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Humpback
whales are found in all of the world's oceans, although they
generally prefer near shore and near-island habitats for both
feeding and breeding. A large percentage of the North Pacific
migrate to the main Hawaiian islands during the winter months,
November through May, each year. The round-trip distance they
travel during this annual migration is approximately 6,000 miles,
one of the longest migration distances of any animal species.
During their stay in Hawaii, they do not feed, but rely upon
stored energy. Near the islands, the whales devote most of their
time to mating and giving birth to their calves. While visiting
the islands, humpbacks have become renowned for their various
acrobatic displays. |
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Humpbacks
are most plentiful off Maui - where thousands of savvy visitors
head each winter for the annual whale migration - but humpbacks
are visible from all islands. The best places to see them from O'ahu are the North Shore, the Windward coast and
between Wai'anae and Ka'ena Point on the Leeward side. Late
January, February and March are considered peak viewing times.
The
humpback whales
are hard to miss. Fully grown females - which are bulkier than the
males - can weigh 45 tons and reach 60 feet. Their 15-foot
flippers, the longest of any whale, have earned the humpback
species the name Megaptera or "great-winged." The term humpback
comes from the hump on the forward part of the dorsal fin and the
way the back flexes upward before they dive. The area
channel between Lanai, Molokai and Maui - known as "the humpback
highway is the most productive area for whale watching. Most
often, You can see the whales right from your own lanai in your
hotel. |
