Every winter, Maui hosts some of the largest VIPs in the animal kingdom, humpback whales weighing up to 60 tons each! These gentle giants migrate more than 3,000 miles from Alaska to warm Hawaiian waters for a season of birthing, breaching, and showing off just offshore. Maui whale watching runs December through April every year.
The whales favor two main playgrounds: the shallow Penguin Bank off Moloka’i, and the calm waters between Maui, Lāna’i, Moloka’i, and Kaho’olawe. This four-island region is one of the best places in the world to see them, and they put on a show that beats any screensaver you’ve ever had.
Getting here is easy. The hard part is choosing how to watch: from a bluff with binoculars, a paddleboard at sunrise, or a catamaran with mai tais in hand. Maui’s whale season isn’t just educational; it can be loud, thrilling, and unforgettable.
A few favorite whale watching vessels:
Ma’alaea
- Four Winds
- Makena Coast Charters
Maui Custom Charters - Pride of Maui
- Quicksilver
- Trilogy
Kihei Boat Ramp
- Maui Snorkel Charters
- Redline Rafting
Makena
- Kai Kanani
Ka’anapali
- Trilogy
Get inspired for your whale watching vacation by checking out this video from last season:
A few fun facts:
- Humpbacks travel one of the longest migration routes of any mammal on Earth
- The females are bigger than the males, often topping 60 feet in length
- That’s roughly the size of a school bus… plus a few tons of blubber
- Some live more than 70 years, and return to Hawaii year after year
- Want more? Learn about Humpback Whale Migration.
