In order to participate in this amazing activity, one must embark on Whale Viewing on Maui. To make sure that you have a wonderful experience it is recommended that reputable Outfitters are selected from the list of recommended listed below. It can be anything in size from inflatables, sailing catamarans to large ships for exploration. Additional amenities include snorkel stops equipped with microphones that are dropped in the water. It gives you incredible auditory experiences, and includes the possibility of hearing whale music that travel over long distances.
PacWhale EcoAdventures, located in Lahaina and Ma’alaea has a wide range of boat tours that contribute to the Pacific Whale Foundation’s purpose of education, research, and conservation. I highly recommend the two-hour morning excursion ($1) that departs to Lahaina Harbor, as certified marine naturalists will provide insight into the habits of whales that are believed to move quicker underwater than in air. Males only are able to sing. Children under 4 years old cannot be on the boat. Breakfast buffet is included to enhance your experience.
Conclusion
Whale Watching on Maui is a truly unique adventure that you shouldn’t miss. While it could take some time to identify an outfitter that is right for you After embarking into this experience it will be clear that you have experienced an amazing, majestic animal experience and an unforgettable audio-visual journey unlike any other. The appreciation and support you show for the for the Humpback Whale species will help to protect it.
