Close Encounters of the Blubbery Kind -within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Our favorite whale encounters are those being mobbed by or in the midst of competitive humpback whales. It's both exhilarating and un-nerving every time it happens! Seeing a fluke-up dive and mom's with calves get the ooh's and aahs, and breach's are always awe inspiring, but nothing beats the raw power of a heat-run...Full-on competition is not normally seen, unless you take the time it takes to go where the action is. Sighting a whale for the first time — or the 101st — routinely elicits shouts of joy, But often after experiencing a heat run, people are just... quiet. They may be scared witless, or awestruck; it's that amazing; these animals are so large.
The behavior of amorous humpback whales can make an awe-inspiring show: 45-foot bodies hurled almost free of the water to crash down again with a tremendous splash; notched tails as wide as a teacher’s blackboard slapping into the water. Bursts of bubbles breaking the waters surface, blown underwater as a screen against other males - trumpets, as loud as charging elephant, thicken the air. Head lunges, as threatening as a growling dog baring its teeth.
Whale-opolis charters are focused on whale watching, going to the most prolific whale-watching, wildlife areas in Hawaii. The Penguin Banks, part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, is a shallow water (similar to a huge seamount) located about 1.5 - 2 hours in the ocean south of Honolulu. This little known but whale-rich area has more humpback whales, and for a longer season, than Maui! Because of the shallow waters and the protection of the sister islands—Moloka‘i, and Lana‘i, and Oahu—the humpbacks all converge here.
There isn't another whale watching boat on Oahu (or Hawaii for that matter) that targets this area. It takes the right boat (stability and comfort), expert crew, and a lot of gas! It's not our money-making trip (or everyone would be doing it) but its the most rewarding and that's motivation enough for us.
If the weather is not conducive to a Penguin Bank trek, then we'll hit Oahu's SE shores - Hanauma Bay, Lana'i Lookout, Makapuu Lighthouse areas for up-close prime whale watching spots on Oahu. Again, no other whale watch boats on Oahu are willing to go to the expense and time of visiting these protected and wildlife rich areas! If weather is conducive and we have had our fill of whale action, these areas also offer superb snorkeling, and are also visited by dolphins - though not as reliably as the west coast. Why not take advantage of all the underwater world of Hawaii (the best 1/2) has to offer?
Continental breakfast and BBQ lunch, nonalcoholic (or alcoholic if we have any onboard or you bring!) drinks provided. Bring polarized sunglasses and cameras for sure; and towels and snorkel equipment for "just in case" opportunities, or let us know if you need some.
While the Whale-opolis tours are very similar to the Best of the West offerings and six passenger limit - the main differences are:
- Whale-opolis charters are focused on whale watching, going to the best whales watching areas in the state. Part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, the Penguin Banks, is located about 1.5 - 2 hours south of Honolulu - and the has the largest population of humpback whales in Hawaii. If the weather is not conducive to that sail, then the SE (and NW - Best of the West) shores are one of the prime whale watching spots on Oahu. There isn't another whale watching boat on Oahu (or Hawaii for that matter) that targets these areas. It takes the right boat, crew, and a lot of gas!
- Snorkeling is not a given- though it is not ruled out. If there is time, say during lunch or we have seen every whale behavior possible, then we may round out our adventure with incredible snorkeling sites - such as turtle grazing areas on coral reefs, or swimming near wild dolphins (!). Or even jumping in the water with Manta Rays or Whale Sharks, you never know what wildlife there is to be found within the diversity of the Penguin Banks.
- Likewise, during the more stormy winter months (Dec. - Jan.), snorkeling may not be possible and inherently the 1/2 day charters become whale (and dolphin) focused.
- The Whale-opolis tours are only offered with a humpback whale focus from Dec. - May, and only on Sundays (unless by special request - and must have at least four paying passengers).However, we continue to offer them for year-round whale watching throughout the year.
- They take place on the 50' (57' LOA) yacht Nautilus, which has the stability and comfort to go where we need to go for the best whale action in the state. Large open space and plenty of room to move around enables fantastic pictures. Since we still participate in photo identifications of the wildlife we encounter, we are also happy to share the professional shots that we get.
Waianae Small Boat Harbor, 85-371 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792-2158
