Even so, excellent opportunities abound to view whales in this cusp period of their island visit and youll experience smaller crowds and shoulder season savings. But there are only a lot of whales around maui from mid january to early march. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. Some excursions do not even extend this far into april. Maui, kauai and the big island are the most popular islands for hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. 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. However, our tours start at the beginning of january, guaranteeing whale sightings. 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. You will see whales in early april, ive seen them around maui as late as may.
Whale watching what months best time to go kihei forum. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. There are a few whales around maui from midnovember to midapril. Every year the pacific whale foundations holds mauis great whale count. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience up. Ellen raimo captured this image of breaching humpback swimming in maui waters on march 3, 2016. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. Each year since 2006 worldrenowned presenters have come together on maui to collaborate and share at whale tales. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. Exclusively responsible for the welfare of the humpbacks in hawaiian waters.
Every year, in late february or early march, the pacific whale foundation hosts the maui whale festival. Humpback whale tailsails as she watches her calf off the maui coast. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Shop our original products that support humpback whale research on maui. Prime whale time around maui is february and march. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. 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. In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. The standard whale watching boat will run between midnovember and midmay and run a few different trips a day per boat. Typically, operators begin guaranteeing whale sightings from december 15th to. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest 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.
We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. See the humpback whales up close and visit mauis top rated snorkel destination coral gardens. For more information about booking whale watching tours on maui with maui sights and treasures, please read more here. You wont see the hundreds that are there earlier though. But scratch the surface and you will find long, long days in the hot, hot sun. I read somewhere that the whale watching season is from october to april. Every winter, when storms sweep through the north pacific and the ocean gets particularly chilly, humpback whales head southspecifically to the warm waters of hawaiis auau channel alongside maui. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. The sunrise and sunset are calculated from new york. Our lanai snorkeling tours are small groups at uncrowded snorkel spots on maui and lanai where we see tropical fish, turtles and dolphin watch. February being the best month to see the most whales.
If you want to be sure to see the most whales in the ocean, it is best to plan your trip for the peak whale times of midjanuary to the beginning of march. Observing whales and sea animals in their natural habitat is a popular recreation activity, though whale watching can also serve scientific or educational purposes. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. Presentations are free and open to the public on friday, saturday, and sunday afternoons at the ritzcarlton, kapalua. Things to do on maui in spring all about maui travel blog. The number of humpback whales has been steadily increasing from when they were first recorded in 1975, and the 2016 totals show a steady 7% to 8% yearly increase with 732 animals counted including 83 calves. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. She called it the best day of the season for whale photography. We wish you beautiful days full of aloha and cant we wait to meet you. 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. Festivities are carried out all week, but most of the event is held on 2 days during the weekend. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. 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.
So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month. In the mid1800s, yankee ships carrying whale hunters came and went from harbors like lahaina. This april 2016 calendar is always useful for example to see if you have vacation. I really want to do a whale watching excursion but i know this is the tale end, if not already the end of the season. Multiple whale pods can be observed both near and far stretching for miles. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Well be in maui from april 4th to the th and im afraid this will be a little late in the season to see whales. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and visitors. Things to do on maui in spring march aprilmay may day may 1 is lei day in hawaii, just one of many reasons to visit maui in spring. Both are indicators of a shift in seasons, and just as a snowflake falling from the sky signals winter for much of the mainland, the first sighting of humpback whales hearkens winter for us in hawaii during the winter months of decemberapril, the leeward waters of maui county house the worlds. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from maalaea harbor. During peak whale season whale activity is visible all day long from the easy to find papawai scenic lookout along the road to lahaina.
Whale watching season generally runs from december through april, when the tropical waters off mauis south coast are teeming with north pacific humpback whales. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. All the times in the april 2016 calendar may differ when you eg. 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. Mauis best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean. If you are in kihei at some point, check out the hawaiian islands humpback whale sanctuary on kihei rd. 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. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march. Whale watching at papawai scenic lookout in maalaea, maui. Locally owned and operated since 1982, weve been sharing mauis snorkeling experiences with guests for more than 30 years.
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. Robert and ellen raimo caught these images of a mom and baby humpback swimming in maui waters on march 6, 2016. There are many different types of boat trips for 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. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of mauis humpback whales. Volunteers collected data from 50 sites off of three islands on march 26, 2016, with a total of 94 whale sightings seen during the 9 to 9. And the skin cancer that required 30 stitches in his left cheek. Maui whale watch and snorkel combo tour dedicates a special amount of time to finding the whales and observing them in the wild in maui. View the month calendar of april 2016 including week numbers.
Mahalo for reading our 20152016 whale watching tours on mauiplan ahead blog post. The maui whale festival is held in kihei at kalama park in south maui, hawaii. During the busy whale season januaryapril he might leave the house at 7 am and not get home till 9 pm. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. 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. There was a time when maui was known as the center of the pacific whaling industry. The harbour at maalaea is within easy reach for a variety of boat trips with the pacific whale foundation for snorkelling on molikini, getting up close to the humbacks and enjoying the sunsets. A total of 732 humpback whale sightings were reported during the 2016 great whale count on maui over the weekend. Humpback whale tailsails as she watches her calf off. Trackless, that is, until whale hunters came along. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans.
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. While there are dozens of excellent whalewatching companies, choosing the one thats best for you depends on factors like health issues, comfort, and. The winter crowds are gone, the spring weather is lovely, and prices are generally lower than during the busy winter and summer seasons. You can also easily book with us direct by calling us at 8888419155. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. The best way to see these whales on a maui whale watching tour is with redline rafting. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. There is a slim chance you might catch a few from shore but the best way to see whales late in the season is by being on.
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