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HAWAII
Whalewatching
One
of the largest creatures to ever inhabit our planet surges from
the depths. A few strokes of its fluke lifts forty tons of flesh
out of the sea. It twists in mid-air and lands on its back,
creating an enormous splash. Salt spray soaks you. Your heart
rate slowly returns to normal. Many Hawaii visitors and residents
kow of the seasonal presence of the great humpback whales. Yet
many are surprised to learn that Hawaii is the year round home
to substantial poulations of other whale types. They are often
overlooked, in part because they can't be seen from the shoreline,
unlike the attention-getting humpbacks. You'll have to go offshore
to see these natives, all known as toothed whales (cetaceans).
Yes, they have actual teeth. They include the giant sperm whale
(larger than the humpbacks and Moby Dick fame), the friendly
pilot whales, the exotic false and pygmy killer whales, the
unusually shaped melon-headed whales and the rare beaked whales.
The Hawaiian waters are a bountiful year round feeding ground
for these "gentle giants". As long as there is squid
and fish to eat, these other "native' whales have little
reason to migrate elsewhere. Add to this variety of fascination
whales, there's a host of their playful porpoise and dolphin
relatives, including fun loving spinner dolphins, easily seen
along the shoreline. Dan McSweeney, of the Wild Whale Research
Foundation on the Big Island, has for the past 25 years been
conducting long term research on many of the year round and
seasonal species of whales. His research indicates that many
of these whales fo their feeding, resting, mating and calving
in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
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Departures |
Boats |
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| Blue Sea Cruises |
Kona Pier |
46'
Power Catamaran |
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| Body
Glove Cruises |
Kailua Pier/Kona |
51'
Trimaran |
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| Captain Zodiac |
Kailua Pier/Kona |
23' Inflatable Zodiac
Rafts |
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| Dream
Cruises |
Kailua
Pier/Kona |
60' sailing
Trimaran |
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| Fair
Winds |
Lahaina
Harbor |
60' Catamaran |
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| Mauna Lani Sea Adventures |
Mauna Lani Resort
- Boathouse Dock
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50'
Polynesian Sailing catamaran |
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| Sea Quest
Rafting |
Keauhou Harbor |
Rigid
Hull Inflatable Raft |
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Whalewatch
Maui
Whalewatch
Kauai
Whalewatch
Oahu
Whalewatch
Hawaii
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