Humpback whale watching in Kailua-Kona, the Big Island, Hawaii

Our winter months here in the Islands are full of visitors. Not only are many people seeking to escape the cold winter days at home but also our native animals, the Humpback whales. They are returning from their feeding grounds in Southeastern Alaska.

They come here not to escape the cold but to give birth to their young. When a calf is born, they have no blubber insulation to keep them warm in the cold waters of Alaska. Therefore, the annual migration of the humpback whales is the longest known migration of any mammal. They seek out breeding waters of approximately 75 degrees.

Our Whale watching trips are exciting from the moment we leave the Marina. We never know just where they will be. We always head for the Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary which is just a 25-minute ride. Our fast boat is able to get to the whales quickly so you have more time observing them.

We will see each day, Humpback whales spouting or doing some kind of surface activity. Most often we are able to see them breach out of the water is a spectacular display of power. When these 40-ton whales breach and land they create an incredible splash.

As we listen each day to their singing with our underwater hydrophone to the singing of the males, we get an idea of all the activity that’s going on underneath us.

As we listen, often the whales come up to our boat and will spout or check us out to see who we are. These are incredible moments to be on the water and so close that you can smell their breath.

Once again, we only take out 6 passengers and are not restricted to a time schedule. If we are having a wonderful experience with the whales, we don’t have to return within the allotted time of the charter. I enjoy the experience as much as any first time whale watcher.