Whale Watching?

Question

I am looking to buy my mother a trip to see whales. I would like her to have the best experience. The hotel is not so important, just seeing the whales. She has wanted to do it for so long and I want it to be special. Does anyone have any ideas as to where I should look. Personal experience would be great!

Jeremiah- thank you for spending your precious time writing me this smart *** comment. I assume your mother is some huge fat *** - but my mother is not. At least you and "me" got two points for answering. Its smart *** comments like both of yours that makes yahoo answers not even worth reading.

ps- I am interested in whale tours anywhere- not only in Hawaii. Thanks again.

Answer 1

We took the Pacific Whale Foundation tour from Maui and loved it. It is two hours, reasonably priced, and well done. We saw more than 50 whale breeches - so many that by the end you were saying, "Oh, it is just another whale!" The highlight was a momma (45 ton) and her 5 ton baby within 100 yards. The boat had to shut down because they were so close. The captain had the hydrophone in the water and you could hear all of the "whale speak" without the drone of the engines. Amazing...just amazing. Go see them!

Answer 2

We live on Maui and highly recommend the whale-watching tours from the Pacific Whale Foundation. They have two locations, in Ma'alaea and Lahaiha. Their Eco-tours are less commercial and more education-driven. Their staff is friendly and they have modern, clean, safe boats. They are also reasonably priced and they have Kamaaina rates for people with local ID.

The waters between Maui, Lanai and Molokai are the best for whale watching. They come here because this time of the year they are breeding and the relatively shallow waters offers them better protection from predators.

The months or February and March are the best as well, though whale season is November thru May.

Whenever we do whale watching tours, we always use Pacific Whale Foundation and we have never been unsatisfied with them.

Often you do not even need to get on a boat to see whales. Just yesterday, we were driving back home to Kihei from Lahaina and saw whales breaching off the Pali Overlook.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Maui is the best island to see whales. There is a great place on the west coast of the island called Lahaina. They have lots of whale tours you can take.

Best time to go is around November-March. That is when the whales come down from Alaska and have their little ones.

As for hotels I stayed at the Royal Lahaina Resort. You can really see the whales in the distance jump out of the water from the hotel room. But nothing compares to seeing it on a boat right up close.

Also near the hotel there is a nice shopping center with a whalers museum. They are also some more hotels around the museum as well as a bunch of shops.

Check on the link below for some great whale info.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Lahaina, Maui has the best whale watching opportunities. I grew up in Lahaina and took them for granted. It was not uncommon to see two or three humpback whales spouting whenever we looked out to sea (during the Winter & Spring). I was very surprised when new friends were excited about seeing a whale.

I've taken three or four whale watching cruises on Valentine's day (on Oahu) and have never failed to see multiple whales. Many times they will swim along side the boat and watch us as we watched them.

The whale watching season ends soon. She should bring a pair of small binoculars, sun glasses, sunscrean, a light jacket, a hat that won't blow off and a good camera (preferabley with a zoon lens). Tell her to go to the highest and most forward point on the ship as soon as the ship is underway. The crew usually serve pasteries and coffee or fruit juice below deck, but she should go topside right away. Everyone will move up and look for the best spot after they eat and she will already have it! Tell her to NOT stay near the stern (back) of the ship because the engines fumes will probably make her sick. Oh yeah, some motion sickness pills wouldn't hurt. She will have a wonderful time and come away with some great pictures!

Good luck!

Answer 5

Whale watching season in Hawaii is starting to wind down. Most will be gone by mid-April. So I would plan on next year unless you can get there very soon.

Maui has the reputation for great whale watching but they hang out off of the other islands too. I recommend the Big Island of Hawaii and suggest staying on the Kohala Coast. You can choose between a Marriott, Hilton or Prince hotel. Other options are Mauna Lani Or The Orchid. None are budget hotels but you and your mom can watch for whales from the coast plus take boat rides out to see them up close

Answer 6

Well, whale season is winding down, as in Hawaii, they go back to Alaska in April, to feed, then come back around December, to breed. On Maui, The Pacific Whale Foundaton, boat is really good, very informative, and very safe. I live Maui, and whale watching is great fun, and right now you can see them right off the beach, as you can all season. Sometimes , the beach is better, to see them, if you are prone to sea sickness. ENJOY..........

Answer 7

I lived in Hawaii ''Big Island'' and I had a feild trip to see whales can't remember which boat but look up whale watching in Hawaii.

Answer 8

I saw the grey whales migrating off the California coast. It was amazing! The whales came right up to our boat. I'll never forget it. What a great gift!

Answer 9

You would most definetly want to look at MAUI..that would be the best island to look at for Whale watching. They always have tours to go out and watch them. I do hope your mother enjoys her trip.

Answer 10

February is peak Humpback whale watching time, off the coast of Maui