When it comes to a “must-do” activity, whale watching remains an in-person experience both for visitors as well as for residents alike. It is probably because these mammals are fascinating in size and how they move in the open ocean. For this reason, many visitors to the islands are interested in when they can see these great cetaceans gliding through, splashing, breaching, and frolicking in the waters. This is one of those activities to plan for in advance when visiting Maui. Therefore, the best time to visit Maui is during the winter months.
Why only during winter?
During the winter months, whales migrate in search of warmer waters to give birth and care for their young. There are roughly 10,000 – 12,000 humpback whales that migrate from Alaska and Canada to Hawaiian waters. Thus, although it may be the busiest time of the year for travel, it also lines up with the time to schedule a whale watching excursion. When it comes to the seasons of the year, winter starts in late January and runs through mid-April. Whales from Alaska start arriving from late November and December but there will be more arriving as the season goes on until you reach spring and early summer.
November through January are the months when humpback whales start arriving in the ocean waters surrounding the islands, and they will stay through April and May, which translates to the end of whale watching season. If you are visiting Maui during the month of December and want to see these beautiful mammals, you can schedule an excursion, but chances are you will only see a fraction of what you could see a few months later. This means the peak months for whale watching are from February to March.
Is there an ideal time of day to book your excursion?
Being that it is Hawaii, one would be able to schedule a whale watching excursion any time of the day; however, there are considerations on the optimal times. This is especially important if you are planning a water excursion. You would want to schedule your excursion when the tides are low, which will increase the chances of seeing the whales frolic in the waters. It will also benefit those on board in calmer water conditions. The tides are typically low during the early morning hours to midday. Later in the afternoon, the tides start to lift, making it a rougher ride and a bit more challenging, particularly for those who get seasick.
Tips on scheduling a whale watching experience.
The west side of Maui is a beautiful place to see these huge mammals. If you are staying at any condo, rental, hotel, or resort on the west side of Maui, take a stroll along the beach and keep your eyes open to the horizon; you may be able to catch a glimpse of them from the shore, or if you are dining at a beachside restaurant with a view of the ocean. But nothing beats seeing
them while on the water. Here is a compact list of excursions that depart near the west side of Maui: · Ka’anapali Whale Watch: December 15 – April 15, 2-hour excursion · Catamaran Whale Watch: December 15 – April 1, a 2-hour excursion that departs from Maalaea Harbor · Ka’anapali Classic Whale Watch: December 15 – April 15, trips are 2-hours (approx.) from Ka’anapali Beach.