Holy humpback – that was a whale of an experience!

On a balmy Tuesday morning in mid-February I was booked on the 10 AM whale-watching excursion offered by Teralani Sailing Adventures. There was more than a slight breeze to go along with the tingly anticipation of our sailing group that had gathered on Dig Me Beach in Kaanapali for a trademark Maui treat. There were humpback whales out there to be seen and we wanted to spot every massive mammal migrating through the Valley Isle waters.

Our shipshape transport, the Teralani 3, was a sleek 65’ x 35’ catamaran with two engines that stood tall and inviting in the bright blue Pacific waters. Boarding the vessel via a water-based ladder was a splashy exercise because waves were rolling in as we climbed up the first few steps. Shoes off and hold smartphones above the waist. No worries. Everyone got onboard the main deck without a hitch and it was bon voyage time.

Not quite. First our full boat of 49 passengers were coaxed down to the sparkling-clean galley where Captain Drew and her crew (Andrew and Lainie) offered cheers and a few “Aye Aye, Captain” instructions. Even more enticing – there was an open-bar setup with breakfast breads, fresh fruit, water, soft drinks, passion-fruit ades (my fave), and adult beverages such as beer, mai tais, mimosas, vodka tonics, and chardonnays. Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum. Captain Ahab never had it so good.

With all hands returning on deck, Captain Drew had the Teralani 3 chugging out to sea and heading due west. Within three minutes she hollered out “whales at 2 o’clock” and everyone bolted to the starboard side with cameras at the ready. We witnessed three waterspouts shoot skyward and then espied three submarine-like bodies slicing through the choppy waters. Thar she blows! Thank You, Mother Nature, for the engaging podcast (whales travel in pods). This was just the tasty appetizer on our two-hour menu that took us about 2.5 miles out to sea.

Over the next 90 minutes the skilled skipper zigzagged around to all the briny hot spots on a southwest course toward the island of Lanai. Crew member Lainie was on-demand as our seaborne Siri referencing all kinds of humpback data: they are the fifth-largest whale species and can grow to 45-55 feet and 50 tons, females are slightly larger than males, they feed in the summer in the nutrient-filled waters of Alaska and then migrate to Maui to breed and give birth, and while in Maui they do not eat.

At one stopping point we came upon a potential humpback hoe-down taking place off the stern. A pod was circling the area displaying vigorous activity. Lainie thought it might be two males fighting over who would breed with the female. How can you tell the males? They tend to have battle scars from all the macho-man scuffles. Moments later at least one passed under our hull almost like it was scripted. How cool was that?!

Mission accomplished. What a blubbery-good experience for all ages. On the way back to shore Captain Drew opened-up about being the T3 helmswoman: “The things you get to see out here are incredible. I’ve seen whale sharks as well as pelagic manta rays that were as big as the nets on our bow. Every day is different and that’s the beauty of what we do and what we offer our guests.”

One final sail-away salute. During sea time there was music playing, mostly classic oldies, that added ambience to the serene setting. Nice touch. As we were heading home and about 100 yards from shore Neil Diamond was belting out Sweet Caroline when a sizeable lone turtle swam by our port side. Turtles are symbolic of longevity and good fortune. It was the ideal exit strategy for a first-class operation.