Last Days in Maui

 

Jan 23, 2025 - We had another reservation for a raft whale watch with Captain Steve's Rafting.  Janet likes to book several reservations in case one gets canceled due to weather.  We were lucky enough to get to do 2 whale watches (and one kayak Whale watch)  In the afternoon we did a snorkel at Black Rock.  And then dinner at Hula Grill in Whalers Village.  

The whale watchers are ready

Captain Jill took us out today, and she found a Mom and baby who we followed for quite a while.  The baby was learning to breach.

In general he didn't get very far out of the water.

I liked this picture with the baby breaching and Mom not far away

and a little baby splash

We ended our watch with two tails at the same time!

pretty cool!

one cloud over Lanai

and pretty Molokai in the distance

Temporary housing in Lahaina

Black Rock was hopping today

We got more video of the turtles, but we won't bore you with it today

some interesting jumps from the rock

Janet and I had a private stretch session (we were the only ones that showed up).  It was like a spa day, a face mask and chocolate.

a little hot tub time

Hula pie (macadamia nut ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate and fudge)

Jan 24, 2025 - Today was a chill day, we started with yoga on the lawn.  We were supposed to go on the Teralani for a sunset cruise, but it got canceled because it was a pretty windy day and the ocean was pretty choppy.  Janet and I did a restore class (private session again) and then we spent time at the pool.

sunrise on the way to yoga

pretty beach

we love the morning yoga session

pretty views from our balcony

one good pic under the waterfall

and a few like this

and this

music by the pool before dinner

Jan 25, 2025 - Today we had a reservation at Ioa Valley State Park to see the Ioa Needle.   The area was the site of the historic Kepaniwai Battle in 1790 between King Kamehameha I and the Maui army.  The Ioa Needle served as a lookout during the battle. It was a quick walk up to view it, but there were lots of nice side trails along the Ioa Stream.  After the hike we stopped at mile marker 14 (near where we went kayaking) for a quick snorkel.  There were lots of fish and a turtle or two. Late afternoon, Kevin and I did a sunset cruise on the Teralani (not canceled today!) 

It was a paved walkway to the lookout

It was a bit cloudy today

Nice  views from the top

Our walk along the stream (Janet taught me how to do time lapse photos)

hug a tree!

after our hike along the stream the Ioa Needle wasn't so clouded over

We stopped at Leoda's (since we were driving by!) and bought pies for lunch

                      2 hour sunset cruise on the Teralani!

                                 And a pretty view on the walk home. 

Kayak Whale Watching & Black Rock Snorkeling

 

                                 

Jan 21, 2025 - This morning we have a 7:00AM kayaking whale watch.  We used tandem kayaks and got to paddle around looking for whales for 3 hours.  It was another awesome sunrise and a beautiful day on the water for paddling.  In the afternoon we went down to Black Rock again for more snorkeling, then hot tub and dinner at Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina. 

beautiful sunrise while we wait to get the kayaks in the water

the kayakers

on the water

let's go find some whales

paddling into the sun

love those mountains in the distance

so sparkley

We had a really nice breaching show on the horizon as we paddled out, but this was our first "close" whale

pretty mountains

somebody's on their back, enjoying the day

we were really close to a mama and baby.  Whale calves can only stay under for short periods (usually around 4 minutes or so, while an adult whale can stay under for 45 minutes)

Janet & Bob watching a whale in the distance

another tail fin

more fin action

We made a pie stop, at Leoda's, after kayaking (I got the chocolate pie)

Janet caught us eating our pie before we got our sandwiches

Leoda?

On our way home, we saw a whale that kept hitting the water with his tail fin.  It's called lobtailing and is used as a way of communication with other whales and a way to assert dominance.

he probably did this 15-20 times.  It was crazy to see.

In the afternoon we made a quick trip back to Black Rock for more snorkeling

Kev got a nice video of a turtle and if you have the sound on you can hear the whales singing in the background.

Jan 22, 2025 - We got to sleep in this morning, and then headed down to the lawn for some Yoga at 7:30AM.  After breakfast in the room we went for a drive to find some good snorkeling.  The waves were big at the DT Fleming Beach, so we decided to try our luck back at Black Rock.  The weather was a bit chilly and windy, as rain is coming this afternoon, but the snorkeling was still great at Black Rock and the turtles were quite active.  Tonight is dinner at home, so we can eat some of our great leftovers.

yoga with a view

This is a great video of a beautiful turtle that swam right under Kevin

And a video of two turtles chasing each other