Did You Know Humpback Whales Play?
Maui offers its guests many natural treasures including abundant sunshine, crystal-clear ocean waters, and an amazing array of sea life. If you plan to visit Kihei, Wailea, or Makena between December and May then make sure you take the time to say hello to our biggest seasonal residents, the humpback whales.
Find Out More On A Maui Whale Watching Tour!
Every year these amazing creatures swim over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the waters of Alaska all the way down to Hawaii to enjoy the safety of our clean, warm, and shallow waters. This is the time when humpback whales mate, give birth, nurse their young…and play.
Yes, humpback whales do play with each other by slapping the water with their pectoral fins, tails, and heads. They also perform “breaching”, where they surge out of the water and flop back down to make a big splash. Another game they play is called “spy hopping” in which they bring themselves just far enough out of the water to spy or peek at their above-water surroundings.
Whale watching should be on everyone’s bucket list, and Maui is the best place to do it. Our clear and calm waters allow visitors to get incredible views of humpback whales in their natural environment. Oftentimes you’ll also see mothers with their newborn calves!
If you’ve never gone whale watching before, it might be hard to grasp just how big they can grow to be. A female humpback whale can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) and stretch 60 feet in length (18 m). Just imagine what it would be like seeing these massive creatures breach from the water just a few hundred yards away or swimming under your boat; you get the picture.
These gray, school bus-sized gentle giants feed by sucking in great mouthfuls of krill, plankton, and other small fish (up north). As you can probably imagine, it takes a lot of tiny krill to fill up the belly of a humpback whale. A typical whale can eat up to 3,000 pounds of food a day!
Many companies provide safe, enjoyable, and educational whale watching tours for visitors to Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. Some even offer private tours for visitors who desire a more personalized experience or for groups that want to share an experience together with just their members. Whale watching is a perfect idea for families of all ages, honeymooners, reunions, and every other group outing.
At Ali’i Resorts, we know all the best whale watching tour companies in and around Kihei, Wailea, and Makena, and we would be happy to help you book your whale watching experience.
