The whale watching season lasts for about six months in Maui – from November to April.

Every year thousands of tourists flock to Maui to watch the Pacific humpback whales that migrate from Alaska’s cold waters to the shallows of Maui. Nearly two-thousand whales make the 3,000-mile journey and are seen in Hawaiian waters every year.

Some Facts About the Whales

  • The whales spend the entire winter in the waters of Hawaii and journey back in April or May.
  • They spend their summer days mating, reproducing, and nursing the young ones.
  • Baby humpback whales grow nearly 100 pounds per day.
  • They do not eat anything while in the Hawaiian waters.
  • Adults lose nearly 25% of their body weight while in Hawaii.
  • They remain underwater most of the time, only coming up to breathe every 45 minutes.
  • Most whales sing the same song year after year when returning to Maui.

Whale Watching Locations

There are several locations on Maui’s shores from where you can see the whales when they come up for breath. The best time is when the sea is calm. They often come up at the same spot and you can see them every 20 to 40 minutes.

Using binoculars will give you a better view, but you’d be amazed at how many you will see from your room’s lanai if you’re staying in an oceanfront unit. During February and March, it’s very common to see three or four pods swimming, breaching and slapping the water at a time.

The most well-known whale watching points are:

  • McGregor Point on the way to Lahaina.
  • Olowalu Reef along the Honoapiilani Highway.
  • Puu Olai the cinder cone over Makena Beach. It is a tough climb but well worth the effort. 

Whale Watching On a Boat

If you are a bit more adventurous and would like a closer look at the whales, you can take a whale-watching cruise.

There are many packages to choose from on Maui, and snorkeling and diving are often included. Some of the larger boats will give you a more comfortable and smooth ride but you can also go for some of the small rubber rafts that hold 8-12 and zoom all over the channel to get from one whale pod to the next.

Newborn calves in addition to being adorable, are curious and often bring mom close to the boat for a close encounter.

Kayaks and Rafts

For those into water sports, kayaks and rafts are available on hire. Be careful, though – don’t get too close! Marine protection laws require that you stay 300 feet away at a minimum.

It is for your protection as well! Humpback Whales can range from 25ft to 45ft, as big as a school bus! They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, equivalent to 6 elephants.

Why Maui?

Maui is undisputedly the prime location for whale watching in Hawaii.

The neighboring islands of Molokai, Kahoolawe and Lanai are also great whale watching locations. The Hawaiian islands are at the top of a large volcano, which provides a warm sanctuary for humpback whales.