The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. 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. Home marine life, maui activities whale watching season is starting in maui. I like ocean project when i am with my husband cause that bigger boat does not make him seasick. Home beach, family, marine life, maui activities starting now. Boaters reminded to be vigilant during humpback whale season february 10, 2016, 8. Be sure to enjoy every moment of your ocean excursion. Maui whale season maui scuba diving mike severns diving. A diving whales fluke and a second whales exhalation. The scenic mcgregor point lookout west of maalaea and the beaches of kaanapali, kihei and wailea are also great spots to see whales. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. 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.
Eileen johnson is an avid landscape and nature photographer from northern californiaand kevins mom. Greg kaufman of the pacific whale foundation knows a thing or two about capturing whales on film. Humpback whale behavior captured in video and photos. Whale watching at papawai scenic lookout in maalaea, maui. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Whale watching season 202014 view larger image starting now.
The best of maui hawaii whale season hawaiian paddle sports llc. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. Sep 15, 2014 maui whale watching season is fast approaching. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. In any given year, hell shoot some 10,000 frames during his research trips around the pacific. In addition, youre going to have some great views of the neighbor islands. 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. Lahaina whale watch tickets discount on maui whale watching. 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. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. 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.
December 3, 2016 one of alii nuis first muggings of the 20162017 whale season in maui, hawaii. 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. The fluke of a diving whale and the pectoral fin of a second whale. A total of 732 humpback whale sightings were reported during the 2016 great whale count on maui over the weekend. Here on maui it is the season everyone waits for with great anticipation. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, hawaii.
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. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Photographer daniel sullivan captured a picture of whales leaping out of the water monday off mauis. 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.
Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season. When booking your maui whale watch, consider hawaii ocean rafting, which was rated one of the top 10 boating adventures in maui. Current nmfs humpback whale management policies assume mexico and. Weve put together a compilation of the best moments of our whale season on maui hawai. 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 offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of mauis humpback whales. 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.
Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. When the season is in full swing we offer trips throughout the day. Four seasons resort maui offers guests more ways than ever to. During peak whale season, around midjanuary thru midapril, whales can be spotted from the shore. Many scuba divers go diving in areas where whales gather just to hear them. The inshore boundary of all areas is given as a minimum distance from shore in nautical miles. I am not sure when the other whale watches end, but ocean project continues to do tours until the middle of april. First humpback whale of the season makes its appearance.
Maui whale watching tours snorkel tours whale watching. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. Welcome to the 2016 maui whale season on alii nui youtube. This is going to be another amazing season with record number of returning humpback whales, we can just feel it. In 2016, federal authorities decided that most categories of. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Whale watching tours are the perfect attraction for your entire family to enjoy.
The number of humpback whales has been steadily increasing from when they were first recorded in 1975, and the 2016 totals show a steady 7% to 8% yearly increase with 732 animals counted including 83 calves. During peak whale season whale activity is visible all day long from the easy to find papawai scenic lookout along the road to lahaina. 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. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and visitors. Viewing humpback whales is an amazing experience, advance bookings are recommended.
Humpback whale behavior captured in video and photos maui. This highspeed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can bring you to the whales quickly. Whale watching maui private luxury whale watch cruises in. Take advantage of this companys many decades of whale watching tour experience, and climb aboard a spacious doubledecker catamaran. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Look out your window just not while youre driving please. For more details about our maui whale watching tours, please sea below.
This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience up. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. Heres what you need to know to see the breaching beasts on whalewatching tours in maui. Maui whale watching is a must do activity while visiting maui. No matter what group you go with, youre guaranteed to love the experience. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month.
The humpback is the star of the annual whalewatching season, which usually begins as early as november or december and lasts until. Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. Maui vacation whale watching season, humpback whales off. The peak whale season is usually february, however, the 2017 seasons seems to be a fairly active year already and its only getting started. People of all ages flock from around the globe in hopes of spectacular glimpses of the mighty giants. While taking a boat out to view the whales in action is ideal, you actually dont have to leave land to get a view of these sea giants. Maui whale watching season 2015 is approaching, we cant wait.
What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. 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. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the official whale season dates. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march. Having been on a sunset cruise last week and seeing 3 breaches and plenty of whales so early, were confident itll be a season to remember. There are several really great trip ways to experience whale watching and i wanted to share with you some of my personal favorite ways to enjoy some time out on the water to observe humpback whales. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world.
Mahalo to each and every guest, sponsor, partner, performer and vendor for joining us. Dec 17, 2016 every winter, pods of pacific humpback whales make the 3,000mile swim from the chilly waters of alaska to bask in mauis summery shallows, fluking, spy hopping, spouting, and having an allaround swell time. Mauis best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean. Whale watching season is starting in maui when is whale watching season in maui. But out of all those pictures, only a hundred or so are what he would consider blowup worthy. Dec 09, 2017 check out these maui whale watch boats. Pacific whale foundation spotted their first whale of the season today, oct. Geographic boundaries north, south, west, east sides.
During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young. 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. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind the. But you dont have to go on a whale watching tour to spot whales. Maui whale watching tips all about maui travel tips. Dec 09, 2015 maui whale watch close encounter bucko678. 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. Pwf spots its first whale of the season maui now hawaii news. Multiple whale pods can be observed both near and far stretching for miles. Faces are full of expectation and excitement as they board the many boats in the harbor. 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.
A captain aboard the ocean discovery confirmed the sighting after. Departing from lahaina harbor, this whale watch tour offers one of the best whale watching experiences on the west side of maui. During the feeding season, humpbacks make unrelated vocalizations for herding fish into. Call 8665722664 for the best maui island vacation rental deals. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. Brfas are closed to bottom fishing, except those reopened as indicated. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Many condos offer gorgeous views of the ocean increasing the possibility of a whale sighting that will make your heart smile. If youre looking for more familyfriendly ways to experience the island, download our.
Some seasons we actually begin to see a few whales arriving as early as late october. They are our most treasured annual visitors, and maui whale watching becomes an obsession during this period. Sep 05, 2018 officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Download a pdf file one page showing detailed endpoint coordinates. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. The hawaiian monk seal hospital konas ke kai ola top 10 humpback whale facts you may not know jaws maui peahi bay cleanup, may 2016. The height of maui whale watching tends to occur between the months of december and may. Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary. In 2016, the foundation spotted its first whale on oct.
Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. Each year these magnificent creatures migrate south from alaska, and although you can see them throughout hawaii, the au au channel off the coast of maui boasts the greatest number. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. I fondly remember my motherinlaw, who lived in maui, would always be looking out for whales throughout the maui whale watching season although sometime she would look for them while driving along the ocean, which would freak me out whale watching in hawaii is one of the most popular winter activity and one of the best islands by far for. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females. 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. Every year the pacific whale foundations holds mauis great whale count. The noaa recorded 88 stranded humpback whales between january 2016 and february 2019.
Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Call them at 808 6617238 before their limited seats fill up. Four places on maui to see humpback whales right now its whale watching season in hawaii. Oct 10, 2018 first humpback whale of the season makes its appearance. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. Its been another awesome year for whale watching off the nsw coast in 2016, and to celebrate weve captured season highlights and fun facts. For you, this is the perfect place for maui whale watching. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. All kinds of drinks are available for purchase, and there are restrooms on board. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui.
Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. 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. Every winter, when storms sweep through the north pacific and the ocean gets particularly chilly, humpback whales head southspecifically to the warm waters of hawaiis auau channel alongside maui. Book a scuba vacation buy branded merchandise download the mobile app. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. Below weve shared some of the past whale seasons best photos taken by natalie brown photography. 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. Mauis whale watch season is december 15th thru may 15th. As whale season approaches, four seasons resort maui at wailea has created a variety of. Boaters reminded to be vigilant during humpback whale season. Maui whale watching trips maui whale watching season 2017. 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. The humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae is a species of baleen whale.
285 1456 1363 1299 189 1395 1498 1590 1486 504 1590 1299 1459 1359 387 1504 709 614 869 179 1391 846 1428 871 78 936 1353 826 1128 251 491 258