Whale watch season begins

Atlantis Navatek Cruises

The beginning of winter coincides with Whale Watch Season in Hawaii. Each year between November and May, as many as 10,000 humpback whales make their annual 3,000-mile-long journey from the North Pacific to Hawaii to mate and give birth to their calves. While visiting the islands, the cetaceans—which can weigh up to 45 tons—are often seen just off the Maui coastline. The fifth largest of the whales, the humpbacks are seen breaching, spouting, and slapping their tails.
For tips on viewing the winter whales, visit wikiwikihawaii.blogspot.com/p/winter-whales.html

Here are a couple of recent offers:

Shutterstock.com courtesy Outrigger Hotels

Outrigger Hotel and Resorts' Maui condominiums: Guests staying at the Outrigger Royal Kahana and Outrigger Napili Shores have a front-row seat in viewing humpback whales as they complete their winter migration to the Valley Isle. Rates starting at $195 per night for an ocean-view room.
For reservations or information, call a travel professional or Outrigger Hotels and Resorts at 1-866-956-4262 within the U.S., Guam and Canada. For online information or reservations, log on at www.outrigger.com.

Atlantis Navatek Cruises: Offers the rare opportunity to see the humpback whales as they swim, play and care for their young along Oahu’s south shore.
Navatek’s SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) technology and unique, double-hulled design lifts the passenger-carrying compartment above the ocean’s surface, limiting wave action against the vessel as guests are carried past Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and along the East Oahu coastline.
The innovative design allows Atlantis to carry guests closer to the prime viewing locations for humpback whales in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary off East Oahu.
During the tour, an onboard naturalist provides insightful commentary about the whales’ characteristics and behavior. (If the naturalist does not see a humpback, all guests are offered a complimentary return whale watch cruise with the buffet available for an added fee.)
The 140-foot Navatek comfortably seats 300 guests and features upper and lower observation decks that are perfect for seeing the humpback whales in action, along with two air-conditioned dining rooms with large picture windows.
>> Atlantis’s Whale Watch Lunch Cruise: Offered through April 14, 2013. Navatek departs from Pier 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace at 12:15 p.m. and returns to port at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $79 for adults and $42 for children (ages 7-12). Children 6 and younger are free. The all-you-can-eat buffet features teriyaki chicken, fresh catch of the day, dessert, and soft drinks. Complimentary round-trip ground transportation from Waikiki is provided.
>> Whale Watch Morning Cruise: Offered through April 7, 2013. Departs from Pier 6 at 9 a.m. and returns to port at 11 a.m. Cost is $54 for adults and $30 for children (ages 7-12). Children age 6 and younger are free. Free soft drinks, guava juice, coffee and tea are provided, with breakfast items and snacks available for purchase. Complimentary round-trip ground transportation from Waikiki is provided.

For more information or to book a tour, call (800) 548-6262 or visit www.atlantissubmarines.com.