Weekend with the Experts: Whalewatch with the Experts

Two special whalewatch cruises led by the scientists, researchers and photographers who are the presenters at the "Weekend with the Experts"  will be offered by Pacific Whale Foundation on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 11. The guest presenters will offer their commentary about the humpback whales that are encountered, based on their unique perspective and experience with whales and the marine environment. 

 

On Saturday, February 11, the Weekend with the Experts whalewatch cruise will take place from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm from Lahaina Harbo; it includes lunch and soft drink refreshments. This cruise will be led by Bill Francis, President of Algalita Marine Research Foundation (a non-profit organization that has made research voyages to all five of the world's major gyres, including the North Pacific Gyre); Dr. Jan Hafner, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa (he is helping to track  the Japanese tsunami debris);  Ed Lyman, Marine Mammal Response Manager at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary;  David Fleetham, marine wildlife photographer and Dr. Alison Stimpert, National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, Oceanography Department, Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, who studies the behavioral and acoustic repertoire of humpback whales underwater.

 

On Sunday, February 12, the Weekend with the Experts whalewatch cruise will take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm from Lahaina Harbor and will include pupu (appetizers) and soft drink refreshments.The featured presenters will be Dr. Carole Carlson,  Director of Research and Education for the Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch, Adjunct Scientist at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies and Research Associate at College of the Atlantic; Dr. Daniela Maldini, Chief Scientist, Pacific Whale Foundation and Douglas J. Hoffman, whale and wildlife photographer. 

 

Whale sightings on these special whalewatches are guaranteed. If whales are not sighted, each guest will receive get a free ticket for a regular Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatch. 

 

The price for either trip is $49.95 for adults and $34.95 for children ages 7 -12. Children ages 6 and under go free. Each party will receive a whale poster, autographed by the guest presenters onboard. Book online at www.pacificwhale.org and save 10%. Pacific Whale Foundation Members save 20%.  To reserve by phone, please call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1. 

 

To learn more about these cruises and the free presentations that will take place as part of the Weekend with the Experts, please visit www.mauiwhalefestival.org.