2017 #1 – Island Culture Whale Watching

Whale watching is one of my favorite pastimes when I am home in Hawaii. While the whale watching season in Hawaii runs from November to May, the best time to see Humpback Whales is between January and March. You won't catch Humpbacks feeding in Hawaiian waters though; they spend the summers in Alaska, feeding and storing enough energy to get them through the winters in Hawaii.

Humpbacks save the warm waters between Maui and Kaho'olawe for creating life. These warm, clear waters, have varying depths, making them the ideal safe environment to rear and protect new born calves. Humpback whales have a gestation period of 11-12 months. This means calves are both conceived and born in Hawaii.

Did you know that if you put your head just a few feet under water when the whales are present you can hear the songs of the male humpbacks? It's true! Most times you can't even see them from the shore, but you dive down just a little bit and stay quiet, you can hear them plain as day. The Humpbacks songs can last as long as 40 minutes, and be heard up to 12 miles away!