Greg kaufman of the pacific whale foundation knows a thing or two about capturing whales on film. If you continue from the argentinean atlantic coast to the chilean pacific coast, you can meet blue whales. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Nov, 2017 this content is sponsored by whale watching on pride of maui. There are at about 10,000 to 15,000 humpback whales in the world, and over 1,000 of them visit the tropical waters of hawaii every year at the end of november. The humpback whales are visiting our warm waters, the weather is better than anywhere else in the united states and there are plenty of things to do. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. February was named humpback whale month as a way to increase awareness about whales and the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary, and we are excited about this years lineup of informative and entertaining whale events on maui.
Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. Guide of us is a travel destination media and marketing company that receives compensation from companies or organizations whose products or services are promoted on this site. You can do whale watching in december but this is only a fraction of what you will see a few months. Each february, the pacific whale foundation hosts the weeklong maui whale festival with a runwalk, film festival, parades, whale. Along the way, they only take cat naps that are 2030 minutes long, and for the most part remain in constant motion at 35 mph. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Every year from december through march the north pacific humpback whales migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii. Boat tours may be your best option for viewing whales up close. Whale watching tours are the perfect attraction for your entire family to enjoy.
The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Maui whale festival kicks off the first weekend in february with a 1 mile, 5k, 10k, or 10 mile walkrun course to engage all levels and abilities. Download the app to stay uptodate on the latest sightings. Maui whale season in full bloom january 12, 2017, 4. Boats, by law, cannot approach a humpback whale any closer than 100 yards, but oftentimes the curious whales will swim up and mug the boat. For this reason, the weather on one side of the island may not reflect the weather on another side. Many of maui s boats and residents join in on whale population counts throughout the winter months. November to january are normally the months where humpback whales start showing on the waters off maui. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Home news insider tips for whale watching season in maui. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae breaching, maui, hawaii notice must accompany publication. One of the best ways to whale watch is to take a whale watching tour out on the.
A couple of charter companies like pwf start whale searching cruises early in december. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience upclose whale. You can do whale watching in december but this is only a fraction of what you will see a few months later. We recommend west or south maui and the kohala coast of the big island.
About 12,000 humpback whales come to the waters around maui at various times between late november and early april. The best months to see whales is usually between midjanuary and march as this is considered peak whale watching season. Humpback whales have an 11 to 12month gestational period, so baby humpback calves are both conceived and birthed in hawaii. Each year, tens of thousands of whales travel thousands of miles from their summer feeding grounds to winter breeding grounds. Our boat features all the big boat comforts with a small boat atmosphere. Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months.
On the island of maui, the peak months for whale watching are january, february and march. Visiting maui in november, december, january or february. We have timeshare so need to put in a request but not sure which island we need to be on for whale watching maui big island some body. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and personal with mauis whales, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish and other marine life. The explorer is a hardshelled boat with an inflatable edge like. Whale watching on maui if youre visiting maui any time in winter, theres a decent chance you could spot a whale before even reaching the island. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. Maui whale watching tours are truly an exceptional experience. When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. Lahaina is home to some of the calmest waters in maui, making for the best whale watching experience. There are a variety of whale watching tours to choose from, all of which offering a great time on the water and an opportuinity to get close to the whales.
In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. A female whale can bear offspring once every 23 years and average duration of gestations for the calf is 12 months. Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Whale watching on molokai from december to may, humpback whales call hawaii home. Whale sharks rare though rare, there were two prominent sightings of whale sharks in maui in 2017, both occurring near molokini. What is the best place to whale watch in maui answers. During the winter months of decemberapril, the leeward waters of maui county house the worlds densest humpback whale population. A newborn whale calf averages 16 feet in length and weigh 2,000 pounds. 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.
Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. You can watch the whales from many of mauis beaches, or even from an overcrowded whale watch boat, but imagine experiencing these gentle giants aboard a kayak from ocean level. These tours run from december through march and provide you with a spectacular vantage point from the safety and comfort of the boat. Maui whale watching from the land, sea or sky maui goodness. Whale watching experiences on maui maui s best whale watching tours. Our premium boat, kainalu, is what sets us apart from the other whale watching excursions in lahaina. Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. 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. Traveling an incredible 3,000 miles of ocean in less than two months time, these gentle giants migrate from the gulf. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. On these featurepacked tours, not only will you have a chance to see these. Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors.
Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. Whale watching maui maui best whale watching tours. These months are mauis ideal whale watching season and imagine doing so in a kayak. While every whale is a little bit different, on average, it takes a whale about six weeks to swim between maui and alaska. We want your whale watching tour to be unforgettable.
Spotting humpback whales are one of the best winter activities in hawaii. The 5 maui whale watching tours featured here are the highest rated whale watching tours from maui. 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. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. Yes, maui whale season is here the humpback whales are the worlds largest nautical mammals that migrate from the cold waters of alaska to the warm shallow waters of hawaii. Im still hearing them in the water for the past few days, but its been nearly two weeks since ive seen even a faraway blow from shore. If youre looking for more familyfriendly ways to experience the island, download. Many of mauis boats and residents join in on whale population counts throughout the winter months.
Whale watching in maui is one of the most unique opportunities to take advantage of. Final month of maui whale watching season apr 22, 2016 ocean activities for those of you who are planning a maui vacation for any time during the month of april, wed like to share a friendly reminder that whale watching season concludes at the end of that month. The best months to watch for whales in maui are during whale season. On occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or late september.
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. Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Whale sightings in maui typically occur between november and may. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. What are the best months for whale watching in maui.
The best and worst time of year to whale watch in maui ultimate. Download a special information sheet about whales and the sanctuary. But out of all those pictures, only a hundred or so are what he would consider blowup worthy. 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. Humpback whale awareness month hawaiian islands humpback. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching.
That is because some of the best whale watching in hawaii can be enjoyed in the warm and shallow waters that can be found off of the islands west coast. Enjoy ample room, and more time on the water with pride of maui out of maalaea harbor, a convenient location between wailea and lahaina. January to march are good months to go whale watching in maui when choosing the dates to go whale watching in maui, schedule it around january to march. 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. If you are ready to check out the north pacific humpback whales in hawaii, know that there are a variety of ways to experience it, and the best place to do it is on the island of maui. Hi i am from new zealand can you please tell me when is the best time months to visit hawaii for whale watching. In any given year, hell shoot some 10,000 frames during his research trips around the pacific. No crowds, no feet getting stepped on for a better view, no heads in the way, no engine noises or diesel fumes its just you, your family, and friends and the. Pacific whale foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the sole shareholder of pacwhale ecoadventures, so all profits support pacific whale foundations research, education and conservation programs. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. 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. Even the maui ocean center in wailuku offers an outdoor exhibit, maalaea lookout, as a whale watching platform to observe humpback in the winter months.
From december to april, blue whales give birth to their. Our favorite whale watch its fast which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them. Even if a female is not carrying a calf or mating, she will still make the annual trip from the cold alaskan waters to maui. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, weighing up to. Whale watching from above allows you to appreciate the sheer hugeness of these creatures. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. We have timeshare so need to put in a request but not sure which island we need to be on for whale watching maui. It is one of the worlds longest running cetacean projects involving citizenscientists.
What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. The coastal waters of maui enjoy the largest concentration of these amazing animals by far. Apr 21, 2011 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 work in september. Humpback whale mothers are extremely affectionate, playful, and protective of their calves. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Maui is famous for its multiple microclimates, ranging from dry and desertlike to humid and verdant. Jun 19, 2012 home news insider tips for whale watching season 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. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Every year the pacific whale foundations holds maui s great whale count.
Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. During the winter months, the maui coast plays host to the majestic humpback whales who visit the area to mate and give birth. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Because the channels surrounding maui house so many humpback whales, it isnt uncommon to spot a whale.
The first month of whale season there are fewer whales, but. 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. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. The gestation period of a humpback whale is 1112 months, so in theory, a calf can be conceived in, then birthed in hawaiian waters. But the festivities go on all month long including. What is the best hawaiian island for whale watching. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching tours. The best months for whale watching in maui are the winter months, from december through april. From december to may of every year maui is graced with presence of the majestic pacific humpback whales. A smattering of whales first begins arriving in maui during november, with the population ramping up in december and january before peaking in february. May 03, 2016 humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae breaching, maui, hawaii notice must accompany publication. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of maui s humpback whales. Ultimate whale watch maui whale watching tours and snorkeling.
Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. Every year the pacific whale foundations holds mauis great whale count. Go fly maui will help you craft a custom flight plan to scour the shallow channels around the island, which almost guarantees you multiple whale sightings in the winter months. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. You can book either the midmorning, noon, or early afternoon time slots. Lahaina cruise ship passengers can do whale watching while in port since the whale express and spirit of lahaina both leave from the same harbor where your cruise ship tender arrives. 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. Every year, over 10,000 humpbacks annually migrate to the warm, shallow waters of maui, and create thunderous splashes and aerial performances not seen in other species of whales. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and raising their young. One of the best ways to whale watch is to take a whale watching tour out.
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. Experience oneofakind cultural performances, stage shows, musical events and sports competitions throughout the year on maui. See our wheretostay guides for maui and the big island for insights on accommodation selection. 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. Pacific whale foundation has undertaken the great whale count for the past 30 years. Maui events calendar plan your trip during one of maui s many special events. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months.
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