Aloha…I live on the island of Hawaii, in the County of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii…I love living in Hawaii; it’s full of wonderful, amazing and fabulous things and experiences you can have nowhere else on earth. For instance today, I saw a baby Humpback whale being born.
Winter and early spring in Hawaii are especially magical times-well, more magical even for people who don’t live here know. Starting about mid-November and lasting through April, Humpback whales migrations have been happening and setting up home along the west coast of the islands. They can be found in Hawaii’s low lying areas all the way up to the central mountain region.
And so they are, Humpback whales have made their home not only here on the island of Hawaii, but also off its coastlines in the Pacific Ocean and in Cabo San Lucas as well. Migratory seasons mean that you can expect to see the whales surrounding the mountain tops and traveling coast to coast. Some viewings of the whales start as soon as they start to warm up and gain air. Often the whales move closer to shore, and usually can be seen within a several miles radius around the coastline.
The ones that move close enough to be spotted often come within viewable distance of the shoreline, although this can be quite unpredictable, the best bet is to wait until they are warmer and more open. It is also quite possible that the whales move out of view as the season progresses and their resting areas become more widely accessible.
Although, on the whole, the numbers seem to be on a downswing now, you still have to see them to believe it. Countless times I have witnessed the amazing majesty of these creatures while riding the trails in the mountains around here. Never once have I witnessed the whales wash up onto the beach without washing up onto the sand first. They are truly magnificent and it is a great feeling to realize that they are able to be so magnificent.
On a more practical note, due to the size of the mammals and the amount of food they eat, it is not nearly as easy to spot a whale around the island of Hawaii as it once was. The whales are very obvious in their presence and you can often see them directly under your feet. If you are really into surmounting this is quite an experience. However, it is not for the faint of heart.
There are many different types of accommodations you can find and which are both scenic and comfortable, you will want to consider these factors before you book your trip. Be sure to count down your days and plan accordingly. However, it is quite easy to change your plans when you are in the middle of nowhere.
The southwestern portion of the island of Hawaii is home to the whales. This is the area where the P-North Poles are located. The whales are generally south of the pole, present all around the island and come as close to the coast line as they do to populated areas. In the daytime the area is lit by the sun, and at night it is lit by the moon. Lastly, the whales do not have a dorsal fin, only a cone. The cone is a fin at the end of the Whale’s primary pair of fins.
Now that you are acquainted with the general locations of the different species of whales on the island of Hawaii, once you decide to check out some specific locations, you will become more acquainted with what to expect.
Due to the dispersal of the Hawaiian species, it is not possible to provide a habitat for all the whales. The areas that are best suited for viewing, feeding and resting are those areas would be the beaches, in the marinas and along the coast in the off peak periods. Keep in mind that from May through October the whales are most commonly off the coast of the Pacific island areas.
The second consideration is the etiquette of the whale. You are in their home and you should do them no favors by approaching them in a manner that could cause them any harm. Keep your distance and respect their right to roam free. If you are out with your children, a whale watching safari with a professionally trained guide may be a better alternative.
What if you don’t have time to travel to Hawaii? Well, there are tours run by travel companies. You can visit the Hawaii of Hawaii Tourism web site to find a particular species of whale. If you visit there you will find a list of their tour options.
Mallow Lookout Point
Located near Pago Pago, Hawaii, the whales are generally visible between November and April inshrusting the area during this time of year. This is a great viewing area for most of the year’s whale sightings.
One way to get pictures of these whales is to take some of the pictures yourself.
