Breaching Humpback Whales, Maui, Hawaii

Did I mention the whales are here! It is winter time in Hawaii which means Maui has become the epicenter for whale watching. Humpbacks travel 2,500miles from the Alaskan feeding grounds to mingle, mate, and have babies here in Hawaii. The shallow waters off leeward Maui are thick with Humpbacks this time of year. It is a bit nerve racking for boat captains like me but also very rewarding. If you were wondering what time of year is best to see the whales it is now through March.

  Whale watches are going out all day, but guest are also seeing whales on snorkel trips, dinner cruises, even kayak trips! What makes this area the best whale watching area in the world in my mind is the fact that these whales prefer near shore waters so they are very close, being Humpback whales you can see some incredible acrobatics out of the water, and the sheer density of whales here right now makes it seem like whale soup!

Every day out on the water is different. Being a naturalist and captain I am constantly seeing new behaviors. Not to mention I am surrounded by a very energetic vibe. Maui really comes alive during whale season and it is easy to feel the excitement.
   For a photographer taking pictures of whales can be the challenge of a lifetime. Wildlife photography is already tough, but when you add in the difficultly of being on a moving platform and trying to capture an animal who spends a tiny fraction of its life at the surface it can be a daunting task. Having been around these whales for the past three winters I have learned a lot about their behavior which can give me an advantage in not just taking their photos but also putting other people in the right position as captain. When I have a passenger on board catch a really amazing photo I can tell just by looking at their face that their whole trip to Hawaii was a success, even if nothing else happens. I have been incredibly busy putting other people in the right spot for photos  but have managed one or two on my down time. Enjoy these and bring on February, the peak of the whale breeding season!


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