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Whale Watching FAQs

Whales & Cetaceans You May See Around Maui

When is the whale watching season in Maui?


The peak whale watching season in Maui runs roughly December through April. The highest concentrations of humpback whales are typically seen in January through early March.

What’s type of whales are we likely to see on a whale watching tour?


When people think of whale watching in Maui, the humpback whale is the superstar - but there are a few other species or groups of whales (or toothed whales/dolphin-type whales) that we might see. Short-finned Pilot Whale, False Killer Whale, Melon-headed Whale, or other Baleen Whales (Sei, Fin, Minke, Blue, Bryde’s, North Pacific Right).

How close can the boat get to the whales? 


By law and under NOAA / sanctuary regulations, vessels must stay at least 100 yards (≈ 91 meters) away from humpback whales.

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Swimming, snorkeling, or attempting to physically approach whales is illegal in Hawaii and strongly discouraged. It’s deemed risky for both humans and whales, potentially disturbing the animals or altering their behavior.

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“Mugging” exception - Sometimes whales choose to approach the boat on their own (a behavior called being “mugged”). In such rare cases, the whale is making the approach, not the boat.

How long do whale watching tours typically last.


Tours are generally 2 to 4 hours in duration.

How far out do Whale Watching tours go?

 

The captains and crew communicate with other boats and monitor whale reports to minimize distance. Ultimately, the distance depends on where whales are located that day. Sometimes we remain a few miles offshore. Other times we may cruise farther out to find active pods.

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