| #ffffff;" /> | | | | layers (and maybe even bring a blanket) to avoid |
| Every year as many as fifty percent the | | | | getting chilled during the few hours you are out. |
| world’s Humpback Whales migrate more than | | | | What to Take |
| 4,000 miles from Alaska to mate in the tropical waters | | | | What whale watching expedition would be complete |
| of Kauai. For this reason Kauai has become one of | | | | without a camera or camcorder to document the |
| the most popular whale watching locations in the world. | | | | day’s events? There will be plenty of action to |
| If you are planning a trip, here are a few things to do | | | | catch as you watch the whales jump and spout about. |
| and keep in mind in order to have the best experience | | | | Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must if you |
| possible: | | | | don’t want to get sunburn and a headache. |
| Visit During Peak Months | | | | Even on a cloudy day it is a good idea to have them. |
| The peak months for Humpback Whales are from | | | | Since it takes some time for the boat to reach the |
| February to March. They are most active during these | | | | whales, you may want to bring a book, or some cards, |
| months mating and giving birth to their calves, so this | | | | along. This is especially true if there will be any children |
| would be the best time frame in which to visit and | | | | along. The time it takes to find a whale varies, from 45 |
| whale watch. | | | | minutes to a couple of hours, so kids are likely to get |
| Before Setting out to Sea | | | | bored and want something to do in the interim. |
| Foods absorb the acids that make you sick on an | | | | For the Perfect Photograph |
| empty stomach, so even though you might cringe at | | | | With the boat rocking around at very inconvenient |
| the thought of going out to sea with a full stomach, | | | | moments, it’s easy to go through many |
| really one of the best preventative measures to help | | | | unusable shots before you get one with a decent |
| avoid sea sickness is to eat a good breakfast. If you | | | | angle and setup. I’ve been known to take up 20 |
| aren’t very hungry, snack on things like | | | | pictures before getting one with the whale jumping out |
| crackers, ginger snaps, and other starchy foods that | | | | of the water just so, or catching one as it spouts |
| will absorb stomach acids. | | | | water. If you are going to be using a digital camera, |
| Most whale watching companies that you go out to | | | | make sure it is charged, has an extra battery and that |
| sea in will allow you to take food and drinks out with | | | | there is plenty of room on its memory card. On the |
| you (as long as they are not glass bottles or alcoholic | | | | other hand, if you are more old school, bring extra |
| beverages) so pack drinks and food to take along so | | | | batteries and rolls of film. |
| as to avoid getting dehydrated and hungry. | | | | Whales like to play a wet game of hide and seek, |
| What to Wear | | | | popping in and out of the water just in time for you to |
| Because of the rocking of the boat, you want to take | | | | miss them, making it just a little difficult to catch them. |
| along some shoes that have a decent tread on them, | | | | But, as with most games, there is a cheat. Watch the |
| like sneakers or some other rubber soled shoes. | | | | direction that the whale is moving in, rather than where |
| There is quite a lot of ocean spray and wind on the | | | | he went under, by keeping track of his spouts. |
| whale watching boat, so you will want to dress in | | | | |