Whale Information: The Majestic Humpback Whales

Come aboard our whale friendly boats to experience, up close, one of the world’s true giants of the sea, “Humpback Whales”. Take the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in an extraordinary, personal adventure of actually seeing the 8th wonder of the world. We guarantee this will be an exhilarating and truly exhilarating experience.

Maui is the best place for whale watching in the world. Gentle Breezes, mild tropical weather, and a clear blue ocean make Maui the number one destination for whale watching.
Humpback whales travel to Maui each year to give birth to their calves. Humpback whales are very active by performing tail slaps and breaches (bringing their body out of the water completely). You must see one of the largest animals on the planet, Humpback Whales. If you are in the Hawaiian Islands between December and May, don’t miss this unique opportunity to see the world’s most interesting and acrobatic Humpback Whales weighing in at approximately 40 tons.

Whale Facts
Although Humpback Whales are not the largest whales in the world, they can grow up to 50 feet long, weighing 80,000 lbs. The massive head of the humpback whale has two blowholes on the top of the whale for breathing. Humpback whales are mammals and breathe air from the surface of the water. Humpback whales are the 5th largest whale in the world.

Whale Song
Every year, when the humpback whales come to Maui, we hear their wondrous songs. A typical whale song lasts from 10 to 20 minutes and can be repeated continuously for hours at a time. Only the male humpback whales sing and only in their breeding grounds. Each singing male humpback whale of the North Pacific sings the same song.

Whale Feeding
During summers, Humpback whales feed in the North Pacific where schools of small fish and krill are plentiful. During the winter, the Humpback Whales swim south to warm Maui waters to calf and breed.

For Humpbacks to survive the long trip to Maui without food, Humpback whales eat enough to build a thick layer of blubber, storing enough energy to last them on the long journey.

Conception and Birth
On their way to and from Hawaiian waters, Humpback whales mate. It is an amazing experience if you have the opportunity to watch the male humpback whales compete for the female humpback whales. The male whales will fight each other above and below water as they follow their prospective mate. On occasion, two male humpback whales will butt up against each other and rise out of the water together in a spectacular exhibition of power as each tries to force the other down with a crushing blow.

Whichever male humpback whale wins this battle to be in a position to mate with the female may not mate with him at all. Female humpbacks are larger than male humpbacks and in the world of humpbacks, females are boss. She may not want the aggressive, burly type of whale who won the battle to escort her and to father next year’s calf. If so, she will reject the winner and pick another whale of her choosing. Humpbacks are not monogamous and the male whale will leave the female whale after mating.

For approximately 11 months, the female whale will be in gestation with her calf before giving birth. It is believed a female who conceived in Hawaiian waters will be return to Hawaii the following year to give birth to her calf.

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