ounger humpback whales that are vulnerable to attacks from the toothy Killer whales.
9. That fins don’t have bones but flippers do
? Each of the humpback’s 15-foot pectoral fins has five finger bones, an elbow and shoulder bone. But the Humpback’s name comes from its dorsal fin, which doesn’t look much like a fin. Rather, a hump.
10. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a camera does you no good in its bag
. There are a few rules when it comes to photographing that should never be violated. The easiest rule, which can sometimes be the hardest, is that you never put your camera away. Period. Because just when you do, the shot you’ve been waiting hours for will happen, and your camera will be turned off, tucked in its bag, and capturing zero pictures of the whale calf breaching outside the harbor. Take it from me. I know. (Hence, the re-touched image in this post;-)
And, so, this begins a series I’m starting based on the recommendations of a friendly concierge
I met recently at Outrigger Reef on the Beach
. When Jake
discovered I lived on Kauai, so began the usual discourse between two people in Hawaii meeting for the first time—where do you live? Oh, my dad’s family is from there. Do you know so-and-so? How about so-and-so? By the time we finished, I knew I had to include Jake in this blog. He’s just the kind of character I like.
Jake was born and raised on the island of Oahu. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools: Kapalama Campus and holds a bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Pacific University. When Jake isn’t recommending activities and restaurants for guests at Outrigger Reef on the Beach, he enjoys spending time with his two dogs and cooking. In that order. (See. My kinda guy.)
When I asked Jake why he recommended whale watching and why the boat Navatek
, he said, “Hawai'i is a mecca of whale activity during whale season and it's what makes ‘winter time’ enjoyable for everyone. I particularly like the Navatek due to the design of hull, it cuts right through the water, and it doesn't seem like you are on a boat."
And after spending a half day on Navatek’s whale watch with lunch buffet, my recommendation
1. Skip the buffet lunch, save half the price, and book a morning whale watch. The idea is to spend as much time as possible with the whales. You really won’t want to eat, at all.
2. Bypass the floating banquet room and head for the lower observation deck on the bow, where there is shade and great views. Here, you’ll also be able to chat with Navatek’s on-board naturalist. Christina was wielding the microphone when I was on board and shared all the facts above. She (and the whales, of course) made this experience what it was.
3. On the outbound trip, situate yourself on the port (left) side of the boat for the amazing scenic views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Koko Head. On the return, move over to the starboard side.
4. Do not put your camera away until you are safely ensconced on the bus for the return trip to your hotel. And maybe not even then;-)
5. Stop by and see Jake at the concierge desk at Outrigger Reef on the Beach. He's got a great smile, and I'll bet he puts on a smile on your face, too. And I'm not just saying that because his big Hawaiian cousin lives down the road from me!