Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Mahalo to each and every guest, sponsor, partner, performer and vendor for joining us. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. My friend who is a whale watching maui expert says trilogy is the most respected company for whale watches, and is a leader in maui in marine conservation and being green. 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. Eileen johnson is an avid landscape and nature photographer from northern californiaand kevins mom. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii december usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. It seems that even the most well intention drivers forget about other drivers around them when they spot a whale. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called.
Whale watching in maui is one of the most unique opportunities to take advantage of. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Pacific whale foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 with a mission to protect our oceans through science and advocacy.
Tracking north pacific humpback whales to unravel their basin. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. 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. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales.
November 18, 2015 our last day we didnt have a planned whale swim, since when we booked the trip we thought we would want some variety. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Whale watching in lahaina maui january 2015 youtube. Humpback whales are one of the larger species of baleen whales, with adult males ranging between 40 and 52 feet and weighing up to 45 tons. This video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015.
The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. When is whale watching season in maui hawaii alii resorts. The boat is decked out with brand new gear, the guys are super relaxed, really catering the trip for the group on board and we were one of the only boats out on the water that could glide through the wind with n. Other great islands for whale watching are maui and kauai.
On the island of maui, the peak months for whale watching are january, february and march. Hawaiian islands marine eco school tour storybook theatre of. Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience upclose whale. 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. In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. The whale parade will start at kamaole beach 1 at 9am and end at kalama park. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. After the parade, therell be education and conservation displays, made on maui arts and crafts vendors, guest speakers, local food vendors, a keiki carnival, hula. 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.
Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. Only one whale was tracked southeast to hawaii island in 2015, but other tagging studies have documented eastward movements to oahu, penguin bank, and. 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. Click here to download the whale invitation and registration form. Two thirds of the humpback whales in the north pacific, which is about 4 to 5000 whales, swim for 3,000 miles to. Check with pacific whale foundation on their website, or by phone. I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. The first humpback whale spotting of 2015 came early this year near the small island of niihau, which is off of kauai. Hawaiian islands humpback whale news and events latest. The program tours oahu in november, kauai in february, maui in march, and the. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan.
The waters off of mauis southern and western shores are relatively shallow and are surrounded by other islands, the west maui mountains and haleakala, creating calm and clear waters and optimal visibility. July 26 noaa reports health of hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary july 21 noaas hawaiian islands. Pacific whale foundation ocean store pacific whale. Whale tales to bring renowned marine experts to maui in february 2020 november 5, 2019. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Pride of maui offers whale watching tours over a narrower window compared to others, usually from december 15 to the end of march. Whale sightings in maui typically occur between november and may. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. If in maui during november to may, be sure to take advantage of the spectacular whale migration. Whale trust maui is committed to raising awareness of whales and their marine. Nov 18, 20 maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and. Whale watch tour maui maui is arguably home to some of the best humpback whale watching in hawaii. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of mauis humpback whales.
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. Art project paia hosts talk story on glacier loss in alaska december 19, 2019. Today, tourists fill the oceangoing vessels and whales are fair game only to observe. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience up. Jan 15, 2015 published on jan 15, 2015 this video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015. My future wife and i will be in maui from 20 to 25 november on our honeymoon and i want to take her whale watching. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii december usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. A driver will suddenly and without warning slam on his breaks. 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. Keliis kayak tours is a unique company that takes visitors out on kayaks to see the whales. The season generally runs from november to may, though the first. Hello, we will be in maui in mid november and want to go on a whale watch if possible.
The naturalist on board has been doing tours for 7. The raftlike boat was smaller than the big catamarans and the fewer amount of passengers 15 on my trip and the very personable and funloving crew of 3 made for a more. 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. After the parade, therell be education and conservation displays, made on maui arts and crafts vendors, guest. Caution a word of caution to all our visitors to maui.
Our mission is to promote, support, and conduct scientific research on whales and the marine environment. Despite their size, humpback whales are surprisingly graceful acrobats. Humpback whales unlocking their mystery in maui, hawaii. All of the guidebooks and even many of the whale watch websites themselves note that the whales are around in november, yet i havent found any whale watch outfits that conduct tours in november. A total of 732 humpback whale sightings were reported during the 2016 great whale count on maui over the weekend. First humpback whale of 2015 private maui kayak tours. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and visitors. Published on jan 15, 2015 this video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015. Many sightings have been reported from november to april.
Nov 24, 2015 whale watch tour maui maui is arguably home to some of the best humpback whale watching in hawaii. The whales start showing up around maui nui in november, but we dont start seeing them near shore right away. Join ralph lee hopkins for a whale tales photo expedition july 10, 2019. The maui ocean centers aquarium and whale watch experience launched on tuesday, jan. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Every year from november to may, maui welcomes back the huge, majestic humpback whales who spend every winter in hawaiis warm and. The pacific whale foundation recommends traveling at a speed no greater than 12.
Whale trust maui conducting, promoting and supporting. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each 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. We offer seasonal whale watching from maui, and snorkeling all year long. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. West maui is the site of maui whale watching of the humpbacks as they feed, mate, and take care of their young in the warm waters of the hawaiian islands. Shame about the whales, i have a molokini snorkel tour booked already though. On september 29th researchers from noaa ship hiialakai spotted a humpback whale while heading home from the northwest hawaii islands. 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 ocean surrounding our islands are more than 15. They won an award for top ocean recreation business. The fluke of a diving whale and the pectoral fin of a second whale. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans.
Each winter 4,000 to 10,000 north pacific humpback whales migrate from alaska. Whale season on hawaii is between november and april. On occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or late september. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. A diving whales fluke and a second whales exhalation.
Youll be completely satisfied with the up close and personal experience. There was a time when maui was known as the center of the pacific whaling industry. In the mid1800s, yankee ships carrying whale hunters came and went from harbors like lahaina. The holiday total is from 11 november to 26 november. We believe that science lies at the heart of environmental education and conservation. Keliis kayak tours is a unique company that takes visitors out on kayaks to. Humpback whale watching in maui four winds maui snorkeling. Kihei while there has been a slight increase in humpback whale. 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. About 68 humpback whales surrounding our boat, amazingly gentle giants. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during maui s peak humpback whale season.
The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. But they have a great reputation for providing guests with a memorable whale watching experience, so are well worth considering. From december to may of every year maui is graced with presence of the majestic pacific humpback whales. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. Hello, we will be in maui in midnovember and want to go on a whale watch if possible. Humpback migration to hawaiian breeding grounds whale trust. 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 whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui an ideal jumpingoff spot for. Trackless, that is, until whale hunters came along.
Which gender of the humpback whale does the singing. Mar 29, 2016 we offer seasonal whale watching from maui, and snorkeling all year long. Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary. For a creature that can be upwards of 45 feet long, this is a safe place. We are an international organization working to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife around the world through research, education and conservation programs. 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 mysteries that have yet to be solved. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females. Maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. 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. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching.
During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. Hop aboard for snorkeling at some of maui s most popular locations, including molokini crater, or choose from a sunset cruise along maui s shoreline or whale watching from december to april. With the humpback whales back in the islands, ocean users are reminded to be whale aware. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. The best months to see whales is usually between midjanuary and march as this is considered peak whale watching season. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of maui s humpback whales.