Typically, the first humpback whale is seen in late september or early october with peak whale season running from december to march. Experience the combined thrill of whale watching and ocean rafting, on a brand new ecotour offered by pacific whale foundation. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. There is a big difference between seeing a whale and experiencing a whale. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef.
Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. The maui whale season runs from november to may and gives visitors the once inalifetime chance to see north pacific humpback whales up close. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. We offer a whale season pass 10 trips for those of you who love to whale. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. The 5 maui whale watching tours featured here are the highest rated whalewatching tours from maui. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. If youre a humpback whale that weighs 45 tons and feeds on. If whale watching is on your bucket list, look no further than maui, hawaii. With peak humpback whale season and couples snuggling up for valentines day, maui in february is a busy time. On maui there are two great spots for whale watching and that happens to be along mauis south side and its west side shores. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Pacific whale foundations ocean spirit spotted its first whale of the season this morning, oct. Tips offered to enjoy hawaiis famed humpback whales from shore to sea.
Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale. The peak season is from january through march, but you might see them in april or possibly as late as early may. T heres no better place to watch whales than in maui waters. 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. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. 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. Did you get a chance to visit maui during whale season. Look out your window just not while youre driving please. 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. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau.
The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental.
Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. Check out our favorite moments from this past season. 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. Maui sees the greatest concentration of humpback whales during their season near the island. When it comes to whale watching boat tours, you have many options. Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Each year, thousands of north pacific humpback whales migrate from their chilly feeding grounds in.
Humpback whale facts in the 1960s there were as few as 1,400 pacific humpback whales, now, in 2019, there are over 22,000 due to conservation efforts. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the official whale season dates. Its officially winter in maui and although temperature wise, it may not feel like it, the warm shallow waters beckon the north pacific humpback whale population to migrate for the winter. One of the greatest aspects of mauis humpback season is accessibility. The time frame for whale season december 15th april 15th was chosen as a time to enforce certain protections, for the humpback whales because that time frame is when most are in maui.
Jump in for a snorkel or enjoy an extraordinary encounter. Humpback whales migrate annually from alaska to maui to calve, mate, and rear their young. Maui whale watch discount tour pacwhale ecoadventures. Tours range from large catamarans of up to 200 people to small traditional hawaiian canoe. Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and.
Throughout the month, humpbacks definitely garner the majority of spotlight. Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. The best and worst time of year to whale watch in maui. The whale watching season around maui is annually from december through march.
According to the most commonly accepted census, as many. Have a whale of a time visit maui for whale season. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. Four seasons resort maui at wailea see and be seenor just hide awayon the islands most sunfilled coast. First hawaii humpback whale sighting for 20192020 season. See humpback whales on maui at an affordable price. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Maui whale watching tips all about maui travel tips. If you are lucky, you may also catch a sighting of humpback whales from the air on your air maui helicopter tour, which provides a really unique and interesting vantage point. Each year the whales migrate down from alaska, and although you can see them throughout hawaii, the au au channel off the coast of maui has the. The best time to see whales on maui is november through may when thousands of north pacific humpback whales grace hawaiian. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Whale watch tours departing from harbors in kihei, maalaea and. On these featurepacked tours, not only will you have a chance to see these magnificent.
They come every single year during the winter in order to mate and give birth. Youll be floating amid the whales less than 15 minutes after leaving on just about any of the whalewatch boat tours out of lahaina harbor. The shallow waters of the channels between maui, molokai, lanai and kahoolawe offer. Whale watching maui maui best whale watching tours. Learn more about hawaiis humpback whale season and the best places. Every winter, the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to hawaii are a source of wonder and interest among both island visitors and. There are also whale watch tours put on by different organizations that. Theres arguably no better place in the world to see humpback whales than maui. With a 97% sighting success rate, whale sightings are guaranteed or go again free on another whale watch of equal or lesser value within one year. Tours range from large catamarans of up to 200 people to small traditional hawaiian canoe boats. Join maui undersea adventures the resorts onsite water activity experts for an exploration of the magnificent south maui coastline by kayak. However, these rules apply to people and not the whales.
Its such a delight to see a humpback whales spout breath, or tail break the oceans surface, and absolutely thrilling to see a whale breach by jumping out of the water and creating a big. There is a popular whale watching site along the pali highway a few miles west of maalaea harbor. 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. The maui whale season runs from november to may and gives visitors the onceinalifetime chance to see north pacific humpback whales up close. 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. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. The whale watching industry plays a strong role in the. The pacific whale foundation had their first humpback whale sighting of the season back on oct. Whale watching in maui surfing kayaking four seasons. December, january, and february are, without a doubt, the months with the highest number of humpbacks in maui.
Winter in maui may be just another day in paradise warm sunshine, sandy beaches and incredibly lush foliage but it also means peak whale season. On colder months, you could visit maui and witness one of natures incredible activities, the annual migration of humpback whales from cool. Whales migrate from alaskan waters every year to calve, mate, and rear their young in the warm maui ocean. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters. Things to do on maui in february humpback whale season. November to january are normally the months where humpback whales start showing on the waters off maui. Whether youre planning a trip upcountry or to the north. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures youll. As we enter fall here in maui whale season is just beginning.
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. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Some whales mainly juvenileshave already travelled to. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Whale season officially starts on december 15 and runs through may 15. Photographer daniel sullivan captured a picture of whales leaping out of the water monday off mauis.
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