Travel-Maui, Hawaii-Whale Watching

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Grace
THE PICTURE OF A LIFETIME...that is what I was able to take while whale watching in Maui this past February!  From late November to early April, humpback whales migrate from the Alaskan waters, where they spend the summer months feeding, to the hospitable waters around the Hawaiian islands to spend the winter season mating and giving birth.  They travel an incredible 3,000 miles of ocean in less than two months!  These amazing, gentle giants can be seen from all the Hawaiian islands, but most of the humpback whales seem to congregate in the waters off of Maui...specifically along the south and western shores where we took our whale watching excursion.  I hope you enjoy my pictures below.  Happy Thursday! whale1whale2whale4whale5

The mother with her newborn calf.  At birth, the calves can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and measure between 10 and 15 feet in length.  An adult humpback can grow to more than 40 feet in length and weigh more than 40 tons!

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They were everywhere!

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And now...the MONEY SHOT!!!

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SPLASH!!!

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Bye bye.  What an unbelievable, unforgettable experience in Hawaii.

Fun Fact:  The humpback whales are called “kohola” by the local Hawaiians and are treated with great respect. Some Native Hawaiians believe that the kohola is an aumakua, or family guardian, so they have high regard for these special visitors.  Because humpback calves are actually born in Hawaiian waters, the whales are considered kamaaina, or native born.

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9 Responses to Travel-Maui, Hawaii-Whale Watching

  1. Tobi Sanders says:
    June 11, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    AWESOME – FANTASTIC – INCREDIBLE!!!!

    Tobi

  2. jess says:
    May 30, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    Wow! Amazing pics!

  3. BarbM. says:
    May 24, 2013 at 9:54 PM

    Fantastic photography! Thanks, Grace!

  4. Miss Betty Boop says:
    May 24, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    great photos… that must have been awesome wxperience…
    Come and check new posts on LittleMissTwiggy 🙂
    http://littlemisstwiggy.blogspot.com/2013/05/fairytale-wedding.html

  5. Mitha Komala says:
    May 24, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    fantastic shots of the whale jumping!! it must be a fun time! <3

    Letters To Juliet

  6. Michelle says:
    May 24, 2013 at 1:10 AM

    Grace those shots are fantastic!!!!

  7. Rachel says:
    May 24, 2013 at 12:50 AM

    This is SO cool! I have always wanted to go whale watching! 🙂 LOVE the photos, so amazing!

  8. gailiotas says:
    May 24, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    UNBELIEVABLE! WHAT BREATH TAKING PHOTOGRAPHY! I LOVED IT! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SHARING!

  9. Genevieve says:
    May 23, 2013 at 11:50 PM

    Wow, so cool!! Those shots are A-MAZ-ING!!!!!