| If you are thinking about planning a trip to Hawaii, you | | | | whales, including the humpback whale. They are |
| may be wondering the best time of year to visit | | | | typically found along the western shore of Maui. |
| Hawaii. Well, anytime really. Hawaii really doesn't have | | | | Ma'alaea Bay in particular is a great spot to catch a |
| an off season. The winter months of January and | | | | glimpse of the mother and baby whales. The shallow |
| February seem to be the rainiest, but it's not the same | | | | waters of the bay offer protection from possible shark |
| kind of winter you would have in other parts of the | | | | attacks. You can see the whales, by simply taking a |
| United States. In fact the winter months may actually | | | | stroll along the beach. There are also many tour |
| draw crowds during those so called rainy months. One | | | | companies offering day trips to popular whale |
| reason is that the waves on the northern shores of | | | | watching destinations. The island of Lanai also offers |
| the islands are much bigger during the winter. The | | | | some whale watching opportunities, both on and off |
| North Shore of Ohau in particular is famous for those | | | | shore. |
| huge waves, sometimes coming in as high as thirty | | | | The humpback whale is the fifth largest of the whale |
| feet. These are some of the largest waves in the | | | | family of mammals. The humpback is on the |
| world. | | | | endangered species list due mostly to hunting of these |
| On any given day on the North shore, you can expect | | | | animals in previous years. At one time hunting |
| to see world championship surfers, particularly at | | | | humpbacks was considered a great sport and it |
| Waimiea Bay. The Banzi pipeline is another popular | | | | almost forced the species into extinction. Humpback |
| surfing spot for these amazing athletes. The pipeline is | | | | whales can reach lengths of 45 feet and can weigh |
| famous for its long tubes. But, don't be fooled by the | | | | as much as 45 tons. |
| lure of this gorgeous wave, the water underneath is | | | | Another reason that Hawaii is such a popular vacation |
| shallow and full of coral reef. The waves at these | | | | destination during the winter months is plain geography. |
| famous hot spots are not for beginners. If you are just | | | | Because the winter months are so cold and dreary |
| learning to surf, you should stick to the shallow waves | | | | during these months back on the mainland, visitors |
| at Wakiki Beach in Honolulu. | | | | flock to Hawaii for a much needed respite. What |
| Another reason for the high number of winter tourists | | | | better way to escape a February snow storm than to |
| is whale watching. Whale watching season is generally | | | | sit on a tropical beach in paradise and sip on Mai tais. |
| from January to May. Whale watching is a popular | | | | Whatever your reason for visiting Hawaii, all of the |
| activity during the winter months on the island of Maui. | | | | islands are waiting and are sure to please even the |
| You can expect to see many different species of | | | | most frostbitten winter visitor. |