It was a perfect January day, and we were excited to go on this adventure. Whale-watching season off the Kona coast runs approximately December through March. My mother-in-law has had whale watching on her bucket list for a while, and we were able to make it happen on this visit.
Finally, at the Kona Harbor
At 51 feet long, the Body Glove power catamaran is a comfortable and stable vessel. It is wheelchair accessible and features a spacious upper sundeck, a large shaded cabin, and restrooms. Healthy snacks (hummus, pita bread, cheese, and veggies) and a full bar ensured we wouldn’t go hungry or thirsty on this 2.5-hour trip.
Our group opted to head to the upper deck, assuming this would offer the best viewing. However, we decided not to sit along the outside railing as the sun can get intense. The boat had several reef-safe sunscreen dispensers within easy reach, but it was too late for many of our fellow passengers. Looking at some of these poor folks was almost painful.
Learning about Humpback Whales
Once all 87 passengers were onboard, the engines fired up, and the lines were cast off. As we headed out, Captain Bob introduced himself and pointed out our onboard naturalist, Dennis. The waves in that busy harbor made our first few minutes somewhat rocky, and we were sure to hang on. “One hand for yourself, and one hand for the boat,” as the saying goes.
Most of us were already straining to see any signs of whales from the minute we left, and we didn’t have to wait long. Right out of the harbor, we had our first sighting, and, on cue, the oohs and aahs came from all over the boat. Dennis explained that this appeared to be a group of four adult whales, likely three males chasing a female.
As we saw the whales’ flukes rise out of the water, Dennis told us to look at the patterns of dark and light on the tails. This is how naturalists identify different animals. He also explained that at the beginning of the season, the ratio of males to females is about 50/50. As the season continues, females who get pregnant will leave the area. Apparently, toward the end of the season, these excursions are less “whale-watching” and more “whale-waiting.”
Captain Bob pointed out beautiful Kaiwi Point as we passed. This undeveloped area just north of Kailua-Kona has a rocky shoreline that is almost inaccessible by land. The area is well-known for diving and fishing, and the water depth can reach up to 130 feet.
A Whale of a Fight!
We had been seeing spouts in the distance, so Captain Bob headed in that direction, and we were not disappointed. We came upon what appeared to be the same group of whales we had seen previously, but this time, two males appeared to have broken off pursuit and were fighting! Suddenly, one of them launched itself over the top of the other male and landed on him hard. Can you imagine a body slam from a 40-ton giant?
Meanwhile, the chase continued with the other male still pursuing the lone female. Captain Bob could anticipate where they might surface again, and Dennis helped us understand how the water disturbances offered clues as to where they might be. The entire boat was wrapped up in the drama, and even the younger kids broke away from their electronics to try to spot the animals. Whenever someone pointed to a spot in the distance, people rushed to the railing to get a closer look. Unfortunately, this did make picture-taking difficult. In fact, the action happens so quickly that getting any pictures at all is tricky.
Checking Us Out
At one point, one of the whales decided to check us out and came within 20 feet of the boat. The guests sitting on the lower deck got an eyeful, and from the upper deck, you could see the entire length of this enormous animal. I have seen whales before from our 40-foot sailboat when I was in Alaska, but they never fail to make me catch my breath. How can such giant beasts be graceful and calming at the same time?
Meanwhile, a pod of dolphins decided to check us out, and they danced alongside the whales. The dolphins arrived in large numbers, and their sleek gray bodies undulated through the waves for several minutes. The young kids onboard were most impressed with them since you could see more of the dolphins’ bodies as they swam.
We traveled out for a good distance looking for more of the original group of four whales and were able to spot two of them fairly close to shore. The anticipation was almost as thrilling as the actual sighting. Moving along, we saw what Dennis believed to be a female whale with her calf. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get close enough to see them well, but it was still exciting.
Friendly and Busy Crew
All while we were “on the hunt,” the attentive staff brought cold drinks and checked on the guests. These young men and women were pleasant and smiling and looked like they enjoyed their job. What a fun way to earn a living! The woman tending the bar had a lovely personality and chatted up the guests as any good bartender should. Hopefully, the guests were tipping generously.
Time to Go
The time came all too soon to head back to the harbor. Captain Bob didn’t rush in, though. He made a couple of turns along the way whenever he spied some whale-like activity. I am sure he wanted us to get the most out of our trip and make it memorable.
Even as we were heading in, the fishing boats returned to the harbor with their catch, and I hoped they’d had a successful day. So many local families rely on income from selling fresh fish, and we enjoy buying from them. Local restaurants and poke shops have purchased seafood from these small boats for years.
As we arrived back in the harbor, I knew we would be back again for another excursion. Next time, we’ll take the sunset whale watch cruise!
7 Tips for the Best Whale-Watching Experience
- Pick the Right Season. North Pacific Humpback Whales come to Hawaii in the Winter months.
- Bring the Right Gear. The best place for whale watching is always on the outer decks, so bring a hat and jacket.
- Talk to the Crew. They know what’s going on.
- Have Your Camera Ready! Things happen fast!
- But Also, Take Some Time Away From the Lens. Drink in your surroundings!
- Be Patient. The whales aren’t on a schedule.
- Share Your Photos! You have bragging rights! It is estimated that less than 1% of people living on planet Earth will see a whale in their lifetime. Therefore, any time you see a whale, even one whale, you are indeed privileged.
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