Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. The humpback whale concentrations are at their highest during the beginning of each year. Whale watching from lahaina harbor provided by pacwhale ecoadventures. Jan 02, 2016 humpback whales slow to arrive in hawaii in this jan. Maui whale watch ocean rafting adventure from lahaina harbor. There are many different types of boat trips for whale watching. Come see humpback whales that have traveled over 3000 miles from alaska to give birth and mate in a the protected maui nui sanctuary off lahaina where the waters are known for being warm and calm. This lahaina whale watch cruise is offered at multiple times a day. The crew and captain were very knowledgable and made sure every side of the boat had a good view of the action. The above is the largest banyan tree in the united states and its here in lahaina at banyan tree park. Every ticket supports active marine research and the whale entanglement response team. Lahaina whale watching deals in lahaina, hi groupon.
Beverages and snacks are available for purchase on board, and theres even an on board gift shop. Whale watching in hawaii maui lahaina hawaii cslv 34. Whale season arguably the best time to visit hawaii given the level of activity in the water, whale watching season in hawaii is arguably one of the most popular times to visit, and if you venture out on the water in winter on a whale watching tour or a kayak, be sure to have your camera ready and a healthy sense of. Filmed off of the coast of west mauis lahaina town, this video was captured from a 10 foot zodiac boat on an iphone and a gopro and is one of the. Wheres your favorite shoreline spot for whalewatching. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of maui residents and. Pacific whale foundation is located both in lahaina and at the maalaea harbor in kihei.
Youll find it located inside whalers village, replacing the whale museum. Maui whale watch tours hawaii humpback whale watching. After your whale watching tour take some time to explore historic lahaina town, make the day of it. At its peak, whalers were hunting thousands of whales each yearto the point of near extinction. Listen to commentary and get insights and tips for sighting whales. Our quick and safe vessels allow us to reach remote areas with more wildlife and more time to enjoy what hawaii has to offer. Lahaina whale watches which we prefer are an hour drive by rental car.
The below table outlines the key differences between our whale watching options, all run by the highly regarded pacific whale foundation from november through april. Join the hawaii ocean project on a whale watch epic adventure. Highly rated whale watch photography workshop on luxury catamaran in lahaina. 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. Maui whale watching tours and snorkeling closest encounters in. A majority of the whale watching tours on maui leave from the lahaina harbor, although several leave from maalaea harbor. Trackless, that is, until whale hunters came along. Hawaiian ocean project lahaina whale watching cruise from.
Experience the combined thrill of whalewatching and ocean rafting, on a brand new ecotour offered by pacific whale foundation. Check in at the pacific whale foundation store, located at 612 front street in lahaina. Maui whale watching lahaina discount whale watch cruise. Discover the joys of whale watching on this 2hour excursion from lahaina harbor in maui.
The humpback is the star of the annual whale watching season, which usually begins in. Lahaina harbor is in west maui and is about 15 minutes from kaanapali and about 3050 minutes from south maui kiheiwailea. It operates a 65foot power catamaran called the ocean explorer, a 50foot sailing catamaran called. The cruise is identical to the regular whale watch cruises in every way, except for the price. Twohour 360 view of whale watching off the coast of lahaina with humpback naturalists aboard up to 22% off. We had an amazing time whale watching in lahaina with hawaii ocean rafting. In the mid1800s, yankee ships carrying whale hunters came and went from harbors like lahaina. The whales are drawn to the areas shallow waters, especially the auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai, making maui an ideal jumpingoff spot for. In 1859, petroleum oil was discovered in titusville, pennsylvania. Witness the beauty and grace of pacific humpback whales on an educational adventure that is fun for the entire family. Whale watching cruises are some of the most popular things to do in hawaiis whale season, which runs from december through april. Lahaina cruise company whale watch excursion hawaii discount.
The reliable and comfortable vessels get you quickly to each whale sighting, with an enclosed main cabin and upper observation deck to ensure dry, excellent visibility. You can often see the whales from our inn, a truly magnificent experience of the whales in their natural environment. There was a time when maui was known as the center of the pacific whaling industry. Cast off from lahaina harbor together with a fantastic captain and crew and embark on a memorable outing that will leave you inspired.
The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes. Regulations prohibit boats from approaching within 100 yards of a whale, and you should never swim with or touch whales or any other marine mammals. Guide of us is a travel destination media and marketing company that receives compensation from companies or organizations whose products or services are promoted on this site. Choose from catamarans, zodiacs, jetboats and even kayak and outrigger canoe tours that depart from centralized locations including lahaina and kaanapali on maui, waikiki on oahu, and kailuakona on the big island.
Pacific whale foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect the ocean through science and advocacy, and to inspire environmental stewardship. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and our work is funded through fundraising activities, memberships and donations from supporters worldwide. Maui is the prime spot in hawaii for viewing hundreds of humpback whales from november through may as thousands congregate in the warm waters off the coast to eat, mate, and raise their young. Lahaina, maui, hawaii, hi 96761 reservations hotline. Whale watching tours on maui depart from four different locations on every type of charter boat. Maui activities whale watching maui whale watching tours. Depart on your whale watch tour right from lahaina harbor into calm and protected. We werent going out whale watching until later, so we started exploring the town. Finally got the chance to see the wonderful gentle giants of the sea. This oil replaced the use of whale oil, eventually leading to the end of commercial whaling in hawaii. Although the state of hawaii does not permit approaching humpback whales closer than 100 yards, or swimming with. Nobody wants to go whale watching on maui and then end up getting seasick. Maui county is world famous as the destination for the pacific northwest humpback whales. This whale watch excursion is led by certified marine naturalists who will share fascinating whale facts and interpret the humpback whales behaviors and characteristics.
Maui whale watches start early december and continue until early april. See one of the oceans most majestic creatures upclose by taking a whalewatching excursion that offers a whalesighting guaranteeif you dont spot whales you can go again for free. This new is created through a partnership with whalers village the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, and the hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Pacific whale foudation whale watch, lahaina, hawaii. 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 guide humpback whales in hawaii.
Onboard whale naturalists, hydrophone, and delicious food, premium bar drinks, and warm chocolate chip cookies all included. Deluxe maui whale watching cruises kaanapali, lahaina. Lahaina whale watching tours pacific whale foundation. The vip tour is our most exclusive whale watch with only 12 passengers and tropical refreshments. Just as our idyllic weather welcomes tourists from around the world, the warm and shallow waters surrounding the hawaiian islands are a favorite destination for kohola, or humpback whales. During these winter months thousands of pacific humpback whales migrate from their summer feedings grounds in the waters off alaska to the warm hawaiian waters to mate and nurse their. They race more than 3,000 miles from the gulf of alaska to hawaii, then stay for a lengthy vacation, frolicking just off our shores and delighting spectators from december through may. How the whaling industry shaped hawaii keliis kayaking. The waters surrounding maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world.
Front street is a blast and full of great places to eat, lunch and a whale watch. Boat tours and whale watching cruises have become increasingly popular. During this time, lahaina was known as the pacifics most significant whaling port. If you book a whale watching tour from maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a. He told us the best viewing would be a competition pod and when we found one over by the island of lanai the. There are at about 10,000 to 15,000 humpback whales in the world, and over 1,000 of them visit the tropical waters of hawaii every year at the end of november. You can still take in some of the ambience of those whaling days at the pioneer inn in lahaina. Come aboard the ocean spirit, a modern catamaran, and enjoy a whale watch sail along the scenic lahaina coastline. In 12 years of studies by cascadia research, a total of 32 sperm whales were sighted in hawaii31 of which were off of the big island. Today, tourists fill the oceangoing vessels and whales are fair game only to observe. This port town was once the royal capital of the hawaiian kingdom before it was moved to honolulu in 1845. Come experience the best maui whale watching from an explorer super raft. Discounted prices, no booking fees, and easy booking with travelshack. Unlike boat tour agencies that are big and impersonal.
You can do your whale watching maui adventures from shore, but you get a closer look if you go out for a couple hours on a whale watching boat. Whale center of the pacific lahaina 2020 all you need to know. Witness these magnificent creatures in their natural environment with an educational and fun boat cruise from mauis whale watching experts. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february. It reminds me of some of the ports we sailed to in michigan when we had a sailboat. Features an extra large deck area with sundeck trampoline areas on bow. Lahaina cruise ship passengers can do whale watching while in port since the whale express and spirit of lahaina both leave from the same harbor where your cruise ship tender arrives. This content is sponsored by whale watching on pride of maui. Departing from lahaina, this maui whale watching cruise promises to be an experience youll always remember. Whale watching maui, hawaii kaanapali ocean adventures. We offer a whale season pass 10 trips for those of you who love to whale watch. Ocean spirit is a 65 high tech, ultrasmooth, ecofriendly luxury sailing catamaran. Nov 16, 2016 there are a variety of ways in which you can catch a glimpse of hawaiis humpback whales.
We operate mauis largest and most comfortable boats from the historic lahaina harbor, and we sail along mauis calm and protected western shore. Tripadvisor whale watching from lahaina harbor provided. Whale watch lahaina cruise co, hawaii ocean project. Makai adventures provides ocean day trips and tours in lahaina, maui. Our experienced naturalists will share with the story of our humpback whales and explain each of the whale actions you witness. The tours can be downloaded and used offline so you dont have to worry about service around. Pacific whale foundation whale watch sail lahaina hawaii. Whale season is the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures, which populate the waters near the hawaiian shore. Whale watching tour departs four times a day with guaranteed whale sightings on mauis most comfortable, stable and spacious whale watching boats. The shallow and protected interisland waterways surrounding maui entice these massive creatures for months of playing, mating, birthing and raising their young.
Your guide to whale watching on maui hawaii magazine. Welcome to lahaina harbor, conveniently located in downtown lahaina off front street behind the banyan and in front of the pioneer inn. So climb aboard and enjoy natures splendor up close and personal. This high speed catamaran leaves from maalaea harbor and can get you to the whales quickly. With both an upper deck and an enclosed main cabin, you may choose to watch in the open air or protected from the elements down below. Plus, throughout the tour, learn from a guide about the whales lives, ecosystems, and threats. Glacier national park 2019 hiking and lodging guide duration.
Times are tough for the travel community right now. A truly amazing, jawdropping experience, when vacationing to maui during the winter season, a humpback whale watch is a mustdo. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Pacific whale foudation whale watch lahaina, hawaii. Jan 16, 2017 whale watching in lahaina, hawaii nusclyde. Enjoy a discounted pacific whale foundation whale watch on this 2. Maui whale watch ocean rafting adventure from lahaina harbor embark on a thrilling whale watch cruise on an ocean raft and get up close and personal with the islands most popular annual visitors, the humpback whales. The most common road to see humpback whales breach and play from a distance is on the stretch of highway 30 between maalaea and lahaina.
The humpback whales return to hawaii for a few months every year to mate and give birth, so malolo takes you out to see them from december 8 th april 15 th. From 1825 to 1860, lahaina was the center of whaling in hawaii. By the peak of the season from januarymarch, thousands of humpbacks have gathered in hawaii from hilo to hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between maui, molokai, and lanai. Each winter december through may, thousands of kohola humpback whales travel to hawaii from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Whale watch discount lahaina pacific whale foundation on. Maui activities save with ohana funs discounted whale watching tours and enjoy the most thrilling of maui activites during your vacation, seeing the whales with the experts.
During the winter months on maui, whale watching is the most popular activity as everyone wants to see these majestic creatures up close. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. Highly rated whale watching boat trips from lahaina with pacific whale foundation. Instead of looking at a whale watching boat like something with a front and a back, think of it as a floating, circular platform, and keep your head on a swivel. Every winter, pods of pacific humpback whales make the 3,000mile swim from the chilly waters of alaska to bask in mauis summery shallows, fluking, spy hopping, spouting, and having an allaround swell time. We can arrange a rental car with shuttle pickup at the harbor. Checkin is 45 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
Whale watching in lahaina with hawaii ocean rafting. Whale watching in lahaina, maui the red painted cottage. The whale center of hawaii activities on maui lahaina, hawaii. Scientists estimate that twothirds of the entire north pacific humpback whale population return to hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Cruise from lahaina harbor on pacific whale foundations hightech raft for exciting waterlevel viewing opportunities with mauis humpback whales. The standard whalewatch boat will run between midnovember and midmay and run a few different trips a day per boat. Our small groups get close with mauis whales and dolphins. Their migration crosses 3,100 miles of ocean each season. Hop aboard one of the trilogy catamarans in support of the whale sanctuary, as the company was the first official sponsor, donating a portion of all proceeds towards hawaii whale research. Pacific whale foundation helping protect our oceans. In 2014, a sick sperm whale was sighted off of kihei, and it was presumed that the whale had ventured to shallower water as it fought to stay alive. The humpback whales start arriving in hawaii at the end of october, somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 of them, and they linger around the islands well into april.
Maui whale watching tour from lahaina lahaina expedia. A favorite activity in maui during the winter is watching the whales. See why pacific whale foundation has the best whale cruises on maui renowned marine experts, ecofriendly, and a unique way to experience the magnificent humpbacks. Today, conservation has helped to increase the overall whale population in hawaii.
Discounted prices, no booking fees, and easy booking. Since 1980, maui whale festival has offered a series of inspiring events held during mauis peak humpback whale season. To make sure your whale watching experience is an enjoyable one, keep our tips in mind. Types of whales in hawaii almost a dozen whale species.
Where to watch humpback whales from shore across hawaii. We took the hawaii ocean project afternoon whale watch tour from lahaina and were thoroughly pleased on how well the captain knew where to go to bet the best experience. December to april or year round lanai snorkeling and dolphin watching trips departing from lahaina harbor, maui. 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. Explore more things to do in hawaii go to experiences page. Maui was the center of whaling in hawaii from 1825 to 1860, specifically the port town of lahaina. Maui whale watching is most thrilling aboard the malolo. Whale season in hawaii lasts from november to may, with the peak of the season between january and march.
Whale watch sail lahaina pacific whale foundation tom. Limiting passengers to 3540 per boat means that everyone enjoys a front row seat to the unique and unforgettable whale watching experience. The humpback whale season in maui lasts from november to may of every year. This whale watch tour includes expert whale narration, an underwater whalecam and hydrophone technology subject to whale proximity and water conditions. There are multiple cruise options operating from lahaina harbor, including maui whale watching tours, snorkel tours, dolphin watching, holiday cruises, cocktail and live music cruises, evening stargazing, and sunset fourcourse dinner cruises. Lahaina remained the seat of hawaiian government until 1845 when king kamehameha iii moved the capital to honolulu. Whale watching is a seasonal and very popular activity during the winter time in hawaii. Lahaina cruise company experience the excitement of whale watching with lahaina cruise companys twohour hawaii ocean project cruise. For the ultimate whale watching experience, visit any of the hawaiian islands and book a cruise in january, february, or march. End to whaling, but not the end of whales in hawaii. Kaanapali ocean adventures offers thrilling whale watching tours on the island of maui, hawaii for patrons of all ages seeking whale watching. Between eight to ten thousand whales travel long distances each year from alaska to spend january through march in hawaiian waters. Sep 05, 2018 when is the best time to see whales in maui.
There are many variations on the whale watching cruise in hawaii. Cool whale watching lahaina, maui, hawaii march 12, 2017. The whale center of hawaii is a museum on hawaii s whaling era. Every year from roughly november to may, humpback whales grace the waters of the hawaiian islands. Everything you need to know about whale watching on maui.
The standard whale watching boat will run between midnovember and midmay and run a few different trips a day per boat. The best on maui renowned marine experts, ecofriendly, and many departure times on spacious boat with great doubledeck views. Tripadvisor whale watching from lahaina harbor provided by. Whale sightings are guaranteed on all pacific whale foundation whale watches from november 4 to may 15 or you go again free, at your convenience, within 1 year of your cruise. Hawaii ocean project is a locally owned and operated excursion company that has been serving mauis residents and visitors for over 35 years. Where to whale watch in hawaii fodors travel guide. Hawaii is a favorite wintering spot for na kohola humpback whales and has one of the largest seasonal populations of north pacific humpbacks in the world. If you are staying in west maui lahaina, kaanapali, kapalua, take a boat that departs from lahaina harbor or from kaanapali beach.
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