During whale season, some ocean activities are prohibited, such as jet ski and parasailing operations. Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. Maui whale watching is one of the most popular activities to do in hawaii. Ive seen whales durign the season from every possible spot along the west and south maui coast. This discreet bay, tucked neatly at the western end of the gulf of tadjoura, is one of the most dependable places in the world to swim with whale sharks. Northern hemisphere whales head to central america from alaska from the months of december to march. T heres no better place to watch whales than in maui waters. Whale watching in maui is one of those things that animal lovers wont want to miss out on. But new arrivals are coming every day during the season. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. How long does whale season last and when is the peak. 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. We wish you beautiful days full of aloha and cant we wait to meet you during your next trip to hawaii.
Whale watching at papawai scenic lookout in maalaea, 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. 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. Although this tour operates during maui s peak whale watching season, seeing whales is not guaranteed. The whales are protected from dec 15th thru may 15th as a whale season. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Pga tour sentry tournament of champions january each year, visitors will. 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. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. On occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or late september. We are officially at the peak of the whale season, where activity is super high. Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui.
The peak whalewatching season starts this month and can run until the middle of april. If you are deliberating on your travel dates and maui whale watching is on your todo list, you might want to plan accordingly. 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. On the island of maui, the peak months for whale watching are january, february and march. Whale explorer our favorite whale watch its fast which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them. For more information about maui whale watching tours offered by maui sights and treasures, read more here. The peak normally occurs between january and march, but whales may be. If you are here during peak season from december 15th to april 15th, do yourself a favor and go on a maui whale watching tour.
From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the kiosks lining lahaina harbor reveals a variety of options during the peak of whale watching season. In any given year, hell shoot some 10,000 frames during his research trips around the pacific. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. But out of all those pictures, only a hundred or so are what he would consider blowup worthy. 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 16, 2016 as many as 10,000 whales could be in the area over the course of the season, and since adult humpbacks surface about every 10 to 15 minutes to breathe, and calves need to come up for air about every three to five minutes, so its a guarantee there will never be a dull moment while on a whalewatch tour.
The whales visit hawaii between late november and early may. For diving in more remote locales, take a trip on a liveaboard boat. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Jun 19, 2012 insider tips for whale watching season in maui. During peak whale season whale activity is visible all day long from the easy to find papawai scenic lookout along the road to lahaina. Best time to visit maui updated for 2020 hawaii travel guide. Its not uncommon for several of the giants to be cruising so close to shore that its possible to snorkel out to see them. Cruising along the open water and catching a glimpse of these gentle giants as they frolic and play is an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Oahu to maui haleakala, iao valley, lahaina oneday tour is an aulani excursions ecoadventure tour that features sightseeing around maui. All of the most popular things to do in maui are available yearround, with just a few exceptions. Whale watching season in the hawaiian islands runs from early november until may, but your best chance of spotting whales is during the peak months of january to march. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15.
As january comes to a close and we head into peak humpback whale season, its always an amazing experience to witness the majesty of these mammals. 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. Peak whale watching months are february and march, which is why we mention it now at the end of january. 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. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Mauis peak whale watching season maui hawaii tours. The best time to visit maui all about maui travel tips. For instance, whalewatching season is middecember to midmay, with the peak months being february and march.
Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. Its the perfect time for some maui whale watching by kayak. Tour firms such as audley travel can arrange sunrise cruises as part of bespoke hawaiian holiday packages. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. Maui s best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean.
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 pacific whale foundation recommends traveling at a speed no greater than 12. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. What is the best time to go whale watching answers. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. The pacific whale foundation had their first humpback whale sighting of the season back on oct. The last whales could stick around until april before they make their trek back to alaska. Nov 03, 2014 hawaiis official whale season starts middecember, but apparently, at least one whale didnt get that memo. So there is not one bunch of whales here for 5 months but there are whales coming and going during the whale season. 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.
Whale watching in hawaii is the perfect way to enjoy the incredible humpback whales as. 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. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. Whale watching in maui truly is a magical experience. The maui sanctuary asked boaters to navigate carefully to avoid running into the mammals. Even within the whale season dates, there is a lot of fluctuation in the sightings you. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head. We boarded the large, comfortable boat at the maalaea harbor and knew it would be a special trip. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young.
Humpback whale season in hawaii generally runs from november through may. Whale sightings in maui typically occur between november and may. The first whale sighting of the season happened off the coast of kauai on sept. Whales are often normally seen, and your guide will make their best effort to find these marine mammals so you can have the best tour possible. The whale census takes place the last week of february, which seems to be the peak of the whale visitation.
In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. For whale watching in maui trips, rates, and bookings, we recommend the barefoot tours site. You will see them easily from land no need to go out on a whale watching boat. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. If you are interested in seeing these amazing animals on your hawaii vacation, peak whale watching season is maui is january to march. 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. Mahalo for reading our maui s peak whale watching season blog post. Lahaina harbor is home to a wide range of whale watching tours. Multiple whale pods can be observed both near and far stretching for miles. From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the kiosks lining lahaina harbor reveals a variety of options during the peak of whale watching season, between january and early april. Hawaii is packed with wildlife, amazing scenery and. Peak maui whale watching season however, is midjanuary to march.
Nov 17, 2014 sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. 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. The best months to see whales is usually between midjanuary and march as this is considered peak whale watching season. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. If you happen to be thinking of a winter trip to the hawaiian islands, it is definitely worth it to plan around the peak whale watching season. About 12,000 humpback whales come to the waters around maui at various times between late november and early april. My top tips for unforgettable whale watching in maui.
Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. Whale watching boat tours are incredibly popular between the peak dates of midjanuary and latemarch. I spent my birthday whale watching on the pride of maui. Shopping online is easy buy coupon deals now and instantly redeem your discount online or inperson with our app. Apr 10, 2015 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. Maui has some of the best opportunities for whale watching in the entire state. Around february, the majority has made the voyage to these balmy waters and are ready to put on a show. Prices are lower than peak periods, demand is down, and the. February, and march during peak whale season of each year from 8.
Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. They come every single year during the winter in order to mate and give birth. 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. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. Each february, the pacific whale foundation hosts the weeklong maui whale festival with a runwalk, film festival, parades, whale counts, and more celebrating the islands most. These long routes make them one of the farthest migrating animals on earth. The peak whale season is usually february, however, the 2017 seasons seems to be a fairly active year already and its only getting started. Greg kaufman of the pacific whale foundation knows a thing or two about capturing whales on film. 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. 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 first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau.
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