Whales

Image via Wikipedia

• One of the most popular Maui sights from December to April

Image via WikipediaMany tourists make their travel plans so that they are able to visit Maui during the time when the humpback whales are here. The whales arrive in the Hawaiian islands in December and leave Maui in April every year, so peak whale season is really January through March.

Humpback whales migrate from Alaska, where they spend the summer eating and storing energy as blubber. They swim thousands of miles to the Hawaiian island chain, where there is no food for them to eat, just so that their calves have a safe and sheltered ocean where they can learn to swim. The newborn humpback whale must breathe every three minutes. Because they are born without any body fat, the parents must assist newborn calves in getting to the surface. This is much easier to do in the 300 foot deep ocean around the Hawaiian islands instead of in the open ocean which is much deeper.

Mother and baby whale are often seen around Maui swimming together and accompanied by a male escort, who protects the female from other male suitors. Competition pods are seen around Maui quite often. This is usually comprised of one female whale and multiple male whales who perform spectacular breeching feats and compete for the attention of the female whale. These whale activities make the Hawaiian islands a spectacular place to whale watch, you wouldn't see anything as amazing at their summer home in Alaska.

Bring bincoculars to the beach to whale waImage via Wikipediatch there. In fact, if you are an avid whale watcher you can bring your binoculars everywhere with you. You will see people pulled over on the side of the road watching whales that are swimming just offshore. You will often see "spouts" of water and this is a sign that there is a whale nearby. If you are out in the open ocean in a kayak, or in a boat which has cut the motor, you can even hear the whales blowing and look for them that way. You will almost surely see whales anytime you are on a boat around Maui during whale season.

Please respect these gentle giants as they are endangered and, even so, they are still hunted by a few countries in the world. U.S. Coast Guard regulations state that all people must stay 100 yards away from the whales at all times and they issue fines for violation. Most boat captains will approach the whales within a safe distance then cut the motor. Because the whales are curious about us too, they often swim up to the side of the boat to get a good look at us. This is allowed if the whale approaches you but you are never allowed to approach the whale.

Beaches on Maui

Thanks to my daughter Bleu for this great description of the beaches on Maui.

Maui is unique amongst the Hawaiian islands because such a large portion of the island is covered by swimmable beaches. There are many sheltered coves where swimming is safe, easy, and fun. However, swimming at certain beaches endangers your fun-filled Maui vacation because of the big waves and strong currents. The shoreline of Hawaii is public property, so don't let anyone tell you that the beach is private because there is no such thing as a private beach on Maui.

BIG BEACH or MAKENA BEACH is one of the most picturesque beaches on Maui. No Maui vacation is complete without a visit to Big Beach. The beauty of this beach and the lifeguard on duty are alluring to tourists and give them a false sense of security. DO NOT SWIM HERE! Even though you see a ten year old playing happily in the ocean, this is not safe water. More injuries happen here than at any other beach in the entire Hawaiian island chain. Swimming is much safer if you are willing to hike over the rocks at the right side to little beach.

LITTLE BEACH is safer for swimming than big beach, but people lean towards nudity here because of the seclusion that is offered by the short hike over the rocks. If nudity is your thing then this is a great beach, although the crowd is mostly middle aged men.

SECRET COVE is a perfect picturesque place for couples to get married. Everyone knows this and it is a well-known wedding spot.

ULUA BEACH is generally calm water and great for snorkeling off to the right. Be sure to take advantage of the Reef-Safe sunblock that is provided here for free at the information desk.

KAMOLE III is perfect for boogie boarding and people watching. This is a great family beach where the water has good waves for body surfing and it is relatively gentle.

OLUWALU has some snorkeling but most of the reef is dead. The beaches are not very big and are used heavily by campers. The water is calm though and this can be a good beach for young kids.

AIRPORT BEACH (by the Westin) has great snorkeling. The coral here is flat and very diverse. There is also a very diverse fish population here. The beach park is really nice with a big pavillion for parties and your choice of grass or sand.

BLACK ROCK (at the Sheraton) is also good for snorkeling. Locals frequently jump off of Black Rock to entertain the tourists, although jumping is not very safe.

HONOLUA BAY is great for snorkeling in the summertime. The bay is sheltered and full of coral and fish. There is a surf break next to the bay in the wintertime.

BLACK SAND BEACH AT WIANAPANAPA STATE PARK is beautiful. The sand is truly black, not gray, althoImage by pbull via Flickrugh there is not very much of it. It is swimmable but generally empty, so be sure to take someone with you.

thanks to my daughter Bleu for this great Research