For more information about booking whale watching tours on maui with maui sights and treasures, please read more here. The island of maui is the secondlargest of the hawaiian islands at 727. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing. North pacific humpbacks, for example, mate and give birth in hawaii and then travel to alaska each summer to feed. That gives the valley isle the distinction of having some the worlds best whale watching. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. 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. The first humpback whale sightings of the season were reported in the fourisland region of maui county. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. Every year from december through may the humpback whale migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii.
Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Visitors staying in lahaina and kaanapali will be able to spot the whales from the coast, but everyone. 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.
Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. Mystery sounds recorded near humpback whales off maui, hawaii. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. At one extreme, the annual rainfall averages 17 inches 430 mm to 20 inches 510 mm or less in. Humpback migration to hawaiian breeding grounds whale trust. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. For a creature that can be upwards of 45 feet long, this is a safe place. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Maui is a leading whalewatching center in the hawaiian islands due to humpback whales. On september 29th researchers from noaa ship hiialakai spotted a humpback whale while heading home from the northwest hawaii islands the second humpback whale spotted was seen a few days later near kauais pacific missile range facility.
The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors. The giant whales are an iconic part of winter on the islands. The area between maui, lanai, and molokai is a designated national humpback whale marine sanctuary. Greg kaufman at pacific whale foundation, maui, hi usa greg kaufman. Each year since 2006 worldrenowned presenters have come together on maui to collaborate and share at whale tales. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season.
From december to may of every year maui is graced with presence of the majestic pacific humpback whales. Snorkel tours, beginning december 1st, are a mustdo activity in maui in december. Maui whale watching season 2015 is approaching, we cant wait. As part of our work to examine movements and stock structure, in july 2008 we satellite. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. In late december 2015, ed lyman started getting calls from whale watching companies on the island of hawaii. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise.
Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Join ralph lee hopkins for a whale tales photo expedition july 10, 2019. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui. If you are planning your winter trip, dont forget the whales will be. 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. About 68 humpback whales surrounding our boat, amazingly gentle giants. Between december and april, the endangered pacific humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii to birth and nurture their newborn calves in the warm pacific waters. Download the app to stay uptodate on the latest sightings. The humpback whale infographic above was built to show some of the annual migration routes across the globe, the most common surface behaviors and the least common in our experience, names of anatomical parts of a humpback whale, length and weight of a typical humpback whale, tips on whale watching, and some. Every year the pacific whale foundations holds mauis great whale count.
Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. The first humpback whale spotting of 2015 came early this year near the small island of niihau, which is off of kauai. This smoothness is the result of the vortex created by the whales tail as it moves it through the water just below the surface. Maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Art project paia hosts talk story on glacier loss in alaska december 19, 2019. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. The higher elevations along the slopes of haleakala can be quite chilly in the mornings mid 40s and 50s but always warm up during the day to the 70s. Youll be floating amid the whales less than 15 minutes after leaving on just about any of. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. We wish you beautiful days full of aloha and cant we wait to meet you.
The late scheduled whale watches can be challenging if the water becomes questionable. In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. It is believed that approximately 1,500 to 2,000 humpback whales visit the waters around maui each year between december 15th and may 15th. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Presentations are free and open to the public on friday, saturday, and sunday afternoons at the ritzcarlton, kapalua. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Each year from december through march, the north pacific humpback whales visit the warm hawaiian waters to mate, calve, and nurse their young. Protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship.
Is that a decent time to book a whale watching boat tour. Be aware that later in the day the ocean around maui can become very rough. You guys have been so helpful in planning our trip next month that i couldnt help but ask another question. That is, during the season most reliable companies will guarantee a whale sighting while on the trip or they will give you a free voucher for another trip. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. The winter months in maui november thru february are a bit cooler. Whale watching on oahu graceful and gentle giants of the ocean, arching, breaching, and frolicking, hawaiis humpback whales take center stage during whale season. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. We are fast approaching the fall months here on maui and we have begun to think about the maui whale watching season 2015.
December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. 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. While there are dozens of excellent whalewatching companies, choosing the one thats best for you depends on factors like health issues, comfort, and good oldfashioned personal preference. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month. We want your whale watching tour to be unforgettable. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. Mahalo for reading our 20152016 whale watching tours on mauiplan ahead blog post. Graceful and magnificent, maui whale watching will inspire awe in young and old alike.
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. That gives the valley isle the distinction of having some the worlds best whale. 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. First humpback whale of 2015 private maui kayak tours. I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer.
And maui sees more of these breathtaking creatures than any other island. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. Our maui whale watching trips are the gateway to some of the worlds best whale watching and you cant beat the price. These marine mammals travel great distances to take advantage of the best breeding grounds and feeding spots. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. Maui whale watching season is just around the corner, book before august 31st and save. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young.
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. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. 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. 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. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. You can also easily book with us direct by calling us at 8888419155. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Humpback whales unlocking their mystery in maui, hawaii. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. If you are planning a winter vacation or live here on maui you will want to book your whale watching tour in advance. Jim darling, research biologist of whale trust maui, describing the series of low frequency sounds known as pulse trains he recorded near humpback whales off the coast of maui, hawaii. Posts about whalewatch in maui written by jamaicawtr your daily dose of paradise with jamaica michaelsa maui blog sharing what its really like to live on maui, for those who love to visit and those who dream of living here.