NOVEMBER 12, 2009
Autumn in Hawaii coincides with the front end of the annual migration of the North Pacific Humpback Whale. Sightings around the Big Island have been coming in intermittently since mid October. While still sporadic, their numbers will only continue to increase as November turns to December and December turns to January.
Whale watching tours have resumed again this week in time for the winter season which is a prime time to be in Hawaii. Call the office for reservations and current trip schedules at 808-322-0028.
Seen most recently by our research vessel are the notorious false killer whales (pseudorca). Several mammals were tagged with satellite tags on last month’s research project and transmissions from animals are still coming in as recently as early this week. False killer whale populations are thought to be in jeopardy partly due to being taken as by-catch in long liner fisheries and partly due to high levels of toxicity. The effort off the Big Island is an attempt to ultimately get protection for this threatened species, while coming to terms with the primary cause of their decline. Captain Dan has a lifetime of dedication to marine mammal conservation efforts.
Besides pseudorca, our research boat has regular encounters with the resident pilot whales and, of course, resident populations of dolphins seldom fail to make an appearance. Whether it be the bottlenose dolphin from the television series ‘Flipper’, or our local superstar, the spinner dolphin, often found close to shore during daylight hours, or perhaps the gregarious spotted dolphin most often in the deep, Mother Nature always keeps us guessing. Any of five species of dolphins are likely to show up on any given morning in any given area.
Whatever your flavor, the Big Island is bound to have it when it comes to marine life. Some of the most prolific waters in the world with nearly two dozen varieties of marine mammals, a dozen of which we frequently encounter.
We will look forward to having you join us aboard one of our whale watching adventures whether it be in the fall of winter, you cannot go wrong when visiting Hawaii’s beautiful Kona coastline.