Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photo Courtesy Jim Friend – Not to be used without written permission.

Sometimes it just isn’t exciting enough to be on the water during humpback breeding season and watch the cute newborn calves with their mothers, the big males fighting and body slamming to earn the right to mate.  Sometimes other fun presents itself in a most surprising way.

Such was the case yesterday when a very surprised captain, crew, and videographer came across a bottlenose dolphin interacting with a humpback whale singleton.  They were returning from a morning snorkel trip when the captain saw an animal making small splashes on the surface.  When they got closer they noticed a whale moving very slowly with a adult bottlenose working hard to stay balanced on the head of the whale.  The whale was seen bringing up its head just slightly enough to allow the dolphin to slide down.  The whale went horizontal just below the surface and the dolphin swam over and plopped on the head again and rolling over, belly up.  They did this repeatedly while surprised onlookers took many pictures and the captain did not hide his surprise while trying to explain this behavior, not unheard of, but not seen by our crew and captain until this day.  If you want to see for yourself, please click on the link here and turn up the sound to hear our excited captain’s commentary.

Whale watching in Hawaii is always an adventure, always fun, and if we’re really lucky, great surprises await.  Come out with us!  We can’t promise you dolphins, but we can promise you whales.

They beat the water with a nearly rhythmic sound.  Sometimes inverted, sometimes not.  Males do it, females do it, and even the calves do it.  Why?  The reasons and circumstances can be many.  Sometimes during a competition, males may all begin.  Researchers speculate it may be a testament of strength and power, announcing territory, showing dominance and many other reasons.  Calves practice until they get it right.  Mothers show the calves how to do this behavior right.  Whatever the reason, to witness such a show of power and strength is something that whale watchers never forget.

Researchers tell us that the group of muscles that run from the tail into the body is called the peduncle group.  These muscles are very fibrous and strong, similar in structure to the group of muscles in a kangaroo’s tail.  It is this group of muscles that the calves work on very quickly trying to thrust their bodies out of the water in a sloppy breach or head slap until they perfect their skills.  This group of muscles also propels a large animal (one ton per foot) out of the water to land in a resounding splash that can be heard for quite a ways.

Whale watching in Hawaii is in full swing with Maui County being the hot spot.  Researchers tell us that this area is favored by over half of the population that comes to Hawaii.  Planning a trip this way?  Better hurry!  Every day whales are leaving the area, but calves are still being born.  We’ll save you a seat!

We don’t have very many and each one is a real treasure.  Just as whale crazy as the captains and crew, these wonderful, dedicated, and hard working folks come to us from all walks of life, work with NOAA and other local and national organizations, and spend time out on our vessel to talk with the visitors and connect with the wildlife.  Our trips would not be the same without them.

On one particular trip, this special lady, Renee, was praised highly by a parent of two little girls who both sat with her on a bench at the railing and one felt so safe and comfortable she fell asleep, her head snugly in Renee’s lap.  The father blogged about it saying how special both girls felt and how amazed he was by the kindness of our volunteers.

If you are planning a trip to Maui, please look us up.  We plan trips on the water for snorkeling and whale watching daily, depending on weather and scheduling.  Our beautiful vessel is perfect for weddings, private parties, or just getting to know a handful of the many visitors who travel to Maui for whales, sun, and endless fun.  Let us share your memories.

This season has been outstanding for whale lovers.  Not only has the number of animals in Hawaii greatly increased, but the good news from research shows the increase could be as high as 10% instead of the 7% we were told before.  In the past two weeks the channel waters around Maui have been whale highways with mother/calf groups everywhere we look.  The above picture of a large mom pec slapping appeared to be instructional.  After two or three slaps, the little one would jump out of the water in an effort to perfect the breach.  In order for the breach to be executed perfectly, two thirds of the body must be out of the water and a landing on your side, or back, must bring the finish.  The little calf tried again and again while we watched.  When we moved away to give them their precious bonding time together, the calf was still trying.

In the above photo you can see the brilliant white shading of the underside of this large mother humpback’s fin.  Researchers tell us the repeated usage of her right pectoral fin would mean she is right ‘handed’, and about 80% of the whales are.  How very interesting!  We also know that there are five ‘finger’ bones in their pectoral fins.  This goes for all cetaceans.

Whale watching in Hawaii is in full swing, with over half of the whales preferring Maui County to the other islands.  If you are coming out to the Hawaiian Islands, whale watching should be at the top of your list of things to accomplish while here.  We would love to take you out with us.  Don’t forget your camera!

 Big mothers can have enormous calves, small mothers have much smaller ones.  I always smile seeing the faces of visitors show great surprise as we explain that small is a relative term.  A small mother humpback could still be pushing 35 – 40 feet and the calf would be 1/3 her length, weighing in at about 1 ton or more at birth.  We know from researchers that mother humpbacks will never leave their young ones, but the young leave mom when they are ready, at around 1 year old.

This calf appeared to be several hours old, or more.  We know they start their work-out programs right after birth, and perfect their taught behaviors over time.  This little one was practicing the breach.  To execute a breach correctly, 2/3 of the body must be out of the water.  This calf was a perfectionist.  He/she was determined to do just that, or even better.  Several times he did a marlin impression by leaping and clearing the entire body, tail and all, much to the delight of all on board.  Each leap brought joyful exclamations, shutter clicks and much laughter from all whale watchers.  The calf looked as if he, or she, was enjoying the workout as well.

As with nearly every day this season, except for only 2, the whales decided to approach and do some people watching.  We were shut down and waited quietly, most of the passengers talking with hushed voices, anticipating each blow as they got louder with each tail stroke.  They approached to about 30 feet away and paused, the calf rolling up to look at everyone.  Mother moved slowly, but deliberately up our port side and out to the bowsprit area when passengers leaned over gleefully, some taking pictures, some quietly watching, and some exclaiming out loud how amazing this encounter was.

As for me, I am always caught up in the moments, happily taking pictures and answering questions.  Every day we learn from these wonderful, endangered animals.  I fervently hope we can save them.  If you’re heading this way, please come out with us.  We go nearly every day, weather and conditions permitting.  It is a whale freeway out there!  Fun awaits.

If we ever doubt that animals can teach us, all one needs to do is go on a marine safari.  Today we had over 45 minutes of close encounters with two very large animals.  They dove next to us, paused by our engines (which were shut down) and allowed our videographer to get footage of their grapefruit-sized brown eyes while lying on our swim step, camera in hand and snorkel mask on to keep track of their deliberate movements around our vessel.   Whether or not they can hear everyone on board running from side to side, squeals of delight and exhuberant shouts when they surface close by, we can’t know, but these animals taught us patience today.

Several times they dove down slowly, enabling us to watch as they disappeared into the clear blue depths.  We were in about 220 feet of water and the clarity was about 100 feet.  Three times they chose to stay down for 10 minutes.  How very interesting it was exactly 10 minutes each time!  While we waited we checked our cameras, refilled our drinks, some grabbed a hot dog and others tried to quickly empty some of the memory cards in anticipation of obtaining more amazing shots upon their return.

It was a glorious day.  Perfect weather, calm seas that were nearly glassy, and just enough breeze to keep cool.  Every time we have a mind blowing safari we ask ourselves,  “How can we top this?”  It seems that the answer mother nature has is always an unexpected and amazing surprise.  I can’t wait for the next trip!  If you are coming to Maui, whale watching should be on the top of your list.