Whale watching in Kauai is one of the highlights of a trip to the island. Seeing these majestic creatures playing and breaching just feet away must be on the bucket list of many travelers.
The best time to see them is from December through April. This is when Kohala, the humpback whales, make the annual migration from their Alaskan feeding grounds to the warmer Kauaian waters. Navigating by instinct, they travel to Hawaiian waters to play, breach and give birth over the winter months.
Due to Hawaii’s strict “100-yard minimum” law, whales are protected and not overexploited. The law ensures whale-watching boats never get too close, although it’s not uncommon for whales to approach the boats and, often, swim under them.
So, what is the best way to tick whale watching off your bucket list?
For guests staying at Ali’i Kai Resort Premium condos, there are many different ways to whale watch that suit their budget and time.
A boat trip is one of the best ways to enjoy spectacular views around Kauai while searching for these massive, yet gentle, creatures. The whales’ location and movements are closely followed by all charter boats. The captains keep each other informed of the best viewing locations. So, when you go, you will get to see these giants as close as is safe and legally allowed.
For our resort team, Kaua’i Sea Tours offers one of their favorite ways to watch whales. Captain Andy offers an upgraded 60-foot catamaran cruising experience popular with guests. In addition to expertly negotiating the waters around Kauai, Captain Andy’s crew provides information about the biology and behavior of this endangered species.
All craft are fitted with hydrophones, allowing guests to listen to the whale songs. These can be heard from more than 20 miles away and last for up to 20 minutes. During your trip, you will also likely see dolphins and sea turtles too.
Mature humpbacks grow to be about 52 feet long and weigh between 30 and 50 tons
Fancy a more extreme adventure? Then, take one of Captain Andy’s raft expeditions. These have you travelling on fast-moving, 24-foot rigid hull inflatables (the same as Navy Seals Use) with twin 115 HP motors. Sitting low in the water, you’ll really feel like you’re right with the whales at sea level.
Also popular are Blue Dolphin Charters, who offer a guarantee you’ll see dolphins on your morning adventure or receive another tour on them. Other great options include Holo Holo, the only Kauai boat tour that offers trips to the forbidden island of Niihau and Na Pali Explorer, with its no seasickness guarantee.
Other whale-watching opportunities
Tours are available from the East side of Kauai for those who want to combine whale watching with fishing. These are great opportunities to watch whales while mastering sport fishing at its best. Two of the most popular are Hawaiian-style fishing and Breakaway fishing charters. You’ll have the chance to fish for marlin, mahi-mahi, Ahi tuna, ono, and other mid-Pacific game fish.
Of course, any boat tour can turn into a whale-watching tour. If you are short on time, some companies offer a two-hour cruise. These head to the south of the island, which, during this time of year, is the most popular area for whales.
Morning snorkel tours are a safe bet for whale and dolphin watching as they tend to be more playful earlier in the day. However, if you’d like to enjoy one of Kauai’s famous sunsets, then a romantic four-hour sunset and dinner cruise is the option for you.
If you’re heading for the skies on one of the island’s helicopter trips along the Na Pali Coast, don’t forget to look down to the sea. You can sometimes spot whales breaching from above.
Looking for something low or no cost? Then you can whale watch from shore. The Kilauea Lighthouse is usually a great spot for whale watching. Just pop into reception and ask the team for their suggestions and advice. If you fancy giving something back, there are even programs where you can volunteer to do whale counts.
Stay at Ali’i Kai Resort Premium Condos
If you’d like to cross whale watching off your bucket list and stay in our premium two-bedroom condos in Princeville, contact us today for our best prices. The Ali’i Kai team can also arrange all of your excursions based on their extensive local knowledge. They can plan the best time to visit during your vacation, making sure you get the most from each experience.
Images:
- Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) /Joe West
- Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
- Image by standuppaddle from Pixabay
