Travel-Maui, Hawaii-Whale Watching

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!

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!

They were everywhere!

And now…the MONEY SHOT!!!

SPLASH!!!

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.