{"id":4594,"date":"2010-03-12T07:57:54","date_gmt":"2010-03-12T13:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=4594"},"modified":"2016-12-16T19:44:09","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T01:44:09","slug":"hawaii-vacation-theres-still-time-to-go-whale-watching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2010\/03\/hawaii-vacation-theres-still-time-to-go-whale-watching\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii vacations: Top whale-watching tours"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Hawaii<\/em><\/em>

(Photo: Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events)<\/p><\/div>\n

By Lena Katz<\/em><\/p>\n

Hawaii\u2019s marine scene gets a little more crowded each winter, as thousands of North Pacific humpback whales migrate 3,500 miles from Alaska to the warm South Pacific waters.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s still time to plan a Hawaii vacation<\/a> and pay these magnificent creatures a visit — hop a flight<\/a> to Honolulu, and they\u2019re everywhere to be seen, right offshore.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the most popular whale-watching tours and vantage points:<\/p>\n

One popular cruise goes out on Star of Honolulu<\/em><\/a>. This large, state-of-the-art motor yacht can accommodate a few hundred people and is very family friendly. In fact, this season each adult fare gets a FREE child companion fare (lunch option extra). This cruise is 2 \u00bd hours, departs at noon, and is offered through mid-May in 2010.<\/p>\n

Atlantis Adventures<\/a> is one of Hawaii\u2019s best-known marine tour companies. In addition to its famous submarine rides, it operates Navatek lunch cruises out to see the whales\u00a0 in season (through April 11 in 2010). This is a quick, smooth tour appropriate for both families and nervous sailors on a Hawaii vacation — it also runs 2 \u00bd hours and includes a buffet lunch. Whale sighting is guaranteed or you get to take another trip out for free.<\/p>\n

For a small-craft whale-watching experience on your Hawaii vacation, locals recommend Wild Side Specialty Tours<\/a>. Founded by marine biologists, this company brings people not just near the whales, but right alongside them. There\u2019s an educational element to the excursions, which are typically led and narrated by marine biologists. Observation easily intensifies into actual conservation research if that\u2019s something that interests you. Excursions head out to Oahu\u2019s west coast, particularly off Kaena Point.<\/p>\n

The Premier Whale Watch Deluxe Cruise <\/a>and Wild Whale Watch Cruise <\/a>are two more options that are guided by Certified Naturalists and guarantee whale sightings.<\/p>\n

Whale-watching from land<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Hawaii

Kaena Point (Photo: Oahu Visitors Bureau)<\/p><\/div>\n

Kaena Point has such a large number of humpbacks; you can often see them without even needing to get in a boat. Hawaii experts recommend hiking the 3 \u00bd-mile Kaena Point Trail in Kaena Point State Park<\/a> to the remote coastline, where humpbacks can often be seen from shore.<\/p>\n

Another good coastal trail that provides plenty of whale sightings in season is Makapu\u2019u Point Lighthouse Trail, a 2-mile trail in Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline<\/a> park, on the southeastern tip of the island. Bring binoculars \u2026 and sunblock!<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n