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. Feel free to sign up for a guided whale watching tour, or attend a fun local event. Whale tales 2017 will feature a multiday program with presentations offered throughout the. 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. Greatly increase your chances of seeing humpback whales in the wild on this whale watching trip to the pailolo channel off the west maui coast. Watch mothers and calves interact, see males compete for females, hear underwater.
Every november, the north pacific humpback whales pass through maui during their winter migration. Humpback whales have a specific reproductive cycle with the same components as all mammals. If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. Hello, we will be in maui in mid november and want to go on a whale watch if possible. For a long time it was believed that migaloo might be the only white whale in the world, but in 2008, another white whale, bahloo, was seen swimming near the great barrier reef, noted for the distinct black spots on its. Humpback whales mauis most famous residents begin filtering down from alaskan summering grounds, while the first large ocean swells of winter begin lighting up surf spots on the north and west shores. Join us february 24 27, 2017 at the ritzcarlton, kapalua. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Which gender of the humpback whale does the singing. 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. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Maui is one of the most important habitats worldwide for the magnificent humpback whale.
Lahaina whale watching deals in lahaina, hi groupon. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. Download the app to stay uptodate on the latest sightings. Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. First seen in 1991 off the coast of australia, migaloo, meaning white fella in the australian aboriginal community, has become australias most famous humpback whale. On the island of maui, the peak months for whale watching are january, february and march. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. This whalewatch is led by certified marine naturalists for fun and informative interpretation of humpback whale behaviors and characteristics. Maui whale watching kayak tour humpback whale watching hawaii duration. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet.
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. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai. In 2011, another allwhite humpback whale calf was spotted around the great barrier reef, named mj, or migaloo jr. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april.
Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. 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. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary visitor center. 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.
As quintana roos sleepy northernmost island, it is the antithesis of crazy cancun, which is 150km to the south. Humpbacks make this journey in groups called pods that congregate for a couple days at a time. Hello, we will be in maui in midnovember and want to go on a whale watch if possible. Temperatures range from mid 70s to low 80s during the day and mid 60s at night. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Kihei while there has been a slight increase in humpback whale sightings. Caution a word of caution to all our visitors to maui. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per.
In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. 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. The map below tracks all dolphin and whale sightings in maui logged by our official whale. Isla holbox is a 25minute boat ride from the mainland. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. 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. I checked for previous questions but couldnt find the answer. In the prewhaling days, the pods were estimated in numbers upwards of 45,000 individuals. But as a result of commercial whaling, those numbers were down to just 1,400 humpbacks in 1966. Whalewatch with the experts on mauis toprated ecotour and see these amazing creatures in their natural wild habitat. 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 migration to hawaiian breeding grounds whale trust. 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.
Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Come aboard mauis toprated whale watch cruise departing daily from the historic lahaina and ma. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui. Join us on this incredible adventure which offers you the amazing opportunity to see humpback whales during their annual migration to hawaii, truly an experience you will remember forever.
Jan 18, 2017 maui is known for having the highest concentration of humpback whales, especially off its south and west shores. 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. If youre fortunate enough to be here during winter, a whale watching tour is a must whale watch trips come in many shapes and sizes. Things to do on maui in november straddling the islands dry and wet seasons, november is a month of transitions on maui. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off. The humpback whales that migrate to the hawaiian waters each year seen on all maui whale watching tours spend their summers in alaska. During humpback whale season, from middecember to early may, an estimated 900,000 visitors take a trip to maui banking on seeing one. 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. The pacific whale foundation has released a tentative schedule of events for maui whale festival 2018. The maui ocean centers aquarium and whale watch experience launched on tuesday, jan. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. 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 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.
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. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month without stopping. May 03, 2016 humpback whales have a specific reproductive cycle with the same components as all mammals. Every year, the humpbacks travel 2,500 to 3,000 miles from their summer feeding grounds in alaska to mate and give birth in hawaii. 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. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions.
Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Jan 09, 2017 maui whale watching kayak tour humpback whale watching hawaii duration. Here on maui, whale watching cruises usually begin in midnovember and. In a small boatin the company of guides with deep knowledge of whale behavior in these watersget as close as respectfully possible to the gentle giants. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. 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.
Hawaii is a favorite wintering spot for na kohola humpback whales and has one of the largest seasonal populations of north pacific humpbacks in the world. The higher elevations along the slopes of haleakala can be quite chilly in the mornings mid 40s and. This marks the organizations 38th year of celebrating humpback whales with fun, engaging. Those interested in collecting and sharing data to a global database can download the pacific whale foundation whale and. It is more likely to be raining in west maui in november than in south maui. Each cruise is led by certified marine naturalists for a fun and informative interpretation of humpback whale behaviors. We are excited to announce that the dates and location for whale tales 2017 have been finalized. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young. There are so many things to see and activities to choose from here in this paradise that is maui, hawaii. The higher elevations along the slopes of haleakala can be quite chilly in the mornings mid 40s and 50s but always warm up during the day to the 70s. All of the guidebooks and even many of the whale watch. Whale watch in november lahaina message board tripadvisor. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan.
Mauis toprated whale watch cruise pacwhale ecoadventures. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. A 15minute climb up this 360foot volcanic cinder cone will take you to the perfect elevation to see pods of whales traveling past. A driver will suddenly and without warning slam on his breaks. Aktive vulkane, teilweise uber 4000 meter hoch sowie flie.
The typical reproductive cycle of a mature female humpback is. The season generally runs from november to may, though the first. Also, in late november around thanksgiving is the maui invitational basketball tournament in lahaina which usually makes that side pretty hectic. We want your whale watching tour to be unforgettable. 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. 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.
The winter months in maui november thru february are a bit cooler. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling mauis ultimate. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Whale watching in maui 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. Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii.