Maui Snorkeling Trips

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.

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.

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

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

Every day we hear passengers saying their heartfelt wish is to see whales close up.  For the past 19 days straight we have not been disappointed.  Each day behaviors are logged as are proximity of visits and these animals never cease to amaze.  According to researchers, if this population of North Pacific humpbacks continue to grow, it is very possible they could reach pre-whaling numbers in about 50 years.  A world without whales is simply unthinkable.  It was Jacques Cousteau who said “if we cannot save the whales, how can we save ourselves?”.

We love them.  That is a fact.  People have a fascination of ocean animals, and possibly even more so, animals that are enormous.  Whale watching season in Hawaii is nearly half over.  There are literally hundreds of whales in Hawaiian waters this time of year.  Researchers feel that possibly 4000 animals migrate here.  Coming to Hawaii?  Visiting the islands without going on a whale watch tour should be unthinkable!  See you on board.

Photo Courtesy K. Velasquez

Some days are just like that.  You start your marine safari with high expectations but when something really amazing happens it takes time to truly digest the gifts that were given.

By gifts, I’m talking about whale visitation.  This is more than a mugging.  This is when whales come over and actually spend time with a vessel and passengers.  Such was the case today.  Twice, with different groups, whales came over and stayed under and around the boat, and each visitation was nearly a half hour.  Startled passengers and crew ran from side-to-side, taking pictures, which was an easy feat today since these animals were in no hurry.

Why would whales approach and hang around like this?  Researchers aren’t really sure.  But when we are allowed precious moments such as these, why doesn’t really matter.  All that matters is that they give us a tremendous gift of their time.

Are you planning on whale watching in Hawaii?  Please do.  Oh, you might want to grab an extra card for the camera.  You may need it!

Photo courtesy K. Velasquez

When out on a marine safari we always tell our passengers to expect the unexpected.  Many marine animals, besides humpbacks, make their presence known.  We see manta and eagle rays, scalloped, tiger, and great white sharks, flying fish, and many other types of schooling fish, such as scad, dolphins (several species) including false killer, pilot, and melon headed whales.

Who would have thought that during such an excursion a beautiful and very large pirate ship would come cruising by?  We’ve heard rumors that the next Johnny Depp pirate movie is being filmed in Hawaii and production is to start very soon.  We did not expect to see the beautiful vessel up close and personal!

So this goes back to what we like to tell our visitor and resident passengers.  Stay awake, keep that lens cap off, and always expect the unexpected.  Sometimes things that make an appearance will amaze even the most seasoned boater!  See you on the water.

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!