The first whales arrive in november and some stay until may. That while their season in hawaii isnt normally set to get underway for about a month. The whale watching industry plays a strong role in the. This is the first time researchers have been able to tag orca whales in hawaii to track their movements around the islands. 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. Each year, tens of thousands of whales travel thousands of miles from their summer feeding grounds to winter breeding grounds. Generally speaking, december to may is seen as the best time for whale watching in oahu and the rest of hawaii. Protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship. 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. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head.
While the best hawaiian island for whale watching is said to be maui, theres a chance you can. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. 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. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. 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. Whale watching in maui is commonly considered some of the best in the world. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. 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. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may.
We recommend heading out on whale watching tour to get the best views possible, and to experience the beauty of the ocean. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. Maui whale watching tips all about maui travel tips. 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. You can use the species and date filters to see changes throughout. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. When choosing a hotel or condo, from our experiences, weve found that the very best humpback whale action is along. The best way to see these whales on a maui whale watching tour is with redline rafting.
As whale season approaches, four seasons resort maui at wailea has. Four seasons resort maui offers guests more ways than ever to. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. Humpback calves are born in hawaiian waters, making them kamaaina or native born.
If youre headed to maui too, heres one of the best ways to see whales on maui. 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. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. Our favorite whale watch its fast which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind. Humpback whales travel to maui to give birth and breed in the warm water between the hawaiian islands. In addition to maui, the big island offers some of the best whale watching in hawaii. This seasons first humpback whale has been spotted. We recommend west or south maui and the kohala coast of the big island. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, we are the goto guys. Lahaina whale watching deals in lahaina, hi groupon. 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.
When you dive with whales in hawaii, remember that the whales are diving with you. Federal law requires divers to keep a distance of least 100 yards from the humpbacks that make the islands their home. Have a whale of a time visit maui for whale season. It is illegal when in the water by boat or any other means. For instance, jet ski and parasailing operators are closed december 15 to may 15 in order to protect the whales from potential injury from highspeed watercraft and propellers. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page.
By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. We recommend heading out on whale watching tour to get the best views possible, and to experience the. See our wheretostay guides for maui and the big island for insights on accommodation selection. Federal law requires divers to keep a distance of least 100 yards from the humpbacks that make the islands their home from late november to early may. Every year from december through may the humpback whale migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii. 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. While hawaii whale watching tours can be booked on all of the main islands, maui is arguably the top place to arrange them. Feb 20, 2010 whale watching in maui, hawaii maui guide. This is only the groups third encounter with the killer whales even.
During your whale watch cruise, these amazing animals will. There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale up close and will be something that you remember forever. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. 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. Just make a break for the kona coast or the waikoloa area if you want to do some big island.
May 03, 2016 humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae breaching, maui, hawaii notice must accompany publication. As temperatures start dropping nearly everywhere else in the u. Hyatt regency maui resort and spa invites guests to celebrate whale season with a variety of special offerings, including the resorts popular. December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. When choosing a hotel or condo, from our experiences, weve found that the very best humpback whale action is along west and south maui and the kohala coast of hawaiis big island. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau.
Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. Humpback whale watching season starts early in hawaii live. A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai. Certain ocean activities in maui are prohibited during whale season. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. Pga tour sentry tournament of champions january each year. He estimated that in maui county alone, about 200,000 to 250,000 people take whale watching tours every season, going out on approximately 30 to 40 vessels of varying size. 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. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. You can use the species and date filters to see changes throughout the year.
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. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. 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. Free whale watching in hawaii 2020 season underway. Maui whale watching season 2015 is approaching, we cant wait. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae breaching, maui, hawaii notice must accompany publication. Reading another post captain steves or utlimate whale watch, these two.
Best time to visit maui updated for 2020 hawaii travel guide. 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. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters. We are fast approaching the fall months here on maui and we have begun to. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. Whale watching season runs from approximately middecember to late april. Maui whale season maui scuba diving mike severns diving. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. 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. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Whale watching in first week of april 2018 maui forum. Humpback whales have returned and free whale watching in hawaii is really possible. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. April is close to end of whale watching season, correct, does tour guarantee seeing the whale or perhaps is weather dependent.
Whale watching from maui decmay and snorkeling all year. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. Whale watching season in hawaii is always a special time, and will be a great part of your trip. If youre fortunate enough to be here during winter, a whale watching tour is a must. The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Whale watching boat tours can offer a closer view of humpbacks. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. Every winter, pods of pacific humpback whales make the 3,000mile swim from the chilly waters of alaska to bask in mauis summery shallows, fluking, spy hopping, spouting, and having an allaround. Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. Sep 26, 2017 weve visited all of the hawaiian islands during humpback whale season. The earliest humpback whale sightings are usually in november, sometimes october.
While maui is the best location for humpback whale spotting, the other islands also see many whales in season. Some native hawaiians also believe the kohola are aumakua family guardians, and so these gentle giants are treated with great respect. We want your whale watching tour to be unforgettable. 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. In hawaii, the return of the kohola is considered more of a homecoming than a visit. Hawaii ist fur whale watching eine besonders geeignete anlaufstelle. 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. These early sightings are rare and usually just include a few early arriving juvenile male whales. Whale watching aboard our flagship pride of maui is even better. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii. Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and. Our fast and safe rafting vessels are low to the water and perfect for close whale watching encounters. The explorer is a hardshelled boat with an inflatable edge like.
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. The above density map only reinforces our experiences. However, our tours start at the beginning of january, guaranteeing whale sightings. Maui whale festival help save the whales maui whale. With tourism on furlough, hawaiis whales are enjoying. Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. One of the giants was reportedly seen breaching multiple times. The last whales could stick around until april before they make their trek back to alaska.
Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui. Hawaii is a popular destination for whale watching because, during mating season, humpback whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity. Early season whale watch tours are happening nowsightings are guaranteed. This whale surface behavior, such as breaching and tail slaps, make for exciting whale watching in hawaii. Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours. That is because some of the best whale watching in hawaii can be enjoyed in the warm and shallow waters that can be found off of the islands west coast. Whale watching season generally runs from december through april, when the tropical waters off mauis south coast are teeming with north pacific humpback whales. The humpback whale is known for making an annual migration of nearly 6,000 miles, one of the longest of any mammal. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship.
During your whale watch cruise, these amazing animals will often display themselves in full glory, giving you the ultimate whale watching on maui experience. 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. There was a bit of miscommunication regarding the location of the boat. Killer whale research and tracking in hawaii the researchers were able to deploy a satellite tags, as seen on dorsal fin in photo to left, on three of the four killer whales. 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.
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