See the beauty of hawaii s humpbacks from the spacious outdoor viewing decks aboard the majestic. Your activity options include snorkeling, bikeriding, swimming at waimea falls parkwith entrance to the park counting as one piece of equipmentbodyboarding, surfing, kayaking or standup paddleboarding. Cruise in the comfort of hawaiis largest vessel with hightech stabilizers for smooth cruising and the most outdoor space with four walkaround decks and a top observation deck for optimal whale encounters. Go whalewatching off the coast of oahu on this excursion from waikiki or ko olina. During the months from december to may, pods of humpback whales migrate through hawaiis warm waters, and this tour guarantees whale sightings. Hawaii nautical also offers whalewatching tours, both out of the leeward coast and waikiki. The current global population is about 30 to 40 thousand. During whale season, you can see whales from every coastline in hawaii. This large open space with amazing natural lighting and fresh island air is a perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee and evening sunsets. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february.
Whale and dolphin watching from shore on big island hawaii. A pod of four killer whales, orca whales, was found by cascadia research collective on friday 111 off the coast of kona hawaii. The 15 best things to do in oahus north shore 2020 with. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. In 2014, a sick sperm whale was sighted off of kihei, and it was presumed that the whale had ventured to shallower water as it fought to stay alive. North shore winter whale watch sailing from haleiwa head out on an intimate whale watch from oahus remote north shore and sail in search of the majestic and elusive hawaii winter visitors, the humpback whales. Whale tour haleiwa north shore best of hawaii tours. The mainand onlyresort on the north shore fosters a lowkey vibe throughout its 850 acres, which include pools, restaurants, a spa, and about five miles of. See oahus beautiful coastlines, the famous waikiki beach, and the majestic humpback whales as they play in the warm hawaii waters. These large ships create an immense amount of underwater noise that is not pleasant to marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. North shore catamaran whale watching cruise hawaii discount. An oahu whale watching cruise allows you to see humpback whales up close. Where to whale watch in hawaii fodors travel guide.
Catamaran sailing is one of the most popular activities in hawaii. Find out where you can catch a splash while in hawaii. Hawaiis best places to spot humpback whales from the shore. You may also appreciate the light snacks and mai tais on tap thats included, along with the views of south maui and molokini. During the months from december to may, pods of humpback whales migrate through hawaii s warm waters, and this tour guarantees whale sightings. The very best months are february and march when whale sightings are almost guaranteed. Sailing along the beautiful coast of the north shore and watching the giant humpback whales is something you do not want to miss while visiting hawaii. If you are on the pride of america and overnighting in kauai, you can do an afternoon tour or you might also consider a sunset tour of the na pali on the afternoon evening of day one in port. The sea stretches for miles in front of you on this craggy peninsula where theres a good chance youll see a whale or two.
You can also spot whales from kauais many beautiful beaches, including poipu beach on the south shore, and from scenic spots like kilauea lighthouse and the napali coasts kalalau trail on the north shore. By team whale tail hawaii tourism authority hta tor johnson. Dec 15, 2015 a whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. These months are the greatest times to go to oahu to watch humpback whales swimming and playing with one another. North shore catamaran charters haleiwa, hi groupon. For those who are planning on spending the bulk of their time on the north shore, it too is a good place to arrange whale watching tours in oahu. Mar 21, 2015 we took a tour out from north shore to a popular fishing spot in oahu where the sharks gather. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. Whalewatching tours are the best way to learn about and get great photos of these breaching behemoths up close. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march. North shore catamaran whale watching cruise hawaii.
Nothing beats the aweinspiring beauty of the waianae coast, except maybe the equally stunning and diverse wildlife. There is also diverse marine life up to 10 fathoms and 0. Oahu whale watching tours are a particular delight for visitors coming to hawaii to escape the winter chill and the humpback whales seen on these whale watches can often be seen from the shoreline of waikiki in addition to the whale watching honolulu tours. Hawaii ist fur whale watching eine besonders geeignete anlaufstelle. Go whale watching off the coast of oahu on this excursion from waikiki or ko olina. The trail, leading to a picturesque lighthouse, offers great views and in the. Enter now to schedule whale tour haleiwa north shore. A soft gaze along the oceans horizon at poipu beach will bring to light one the greatest aerial shows kauai has to offer. Don is the perfect guide and loves to share his knowledge of the north shore, the ocean, and what lives in the ocean. Majestic waikiki whale watch afternoon cruise see hawaiis. Click on the image for a larger view left image shows northern part and right. The south shore is a prime location for kauai whale watching due to the deeper waters that are closer to the shoreline. These cruises take you along the beautiful shoreline of waikiki beach or along the islands scenic west shore.
During these winter months thousands of pacific humpback whales migrate from their summer feedings grounds in the waters off alaska to the warm hawaiian waters to mate and nurse their. According to noaa, the peak season for whale watching in oahu is january to march. Internet, pets welcome, tv, satellite or cable, parking bedrooms. This map shows humpback whale surface sightings and. The catamarans name means to pass the time in ease and comfort, an apt phrase, as guests will find the day quickly and serenely passes when theyre onboard. Just like us, the humpback whales like some parts of hawaii more than other parts, but there really isnt a whalefree part of hawaii. A list of tours that take you humpback whale watching during hawaiis winter months. Just head for haleiwa, which is the north shores main hub. Plus, you can enjoy watching other native species like seabirds as they dance above your head. The best time for humpback whale watching in hawaii is between november and april, with the peak taking place between january and march. Enjoy, fun, safe and easy surfing lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers on the beautiful north shore of oahu. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary national marine sanctuary offices and visitor centers closed to the public. Off in the distance is lanai, and if you zoom in there is a humpback photobombing the. Dec 26, 2017 whale carcass seen on oahus north shore.
The kaena point north shore hike starts in the waialua area on the north shore of oahu and has you hiking west towards the kaena point bird sanctuary and then, should you keep going, youll be on the west side of the island and heading south on the kaena point trail west shore. Im sure it could have been a fun experience, but i only saw part of a whale and you could barely see it. North shore catamaran charters offers several types of tours that you are sure to enjoy. Whale watching on molokai humpback whale watching on molokai is some of the best you will find anywhere from december to april every year an estimated 10,000 12,000 whales migrate to hawaii to breed and give birth to their young. Great white shark spotted off the south shore eating a dead whale. Visitors staying on the south shore may prefer this tour that launches off makena beach. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in oahus north shore, hawaii on tripadvisor.
The catamaran is just the right size to keep you close to the ocean and also big enough to be a safe and stable viewing platform. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. This is also a great time to see the whales display their acrobatic skills with frequent breaching. Whales are also often spotted off poipu on the south shore and kapaa on the east shore. The 15 best things to do in oahus north shore updated. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Shorebased whale watching in the north is particularly good along the northwest kohala coastline. This area is best known for its massive waves, attracting surfers from all around the globe. Up to 19 passengers sit comfortably on north shore catamaran charters 40foot sailing vessel, the hoo nanea, which captain don germain steers along oahus scenic shores. The crew was very nice and made the ride enjoyable but i didnt really see any whales.
Hawaii nautical also offers whale watching tours, both out of the leeward coast and waikiki. This is a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts, and youll encounter these gentle giants and playful dolphins. Kauai offers a range of whaleviewing opportunities, including poipu beach on the south shore, kilauea lighthouse on the north shore and kapaa overlook on the islands coconut coast. Massive great white shark deep blue spotted off hawaii coast. Nautical chart of the west coast of the island of hawaii and the southeasternmost portion.
The makapuu lighthouse trail is a popular hike any time of the year, but from december through april, when humpback whales are in residence, its amazing. A whale crossing vacation rental north shore, big island. Come aboard the hoo nanea, a spacious sailing catamaran, and enjoy a whale watch cruise along oahus scenic north shore. This is the first time researchers have been able to tag orca whales in hawaii to track their movements around the islands. In 12 years of studies by cascadia research, a total of 32 sperm whales were sighted in hawaii31 of which were off of the big island. Oahu whale watching tours the whale watching season is usually under way by the 15th of december and usually lasts through april. North shore winter whale watch sailing from haleiwa hawaii. Site is located at the end of hookena beach road off highway 11 mamalahoa highway. Jan 18, 2017 breaching refers to a whale launching itself out of the water, and falling back with a massive splash and is a common sight from shore.
During the months the whales are present in hawaii they will be mating and giving births to their calves, this makes whale watching in hawaii extremely unique to other locations around the world. The whale watching season in north shore oahu, hawaii is during the months of november to december, with peak season starting from january to march. During his 30 years in hawaii don has been surfing, diving, windsurfing, sailing, fishing, and anything else that seems fun on the ocean. Get in touch with your wild side and meet your finned counterparts on whale and dolphin encounters hawaiis year round whale watching of other marine mammals. On the island of hawaii, whales are often seen along the shores of the kohala coast, as well as hilo bay on the east side of the island. Approximately 4,500 humpback whales visit the hawaiian islands each year to bask in the warm waters, breed and give birth before migrating back to their alaskan feeding. Cruises depart from the haleiwa small boat harbor on the north shore of oahu. Find the best oahu whale watching cruises at discounted rates right here. Big island whale watching can be an oceanshattering experience, literally. Get in touch with your wild side and meet your finned counterparts on whale and dolphin encounters hawaiis year round whale watching of other marine mammals the clear temperate waters of hawaii are known worldwide amongst marine biologists, for an. Their behavior provides a spectacular display for shore. Each year, the great humpback whales migrate some 4,500 miles, from summer feeding grounds in alaska, to mate in the warm waters of hawaii.
But humpback whales visit the hawaiian islands every year from november to may, so its possible that you can see whales outside of that january to march peak whale season too. This is because the north shore has no commercial ships, cruise ships or military ships. Click on the chart number to download a portable document format pdf of the. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. The researchers were able to deploy a satellite tags, as seen on dorsal fin in photo to left, on three of the four killer whales. Choose 2 pieces of equipment for your allday activity at oahus famous north shore. The lookout is just off kalanianaole highway after waimanalo approaching from the north and sandy beach approaching from the south. While kauai offers a wide range of whale viewing opportunities, your best shot is along the southwest shore running from waimea to polihale state park and along the north shore to hanalei and kilauea. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species. Kauai offers a range of whaleviewing opportunities, including poipu beach on the south shore, kilauea lighthouse on the north shore and kapaa overlook on. Hawaii is a favorite wintering spot for na kohola humpback whales and has one of the largest seasonal populations of north pacific humpbacks in the world.
Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii. Hawaiis north pacific humpback whales travel over 3,500 miles from alaskan waters to hawaiian oceans every year during their annual winter migration. About 450 feet from the shoreline and at a depth of 2 fathoms, the bottom composition is predominantly limestone. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. In the past, the global humpback whale population size was about 750,000 to 2 million animals. They will delight you with their acrobatics, and you can listen to whale songs on the underwater hydrophone. Start by downloading our free vacation planning guide filled with helpful ideas and information. Hours later, a whale calf believed to belong to the same social group was found dead on the beach about a mile to the north, said david schofield.
Whale watching hawaii oahu year round whale watch oahu. North shore experience excursions aulani hawaii resort. Come enjoy the north shore in my beautiful house overlooking the orchard. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. The kauai whale watching morning tours do not work for cruise ship passengers. Wild side whale watching tours west oahu whale watching excursions on a catamaran sailboat based at the waianae boat harbor on the western leeward side of oahu island. Below you can see the results of an aerial survey that was held between 1993 and 2003 by dr. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii.
This is only the groups third encounter with the killer whales even though they have been monitoring the hawaiian waters for 14 years killer whales are one of 18 marine mammals found in the hawaiian waters however many of. Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales. In general, the best places to see whales from the shore are from the north. The north shore, in the context of geography of the island of o.
One treasured locale is the kilauea lighthouse and wildlife refuge on the north shore. A number of speedboat, pontoon, and sailboat tours depart from areas around waikikiespecially from kewalo basin harbor opposite ala moana beach parkas well as from the north shore and the western leeward side of the island. And should you find yourself on the islands idyllic north shore, a favorite company offering you a whale of a good time adventure is north shore catamaran charters. See also about whale watching in hawaiidolphin encounters in hawaiishark encounters in hawaii. The kapaa overlook, between kapaa town and kealia beach, is. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if you go during whale season. It was an awesome expreience being again to swim with the sharks and also got to see a whale. The 15 best things to do in oahus north shore updated 2020.
Hawaiian islands humpback whale get involved sanctuary. On the east side, the kapaa overlook between kapaa town and kealia beach is another notable viewing spot. Oahu whale watching tours are a particular delight for visitors coming to hawaii to escape the winter chill and the humpback whales seen on these. Whale watching kauai returns the parrish collection kauai. With a small group of people, watch the gentle giants swim, feed, breach and play around your boat. This luxurious cruise vessel also features airconditioned rooms with large windows for comfort and viewing pleasure. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Cruise in the comfort of hawaiis largest vessel with hightech stabilizers for smooth cruising and the most outdoor space with four walkaround decks and a top. North shore catamaran charters snorkel, sailing, whale. More whales come to the north shore than the south shorehonolulu. Go on a fun whale watching adventure along kauais south shore. Experience whale watching in hawaii, one of the most popular activities in the winter. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii.
There are numerous steep roads providing shore access up here, but my favorite. With about 66% of the north pacific population wintering in hawaii each year, up to 10,000 humpback whales could come to hawaii this winter. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. We offer the best whale watching on oahu and the only whale watching tour on the north shore, sunset tours, snorkeling tours seasonal, and a sun and moon cruise. North shore winter whale watch sailing from haleiwa. Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii. North shore shark adventures whale watch hawaii discount. Save on the north shore shark adventures whale watching cruise. Shark cage diving and one whale north shore oahu, hawaii. Between november and march there are many opportunities for whale watching kauai.