It is generally believed that february is the absolute peek of the season. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still. Fall hawaii international film festival, vans world cup of surfing maui. Chinese heritage festival, hula o na keiki, made in maui county festival hawaii island. If you are here during peak season from december 15th to april 15th, do yourself a favor and go on a maui whale watching tour.
Maui is generally considered to be the best hawaiian island for whale watching, but there are whale watching tours on. Sep 22, 2019 as we enter fall here in maui whale season is just beginning. Peak months are january, february and march the very best time for maui whale watching. As of 2016, the north pacific humpback is no longer deemed an endangered species, but they are still protected by both state and federal law.
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. The pacific whale foundation recommends traveling at a speed no greater than 12. Maui whale watching season is here maui snorkel tours. 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. The best time to visit maui all about maui travel tips. Humpback activity is heating up in maui nui with peak season quickly approaching, and were here to help you make the most of the 2020 whale. For more information about maui whale watching tours offered by maui sights and treasures, read more here. Mauis peak whale watching season december 4, 2019 december 5, 2019 best hawaii tours, hawaii sunset cruises, things to do in maui, whale watching tours hawaii. We got mugged on a maui whale watching tour youtube. The peak of whale season is always a sellout at our condo complex, but i see fewer schoolage children than spring break or summer. There will still be whales around, just not in the huge numbers that you will find in february. But on occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or even late september. 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.
There is a popular whale watching site along the pali highway a few miles west of maalaea harbor. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. On tripadvisors maui travel forum, travellers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like when is peak whale season. So if either of those two maui activities is on your bucket list, dont visit during whale season.
January 27, 2020 peak humpback whale season in maui. 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. Jan 10, 2018 the ocean off of maui s south and west shores of kihei, wailea, makena, lahaina, kaanapali, kapalua is the most inhabited waters in the entire world for humpback whales during our peak whale season. December 27, 2019 its aloha friday and humpback whale season. North pacific humpback whales known in hawaii as kohola are the fifth largest whale species in the world, weighing in between 2540 tons. Mauis whale season is officially between december 15 th may 15 th, with peak activity occurring between january and march. Youll be floating amid the whales less than 15 minutes after leaving on just about any of. Great whale count volunteers collected data from 12 sites across maui on march 30. Whether youre planning a trip upcountry or to the north side of the island, dont forget to travel to kihei, lahaina, kaanapali, honokowai, wailea and maalaea to capture a glimpse of these majestic creatures. In hawaii, maui is a top whale watching spot for boatbased viewing. Humpback whales can be seen as early as october with sightings increasing through november. January is drawing to a close as peak whale season approaches. Ive seen whales durign the season from every possible spot along the west and south maui coast. So, if you really, really want to see lots of humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, go during the peek of the season between january, february and march.
These majestic creatures migrate to hawaii every year from the cold waters of alaska to breed, birth their babies, and raise their young. 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. With majestic humpback whales flocking to mauis shores dec. As january comes to a close and we head into peak humpback whale season, its always an amazing experience to witness the majesty of these mammals. Mahalo for reading our mauis peak whale watching season blog post. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. Things to do on maui in february humpback whale season. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15.
The whales head to hawaii in search of warm waters to mate and raise their calves. Sep 26, 2017 so, if you really, really want to see lots of humpback whales on your hawaii vacation, go during the peek of the season between january, february and march. According to noaa, the peak season for whale watching in oahu is january to march. Although the first sightings of the year are often in october or even as early as september, different whales arrive at different times. Molokini crater and south maui coast adventure from kihei. If you happen to be thinking of a winter trip to the hawaiian islands, it is definitely worth it to plan around the peak whale watching season. Since the calving season starts in midjanuary, the peak is recognized from this point through march when populations are at their highest. Those who visit maui in the winter are willing to shell out the high airfare costs and room rates for a taste. 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.
In addition to whales, february is also host to a variety of unique, entertaining events, from live concerts to chinese new year festivals. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. Whale watching season in maui is novembermay with peak season typically running between midjanuary and march. Nov 30, 2018 on maui there are two great spots for whale watching and that happens to be along mauis south side and its west side shores. The best months to see whales is usually between midjanuary and march as this is considered peak whale watching season. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. Maui whale watch tours marine naturalist cruises pacwhale. With several whale watching tours to choose from in maui check the. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. Humpbacks feed at the poles in the summer, and when the cold winter comes, they make their way to our tropical waters. There are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales. Explore whale watching hawaiian islands humpback whale. The annual maui whale festival, organized by the pacific whale foundation, is held during mauis peak humpback whale season.
Even within the whale season dates, there is a lot of fluctuation in the sightings youll see and the density and activity of the whales. If you are only after whale watching, you should come and visit maui during the winter season. 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. How long does whale season last and when is the peak. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular.
From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the kiosks lining lahaina harbor reveals a variety of options during the peak of whale watching season, between january and early april. The below table outlines the key differences between our whale watching options, all run by the highly regarded pacific whale foundation from november through april. We recommend west or south maui and the kohala coast of. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. 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. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. If you are deliberating on your travel dates and maui whale watching is on your todo list, you might want to plan accordingly.
So they can experience the whale watching activity before they head home. And during whale season, hundreds of volunteers fan out across the state to. And during whale season, hundreds of volunteers fan out across the state to count and observe whale behavior. A total of 5 whale sightings were seen on maui during the 9.
Whale watching in maui truly is a magical experience. Many of the events are marked by stories, song, prayer, dance and poetry. With peak humpback whale season and couples snuggling up for valentines day, maui in february is a busy time. Peak whale watching months are february and march, which is why we mention it now at the end of january. Whale sightings in maui typically occur between november and may. By the end of march, they will be heading back up north. You can do whale watching in december but this is only a fraction of what you will see a few months later. 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. 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. During whale season, some ocean activities are prohibited, such as jet ski and parasailing operations. At pacific whale foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early november with our welcome home the whales cruise. February is peak season for whale watching on maui. Humpback whales migrate in throngs from their cold alaskan feeding grounds in the summer to our warm hawaiian waters in the winter. Lahaina harbor is in west maui and is about 15 minutes from kaanapali.
The last whales could stick around until april before they make their trek back to alaska. Maui whale watching tips all about maui travel tips. February is considered the peak of the whale watching season, as more whales are present than at any other time of the year. Whale explorer our favorite whale watch its fast which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them. Blue water rafting offers a guaranteed whale watch during the peak whale season, january 1march 31. Dec 04, 2019 for more information about maui whale watching tours offered by maui sights and treasures, read more here. Jan 29, 2016 january is drawing to a close as peak whale season approaches. 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.
Spring low season in april through june once the easter break has passed, the remainder of april through midjune is off season. Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. 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. This is the reason why many maui visitors want to know the best months to do whale watching. As january comes to a close and we head into peak humpback whale season.
January 14, 2019 awesome close humpback whale encounter. Each year, a number of organizations and locals organize annual humpback whale festivals to welcome megaptera novaeangliae to the aloha state. Jul, 2019 the peak of whale season is always a sellout at our condo complex, but i see fewer schoolage children than spring break or summer. Humpback whales visit hawaiian waters each year from november to may with the peak of the season being from january to march. As we enter fall here in maui whale season is just beginning. Whale watching is one of the most popular things to do in maui. Jun 19, 2012 insider tips for whale watching season in maui. From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the kiosks lining lahaina harbor reveals a variety of options during the peak of whale watching season, between january and. October 11, 2019 first humpback whale sighting of the season. Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density.
For instance, whale watching season is middecember to midmay, with the peak months being february and march. There is a big difference between seeing a whale and experiencing a whale. Spring low season in april through june once the easter break has passed, the remainder of april through midjune is offseason. The winter migration also coincides with birthing and mating season. Whale calves are born in the warm maui waters and drink the rich milk of their mothers until the great humpback migration back to alaska. Typically, the first humpback whale is seen in late september or early october with peak whale season running from december to march. On maui there are two great spots for whale watching and that happens to be along mauis south side and its west side shores. February is the peak of whale watching season on maui. On occasion, we will have our first whale sighting as early as october or late september. Departing from kihei, the chances of seeing many whales are high as they like to spend their time in the protected waters between maui, kahoolawe and lanai. Tips offered to enjoy hawaiis famed humpback whales from shore to sea. Advice for peak season travel maui forum tripadvisor. 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.
While these fascinating giants are at their peak in numbers between january and march, whale season officially begins in december. Feb 01, 2020 its currently peak humpback whale season. Maui, molokai and lanai offer the best whalewatching opportunities. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head. You will see them easily from land no need to go out on a whale watching boat. Maui sees large numbers of snowbirds flying the chilly coop during the winter months.
The ocean off of mauis south and west shores of kihei, wailea, makena, lahaina, kaanapali, kapalua is the most inhabited waters in the entire world for humpback whales during our peak whale season. Mauis peak whale watching season maui sights and treasures. So if you want to see whales, you may want to go at this time. But humpback whales visit the hawaiian islands every year from november to may, so its possible that you can see whales outside of that january to march peak whale season too. 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.
Theres arguably no better place in the world to see humpback whales than maui. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. Worst time to visit hawaii get public health updates. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. For instance, whalewatching season is middecember to midmay, with the peak months being february and march.