WHALE SEASON IN HAWAI’I
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard UFO Adventures whale watching trip! As we cruise across these crystal-clear Hawaiian waters, you’re about to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the humpback whales, or Koholā in Hawaiian culture, where they’re revered as divine guides and embodiments of gods like Kanaloa. These incredible creatures aren’t named for a literal hump on their back—it’s actually the elegant arch they make just before diving deep, also known as a “peduncle arch.”
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales embark on an epic 3,000-mile journey from the nutrient-rich feeding grounds of Alaska, where they dine on up to 2,500 pounds of krill, plankton and small fish twice a day during their intense 120-day summer feast. They arrive here in Maui from December to April, transforming these warm, predator-free waters into a sacred nursery for breeding, birthing and raising their young—with peak sightings from January to March. They do not feed in Hawaii; it’s all about family, play, and romance!
These giants are truly awe-inspiring in size—the fifth largest whale species, stretching up to 60 feet long (that’s longer than two double-decker buses stacked end to end) and weighing 25 to 40 tons, with females often bigger than the males. Their massive tails, or flukes, can span 18 feet wide, each one uniquely patterned like a fingerprint, helping researchers track individuals across the oceans. Newborn calves are no small fry either—born live after a year-long pregnancy, they enter the world at around 12-15 feet long and up to 2 tons, the weight of a Volkswagen Beetle, and guzzle up to 150 gallons of nutrient-packed milk daily from mom, who keeps them close for their first year. Watch for those tender mother-calf pairs, where you’ll see strong parental bonds as moms teach their little ones essential skills like breaching.Speaking of which, keep your eyes peeled for the thrilling behaviors these acrobatic stars perform right here in Maui—the most playful humpbacks in the world!
Listen closely—you might hear the males’ haunting songs, complex melodies that can travel 12 miles underwater, possibly to woo mates or navigate. As we respect these protected animals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, remember that our eco-friendly tours help conserve them by raising awareness. We stay 100 yards away and keep Maui’s waters a safe haven.Thank you for joining us—now, let’s spot some whales!