The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. Whale sightings are guaranteed or go again free on another whalewatch of equal or lesser value within one year. 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 whale watching season starts early in hawaii. 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. Humpback whales in maui whales visit december to april. Our small groups get close with mauis whales and dolphins. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from maalaea harbor. Lahaina harbor is home to a wide range of whale watching tours. 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. Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones and watch a variety of whale behaviors between mothers, calves or aggressive. The waters of the hawaiian islands humpback whale marine sanctuary, between the islands of maui and molokai, are the only natural habitat in the usa where this type of whales reproduces. One of our first mornings after landing on maui we woke up before the sun came up to go whale watching in lahaina harbor. In contrast to other humpback whale breeding grounds.
Over 8,000 humpback whales return to the hawaiian waters each year. 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 swell time. Take a moment to enjoy the magic and beauty of a mother and calf humpback whale off the west coast of maui, hawaii. There was a time when maui was known as the center of the pacific whaling industry. 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. Alii nui whale watch maui whale watching, humpback.
A favorite activity in maui during the winter is watching the whales. December to april or yearround lanai snorkeling and dolphin watching trips departing from lahaina harbor, maui. Response from sierrapwf, guest relations manager at whale watching from lahaina harbor. One very unusual characteristic is that the whale song of the entire northern pacific population changes as the breeding season progresses so that the song at the end of the year is very different from that at the beginning. This whale watch departs from historic lahaina harbor and is guided by our certified marine naturalists. The animal was trailing more than 285 feet of 38 braided line from. Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei.
Humpback whale watching in maui options, tips, whale info. Humpback whales oahu hawaii whale watching december is marked by the arrival of snow in much of america, but in hawaii it marks the return of the humpback whale. The humpback whale is grayishblack, blueblack to dark black in color, with pale to white undersides that can show black markings that are varied according to the individual whale. North pacific humpback whales, a mother and calf pair swim closely together just under the surface of the ocean. Lahaina is home to some of the calmest waters in maui, making for the best whale watching experience. The standard whalewatch boat will run between midnovember and midmay and run a few different trips a day per boat. Maui whale watches start early december and continue until early april. See the amazing humpback whales who migrate here from alaska to mate and give birth in. Our boat features all the big boat comforts with a small boat atmosphere. Beginning in december all of our vessels will be available for privately chartered whale watching. With so many whales already being spotted in maui waters, we didnt let the date stop us. Humpback whale songs are extremely complex, last between 6 and 18 minutes and can be repeated over and over again. Humpback whales unlocking their mystery in maui, hawaii. 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.
Whale watching is one of the most thrilling activities available on maui, and it is great for kids of all ages. They come to breed and give birth in the warm, calm, safe waters. Hawaiian islands humpback whale news and events latest. 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. Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii. Although the state of hawaii does not permit approaching humpback whales closer than 100 yards, or swimming with.
These tours guarantee plenty of whale sightings on this side of the island between dec 15th and april 1st. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. This whale watch departs directly from kawaihae harbor within the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary waters so you wont have to travel far to see the majestic humpback whales. Bathymetry and the hawaiian island humpback whale national marine. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. A whale watch on pride of maui begins at maalaea harbor and includes a barbecue lunch, mai tais, beer and two and a half hours at sea. A marine naturalist is always onboard with facts about these gentle giants. April 6 subadult humpback whale freed of lifethreatening entanglement in the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Enjoy ample room, and more time on the water with pride of maui out of maalaea harbor, a convenient location between wailea and lahaina. Highly rated whale watch photography workshop on luxury catamaran in lahaina. Humpback whale watching season in maui, snorkeling. Maui whale festival help save the whales maui whale. An entangled humpback whale has been rescued through the efforts of trained responders near maui, hawaii, on friday.
We do not approach humpback whales closer than federal regulations. The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary promotes ocean stewardship and raises awareness about the endangered humpback and other creatures that live in island waters. Experience mauis toprated whale watch with the experts departing from the historic lahaina harbor. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. The minecraft overviewer is a command line tool for ren. Life is a breach then you dive official oahu humpback whale season, mid dec. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. The humpback whale infographic above was built to show some of the annual migration routes across the globe, the most common surface behaviors and the least common in our experience, names of anatomical parts of a humpback whale, length and weight of a typical humpback whale, tips on whale watching, and some mysteries that have yet to be solved.
In the mid1800s, yankee ships carrying whale hunters came and went from harbors like lahaina. If you are staying in west maui lahaina, kaanapali, kapalua, take a boat that departs from lahaina harbor or from kaanapali beach. Come experience the best maui whale watching from an explorer super raft. Tripadvisor whale watching from lahaina harbor provided. Discounted prices, no booking fees, and easy booking with travelshack. An entangled adult humpback whale was freed by a team of trained responders off makena beach, maui on friday, jan. Ultimate whale watch humpback whale watching maui, hawaii.
I did some searching and could not find a way to do so without downloading plugins. Lahaina cruise ship passengers can do whale watching while in port since the whale express and spirit of lahaina both leave from the same harbor where your cruise ship tender arrives. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Ecofriendly whale watching tour from maalaea harbor. Yesterday a noaaled response team successfully freed. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. On christmas day, a team of trained responders that included people from the national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa and the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary freed an adult humpback whale off lahaina that had become entangled in about 400 feet of heavy gauge line. This page includes links to current news and stories on humpback whales and the sanctuary as well as links to new features on this website and the nmsp website. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events. Had a blast on this trip tour watching these amazing. Franko maps pacific humpback whale migration card 43701 leisurepro whales on the net humpback whale distribution.
Humpback whale photos wild side specialty tours, oahu. Take advantage of an amazing opportunity to get up close and. Rescue of humpback whale near maui, hawaii, caught on. This live cam on maui island invites you to spot humpback whales, which is quite common during their breeding and birthing season. Follow the dirt road behind the store up the hill for great vistas. Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Our explorer super rafts depart lahaina harbor, front row slip 11 up to 7 times per day. Protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship.
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. We so appreciate you joining us whale watching and witnessing the wonder that is humpback whale season. Fourisland region of maui county,hawaii, including the locations of. Choose from a per person outing or a 2 hour private tour whale watching from lahaina harbor. These informative and fun twohour whale watches are led by a team of certified marine naturalists who explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales. Ecofriendly whale watching sail from lahaina harbor. Humpback whale marine sanctuary live hd webcam stream. If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth. Capture the first whale sighting of the day as the sun rises over mauis haleakala crater with pacwhales sunrise whale watch. Sail aboard the luxury sailing catamaran ocean spirit, relaxing as. Humpback whale national marine sanctuary, maui hawaiian. We offer a whale season pass 10 trips for those of you who love to whale watch. Humpback whales migrate to hawaii waters to breed, give birth, and nurse.
Like clockwork, hawaiis most famous visitors arrive every winter. A humpback whale was spotted in western hawaii on thursday, aug. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. Our premium boat, kainalu, is what sets us apart from the other whale watching excursions in lahaina. You can do your whale watching maui adventures from shore, but you get a closer look if you go out for a couple hours on a whale watching boat. These migrating behemoths move south from their north pacific homes during the winter months for courtship and calving, and they put on quite a show. Humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. Our whale watch will run seven days a week from middecember until the whales go home around mid april.
Hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary office, south kihei road, kihei. See why pacific whale foundation has the best whale cruises on maui renowned marine experts, ecofriendly, and a. Five miles south of lahaina on route 30, youll find the olowalu general store. The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary visitor center is a cluster of three of buildings in the north part of kihei, with educational exhibits and scheduled talks and presentations about humpback whales it is at 726 south kihei road, phone 8088792818. Read the full story make a donation media inquiries. Nothing beats a sunset over the water when whale watching. One of our first mornings after landing on maui we woke up before the sun came up to go whale watching in lahaina ha rbor. The calf will remain with its mother for about a year, migrating from hawaii to alaska to feed on herring. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling closest encounters in. Download scientific diagram fourisland region of maui county,hawaii, including the. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of oahu, especially at makapuu lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near leahi diamond head.
Tours include expert interpretation from on board marine naturalists, great photo ops, and an underwater hydrophone to hear the whales as they sing. Peak whale season is now underway as the humpback whales make their annual migration to the hawaiian islands. The humpback is the star of the annual whalewatching season, which usually begins in. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Experience the thrill of watching humpback whales in their natural habitat on this 2hour trip. It wasnt officially whale season with the kickoff date being 2 weeks away. We offer you two large catamarans and a rigid hulled raft on which to seek these enormous creatures. Trackless, that is, until whale hunters came along. The area off of south and west maui is a hotspot for humpbacks due to the calm water that is protected from the northern winds and waves. Megaptera novaeangliae, molokai, hawaii humpback whale breaching, near molokai, hawaii. Welcome to lahaina harbor, conveniently located in downtown lahaina off front street behind the banyan and in front of the pioneer inn. You can book either the midmorning, noon, or early afternoon time slots.
You can now on one of these exciting maui whale watching tours. The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. The whale was first spotted by a fishing vessels captain on thursday, and. A hydrophone will allow you to listen to the amazing songs the humpback whales sing. It is with these markings, and particularly those found on the tail, that individual whales can be identified and the population and migratory patterns recorded. The humpback whale charged the whale watching tour boat. The humpback whales should begin to arrive in the next few months. December to april or year round lanai snorkeling and dolphin watching trips departing from lahaina harbor, maui. Multiple departures daily from historic lahaina harbor and conveniently located ma.
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