Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. 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. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page.
Where to go whale watching in maui luxury retreats magazine. A favorite activity in maui during the winter is watching the whales. Every winter, the north pacific humpback whales migrate from the frigid waters of alaska to mate, give birth, and bask in the warm seas of the hawaiian islands, enjoying their own sort of tropical vacation. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. A second petroglyph is located at pohue on the island of hawaii and bears the resemblance of a sperm whale. 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. Boats, by law, cannot approach a humpback whale any closer than 100 yards, but oftentimes the. While whale watching in maui, you will be amazed at their massive size. Whale trust, hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary and division of aquatic resources dlnr hawaii and. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young.
Nobody wants to go whale watching on maui and then end up getting seasick. The prices might be higher during these months because it is the peak season in hawaii, but you have the best chance of seeing a lot of whales. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Had a private whale tour with a group of 15 and it was the best experience of our week long maui trip. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui. We are proud to offer whale watching tours from maui, kauai, oahu, and. Also, best bike outfit for biking haleakala and catamaran boat trip with whale. Maximize your hawaii vacation by whale watching on the four winds ii. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. So they can experience the whale watching activity before they head home. If youre prone to seasickness, book a tour for early morning, when the seas are calmer.
Authorities sedated and euthanized four small whales after 10 of the animals were stranded. You can do your whale watching maui adventures from shore, but you get a closer look if you go out for a couple hours on a whale watching boat. 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. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Underwater whale video from 31419 maui forum tripadvisor. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Calves are born weighingin at around 3000 pounds and grow at a rate of 200 pounds a day during the first few weeks of life. Hop aboard one of the trilogy catamarans in support of the whale sanctuary, as the company was the first official sponsor, donating a portion of all proceeds towards hawaii whale research. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Tours range from large catamarans of up to 200 people to small traditional hawaiian canoe boats.
Mona was great with communication and captain shawn and his staff were incredible with our family and making sure we had a memorable experience. If you are visiting during one of the months of low to medium humpback whale activity or from one of the islands that have less activity, taking a boat tour can help increase your chances of seeing whales. 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. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui.
We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. Adult whales can reach 45feet in length and weigh up to 40 tons one of the largest ever recorded humpback whales measured in at 89 ft. The vessel whale watching watercraft are required to stay a minimum of 100 feet away from the whales at all times. If youre looking for more familyfriendly ways to experience the island, download. Greg kaufman of the pacific whale foundation knows a thing or two about capturing whales on film. Without further ado, here are 3 of the best options for whale watching tours in maui.
Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. I know that the best time to go whale watching in maui hawaii is the winter months decemberapril but im going to maui on my honeymoon in september the 4th12th and was wondering if there was any possibility i would see any whales lol silly question but i figured im going to be there id love to see a whale if anyone had any spots or suggestions that may. Whale watching maui maui best whale watching tours. Join us annually from december through march, on our whale watching maui tour. Pacific whale foundation lahaina sail rare interaction with dolphins and humpback whale. Suggestions on size of boat that is best for a really up close experience. Maui whale watching tours maui snorkeling tours maui. Females tend to be larger than males, and their calves are about 12 feet long and weigh around 2,000 pounds. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy boat is usually in midoctober, and by thanksgiving its almost a guarantee that youll see a whale during a snorkeling tour in maui. If you are staying in west maui lahaina, kaanapali, kapalua, take a boat that departs from lahaina harbor or from kaanapali beach. You dont see any whales, but you can always book another trip specifically for whale watching in maui later in your stay.
If you want to go maui whale watching, then plan your maui, hi vacation for. Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors. Youll be floating amid the whales less than 15 minutes after leaving on. During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. When browsing the available maui whale watching tours, there are a few things to keep an eye out for. I did another post with screen shots from this whale mugging. A worker handles a melonheaded whale stranded on a beach in kihei, hawaii on thursday, aug. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. 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. Transcript for whales breach off the coast of maui. And consider taking antimotionsickness medication too its usually very effective. So many reasons to go on a maui whale watching tour. Enjoy ample room, and more time on the water with pride of maui out of maalaea harbor, a convenient location between wailea and lahaina.
So, if you really, really want to see lots of humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, go during the peek of the season between january, february and march. But they are most numerous from january through march, with about 5000 present at any one time in the peak month of february, so those are your best whale watching maui months. The first is on the island of lanai on an area known as palaoa hill, or whale hill. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. Maui whale watching tours are described in details. We started with over an hour and a half of footage. Officially, whale season in hawaii runs from december 15may 15, although the first whale of the season is usually spotted sometime in early october. Maui whale watching tips all about maui travel tips. To truly go whale watching on maui, however, and experience the wintertime magic, you need to book a whale watching tour to see the humpbacks up close. On these featurepacked tours, not only will you have a chance to see these magnificent animals in the wild, but you might also see green turtles, exotic fish, underwater volcanic formations, and reefs. Whale watching tours are the perfect attraction for your entire family to enjoy. Humpbacks are the fifth largest type of whale and grow between 40 and 50 feet in size, weighing about 1 ton per foot. 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.
If you are only after whale watching, you should come and visit maui during the winter season. Whale watching is one of the most popular things to do in maui. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. If you are ready to check out the north pacific humpback whales in hawaii. Most whale watching tours run from middecember through march to midapril.
Spotting humpback whales are one of the best winter activities in hawaii. The calves drink as much as 600 liters of milk per day to help prepare them for the trip towards colder. Whales breach off the coast of maui video abc news. The cultural significance of whales in hawaii go hawaii. 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. Thank goodness rena is with to edit because she is way faster than me. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. Lahaina harbor is best to go for a whale watching tour if youre staying in west maui. In any given year, hell shoot some 10,000 frames during his research trips around the pacific. The event is for more than just naturalists as it brings together generations of hawaiians and whale enthusiasts from all over the world.
The petroglyph depicts a human figure on the back of a whale. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Those who visit maui in the winter are willing to shell out the high airfare costs and room rates for a taste of the islands 80degree weather. Season dates, best boat tours, humpback whale information, and much more. The most exciting time of year for animal lovers on maui is the annual whale festival, held midfebruary.
Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Experience the humpback whales in maui and view them in their natural habitat. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Deluxe maui whale watching cruises kaanapali, lahaina. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. When choosing the dates to go whale watching in maui, schedule it around january to march. Instead of looking at a whale watching boat like something with a front and a back, think of it as a floating, circular platform, and keep your head on a swivel. Maui whale watching tours are truly an exceptional experience. However, the peak of the whale season is actually january through april. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Whale watching boat tours can offer a closer view of humpbacks. 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.
After allsince whale watches dont start until december 15th, your best bet for seeing an earlyseason whale is to get out on the water for snorkeling or sailing. This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate. Unlike you and me, they dont eat while they are in hawaii. We have gone out whale watching with trilogy every time we have come to maui. If you want to go maui whale watching, then plan your maui, hi vacation for sometime between december and early may. They are our most treasured annual visitors, and maui whale watching becomes an obsession during this period. The below table outlines the key differences between our whale watching options, all run by the highly regarded pacific whale foundation from november through april. Limiting passengers to 3540 per boat means that everyone enjoys a front row seat to the unique and unforgettable whale watching experience. The 5 maui whale watching tours featured here are the highest rated whalewatching tours from maui. Your guide to whale watching on maui hawaii magazine. We would like everyones recommendations for bestvwhale watching companies, etc. Pride of maui nothing beats a sunset over the water when whale watching.
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