The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. In the prewhaling days, the pods were estimated in numbers upwards of 45,000 individuals. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from ma alaea harbor. Whale watching season is starting in maui when is whale watching season in maui. My future wife and i will be in maui from 20 to 25 november on our honeymoon and i want to take her whale watching.
Mauis best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean. Our fast and safe rafting vessels are low to the water and perfect for close whale watching encounters and small groups making every seat a front row seat. Pacific whale foundation whale watch lahaina or maalaea. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons. But you dont have to go on a whale watching tour to spot whales. There were some mass dieoffs of some pretty hardy seabirds that. One of the most prolific companies offering this tour, pacific whale foundation offers a variety of tours from their stable power catamarans throughout the day. Experience mauis toprated whale watch with the experts departing from maalaea harbor. Whales may be more transient off maui than the big island, but it. What you need to know about the maui whale season the.
Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. A diving whales fluke and a second whales exhalation. From december to may of every year maui is graced with presence of the majestic pacific humpback whales. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. The 32 nd annual maui whale festival, a tremendous hit with locals and visitors alike, offers many opportunities for upclose and personal sightings of hawaiis largest visitors. The maui ocean centers aquarium and whale watch experience launched on tuesday, jan.
Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. The hawaiian humpback whale marine sanctuary is located in kihei and was created by congress in 1992 as a way to protect these magnificent creatures in hawaiian waters. Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Whale watch sail deluxe maalaea pacwhale ecoadventures. From lahaina harbor, whale watch cruises are usually offered on the ocean discovery. The standard whale watching boat will run between midnovember and midmay and run a few different trips a day per boat. Ecofriendly whale watching tour from maalaea harbor. It is just about impossible for us to go out on the boat during this time and not see their abovewater displays and hear their songs. Every winter, pods of pacific humpback whales make the 3,000mile swim from the chilly waters of alaska to bask in maui s summery shallows, fluking, spy hopping, spouting, and having an allaround swell time. With more than 30 events, activities, and cruises spread out over a sixmonth period, everybodyfrom children to scholars and biologistswill easily find. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12.
When you get to their site, just go to the left side of the screen under maui, then choose whale watching tours on maui from the dropdown menu for their. These informative and fun twohour whale watches are led by a team of certified marine naturalists who explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth. Their marine naturalists provide the fun and educational ecotours that draw from nearly 40 years of whale.
Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the official whale season dates. I am not sure when the other whale watches end, but ocean project continues to do tours until the middle of april. Most vessels are spacious doubledeck, ecofriendly catamarans. Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, hawaii.
Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. Lahaina whale watching deals in lahaina, hi groupon. The humpback whales that migrate to the hawaiian waters each year seen on all maui whale watching tours spend their summers in alaska. During peak whale season, around midjanuary thru midapril, whales can be spotted from the shore. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii.
During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. Trilogy provides sailing whale watches from maalaea or lahaina harbor as well from kaanapali beach. December 15th is the official start of the humpback whale season in hawaii, but guests on our private whale watching tour could spot whales as early as november, and since the feeling of watching a humpback from a kayak is one of the islands best adventures, we figured it was time to discuss some basics about humpback whales in maui. The best time to see whales on maui is november through may when thousands of north pacific humpback whales grace hawaiian waters during their annual winter migration. Alii nui provides one of the highend whale watches that includes a. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Download the app to stay uptodate on the latest sightings. Nov 17, 2014 sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. The maui whale season runs from november to may and gives visitors the.
Hop aboard for snorkeling at some of maui s most popular locations, including molokini crater, or choose from a sunset cruise along maui s shoreline or whale watching from december to april. Pride of maui is the most stable and spacious boat on maui with incomparable amenities including two restrooms, glass bottom, water slide, submerged boarding ladders, warm showers, a large hardwood bar and over 2500 feet of. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. We want to book a whale watch and it has been suggested to us to pick a company that takes out fewer people. I think we ended up in the same place to see the whales both timesabout half way between the ma alaea and lahaina.
Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones and watch a variety of whale behaviors between mothers, calves or aggressive males. Each cruise is led by certified marine naturalists for a fun and informative interpretation of humpback whale behaviors. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home. There are also whale watch tours put on by different organizations that generally handle dozens of people in large crowds, drinking mai tais and getting sea sick, which might be good for some, but maybe this is not what you had in mind. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Check out their whale watching trip options and make your reservations in advance. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. Mauis toprated whale watch cruise pacwhale ecoadventures. Pacific whale foundation ocean store, harbor shops of ma alaea shares the same parking lot as the maui ocean center aquarium your trip includes lunch. Whale watching in maui is one of the most unique opportunities to take advantage of. I spent my birthday whale watching on the pride of maui.
If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. If youre interested in going whale watching in maui, you can get more information on available tours, rates, and bookings on the barefoot tours site. If youre looking for more familyfriendly ways to experience the island, download. Hop aboard for snorkeling at some of mauis most popular locations, including molokini crater, or choose from a sunset cruise along mauis shoreline or whale watching from december to april. As whale season approaches, four seasons resort maui at wailea has created a variety of. There are many different types of boat trips for whale watching. Their 2 hour maui whale watching tours depart from mala wharf in lahaina. The island of maui offers numerous whale watching tours, along with the exceptional educational experiences by taking the pacwhale ecoadventures provided by the nonprofit pacific whale foundation.
The humpbacks are drawn to our warm, relatively shallow and protected waters that make an ideal location to mate and give birth to their calves. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from maalaea harbor. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season.
Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. Best snorkeling was by black rock by the sheraton, went south didnt see many whales, good snorkeling natural. We boarded the large, comfortable boat at the maalaea harbor and knew it would be a special trip. The harbour at maalaea is within easy reach for a variety of boat trips with the pacific whale foundation for snorkelling on molikini, getting up close to the humbacks and enjoying the. The pacific whale foundation had their first humpback whale sighting of the season back on oct. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing. Whale watching tour all islands although whale watching tours are offered on all of the islands, maui is known to be the best place to see them. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females who usually show up between thanksgiving and christmas. The pacific whale foundation on maui is another toprated company, offering tours from both maalaea and lahaina harbor. Pacific whale foundation operates several whale watch vessels. Eileen johnson is an avid landscape and nature photographer from northern californiaand kevins mom. During peak whale season whale activity is visible all day long from the easy to find papawai scenic lookout along the road to lahaina.
Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones and watch a variety of whale behaviors between mothers, calves or. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. There are also whale watch tours put on by different organizations that generally handle dozens of people in large crowds, drinking mai tais and getting sea sick, which might be good for some, but maybe this is not what you had in mind when admiring mother nature.
During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. I like ocean project when i am with my husband cause that bigger boat does not make him seasick. Captain steves maui whale watching tours are not recommended for pregnant women, people with bad backs, those who had recent surgery or kids under five years old. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off. They won an award for top ocean recreation business. If you are interested in seeing these amazing animals on your hawaii vacation, peak whale watching season is maui is january to march. Pacific whale foundation is a pioneer in whale research and is the first organization to offer educational whale watches on maui.
If you are serious about seeing humpback whales in their hawaiian mating and calving grounds, the last couple weeks in february and the whole month of march are the best times to be here. Every year from november to may, maui locals welcome back their favorite guests the huge, majestic humpback whales who spend every winter in hawaiis warm and safe waters. Best snorkeling was by black rock by the sheraton, went south didnt see many whales, good snorkeling natural reserve area. These whales are known for their acrobatics, and are often seen fully breaching out of the ocean. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. But as a result of commercial whaling, those numbers were down to just 1,400 humpbacks in 1966. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes you out to see them from december 8 th april 15 th. Pcf said ma alaea is the second windiest harbors in the world but it was windy even for maui standards. Four seasons resort maui offers guests more ways than ever to. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. You might have to keep your eyes peeled for a while, but its worth it.
They say they make maui s best mai tais but thats probably just because they are taxfree off shore. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. Come aboard mauis toprated whale watch cruise departing daily from the historic lahaina and ma. I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer. Enjoy this 2hour narrated whale watch led by certified marine naturalists who explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales. The map below tracks all dolphin and whale sightings in maui logged by our. Look out your window just not while youre driving please. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll ever have the opportunity to partake in is a chance to witness the majesty of the north pacific humpback whales in their natural environment year, after year, these magical mammals grace hawaiian. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. Feb 21, 2018 close encounter with a humpback whale in maui. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise.
The fluke of a diving whale and the pectoral fin of a second whale. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. See the amazing humpback whales who migrate here from alaska to mate and. So far, i have found ultimate whale watch and blue water rafting one leaves from wailea and the other from lahina. Although humpback whales inhabit all major oceans, the north pacific humpback whale population travel from the coast of california and from the cold alaskan waters of the bering sea to arrive at the subtropical climate and warm water of the hawaiian oceans. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. The scenic mcgregor point lookout west of maalaea and the beaches of kaanapali, kihei and wailea are also great spots to see whales. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui. It depends on the change of seasons, water temp and storms up in alaska, but as soon as the water gets too cold the humpback whales make their annual visit to maui. We had to go north towards lahaina to get out of the large swells. Whale watching tours are the perfect attraction for your entire family to enjoy. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. Multiple whale pods can be observed both near and far stretching for miles. Kihei while there has been a slight increase in humpback whale.
Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Experience maui s toprated whale watch with the experts departing from ma alaea harbor. Whale watching at papawai scenic lookout in maalaea, maui. My friend who is a whale watching maui expert says trilogy is the most respected company for whale watches, and is a leader in maui in marine conservation and being green. The whale jumps out of the water and slaps the water as it comes back into the water. During our winter months dec 15thapril 15th humpback whales migrate down from the cold waters of alaska to the warm waters of maui to give birth to and train their calves. Sep 05, 2018 seeing as we operate seven boats that offer whale watching tours in maui, this is a question were asked a lot and at all different times of the year officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Maui s best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean. The ocean odyssey, ocean voyager, and ocean liberty usually run out of maalaea harbor. The harbour at ma alaea is within easy reach for a variety of boat trips with the pacific whale foundation for snorkelling on molikini, getting up close to the humbacks and enjoying the sunsets.
355 1223 719 338 491 1477 886 116 82 132 1484 1589 686 1493 608 1272 197 865 102 825 1287 1279 151 1115 698 1213 1042 682 1417