Maui Whale Watching Official Guide
October and November bring the first whale sightings. December through March is considered whale season, with February as the peak.
Witnessing humpback whales in their natural environment is one of Maui’s most memorable wildlife experiences. Each winter, thousands of North Pacific humpbacks migrate to Hawaiʻi, with most sightings occurring from November through March.
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Since the early 1970s, the North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have been under protection by a variety of national and international agreements.
The principal U.S. agreements are the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) by the NOAA (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration), and the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna And Flora Treaty (CITES) of 1973.
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North Pacific humpback whales are the fifth-largest whale species in the world and typically weigh 25–40 tons, with newborn calves weighing around 1 ton at birth.
20
minutes is the
maximum dive
time
80,00036 200
poundskg is the weight of
an adult whale, equal
to 6 elephants
40
minutes a male
humpback's song
often lasts
10045
poundskg a whale
calf can grow
every day
50
years is average
life expectancy
3,5005 632
mileskilometers humpback
whales migrate
each year
Humpback whales can grow up to 60 feet in length, with females generally larger than males.
Their upper (dorsal) bodies are dark gray with distinct white patterns on their flippers and bellies. Most individuals live about 50 years, although some have been documented living into their 80s or 90s, and they reach sexual maturity between 5–7 years of age.
The dorsal fin is located about 2/3 of the way down their backs. It has a slight hump on the forward edge.
The fluke is a humpback’s tail. It helps to propel them through the water. Each whale has black and white markings on the bottom side of the tail which are unique to each one like fingerprints are to us.
Koholā (humpback whales) have been visiting Hawaiʻi since the ancient Polynesian era, roughly 1–600 AD.
Archaeologists have documented Koholā petroglyphs, ancient stone carvings, across the islands, showing that whales have long been part of Hawaiian life. These carvings have been found in Olowalu on Maui, Pūhue on Hawaiʻi Island, and Palaoa Hill (Whale Hill) on Lānaʻi, including depictions of human figures riding on the backs of whales, a symbol loaded with cultural meaning.
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Humpback whales travel more than 3,500 miles from the cold Alaskan feeding grounds to the warm Hawaiian breeding grounds every winter. It is one of the longest migrations of any mammal on earth.
Marine researchers note that humpbacks typically travel 3–7 miles per hour with minimal rest. A one-way journey often takes 4–6 weeks, and in some cases as little as 36 days. Historically, 8,000–10,000 humpbacks visited Hawaiʻi each year, but the population continues to grow. As of October 2024, NOAA estimates 11,278 North Pacific humpbacks migrate to Hawaiian waters annually.
Why do North Pacific
humpback whales migrate
to Hawaiʻi?
Humpbacks return to Hawaiʻi for three primary reasons:
The warm, subtropical conditions around Maui offer ideal nursery grounds. With a gestation period of 11–12 months, calves are both conceived and born in Hawaiian waters. Scientists believe humpbacks favor Hawaiʻi for its warm temperatures, underwater visibility, varied ocean depths, and relative lack of natural predators.
The North Pacific humpback whales mate in Hawai‘i’s oceans. These whales are polygamous mammals, meaning they are not monogamous and will mate with multiple partners during a season.
Male humpback whales do not take part in raising calves. Genetic studies show that across a female’s lifetime, her calves typically have different fathers. After mating, females are rarely seen with the males involved.
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Genetic studies show that across a female’s lifetime, her calves typically have different fathers. After mating, females are rarely seen with the males involved.
Male whales do, however, compete intensely during the season. You’ll often see males guarding or escorting females during their time in Hawai‘i. Throughout winter, these males show highly aggressive behavior toward rivals, including chasing, vocal displays, bubble bursts, tail thrashes, and deliberate body strikes. These confrontations can cause injuries, though they do not fight to the death.
Humpback whales have a gestation period of 11–12 months. Calves are born at 13–16 feet in length and weigh roughly 2,000 pounds at birth. They nurse on their mother’s 50% fat milk, gaining about 100 pounds per day and growing approximately one inch per day. Humpback mothers are protective, attentive, and highly nurturing. Calves are typically weaned at 4–6 months old.
By early spring, young calves can be seen practicing essential survival skills near the ocean’s surface: breaching, tail slapping, rolling, and building strength. These early behaviors prepare them for the long migration back to Alaska and form the foundation of their adult survival patterns.
The graceful and intelligent North Pacific humpback whales display a wide range of surface behaviors. From Maui’s shores or on a whale watching tour, you may see these remarkable movements up close.
Each behavior serves a purpose, whether communication, navigation, protection, or play. Below are the most commonly observed behaviors during Maui’s whale season.
North Pacific humpback whales produce long, complex songs underwater, and these vocalizations can be heard from up to 12 miles away.
Not all humpbacks sing. Only certain males produce these elaborate songs, and they typically sing alone. Scientists are still learning why only some males develop this behavior.
The Island of Maui is one of the best places in Hawaiʻi for whale watching from shore.
Whales can be viewed from coastal resorts, vacation rentals, scenic lookouts, and beaches. One of the most reliable stretches for shoreline viewing is the area along Highway 30 between Māʻalaea and Lahaina, where whales often breach and play offshore.
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Whale sightings in October are possible but uncommon, since only a few early-season humpbacks arrive that month.
Hawaiʻi’s waters host several species, including North Pacific humpback whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, orcas, Cuvier’s beaked whales, pygmy killer whales, dwarf killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, and melon-headed whales.
February is considered the best month for whale watching on Maui, with the highest concentration of humpbacks in local waters.
Humpback whales can arrive as early as October, with sightings increasing through November. The official whale season runs from December through March.
Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaiʻi each winter to mate, give birth, and raise their newborn calves in warm, protected waters.
Maui is widely regarded as the best island for whale watching due to its shallow, protected basin that attracts large numbers of humpbacks each season.
Whales can be seen throughout the day, but early morning and sunset often offer the best viewing conditions. Midday (11 am to 3 pm) provides the brightest overhead light for spotting behavior at the surface.
Maui whale watching tours offer
some of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Hawai‘i.
If you’re ready to see the North Pacific humpback whales up close, Maui offers several excellent ways to experience them from the water.
You can join a classic whale watching tour, combine your trip with snorkeling, enjoy whale encounters during a romantic sunset cruise, or charter a private boat for a more personalized outing.
When you head out on the water, you can expect to be on a reliable ocean vessel designed for comfort and safety. With a professional captain and an experienced crew, guests learn how to spot whales, understand their behaviors, hear the latest research, and often listen to whale songs through onboard hydrophones. Most tours provide everything needed, including snorkel gear, safety equipment, and meals or beverages when applicable.
When you see them with your own eyes, nothing compares. Koholā (humpback whales) are majestic creatures.
