Envision yourself sailing across the turquoise waters of Dive Maui as majestic, yet surprisingly graceful, gigantic whales and dolphins surface from the depths below. Imagine a ballet performance where the humpbacks are the dancers and the staging is the expansive Pacific. Oh my goodness! But who really are the brains behind these incredible whale watching excursions? Now we can reveal everything.
You should come along on this adventure with Captain Sam because he has stories from the sea that might fill a book. He adds, “The enchantment of the sea and the whales is what keeps me coming back,” as he squints against the sun. “It’s never the same day twice,” he says with a laugh as he adjusts his battered captain’s cap. After more than 20 years on the sea, Sam knows his way around. He likes to joke that he’s actually half whale.
Meet Riley, a marine researcher who, despite his advanced years, appears like he’s just out of high school. In terms of aquatic biology, he’s like a walking encyclopedia. When you start asking him questions about whales, you’ll see him at his most animated, explaining in great detail the dynamics of whale families and the songs they sing. His eyes sparkle as he says, “It’s like trying to understand a giant soap opera underwater.” He laughs.
The tour coordinator, Anaya, is like a dolphin swimming through a web of logistics, making sure that every detail is just right. She half-jokes as she scribbles notes quicker than you can say “cetacean.” “It’s controlled chaos,” she says. According to her, coffee is just as important as life jackets in this area, and she’s pretty much right.
Brock may be found hidden in the engine room. It is he who ensures that the engine continues to run. He uses grease as his fragrance and uses it to seize his friends. Although Brock is known to be reserved, his unwavering commitment is audible more than a whale.
All of these people’s hearts and minds are coming together to create these wonders for you to enjoy. Remember these marine biologists the next time you marvel at whales’ acrobatics. One encounter at a time, they are the unseen sorcerers that create the magic of Maui’s whale miracles.