Whale watching in Hawaii

[shofer]

Has anyone used a different vendor than the ship excursion to go whale watching? I'd be happy to hear how you experience was and if you were pleased. Thanks.

[CaribbeanBound]

You can see whales from shore too. If they are out there, you can see them.

[dmarch@islc.net]

We booked a sailboat. It was great, only about eight of us. Just go down to dock and jump on a boat. Sometimes it really takes away from the experience when you have to share it with forty people...this would one.:rolleyes:

[AFT_LOVER]

My favorite is Slip #1, great 2 guys who the whales seem to know. They have a Coast Guard type blow up ship that holds about 30 people. They know where & who the whales are in pods out on the water & you can see moms with calves right up to the men fighting to be the female's escort since they do not mate for life.

 

I am on their ships daily in February & help with talks with the people. My DH films the designs on the backs of tails when they dive, so the Pacific whale Foundation has dates, time & the design to ID the whale. They can ID babies to moms by this method also.

 

Feb 20 is whale count day when scuba folks hold hands to count whales within their pod & they mark them as counted.

 

I have met cruisers from NCL, Crystal, even Princess & the rates they were charged to be on a boat with 150 people is crazy & you cannot see the whales as well as being the same height as they are.

 

Has anyone used a different vendor than the ship excursion to go whale watching? I'd be happy to hear how you experience was and if you were pleased. Thanks.

[Host Karen]

The Pacific Whale Foundation runs whale watching cruises out of Lahania Harbor in Maui. You can reserve your tour in advance on their website at pacificiwhalefoundation.org. The price is reasonable, and they obviously know what they are doing.

[shofer]

Thanks to everyone for all the interesting choices. There will be 8 of us together and I'm sure some of us want to go whale watching. I got to do it in Alaska with my friend but the guys deferred. And we only saw one whale. This promises to be a lot more exciting. My DH is definitely going this time.

[zelker]

Pacific Whale Foundation is a wonderful organization and we are members and go with them every year but if you want to do a really "up close and personal, in your face" whale experience - check out Captain Steves (http://www.captainsteves. com). We own a place on Maui and have gone out with them on several occasions. The whales LOVE the inflatable boats and swim right up next to them, under them, etc. It's such a blast sitting up on the sides of the boat and these babies really haul so they move around quickly to get you into "whale soup"! You won't regret it!

 

Barb

 

PS - when are you going?

[shofer]

Hi Barb,

 

We are going on the 1/15/06 RT LA to Hawaii. There should be lots of whales "wintering" that time of year, right? I will check out Capt Steve's.

Is it close to the dock @ Lahaina where we land?

 

Sue

[safein]

The Pacific Whale Foundation and any other whale watching charters are located right next to the tender dock in Lahaina.

 

Also remember, that the boats containing passengers CANNOT come close to the whales due to Hawaiian state law. The whales themselves will come to the boat. The boats aren't allowed to head to the whales themselves. I believe the distance is 500 feet.

 

BTW, if you want even better answers, ask the same question on the Hawaii board.

 

Anita

[safein]

The Pacific Whale Foundation and any other whale watching charters are located right next to the tender dock in Lahaina.

 

Also remember, that the boats containing passengers CANNOT come close to the whales due to Hawaiian state law. The whales themselves will come to the boat. The boats aren't allowed to head to the whales themselves. I believe the distance is 500 feet.

 

BTW, if you want even better answers, ask the same question on the Hawaii board.

 

Anita

[shofer]

Great info. Thanks so much. We will have to book this ahead of time to get the time we want. (And hope we can get off the ship in time.)

[zelker]

Hi Barb,

 

We are going on the 1/15/06 RT LA to Hawaii. There should be lots of whales "wintering" that time of year, right? I will check out Capt Steve's.

Is it close to the dock @ Lahaina where we land?

 

Sue

 

Hi, Sue.

 

Mid-January is when you will really start to see a lot of whales so be prepared for awesome viewing!

 

Capt Steve's is at a little pier just a few minutes north along Front Street from where the ship tenders (too long to walk though) called Mala Wharf/Boat Ramp. Their website has directions and a map. BTW, not all the whale watching activities leave from Lahaina Harbor - there are multiple locations where they depart from Kapalua up north clear to Makena down south.

 

And yes, by law boats are not allowed to approach whales within 100 yds but there's nothing that stops whales from approaching boats and when they do, the boats shut down their engines and you can literally be held captive for a half hour while sitting in the middle of "whale soup" (that's what it's called - I didn't make this up)! :>)

 

Aloha,

 

Barb

[AFT_LOVER]

for whalewatching from our lania of our suite. We take a kayak out & have had a baby bump us for a real jolt. But to me in 10 years, the best whalewatch for $20 with under 40 people on board is Slip#1 at Lahaina harbor. They even have free beverages, which the big boats charge for.

 

The yearly jaunt from Alaska has them arriving for deliveries of calves in December & they exit by April to swim with calves back to Alaska to eat for 5 months! They have to love the warmth since there is no food in Hawaii for them. 110K males are about 40K when they arrive in Alaska. That is quite a diet!

[jff50]

Has anyone had any experience with whale watching on islands other than Maui?