Maui Snorkeling Trips

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?

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

Today’s windy journey to see whales was not uneventful.  Whales were abound and in spite of winds more than 25 mph, we had whales come close and mug us.  This adorable calf breached over and over again, while delighted whale lovers tried their best to get the perfect picture.

From our vantage out on the water nearing the Auau channel (translates to bath water), we were able to look up on the ridge above an area known as Olowalu (many peaks).  There, courtesy of mother nature, is a magnificent bird in red rock, suspended on the mountainside for thousands of years, and probably thousands more to come.  According to Hawaiian legend, she is called Halulu and is a very important leader of migratory birds, showing them the way to southern islands, like Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and more.  At the end of the season, she would lead the way back to Hawaii.  Most of the information about this magnificent rock formation has been lost in time, and the best place to get a really good picture is from the water.  There used to be a very well defined head with beak until a strong earthquake in the early 1970s caused it to break off and fall into the valley below.

Are you an avid photographer?  Do you love wildlife and Hawaiian legends?  Come on out with us.  We would love for you to join us on our next whale watch cruise.  We always have room for one or two more!

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!

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.

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!

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

People come to Hawaii from all over the world to see the beaches, palm trees, feel the warm sun and relax.  They are on vacation.  Humpback whales come to Hawaii to mate, give birth, and fight.  Okay, the researchers don’t call it fighting, they call it competing, but it amounts to nearly the same thing.  The males body slam, ram, chase each other and are quite physical.  Today’s whale watch offered something different and amazing.

After going offshore about 4 miles we were approached by a mother, her calf, and an escort (male whale).  For nearly a half hour they circled the boat.  When the wind pushed us away from them, they followed and circled over and over again.  Every so often the calf would raise it’s head and look over slightly.  We were wondering, who really watches whom?  In my opinion, we were being handed a gift.  One that many first time whale watchers will never forget, and one that we all know was truly special shared moments between whales and people.

What would cause whales to spend time with humans?  Are they curious?  Do they want to communicate?  These questions are asked over and over by visitors, residents, and researchers.  We really do not know why, but after a day such as we had, none of our passengers really cared.  One visitor, with tears in her eyes, said she will be forever changed by today’s events.  I share her thoughts.

Do they want to spend time with us?  I think so.  This mother whale brought her baby over to a boat and circled constantly for a long time.  The escort was merely following her.  We were privileged to hear their every breath and look down at how very large they are.  We were close enough to see the calf was very silvery and light in color compared to its mother.  The male had many fighting scars on his back and even old entanglement scars on the dorsal fin.

What a special place Maui is.  Wherever your travels take you, coming to Maui during whale season should be top of your list.  Come out with us. We’ll save you a place at the railing!

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez