OUTRIGGER PHOTO Whales can be spotted from the oceanfront Outrigger Royal Kahana Resort on Maui.

Maui hotels tout great views of visiting humpback whales

Outrigger guests have a front-row seat for whale watching on Maui as the Outrigger Napili Shores and Outrigger Royal Kahana offer perfect vantage points as 10,000 humpback whales make their annual 3,000-mile-long journey from the North Pacific to Hawaii's waters to breed, calve and nurse their young.

These majestic creatures often perform acrobatic displays just off Maui's coastline, breaching and spouting in the waters in front of the resort condominiums between November and May.

At Outrigger Napili Shores, everyone gets in on the whale-watching fun. Guests who spot whales are encouraged to ring the resort's "Whale Bell" near the oceanfront pool area to alert fellow guests of the sightings. Rates start at $229 a night.

Guests at the Outrigger Royal Kahana Resort have views of Molokai and Lanai just across the Molokai Channel. Rates at Outrigger Royal Kahana start at $209.

For reservations at either property, call toll-free (800) OUTRIGGER (688-7444) or log onto www.OutriggerCondos.com.