Waving from the ocean on a Maui whale watching excursion

On a Maui whale watching adventure with Seabourn Odyssey, Alan learned, once again, just how hard it is to photograph whales from a moving boat. The cruise excursion began when Alan and I tendered from the ship over to the pier in Lahina, where we boarded the Trilogy catamaran for a morning of whale watching. We were in luck that our arrival happened to be in February, which is prime time for watching humpback whales in Maui before the behemoths migrate back to Alaska in early summer.

Trilogoy naturalists described the whale’s habits to us as we moved from one side of the catamaran to the other looking for spouts, fin slaps and the most magnificent site of all—a breach. With so much going on, it was hard for Alan to decide where to aim the camera next. There were many, “oh, you just missed it” moments.

When photographing whales, Alan recommends setting your camera to burst mode and hoping for the best.

Have you heard a whale sing? The Trilogy captain lowered a sonar listening device into the water so that we could hear the males create their complex sound referred to as singing. Scientists aren’t sure why the male humpbacks sing but think it is part of the mating ritual. Here’s more information about humpback whales from National Geographic.

Of course you don’t have to be on a cruise to experience Maui whale watching. Anyone visiting the island can book a tour with Trilogy.

Have you been whale watching in Maui? Were you on a cruise excursion or a land trip to Maui? Post a comment to share your experience. I wonder if this is the same whale that showed his fluke to Alan when we went whale watching in Frederick Sound with American Safari?