If you are currently visiting maui, we recommend you go home as soon as possible. Wailea whale watching boat tours are a must do when visiting maui during the winter months. The scenic mcgregor point lookout west of maalaea and the beaches of kaanapali, kihei and wailea are also great spots to see whales. In april, humpback whales begin their migration north to feast on rich krill in alaska. In fact, there are plenty of areas on maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season. From november to may, be on the lookout for whale sightings from wailea beach. The island of maui offers numerous whale watching tours, along with the exceptional educational experiences by taking the pacwhale ecoadventures provided by the nonprofit pacific whale foundation. For tour days and times, visit the foundations website. Maui whale watching and lanai explorer combo maui tours. Take in one of the many whale watching boat tours that go out daily. Each cruise is led by certified marine naturalists for a fun and informative interpretation of humpback whale behaviors. These vessels also hold holiday cruises, cocktail and evening cruises with live music, sunset fourcourse dinner cruises and evening cruises for stargazing. Come aboard mauis toprated whale watch cruise departing daily from the historic lahaina and ma.
Our big, spacious boat and can follow the whales in comfort, no matter where they roam, throughout the humpback whale sanctuary. 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. Maui whale watching best maui whale watches maui tickets. Wailea is about 16 miles from mauis main airport in kahului and 28 miles from lahaina. Molokini crater and south maui coast adventure from kihei. Ample free parking is available at the kihei boat ramp less than ten minutes from all kihei and wailea resorts. Once a week, the ultimate whale watch is personally guided by whale researchers and marine biologists.
Viewing a humpback whale up close is a must experience. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home. During humpback whale season, from middecember to early may, an estimated 900,000 visitors take a trip to maui banking on seeing one. I arranged for a private charter for my husband as a christmas gift for our trip to maui the first of april.
Insider tips for whale watching season in maui fodors. Their 2 hour maui whale watching tours depart from mala wharf in lahaina. Whalewatching in maui in the beginning of april usa today. We operate mauis largest and most comfortable boats from the historic lahaina harbor, and we sail along mauis calm and. Our guaranteed whale watch is 1 12 hours and a great way to get to the whales on maui from a fast and convenient wailea kihei departure.
All the benefits of a guided tour, the freedom to drive yourself. Snorkel multiple maui sights with a guide, including maui s molokini crater, which has 180 feet 55 meters of underwater visibility. Pacific whale foundation supports research and education about the humpback whales, and they call their boat tours eco adventures. Our lead boat, maui princess, is the largest, most uncrowded whale watching boat on maui. Sep 07, 2018 mauis biggest and favorite seasonal guests are coming back. From middecember to midmarch, every year our waters are filled with humpback whales returning home from alaska to mate and give birth. Maui whale watching tour from lahaina lahaina expedia. Any neat maui apps to download before trip maui forum. On the island of maui, the peak months for whalewatching are january, february and march. Here are some great options for whale watching while on maui. Trilogy provides sailing whale watches from maalaea or lahaina harbor as well from kaanapali beach. Alii nui provides one of the highend whale watches that includes a.
Whale watching experiences on maui mauis best whale watching tours. Maui county has implemented a stay at home and work at home policy for all visitors and residents, effective march 25 to april 30. Hawaiis whale watching season runs from december through may. Maui boat trips small group boat tours on maui hawaii. Our small groups get close with mauis whales and dolphins. If youre visiting in the winter months, keep your eye on the water as youre walking the coastal trail its a pretty good spot for whalewatching. 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. When visiting maui during the winterspring months, dec 15 thru may 15 then whale watching should be on the top of your list of things to do. Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of maui from the cold waters of alaska every winter. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. This is the safest and most comfortable way to experience upclose whale. Due to state regulations during the growing health concerns of covid19, our tours are temporarily unavailable. Tours depart daily from polo beach in front of the fairmont kea lani resort.
Wailea whale watching tours maui sea to sky tours activities. During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. Whale watching excursions on maui maui wailea ekahi. Here youll find an incredible assortment of tours and activities to enjoy. The best we have found by far is maui adventure cruises. On these featurepacked tours, not only will you have a chance to see these magnificent animals in the wild, but you might also see green turtles, exotic fish, underwater volcanic formations, and reefs. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of mauis humpback whales.
Our maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. In my humble opinion because i worked 5 hour shifts there last year, the papawai scenic lookout. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and raising their young. Maui adventure cruises whale watch adventure hawaii discount. If youre interested in going whale watching in maui, you can get more information on available tours, rates, and bookings on the barefoot tours site. During the winter months, the maui coast plays host to the majestic humpback whales who visit the area to mate and give birth. Pwf will station naturalists at the papawai scenic lookout the road to lahaina daily, and the sanctuary will have naturalists at maui ocean center, the grand wailea resort boardwalk, and whalers village boardwalk during the week only. Kai kanani offers mauis best catamaran and snorkeling tours in waimea. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. These rafts offer great up close ocean level viewing of the whales. During whale season november march, you can catch a glimpse of whales breathing, splashing, and breaching from the shore. You came all this way to have a good time and we want you to come back. Based on their research, we know each whale remains in hawaiian waters for about six weeks over a fourmonth period during the winter months february being high season. They use large inflatable outboard engine boars similar to the coast guard so you are very close to the water yes you can stick your go pro in for some.
Explore the maui waters around wailea makena, kihei, molokini crater, turtle town. There are a variety of whale watching tours to choose from, all of which offering a great time on the water and an opportuinity to get close to the whales. Enjoy a maui whale watch cruise on board of an explorer super raft. Pacific whale foundation this is the largest and bestknown whale watch company on maui. The island of maui is the best hawaiian island to watch these majestic mammals. To get a closer look at these majestic creatures, youll want to take a whale watching tour with one of mauis boat companies. Maui adventure cruises whale watch adventure hawaii. Jun 19, 2012 in wailea, hawaiian sailing canoe adventures runs trips on a historic craft powered by wind and paddles. Snorkel multiple maui sights with a guide, including mauis molokini crater, which has 180 feet 55 meters of underwater visibility. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. On the traditional outrigger canoe tour, learn a part of hawaiian history and the illegal occupation of hawaii and overthrow of the hawaiian monarchy in 1893 as you walk in the footsteps of the alii chief.
Leilani is an ideal choice for private and small group maui whale watching tours. The explorer is a hardshelled boat with an inflatable edge like a large zodiac which gives a fast, smooth ride and a. During the holidays and the high seasons wintersummer months these trips fill up fast, we rcommend reservinging boat tours as far in advance as possible. Theyve been welcoming guests since 1973 and offer maui whale watching tours from maalaea harbor, lahaina harbor and kaanapali beach.
Come aboard our luxury charter and explore all molokini has to offer. If you have a trip to maui coming up during this period, we urge you to postpone your trip until these mandates are lifted. But as a result of commercial whaling, those numbers were down to just 1,400 humpbacks in 1966. Maui snorkeling trips molokini crater and turtle town tours. Mauis toprated whale watch cruise pacwhale ecoadventures. In the prewhaling days, the pods were estimated in numbers upwards of 45,000 individuals. When guests book a maui boat tour with leilani, they always find that quality, consistency, and providing a remarkable hawaiian adventure are at the top of our list. Mauis biggest and favorite seasonal guests are coming back. Instead of being 15 feet above the waters surface as in the larger boats, this tour lets you be close to the action and the whales. Our favorite whale watch its fast which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them.
Pride of maui nothing beats a sunset over the water when whale watching. 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. So whether you want to fish, snorkel or whale watch a private charter is more affordable than you may think. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching 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. With their sparkling fleet of sailing catamarans and departures from multiple harbors, trilogy excursions is mauis most recognized name in ocean tourism. Youll enjoy a full two hour whale watch combined with snorkeling a beautiful coral reef. All beverages and snorkel gear are included, making this afternoon whale watch and snorkel tour a great value. These are our recommendations for the best the valley isle of maui has to offer. One of the coolest activities you can do is go on a whale watching boat tour. One of the most popular and fun things to do during this time is to go on a whale watching cruise. 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. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. At guideofus hawaii, we understand how much time and effort go into planning the perfect hawaiian experience, so we have put together a list of handpicked maui tours and adventures for you to choose from.
Captain steves maui whale watching tours are not recommended for pregnant women, people with bad backs, those who had recent surgery or kids under five years old. The explorer is a hardshelled boat with an inflatable edge like a large zodiac which gives a fast, smooth ride and a front row seat for every passenger. If youve been on a whale watch trip, and you didnt find it lifechanging, you didnt go whale watching in maui during season. We offer each guest plenty of room to roam around, for the very best view of maui s humpback whales. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui. One of the most prolific companies offering this tour, pacific whale foundation offers a variety of tours from their stable power catamarans throughout the day.
We operate mauis largest and most comfortable boats from the historic lahaina harbor, and we sail along mauis calm and protected western shore. When you get to their site, just go to the left side of the screen under maui, then choose whale watching tours on maui from the dropdown menu for their. Hawaii ocean project is a locally owned and operated excursion company that has been serving mauis residents and visitors for over 35 years. In wailea, hawaiian sailing canoe adventures runs trips on a historic craft powered by wind and paddles. Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. Pacific whale foundation supports research and education about the humpback whales. Whale watch boats details and differences to help you decide.
Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling closest encounters in. We totally enjoyed being out on the water in our own boat. Whale sighting is guaranteed or the next ride is on us. Viewing humpback whales is an amazing experience, recommend. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching. Maui whale watching guide humpback whales in hawaii. These tours run from december through march and provide you with a spectacular. Maui whale watching humpback whales at maalaea, kihei.
On the island of maui, the peak months for whale watching are january, february and march. Whale watching experiences on maui maui s best whale watching tours. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. Enjoy ample room, and more time on the water with pride of maui out of maalaea harbor, a convenient location between wailea and lahaina.
But you dont have to go on a whale watching tour to spot whales. With their sparkling fleet of sailing catamarans and departures from multiple harbors, trilogy excursions is maui s most recognized name in ocean tourism. Wailea in ancient hawaiian translates to waters of sacred happiness. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Every year, the humpbacks travel 2,500 to 3,000 miles from their summer feeding grounds in alaska to mate and give birth in hawaii. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. One of the most familyfriendly snorkeling tours on maui, pacific whale foundation offers an abundance of onboard entertainment and activities, perfect for those looking for a fun, laidback, budget snorkeling experience to some of the islands best spots. Your adventure departs beautiful wailea beach in south maui. The 5 maui whale watching tours featured here are the highest rated whale watching tours from maui. Experience mauis humpback whales as they come to hawaii to calve, mate, and rear their young. See the humpback whales up close and visit mauis top rated snorkel destination coral gardens.