Whale Watching Tours

Oahu Whale Watching - Should You Bother?

The islands of Hawaii are certainly acclaimed as the best whale watching destinations in the world, but if you want to have an experience of real Hawaiian whale watching, then the island of Oahu must be your primary choice. Oahu has several professionals providing cruise whale watching tours during the period from late November up to May, though the peak season is from January to April. Oahu whale watching is almost a guarantee of catching sights of the 45 ton humpback whales, because this is where these giants of the deep migrate from Alaskan waters each year, in schools of 10,000, for breeding. If you catch a whale watching cruise in Oahu during this period, you are assured several whale sightings during the trips.

Some of the big cruise operators specializing in whale watching in Oahu are Navatek, Starlet, Star of Honolulu and Ko Olina. These operators have a large number of cruises during the peak season, so you will need to book in advance. You can book a cruise before you set out to Oahu, or if you have made a last-minute decision to go on cruise whale watching, then you are required to make at least a three-day prior booking. You will be taken on a catamaran, and you will have to reach the catamaran at the said time. Typically, Oahu whale watching tours last about three hours, during which time you will be able to catch some of the most wonderful sights of whales in any waters anywhere in the world.

Whale watching in Oahu is not merely about watching the big animals. All cruises have whale experts on board, and they will be regaling you with information about the whales. You will come to know things about whales that you never knew before. Even when a whale is spotted, experts will narrate what the whale is actually doing or going to do. That is the reason why many students of ocean biology are spotted on Oahu whale watching cruises.

Some of the interesting sights that you will get to see on your Hawaiian whale watching experience in Oahu are whales breaching, spy hopping and spouting. When whales breach, you cannot help but be awestruck with the sheer size of these animals. And when they spout, you will be able to estimate the great force that these animals have within themselves. The whale narrator will also draw your attention when a male whale is heard singing, which is actually an attempt to locate a partner for mating.

Most Oahu whale watching cruises will pick you up from Waikiki hotels, but if you select to be picked up from Wainae, then you will also be able to catch a bit of dolphin watching as an added bonus. The Hawaiian waters are also the home to a large number of dolphins. Some of these cruises will throw in a snorkeling trip with their packages, where you will be able to swim with some of the dolphins (though it is restricted in some places) and also catch up on several other sights that the oceans have to offer.

Cruises for whale watching in Oahu are priced differently depending on the features they have on offer. A basic cruise might start from anywhere upwards of $65 for two hours of the experience, with beverages and some food thrown in.

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