by Matthew Morris – Each year the humpback whales migrate to Hawaii to give birth, mate, and enjoy the tropical waters that surround the Hawaiian islands. Though the whale season is technically from December 15th to May 15th each year, the best months to enjoy this activity are from January through March with peak months in February and March. The first sightings often occur in late fall, though it is not as common to see pods of whales and playful activity until the peak season when the whales begin to be more aggressive to court and mate.
Whale sightings can vary depending on the time of year. A suggestion is to enjoy whale sightings on other trips such as sunset sails or snorkeling trips. We find that most guests already want to do these activities and it is great to schedule two activities on the same trip! Current law requires boats to turn off their engines in the event a whale is approaching within a certain distance. It is not uncommon for captains to stop and observe the whales during a sunset sail or snorket trip.
There are many options to consider for whale watching tours here on Maui and we typically recommend taking advantage of this fun activity during your stay. Below we have included some of our top recommendations to consider and we encourage guests to reach out to our private concierge with questions or to consider customized options such as a private charter:
LUXURY CATAMARAN WHALE WATCHING TOUR
- Offered: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
- Tour Times: 2:00pm
- Trip Duration: 2 Hours from start to finish
- Highlights: Includes captain, crew, restrooms, upgraded appetizers and premium open bar (age 21+)
- Location: Ma’alaea Harbor
- Approximate Distance Away from Maui Breeze Retreat: 20 – 25 minutes
Departing from central Maui, this luxury catamaran offers ample space for guests to move around the boat to see whales. The catamaran features ample seating around the boat as well for those guests who wish to enjoy the viewings while seated. The crew will discuss various topics during the trip and assist in answering questions from guests. Enjoy amenities such as food, beverage, and bar (age 21+ to consume). Restrooms are available on board. All reservations should be booked in advance and require a 72 hour cancellation policy. Learn more or request a booking online here: Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Tour.
MA’ALAEA HARBOR WHALE WATCHING CATAMARAN
- Offered: Daily Upon Availability
- Tour Times: 1:30pm
- Trip Duration: 2 Hours from start to finish
- Highlights: Includes captain, crew, restrooms, light snacks/appetizers, and 2 cocktails (age 21+)
- Location: Ma’alaea Harbor
- Approximate Distance Away from Maui Breeze Retreat: 20 – 25 minutes
Departing from central Maui, this catamaran offers guests ample space to move around the boat to observe the humpback whales. All of the crew are certified marine biologists that assist in providing questions about whales and to create discussions with guests about the whales. The boat features seating outside as well as down below, though the best place to view the whales is from the outside deck space. The boat features restrooms, bar area, light snacks, and ample seating. All reservations should be booked in advance and require a 72 hour cancellation policy. Learn more or request a booking online here: Ma’alaea Harbor Catamaran.
OCEAN RAFT WHALE WATCHING TOUR
- Offered: Daily Upon Availability
- Tour Times: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm
- Trip Duration: 1.5 Hours from start to finish
- Highlights: Includes captain, crew. Age 4+ Only! Please note that this is a high speed raft that covers more water than a catamaran
- Location: Kihei (South Maui)
- Approximate Distance Away from Maui Breeze Retreat: 10 minutes or less
Departing from Kihei, this exciting rafting trip is a unique experience that adds thrills to your trip! The boat is much smaller and faster than the larger catamarans. The tour can hold around 20 guests. This excursion does not include any food or beverage amenities, though the trip is a little shorter in duration compared to the catamarans. All reservations should be booked in advance and require a 72 hour cancellation policy. Learn more or request a booking online here: Kihei Ocean Raft Tour.
We hope that this information has been helpful to you and your guests. For additional questions or to book your next Maui whale watching tour or other items, please contact Maui Breeze Retreat’s Concierge at 808-868-0253 or by email at info@MauiActivityConcierge.com.
