The Holiday season is in full swing, and what came with it is the majestic Humpback Whales (KOHOLĀ- Hawaiian word for Whale). Now, First off, Whale watching is not a unique thing to maui. You’re able to see them around Greenland, Tonga, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and more. What makes the experience memorable is the aloha spirit you get when you’re on our tours.
Secondly, The Humpback Whales that travel here usually come from the Alaskan coast. They make the 3,500+ mile journey annually to give birth in Hawaii’s deep and warm ocean waters where the underwater visibility is great and the lack of natural predators. We here at MauiActivities.com have your hookup with special priced tours available if you’re in the Lahaina or Kihei area. We have a tour close for you and your family.
The best months to see the majestic Koholā are December through March. During the beginning of December the sightings of the Koholā are few and far between. It’s only because they are still making the 3,500+ mile journey. Usually the first ones to arrive are the younger whales. It’s like going to your first party as a teenager. You tend to show up early because you’re curious, and just excited to be there!
Come Late December, early January, an estimated 12,000 (+/- a few hundred) arrive and you would even be able to see them breaching from shore. Through February you’ll be able to see them as frequently as you see someone with a Starbucks cup (a lot, just in case I am off with that). The season comes to an end around the ending of May. By this time most of the Koholā are on their way back to Alaska to eat up all the shrimp, krill, and more!
Here are a few of the tours we have huge savings for our awesome guest like yourselves:
Our adventure rafts only take 16 passengers maximum, giving everyone a front row view of humpback whales! Avoid crowds and enjoy an eye-level encounter with whales during our tours, perfect for photo ops and underwater go-pro footage! We guarantee whale sightings or you go again for free!
Because we are a small raft, whales are more likely to swim up to us which makes for a once in a life- time close whale encounter! Although they can approach us, whales are protected in Maui so we do not approach them closer than federal regulations allow. Listen to whale songs on our hydrophones and learn whale facts from our Our marine naturalist guides will also share whale facts and other ocean information, making this tour a fun and educational experience with a Marine Naturalist on board during your Maui Whale Watching Tour!
Leave the crowds behind and join a small personal group aboard the quickest vessels in Lahaina Harbor. Our quick and safe vessels allow us to reach remote areas with more wildlife and more time to enjoy what Hawaii has to offer. So climb aboard and enjoy nature’s splendor up close and personal. Our vessels are available for private charters of small groups of family and friends!
You’ve already spent A LOT of money to get to Maui, housing, car rental, and food. Yet you still want to get on a boat and see some whales? We got your hookup with Kaulana Whale watching cruise. If you have kids under the age of 12, you’ll have access to some great savings only found on our website.
A comfortable 70’ double deck boat that will take you on a great trip on the beautiful maui ocean to encounter these gentle giants. The Kaulana is a comfortable boat which will get you quickly to each whale sighting, with an enclosed main cabin and 360 degree views for excellent visibility.
Here are some of the cool things you’ll see the koholā doing either on the boat or on shore:
Tail Throws:
When the whales lift their fluke (tail) out of the water and slap it back into the surface. This is usually a mating ritual the female does to attract the males.
Pectoral Slap:
Another move usually done by the female to attract the males. The pectoral fin will be raised and slapped down like the tail throw.
Breaching:
This move is a spectacular display of the Koholā athletic prowess. They will swim down for a few seconds, only to surface vertically with great speed. Often the Koholā will twist in mid-air and then come crashing down with a huge splash.
Whichever tour you choose, we know you’ll have fun! Feel free to share your photos/videos by tagging us in your posts. You can do so by using @mauiactivities and/or #MauiActivities and we’ll share all your posts on our social media platforms.