Maui Snorkeling Trips

Simply The Best Maui Snorkel Information

You are currently browsing the archives for the Snorkeling category.

Archive for the 'Snorkeling' Category

Orcas And Humpback Whales

Author: reefannie, 3 12th, 2010

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

If you look really closely at the right side of this humpback tail you may notice evenly spaced scratches.  The left tip is also missing.  Both appear to be from an orca attack, but the scars seem to be old ones.  This was a male escort traveling with a mother and her new calf.

Transient, or rogue, orca can be very dangerous to a young humpback whale, or any whale calf.  Researchers tell us they are intelligent enough to know attacking a large whale would not be a winning situation, but hungry orca attacking a calf seems to happen very often.  There are many adult and sub-adult humpbacks seen in Hawaiian waters with scars from a battle with orcas.  Not all scars are on the flukes (tails).  Some scars are seen on the pectoral fins and around the mouth.  If a calf is attacked while still with its mother, mom will use her great tail or her entire body to protect and defend her young.

Whale watching is nearing its end in Hawaii.  We have only a few weeks left, but there are still many animals out there.  Tomorrow, all of us with cameras ready will be on the lookout for anything nature offers.  To find fascinating scars on whales is always a real photographer’s treat!  Won’t you join us?

comments(0)

Maui: Snorkeling Oasis

Author: UnderwaterFun, 3 11th, 2010

Divers are known to travel the world searching for the greatest diving and snorkeling spots—some travel agencies even offer diving packages. One of the most popular destinations is Hawaii, and Maui is one of my particular favorite diving locales. Maui snorkeling and diving trips are famous for their exciting deep sea adventures.

Snorkeling and diving, although both done underwater, have a few distinct differences.  In snorkeling, training and certification is not needed, which makes it an ideal vacation activity. Since snorkeling can be done in more shallow waters than diving, sometimes all that is needed are masks and diving fins.  Either way, whether you prefer snorkeling or diving, Maui is the place to be. Its beaches and amazing coral reefs makes it one of the best diving destinations in the world.

comments(0)

Shimmer & Shine

Author: reefannie, 3 5th, 2010

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

“What is that?”  The question was being asked by many passengers who were watching the turquoise glow shimmering in the warm tropical sun.  That color was a humpback white pectoral fin reflecting the sun.  We all waited with great anticipation as the animal rose slowly, took air and began to move away, followed very quickly by a scarred up male who seemed to be patiently standing by.

When on a marine safari in Hawaii it is always wise to remain vigilant and keep a watchful eye in the waters surrounding the vessel.  Our comfortable catamaran affords a wide and spacious upper viewing deck making it very easy to walk from side to side and gaze into the beautiful blue water.

It was a ‘mugging’ today.  The whales chose to come over and spend their valuable time with whale lovers old and young.  The amount of animals in the waters surrounding Maui makes it very easy to find whales to spend time with.  But it is the call of the individual that makes a close encounter one that will never be forgotten.  Can hardly wait for tomorrow!

comments(0)

Wind, Waves & Whales

Author: reefannie, 3 1st, 2010

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

Today’s whale watch was very challenging for the boat captain, but the whales never cease to amaze.  Twice mothers with calves approached the boat to check out the curious whale watchers.  Winds were clipping at 30-35 mph, but hardy passengers wearing jackets and secured hats kept cameras in hand as they clung to the railing.  Even though there is a comfortable and spacious cabin, everyone chose to stay on the upper deck of the comfortable and smooth feeling catamaran in hopes of getting a glimpse of these majestic and popular marine mammals.

Humpback migration season is in full swing with mom/calf groups seeming to dominate the waters around Maui.  Playful calves frolic and learn while sub adults and adult singles mingle in the waters around all islands hoping to mate before having to head back up to northern waters around Canada, Alaska and the Aleutian Islands in search of the fish they love.

Tomorrow we will board and head back out in search of the ‘friendlies’.  Cameras ready, caps off, those memory cards will quickly fill up and so will our hearts.

comments(0)

Best Places for Hawaiian Snorkeling

Author: UnderwaterFun, 2 25th, 2010

One of the essentials of any vacation to Hawaii is taking part in a Hawaii snorkeling trip. With several islands and dozens of pristine locations, there is certainly no shortage of premier locales. Before heading off to your next tropical vacation, think about where you would most like to see the sights. The following list highlights the best places for Hawaii snorkeling:

1.) Hanauma Bay, Oahu
2.) Makaha Beach Park, Oahu
3.) Molokini Crater, Hawaii
4.) Kealakekua Bay, Big Island
5.) Ke’e Beach Park, Kauai
6.) Kapalua Beach, Maui

comments(0)

Flying Babies

Author: reefannie, 2 23rd, 2010

Breaching Calf

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

It is peak humpback whale season and mother/calf groups are everywhere you look.  It is truly amazing to witness the population growth researchers talk about.

The calf in this picture was practicing breaching after mother left the water with a tremendous splashdown.  The calf then breached again and again for about 15 minutes before seeming to tire out.  The pair were quiet for a few minutes with the calf resting on its mother’s head, then breaching behaviors resumed, much to the delight of passengers, crew and captain.

Why do they breach?  Researchers believe breaching has multiple reasons such as sloughing skin, dislodging barnacles, parasites, remoras or cookie cutter sharks.  In the feeding grounds breaching is seen as communications and stunning prey, along with some of the same reasons mentioned above.  Whatever the meaning, breaching is a behavior one never forgets when seeing it up close.  The sound upon landing is a tremendous BOOM, which researchers say can be heard for a great distance, and divers in Hawaii can verify that.

Coming to Hawaii?  People come from all over the world to Hawaii this time of year just for the humpbacks.  Come out with us, we have plenty of room!

comments(0)

Mamo

Author: reefannie, 1 29th, 2010

mamoIndo Pacific Mamo

Photos Courtesy K. Velasquez

Can you identify the Hawaiian Sergeant Major, or Mamo, as it is called in Hawaiian?  If you were to say the one without the yellow in the pattern, you would be correct.  Stripes are the same, nearly identical, with both species, but the one with yellow on the top is from the Indo-Pacific oceans.  Both fish are very beautiful, curious of humans, and in a balanced reef, prolific.

Snorkeling in Maui waters is always a treat.  Where reefs are healthy, there is much life, colorful corals and sponges to take pictures of and share with family and friends.  Underwater cameras are quite affordable now, and many snorkel companies even offer cameras for sale or rent.  Snorkeling this time of year offers another bonus for visitors and island residents.  Male humpback whales are singing!  Just hold still for a few minutes and you could hear the song of the North Pacific whales who have traveled from as far north as the Bering Sea, for mating and birthing of their young.

Come to Maui and ask about comfortable catamaran vessels, which offer stability and nice open decks and large, spacious cabins for your snorkeling needs.  Some offer fresh water showers and wonderful crews who will take care of your every need.  Maalaea Harbor is the best place to leave from for those who would like to say they snorkeled a ‘tuff cone’, or vent for Haleakala, a dormant volcano, which helped form the island.  This time of year will offer whale watching while you are heading to your snorkel spot.  Don’t delay!  The animals are waiting.

comments(0)

Where Did All The Tuna Go?

Author: reefannie, 6 7th, 2009

TUNA

Photo Courtesy Fishbase.org

Bigeye tuna is very much sought out for its flesh texture and flavor.  In Japan it is often served as sashimi.  This tuna family lives in all tropical and subtropical waters, if it is allowed to live, that is.  Since it is quickly being overfished, the IUCN has listed them as VULNERABLE.

The juveniles are often seen hanging out with floating objects, or mixing with other tunas and sometimes nearer to shore, where the adults are usually in much deeper parts of the open ocean.  Both feed on cephalopods, crustaceans and other fish.

If these fish are being taken quicker than they can reproduce, why aren’t there laws to protect them?  That is the million dollar question.  Why?

Snorkeling in Hawaii is such a delight.  It is very possible to see small tuna coming close to shore.  Have your camera ready.  The photo opportunities are endless!

comments(0)

Blue Sharks Of Hawaii ~ Sad Reality

Author: reefannie, 4 27th, 2009

Blue Shark

Photo Courtesy Darren Baker, Fishbase.org

Blue sharks are found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters.  In Hawaii these beautiful sharks can also be seen in near-shore waters as well.  The largest blue shark on record, according to researchers, was 12.6 feet, but they are rumored to reach up to 20 feet.  This length has yet to be documented.  Researchers believe male sharks mature first around 4 to 5 years old and about 9 feet in length.  Females age about 5 to 6 years and 7 to 10.5 feet long.  Most researchers believe these animals can live for about 20 years, provided they don’t get fished out. Most shark species are slow to mature, and have few offspring.  Researchers do not know how many out of each litter survive, but odds are definitely against survival, in any form.

Fishing globally is taking our shark populations down at a rapid rate, even in Hawaii.  According to Gerald Crow, who wrote Sharks & Rays of Hawaii, thousands of sharks lose their lives every year to the fishing industry and show up in the marketplace.  Sharks are not a protected specie in Hawaii and many other places worldwide.  According to the IUCN, over 50% of the global shark species are critically endangered.

According to researchers, if this fishing industry is allowed to continue, in addition to the finning industry, which takes over 100 MILLION sharks annually, our oceans have less than 100 years before they collapse.  If this is true, we are all in dire trouble.  In Hawaii alone, from 1991 to 1999, nearly 900,000 sharks were killed for the marketplace.  These were mostly blue, mako and thresher sharks.  The style of fishing was long-lining, which is famous for indiscriminate taking of turtles, marine mammals, and many others.

What do we do?  First, we need to all educate ourselves.  Go to reliable websites and become armed with information.  Boycott restaurants that serve shark fin soup, and tell them why.  Physically go in to the restaurant, check the menu, and tell the management you will return when that item is removed, and walk out.  Write letters to your local newspapers.  Blog about it.  Protest in your area and ceaselessly put pressure to pass laws for shark protection.  Our children, our future depends on it.  The time is now.

comments(1)

Bottlenose Or Spinner ~ How Can You Tell?

Author: reefannie, 4 21st, 2009

spinnersBottlenose

We are often asked about porpoise and dolphins when we are out on the water during one of our marine safaris.  First, we do not have porpoise in Hawaiian waters.  Porpoise have very blunt rostrums, short, triangular dorsal fins and their teeth are spade shaped.  In the above photos, the triangular-shaped, dark dorsal fin is a spinner dolphin, whose rostrum very long.  They have a black eye-stripe, which flows to the pectoral fin.  Spinners grow 6 or 7 feet and weigh up to 170 pounds, according to research.  They usually rest during the day and feed in the evening hours.  Spinner dolphins can occur in groupings of hundreds, or even in the thousands, and those fortunate enough to come across them will be delighted by their leaping out of the water on their axis, sometimes jumping up to 10 or more times.   

In the other picture, the sickle shaped dorsal fin is that of the bottlenose dolphin.  Their rostrum is much shorter than the spinner dolphin’s.  They can reach a length of 10-14 feet, according to National Geographic, weigh over 1,000 pounds and have been observed leaping out of the water up to 16 feet high, landing on their backs.  They can live up to 50 years.  Bottlenose are usually seen in groups of 10 or less.  In Maui County, we have 137 bottlenose, according to Dr. Robin Baird, who tells us this population have cut themselves off from those of the Big Island and O’ahu.  Researchers tell us they can make up to 1,000 clicks per second, using echolocation, which both species of dolphins do.  Bottlenose are diurnal feeders and are frequently seen traveling with humpback whales.  Sometimes they are seen on top of a whale, apparently playing, but researchers are not sure.  In a past posting, we have a link to a video you can enjoy, if you haven’t seen it already.  Both species have conical shaped teeth.

So, there you have it!  The differences between the two species are distinct, but both are beautiful and really fun to find on any excursion.  As with any marine mammal, while in Hawaii it is illegal to approach to swim with, or interact for any reason.  Just remember to give them their due space and they will give you amazing memories. 

comments(0)
« Previous Entries

Maui Snorkeling Trips Social Media Marketing performed by iePlexus.com.
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).