Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. Hawaiis official whale season starts middecember, but apparently, at least one whale didnt get that memo. Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. 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. The pacific whale foundation has recorded its first humpback whale sighting of the 20102011 seasonspotted yesterday morning, two nautical miles off mauis west side, between maalaea and lahaina. The sighting of the lone subadult humpback pictured, above marks the start of hawaiis annual humpback whale watching season. While maui is the best location for humpback whale spotting, the other islands also see many whales in season. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season.
Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. 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. Nov 17, 2014 sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. 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. Below weve shared some of the past whale seasons best photos taken by natalie brown photography.
Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Kauai whale viewing is available around the entire island. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui an ideal jumpingoff spot for. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. In addition to maui, the big island offers some of the best whale watching in hawaii. First humpback of hawaii whale watching season spotted off maui. Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. Just make a break for the kona coast or the waikoloa area if you want to do some big island whale watching. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, hawaii.
With the first sighting of a humpback whale off the coast of maui in early october, whale watchers from around the world are eagerly making plans to view these majestic creatures in their natural winter habitat. When is the best time to fly to maui for whale watching. These destinations offer hawaii whale watching tours that highlight those whales that choose to congregate in the alenuihaha channel. Since whale season is also the highbusy season, if you have not already bought your tickets to maui, you need to check out the airfare sales. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. The first whale sighting of the season happened off the coast of kauai on sept. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. This is when thousands of pacific humpback whales make the journey from the waters off alaska to hawaiis warm waters to breed and give birth to their young. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes.
Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10 whale. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close.
Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Oct 03, 2019 kauai whale viewing is available around the entire island. If youre headed to maui too, heres one of the best ways to see whales on maui. Our goal is to encourage ecofriendly decisions and appreciation of the hawaii paradise we are a part of. Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. Sickly humpback whale spotted in hawaii waters this image provided by national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa shows a humpback whale sighted off maui, hawaii. Alii nui provides one of the highend whale watches that includes a delicious array. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called.
Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Adults grow to be about 45 feet long and weigh a hefty 40 tons. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. I am not sure when the other whale watches end, but ocean project continues to do tours until the middle of april. Oct 21, 2010 hawaiis largest winter vacationers are back. These kind creatures technically make their first debut around october or november, but they slowly arrive at different times, and youd be one of the lucky few to catch a glimpse of a whale at this time. Whale season on hawaii is between november and april. The guys on the boat told us about the whales and the history of whaling in hawaii, there was a bar on the boat to buy drinks. 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. Maui whale season maui scuba diving mike severns diving. First humpback of hawaii whale watching season spotted off.
Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Mar 01, 2020 i went on the cruise end of april thats the end of the whale season in hawaii, we still managed to see a couple of whales. Aug 27, 2016 sickly humpback whale spotted in hawaii waters this image provided by national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa shows a humpback whale sighted off maui, hawaii. Places to look for whales include poipu beach park and all south shore kauai beaches, as well as north of kapaa on the east side, and from kilauea to the napali coast on the north shore. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. 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. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species.
Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females. A whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. Big island of hawaii whale watching tours one of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. Pacific whale foundation is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Whale watching season begins in hawaii luxe travel hawaii. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. Around february, the majority has made the voyage to these balmy waters and are ready to put on a show.
Since 1982, we have been dedicated to sharing our knowledge and experience of mauis ocean through whale watching tours, snorkeling and supporting education and research. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if you go during whale season. As temperatures start dropping nearly everywhere else in the u. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales.
Trilogy provides sailing whale watches from maalaea or lahaina harbor as well from kaanapali beach. Excellent site for whale watching due to its elevation, though binoculars are recommended. Call them at 808 6617238 before their limited seats fill up. We have been on maui the end of march, and as long as possible into april, the past five years and we still see whales. During our whale watching tours, we have hosted film crews from national geographic, bbc wildlife, and other elite marine life photographers although the state of hawaii does not permit approaching humpback whales closer than 100 yards, or swimming with whales or dolphins, we still find ourselves. Whale watching season in hawaii is always a special time, and will be a great part of your trip. There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale up close and will be something that you remember forever. When booking your maui whale watch, consider hawaii ocean rafting, which was rated one of the top 10 boating adventures in maui. 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. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Nov 03, 2014 hawaiis official whale season starts middecember, but apparently, at least one whale didnt get that memo. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Have a whale of a time visit maui for whale season.
The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. The majestic whale watch lunch cruise is 2 12 hours long from 11. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. Feb 20, 2010 all of the footage was taken in 1 single whale watch trip aboard blue water rafting from kihei boat ramp in south maui, hawaii in february 17th, 2010. We recommend heading out on whale watching tour to get the best views possible, and to experience the beauty of the ocean. Look for the paved pull off area on the ocean side of the highway. I went on the cruise end of april thats the end of the whale season in hawaii, we still managed to see a couple of whales. Free whale watching in hawaii 2020 season underway. As whale season approaches, four seasons resort maui at wailea has. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march.
Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii live. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. 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. 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. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling mauis ultimate. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. 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. Maui is famous for perhaps the best whale watching in hawaii. All of the footage was taken in 1 single whale watch trip aboard blue water rafting from kihei boat ramp in south maui, hawaii in february 17th, 2010. 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.
Maui, kauai and the big island are the most popular islands for hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. About 1,500 to 3,000 humpback whales appear in hawaii waters each year. Other great islands for whale watching are maui and kauai. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. 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 open deck. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Near mile marker 8 on the honoapiiliani highway, between the town of maalaea and lahaina. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind. There was a bit of miscommunication regarding the location of the boat. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best whalewatching destinations in the world. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off.
1025 1208 907 254 362 1493 1212 58 1175 1066 1088 690 1526 888 268 770 513 1408 963 75 910 380 205 274 1263 684 922 181 476 1258 305 140 663 1279 570 388 592