Question Where to Swim with Whales

[Apeks Predator]

That was a good and legal skipper. And glad you had this experience.

IIRC, the dive shop was Scuba Shack. They're the ones who use the "jet boat" for dive charters out of Kihei.

 

[sea_ledford]

I was a boat guide and captain in Maui for 4.5 years, diving 2-3 times per day 5 days per week. I saw LOADS of whales on the surface. I saw three whales while I was in the water and it was on a single encounter; Mother, calf and escort. It was amazing, but very rare. I was drifiting in the middle of the channel while we were doing some trailer work. I hopped in the water to cool off and the whales swam under me a few minutes later.

You could probably do it from a kayak on your own at the right time of year and not have an operator telling you it's illegal, but it would still be illegal. You would also have a pretty good chance of getting reported and fined.

Maui is great for seeing whales, but not for swimming with them.

 

[J105Puff]

Apeks Predator did they allow you to get in the water with the whales? They should't have this is considered approaching. Not that said if you are in the water before the whlaes are near by this is OK as the whales don't know the rules and can approach you. We used to go to Lahaina every Feb to whatch the whales.

 

[J105Puff]

I live on Oahu and see whales quite often have never lucked out and had them approach while diving. We do hear them "singing" in the winter. I have a sail boat and we see the fairly often and some time we are approached by the whales. On sail boat it is much harder just to go dead in the water and let the whales do their thing. A few years ago we saw a paddle boarder get between a mom and calf off Waikiki. People on boats were yelling at him to move away, he just stayed there.

 

[inquis]

the humpbacks were so numerous that the boat captain shut down the motor, and we floated in the bay for awhile

I've had numerous "whale muggings" while living in Maui, but never had the pleasure of seeing them underwater. Never a bad dive, though, when their songs are going off.

 

[Apeks Predator]

Apeks Predator did they allow you to get in the water with the whales? They should't have this is considered approaching. Not that said if you are in the water before the whlaes are near by this is OK as the whales don't know the rules and can approach you. We used to go to Lahaina every Feb to whatch the whales.

Boat crew did not allow anybody into the water with the whales. Overall, a great day diving with a "free" whale watching tour. I think my experience watching whales in Antarctica doesn't measure up to the experience I had in Maui.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I did a trip last year to Moorea for swimming with humpbacks. I enjoyed it but it is'nt for everyone and certainly not cheap. We had some excellent interactions and sightings, (the trip leader said the best he's had in 4 trips) but our time was pretty short. Our best interaction was with a very playful baby that lasted about an hour and it breaching right in front of us twice. However there is lots of time just crusing along looking for spouts. Or whales being shy and moving on after 10 minutes. It certainly was the most I've ever spent if you divide cost by the time you spend with them.
I'm glad I did it but most likely wont repeat the trip.

 

[agilis]

Just read an article in the NY Times about Columbia. Looks like another good place and probably reasonably priced. I'm gonna check it out. I found these people as highly recommended.

Scuba Diving in Colombia Pacific Ocean | Colombia Pacific Diving |

Scuba Diving in Colombia at the edge of the so-called HammerHead Triangle formed by the Galapagos Islands, Coco's Island, and Malpelo.

colombiapacificdiving.com

Colombia

 

[agilis]

Dominica has whales present throughout the year, but they are numerous inshore from November to March. I've seen them many times from a dive boat, but never got close enough to swim with them. At least one specialist operation on the island works to get people together with whales.