Where to Enjoy Maui Whale Watching
August 24th, 2009 | by Kert |
Tyler Bliss asked:
During the winter months, Humpback whales love the warm waters of Maui. Each year, anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 whales make the 3,000 mile trek from the frigid waters of Alaska to the wonderful waters of Hawaii.
From mid-December through April or May, you can see them frolicking just off the coast, slapping their flukes, spouting, and leaping out of the water. There is no doubt Humpback whales are impressive to see. At around 45 feet long, they can weigh up to 40 tons.
In 1997, some of the waters around the Hawaiian Islands were designated as the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary – the country’s only single-species federal sanctuary.
Where to enjoy whale watching in Maui
If you want to experience Maui whale watching for yourself, you generally need only to gaze out at the ocean from shore to witness the beauty and grace of these amazing marine mammals. You will find that whale watching in Maui takes very little effort during the winter months.
There is no one time of the day that is best for whale watching in Maui, but they do tend to appear most often when the surface of the ocean is glassy and the tradewinds are calm. For those who want to get out on the water, there are many Maui whale watching options available by boat. From large tours to intimate sailing excursions, you can get a front-row seat for whale watching – along with some other friends, such as the fun-loving Hawaiian spinner dolphin. Some visitors are even brave enough to venture out in kayaks and rafts to view these enormous creatures up close.
To experience Maui whale watching from solid footing, there are many points around the island that are particularly well known for their whale watching vistas. Try visiting one of these, and don’t forget your binoculars.
McGregor Point
On the way to Lahaina, just before the tunnel, is a great place to enjoy whale watching in Maui. Find a safe place to pull over around mile marker 9 for a great vantage point.
Outrigger Wailea Resort
As a public service, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has installed a public telescope at the resort, along the Wailea coastal walk. Stop here and enjoy Maui whale watching on the south shore.
Olowalu Reef
On the Honoapiilani Highway, between McGregor Point and Olowalu, you can enjoy Maui whale watching. From this area, you can see the whales leaping out of the water as they frolic. Be careful, though – traffic can come to a screeching halt as excited whale watchers abandon their cars in the road and run to the water’s edge. If you stop here, please take a moment to pull your car out of traffic.
Puu Olai
A vantage point on top of the cinder cone overlooking Makena Beach, this tough climb offers the best vantage point for shoreside Maui whale watching. You can see them dodge Molokini Crater and enjoy the waters of the Alalakeiki Channel, between Maui and Khoolawe.
If you are staying in one of the many resorts along Ka’anapali Beach, you may even be able to just relax on your balcony and witness the majesty of these amazing sea creatures.
Wherever you decide to go whale watching in Maui, you will not be disappointed by their grand splendor and majestic grace.
MARCELINO
During the winter months, Humpback whales love the warm waters of Maui. Each year, anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 whales make the 3,000 mile trek from the frigid waters of Alaska to the wonderful waters of Hawaii.
From mid-December through April or May, you can see them frolicking just off the coast, slapping their flukes, spouting, and leaping out of the water. There is no doubt Humpback whales are impressive to see. At around 45 feet long, they can weigh up to 40 tons.
In 1997, some of the waters around the Hawaiian Islands were designated as the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary – the country’s only single-species federal sanctuary.
Where to enjoy whale watching in Maui
If you want to experience Maui whale watching for yourself, you generally need only to gaze out at the ocean from shore to witness the beauty and grace of these amazing marine mammals. You will find that whale watching in Maui takes very little effort during the winter months.
There is no one time of the day that is best for whale watching in Maui, but they do tend to appear most often when the surface of the ocean is glassy and the tradewinds are calm. For those who want to get out on the water, there are many Maui whale watching options available by boat. From large tours to intimate sailing excursions, you can get a front-row seat for whale watching – along with some other friends, such as the fun-loving Hawaiian spinner dolphin. Some visitors are even brave enough to venture out in kayaks and rafts to view these enormous creatures up close.
To experience Maui whale watching from solid footing, there are many points around the island that are particularly well known for their whale watching vistas. Try visiting one of these, and don’t forget your binoculars.
McGregor Point
On the way to Lahaina, just before the tunnel, is a great place to enjoy whale watching in Maui. Find a safe place to pull over around mile marker 9 for a great vantage point.
Outrigger Wailea Resort
As a public service, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has installed a public telescope at the resort, along the Wailea coastal walk. Stop here and enjoy Maui whale watching on the south shore.
Olowalu Reef
On the Honoapiilani Highway, between McGregor Point and Olowalu, you can enjoy Maui whale watching. From this area, you can see the whales leaping out of the water as they frolic. Be careful, though – traffic can come to a screeching halt as excited whale watchers abandon their cars in the road and run to the water’s edge. If you stop here, please take a moment to pull your car out of traffic.
Puu Olai
A vantage point on top of the cinder cone overlooking Makena Beach, this tough climb offers the best vantage point for shoreside Maui whale watching. You can see them dodge Molokini Crater and enjoy the waters of the Alalakeiki Channel, between Maui and Khoolawe.
If you are staying in one of the many resorts along Ka’anapali Beach, you may even be able to just relax on your balcony and witness the majesty of these amazing sea creatures.
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Wherever you decide to go whale watching in Maui, you will not be disappointed by their grand splendor and majestic grace.
MARCELINO
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