The onset of mauias whale season has whale enthusiasts brimming with excitement as new sightings appear on the horizon. For more information on this special combo, see our lanai dolphin page. First humpback whales of season spotted in hawaii cbs news. Whale watching season is starting in maui when is whale watching season in maui. So, february and march are your winning months to catch sight of a stunning humpback whale. Class and malefemale interactions during the breeding season. What you need to know about the maui whale season the. Maui whale watching season is just around the corner, book before august 31st and save.
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. We cant wait to see what 2015 will bring with this fantastically early start to whale season. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. 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. Our 2hour ocean rafting whale watch cruises depart 4 times daily. First humpback whales of 2015 season private maui kayak tours. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month without stopping.
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. Whale trust maui is committed to raising awareness of whales and their marine. 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. As maui gears up for whale season, experts are mulling the reasons behind the. Several vessels reported sighting whales around lanaa. 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. Jennifer nap took the video of the whale and her calf and posted it to youtube on jan. The naturalist on board has been doing tours for 7. Although the humpbacks migrate to other areas of globe, 50% of the migrating whales are seen here, between the islands of maui, lanai and molokai. If you are interested in seeing these amazing animals on your hawaii vacation, peak whale watching season is maui is january to march. Daily during whale season middecember through midapril at 8am, 10am,12. Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Tracking north pacific humpback whales to unravel their basin. If youre looking for more familyfriendly ways to experience the island, download.
Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. For a creature that can be upwards of 45 feet long, this is a safe place. Every year from december through may the humpback whales migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii. Look out your window just not while youre driving please. The peak season for whale watching on maui is january, february, and march, though whale season in maui officially runs from december 15may 15. Yes, maui whale season is here the humpback whales are the worlds largest nautical mammals that migrate from the cold waters of alaska to the warm shallow waters of hawaii. 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. Humpback rams whale watching boat in maui incident caught. The whales slowly migrate from alaska in their respective pods, and the party is in full swing by february. View them in their environment on board the maui magic snorkel adventure, watch them as they perform amazing acrobatics, and hear them in the water while you snorkel. The best whale watching is just a quick ride from lahaina harbor. What you need to know about the maui whale season the old. We are officially at the peak of the whale season, where activity is super high. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young.
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. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. Aug 20, 2015 every year from december through may the humpback whale migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii. But you dont have to go on a whale watching tour to spot whales. Maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. I spent my birthday whale watching on the pride of maui. Whale season is january march, but theyre there on the edges of that timeframe just not as many. Maui whale watching season 2015 will begin roughly this december and last through may. Mystery absence of humpback whales in hawaii has experts. 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. Published on jan 15, 2015 this video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015. 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.
If youre prone to seasickness, book a tour for early morning, when the seas are calmer. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. There are so many things to see and activities to choose from here in this paradise that is maui, hawaii. On september 29th researchers from noaa ship hiialakai spotted a humpback whale while heading home from the northwest hawaii islands. You might also try kyaking early morning or late afternoon. Home beach, family, marine life, maui activities starting now. Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Malolo is a great option for families and groups who want to experience maui from the ocean. Maui whale watching season 2015 is approaching, we cant wait. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth. If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide.
Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales. Whale watching in lahaina maui january 2015 youtube. 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. Mauis best whale watching lookout point gives an elevated panoramic 180degree view of the ocean. 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. In any given year, hell shoot some 10,000 frames during his research trips around the pacific. We are fast approaching the fall months here on maui and we have begun to think about the maui whale watching season 2015. 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. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Begin your adventure at the old wailuku inn at ulupono. Lahaina harbor is best to go for a whale watching tour if youre staying in west maui.
Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. Join us during whale season and combine snorkeling along with humpback whale watching. The guys on the boat told us about the whales and the history of whaling in hawaii, there was a. Humpbacks make this journey in groups called pods that congregate for a couple days at a time. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Humpback whale calls detected in tropical ocean basin between. If youre on maui in february or march, you wont have to look far to catch a whale breaching. The scenic mcgregor point lookout west of maalaea and the beaches of kaanapali, kihei and wailea are also great spots to see whales. Reports from our march 2019 maui nui field project. Isla holbox is a 25minute boat ride from the mainland. Multiple whale pods can be observed both near and far stretching for miles. 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.
Few things compare to seeing these magical mammals in real life. Humpback whales migrate in winter from northern feeding grounds to. Every year from december through may the humpback whale migrate to the warm tropical waters of hawaii. Mar 16, 2020 for more comfort, allinclusive deep blue utila offers dedicated whale shark trips in season. Greg kaufman of the pacific whale foundation knows a thing or two about capturing whales on film. We boarded the large, comfortable boat at the maalaea harbor and knew it would be a special trip.
Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Maui vacation whale watching season, humpback whales off. And consider taking antimotionsickness medication too its usually very effective. During peak whale season whale activity is visible all day long from the easy to find papawai scenic lookout along the road to lahaina. Early in the season, the first sightings are usually of males who have made the swim from alaska, awaiting the females.
The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes. We cant wait to see what 2015 will bring with this. Mauis humpback whales join us during whale season and combine snorkeling along with humpback whale watching. A female humpback whale rammed a whale watching boat as tourists captured a video of the encounter off the coast of maui, hawaii, last week. 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. Whale watching season 202014 view larger image starting now. Other great islands for whale watching are maui and kauai. 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. The first humpback whale spotting of 2015 came early this year near the small island of niihau, which is off of kauai. Whale season is one of the best times of the year to visit maui.
Honolulu humpback whales were spotted in the waters off hawaii for the first time this season, leading officials to warn ships and recreational boaters to. Around february, the majority has made the voyage to these balmy waters and are ready to put on a show. 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. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular pacific whale foundation whale watch. But out of all those pictures, only a hundred or so are what he would consider blowup worthy. Jan 15, 2015 published on jan 15, 2015 this video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015. The ocean surrounding our islands are more than 15. Almost every day in maui has perfect whale watching weather, including a blustery grey day. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui.
We believe that science lies at the heart of environmental education and conservation. The maui ocean centers aquarium and whale watch experience launched on tuesday, jan. Whale watching at papawai scenic lookout in maalaea, maui. The photos here were all taken at the end of march 2015 by hawaiian paddle sports. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. Our mission is to promote, support, and conduct scientific research on whales and the marine environment. You can watch the whales from many of mauis beaches, or even from an overcrowded whale watch boat, but imagine experiencing these gentle giants aboard a. You will see them in ways like never before, making for a personal experience that you will never forget.
This video was taken from the ocean spirit on a whale watch cruise with pacific whale foundation on january 15, 2015. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. First humpback whales of 2015 season hawaiian paddle sports. If you are planning a winter vacation or live here on maui you will want to book your whale watching tour in advance. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. Whale trust maui conducting, promoting and supporting. Whale trust maui conducting, promoting and supporting whale. Apr 10, 2015 a few will stick around until may, but those spotting a whale at that time are the golden ticket winners. In season you will see them from shore and from any boat that gets you out on the ocean. The first humpback whale sighting this year in hawaii was on september 29th near the small island of niihau. While on a whale watching tour in maui, our tour guides stopped the boat and shut down the engines so we could hear the whale songs on their.
Revised stock boundaries for false killer whales pseudorca crassidens in hawaiian waters. Maui whale watching trips maui whale watching season 2017. When youre ready to start planning your trip to hawaii, book a stay at the old wailuku inn. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march. While the first maui whale sighting differs every year, its lately been as early as september that humpbacks are spotted in maui. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. Dec 09, 2015 maui whale watching is especially unique because of the relatively shallow waters that exist between the islands that make up maui county. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. Whale watching tours are the perfect attraction for your entire family to enjoy. During their annual migration to mauis coastal waters, they come to calve, mate, and rear their young.
The first humpback whale sightings of the season were reported in the fourisland region of maui county. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Maui whale watching tours hawaii cruise excursions. These huge mammals travel between 3 and 9 mph at over 1,000 miles per month. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei. Without further ado, here are 3 of the best options for whale watching tours in maui. First humpback whales of 2015 season private maui kayak. 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. On september 29th researchers from noaa ship hiialakai spotted a humpback whale while heading home from the northwest hawaii islands the second humpback whale spotted was seen a few days later near kauais pacific missile range facility. The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in.
Its the perfect time for some maui whale watching by kayak. 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. Heres what you need to know to see the breaching beasts on whalewatching tours in maui. At 25 to 40 tons, pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. Experience the humpback whales and view them in their natural habitat. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. 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. Experts wonder how warmer oceans will further impact whale. Officially, whale season in maui runs from december 15thmay 15th, although its still possible to see whales outside of the officialwhale season dates. Table of contents our whale watching guide is structured around the following topics. 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. 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.
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