Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. Humpback whales spend their winters here in hawaii where they come to breed and give birth to their young. There was a time when maui was known as the center of the pacific whaling industry. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. Home beach, family, marine life, maui activities starting now. Crews aboard two vessels reported spotting maui s first humpback whale of the season on tuesday, oct. 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. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the official whale season dates.
The 202014 humpback whale season november 1, 20 may 15, 2014 had. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience up. Class and malefemale interactions during the breeding season. Mahalo to each and every guest, sponsor, partner, performer and vendor for joining us. Migration patterns for north pacific humpback whales. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Whale watching season 20 2014 view larger image starting now. I spent my birthday whale watching on the pride of maui. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. 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. Maui whale watching is one of the most popular activities to do in hawaii.
The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. When you get to their site, just go to the left side of the screen under maui, then choose whale watching tours on maui from the dropdown menu for their. If youre interested in going whale watching in maui, you can get more information on available tours, rates, and bookings on the barefoot tours site. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. 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. In 2014, oregon state university osu initiated a multiyear project to study humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae migrations in the north pacific ocean. 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. Theres no better place to watch whales than in maui waters. Without a doubt the main whale watching area though is in the warm waters off of maui. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young. I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called.
When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. The ocean surrounding our islands are more than 15. If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary.
Whale trust maui is committed to raising awareness of whales and their marine. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of mauis humpback whales. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and visitors. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind.
Tracking north pacific humpback whales to unravel their basin. We boarded the large, comfortable boat at the maalaea harbor and knew it would be a special trip. 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. While that may seem far, remember that a humpback whale can grow to a length of 52 feet and weigh about 80,000 pounds. If you are interested in seeing these amazing animals on your hawaii vacation, peak whale watching season is maui is january to march. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. By far the most exciting behavior humpback whales will display is the breach.
Dont entrust what may be a onceinalifetime experience to just any maui whale watching tour book your tour with pride of maui today. 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. On average, the first whale sighting from a trilogy. Whale season in hawaii it takes lots of patience and time for me to share these wonderful graceful creatures with you.
In the mid1800s, yankee ships carrying whale hunters came and went from harbors like lahaina. Maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. First whales of the season spotted off maui hawaii magazine. Last year we saw one whale when we were hanging with the turtles on oahu and we have seen many here in the waters off both hilo and kona on the big island.
The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes. The maui ocean centers aquarium and whale watch experience launched on tuesday, jan. While these fascinating giants are at their peak in numbers between january and. 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. Maui vacation whale watching season, humpback whales off. 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. We offer seasonal whale watching from maui, and snorkeling all year long. 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. 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.
Despite their size, humpback whales are surprisingly graceful acrobats. 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. Researchers have seen an 80% drop in mothercalf pairs off maui since 2014. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Many condos offer gorgeous views of the ocean increasing the possibility of a whale sighting that will make your heart smile. It is that time of year where the humpback whales start to appear in larger numbers to return to the warm waters of hawaii to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. You might also try kyaking early morning or late afternoon. Alii nui provides one of the highend whale watches that includes a delicious array.
This is one of our many blessings, as whale watching is a beloved activity among visitors and residents alike. 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. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. With more than 30 events, activities, and cruises spread out over a sixmonth period, everybodyfrom children to scholars and biologistswill easily find. The 32 nd annual maui whale festival, a tremendous hit with locals and visitors alike, offers many opportunities for upclose and personal sightings of hawaiis largest visitors. 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. However, from 2014 to the 201819 season, humpback chorusing has. Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. When you are going on a whale watching cruise you have to understand its not a circus and the whale will not appear and jump in front of you when you want it to. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth.
Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Call 8665722664 for the best maui island vacation rental deals. Trackless, that is, until whale hunters came along. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Whale study may show possible link between hawaii and. Whale season is january march, but theyre there on the edges of that timeframe just not as many.
Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. There are also whale watch tours put on by different organizations that generally handle dozens of people in large crowds, drinking mai tais and getting sea sick, which might be good for some, but maybe this is not what you had in mind when admiring mother nature. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. 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. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. Mauis first humpback sighting of 2014 near mala maui. Most whalewatching tours will depart from lahaina and maalaea harbors and cruise through the auau channel, between maui and lanai.
Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. Trilogy provides sailing whale watches from maalaea or lahaina harbor as well from kaanapali beach. Humpback whales are just another aspect of what makes maui such an incredible place. Download the full report as a pdf, including case reports from the 20 2014. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and.
Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei. See the most comprehensive whale watching visual guide all about humpback. Whale study may show possible link between hawaii and mexico new robotic device used for humpback research, tracking local news. Maui whale season maui scuba diving mike severns diving. On tuesday, october 10, the pacific whale foundation reported spotting a pair of humpbacks about a mile off the coast of kapalua in west maui each winter, an estimated 12,000 humpback whales migrate to hawaiian waters to mate, give birth and care for their newborn calves. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Home marine life, maui activities whale watching season is starting in maui. It takes hours of filming due to a large mass of ocean to scan over the. They come every single year during the winter in order to mate and give birth.
For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. 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. Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. Look out your window just not while youre driving please.
In season you will see them from shore and from any boat that gets you out on the ocean. Whale season in hawaii runs from december through april. Whale season on maui encompasses more than just the holiday season, but for many maui residents and visitors, whalewatching is a big part of their maui holiday. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale.
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