Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. First humpback of hawaii whale watching season spotted off maui. As temperatures start dropping nearly everywhere else in the u. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. Whale watching season in hawaii is always a special time, and will be a great part of your trip. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. 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. With the first sighting of a humpback whale off the coast of maui in early october, whale watchers from around the world are eagerly making plans to view these majestic creatures in their natural winter habitat. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui.
Whale watching season begins in hawaii luxe travel hawaii. Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. 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. Whale season on hawaii is between november and april. We recommend heading out on whale watching tour to get the best views possible, and to experience the beauty of the ocean. If youre headed to maui too, heres one of the best ways to see whales on maui. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. First humpback of hawaii whale watching season spotted off.
Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii live. The first whale sighting of the season happened off the coast of kauai on sept. Kauai whale viewing is available around the entire island. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling mauis ultimate. Look for the paved pull off area on the ocean side of the highway. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. Maui whale season maui scuba diving mike severns diving. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. There was a bit of miscommunication regarding the location of the boat.
Places to look for whales include poipu beach park and all south shore kauai beaches, as well as north of kapaa on the east side, and from kilauea to the napali coast on the north shore. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10 whale. When booking your maui whale watch, consider hawaii ocean rafting, which was rated one of the top 10 boating adventures in maui.
During our whale watching tours, we have hosted film crews from national geographic, bbc wildlife, and other elite marine life photographers although the state of hawaii does not permit approaching humpback whales closer than 100 yards, or swimming with whales or dolphins, we still find ourselves. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Sickly humpback whale spotted in hawaii waters this image provided by national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa shows a humpback whale sighted off maui, hawaii. Adults grow to be about 45 feet long and weigh a hefty 40 tons. In addition to maui, the big island offers some of the best whale watching in hawaii.
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. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. A whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. About 1,500 to 3,000 humpback whales appear in hawaii waters each year. These destinations offer hawaii whale watching tours that highlight those whales that choose to congregate in the alenuihaha channel. 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. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates.
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. Since 1982, we have been dedicated to sharing our knowledge and experience of mauis ocean through whale watching tours, snorkeling and supporting education and research. Dec 15, 2015 a whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. 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. Around february, the majority has made the voyage to these balmy waters and are ready to put on a show. Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat.
Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. 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 watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. 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. 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. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off.
Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Whale watching season is starting in maui when is whale watching season in maui. There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale up close and will be something that you remember forever. During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai. Alii nui provides one of the highend whale watches that includes a delicious array. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Have a whale of a time visit maui for whale season.
Lahaina whale watching deals in lahaina, hi groupon. 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. Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. Oct 21, 2010 hawaiis largest winter vacationers are back. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. One of the most prolific companies offering this tour, pacific whale foundation offers a variety of tours from their stable power catamarans throughout the day. Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. 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 whalewatching destinations in the world.
I am not sure when the other whale watches end, but ocean project continues to do tours until the middle of april. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, 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 open deck. Maui is famous for perhaps the best whale watching in hawaii. 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. This is when thousands of pacific humpback whales make the journey from the waters off alaska to hawaiis warm waters to breed and give birth to their young. Oct 03, 2019 kauai whale viewing is available around the entire island. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in december or january and lasts until april or sometimes may. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10. 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.
When is the best time to fly to maui for whale watching. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. Near mile marker 8 on the honoapiiliani highway, between the town of maalaea and lahaina. 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. The pacific whale foundation has recorded its first humpback whale sighting of the 20102011 seasonspotted yesterday morning, two nautical miles off mauis west side, between maalaea and 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. Other great islands for whale watching are maui and kauai. Four seasons resort maui offers guests more ways than ever to. Just make a break for the kona coast or the waikoloa area if you want to do some big island whale watching. I like ocean project when i am with my husband cause that bigger boat does not make him seasick. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide.
Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. The guys on the boat told us about the whales and the history of whaling in hawaii, there was a bar on the boat to buy drinks. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march.
As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. Hawaiis official whale season starts middecember, but apparently, at least one whale didnt get that memo. I went on the cruise end of april thats the end of the whale season in hawaii, we still managed to see a couple of whales.
When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. Free whale watching in hawaii 2020 season underway. As whale season approaches, four seasons resort maui at wailea has. Excellent site for whale watching due to its elevation, though binoculars are recommended. 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. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Nov 03, 2014 hawaiis official whale season starts middecember, but apparently, at least one whale didnt get that memo. Mar 01, 2020 i went on the cruise end of april thats the end of the whale season in hawaii, we still managed to see a couple of whales. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can see whales in oahu too if you go during whale season. Below weve shared some of the past whale seasons best photos taken by natalie brown photography. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. The majestic whale watch lunch cruise is 2 12 hours long from 11. Big island of hawaii whale watching tours one of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching.
Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. 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. Call them at 808 6617238 before their limited seats fill up. 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 sighting of the lone subadult humpback pictured, above marks the start of hawaiis annual humpback whale watching season. Aug 27, 2016 sickly humpback whale spotted in hawaii waters this image provided by national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa shows a humpback whale sighted off maui, hawaii.
What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. Nov 17, 2014 sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. While maui is the best location for humpback whale spotting, the other islands also see many whales in season. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. 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 waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. 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. 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. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii.
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