It's Whale Watching Season!

During the winter months, humpback whales migrate from their icy Alaskan waters 3,000 miles to Hawaii.  They mate and calve in our warm tropical waters.  Swimming at speeds of 3-9 mph and it takes them three months to get here!

On a sunny summer day, the excitement builds when a whale is spotted off the coastline. It is easy to see the familiar blow and sometimes we can spot a back or tail out of the water.  If you are lucky, whales can come quite close to shore and really put on a show.

Last year, I was touring a property and a pod of whales was frolicking directly below the lanai in Moanalua Bay in Hawaii Kai. They played for about half an hour before moving out further from the shoreline.

If you want to see whales up close and personal, there are many tour operators that have watching cruises.  You can choose from small mom and pop tours, to big fancy boats with luncheon provided. It's really exciting to hear their huffing and puffing breathing, and sometimes they will swim right beside the boat.

The whales only stay until early spring, then they migrate home again with their new family members.