Maui Whale Watching FAQ

The Hawaiian population of humpback whales travels to the North Pacific to feed during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. They spend their time feeding around the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Sea, Southeast Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska, and the northern parts of British Columbia. At the end of autumn, they return to the tropical waters of the Hawaiian Islands, and this is where they mate.

The whales also give birth near the main islands of Hawaii, with incredibly dense populations of calves being born in Maui’s warm waters. The warm waters are ideal for newborn calves and mothers conserving their resources and energy. Other pods of humpback whales also migrate to Hawaii or pass through the archipelago. Some North Pacific Humpback Whale pods travel to Mexico and Central American coastlines.

Being in the presence of humpback whales and seeing their natural beauty in person is an experience to treasure for a lifetime.

A humpback whale’s flipper has a large ball at each end, making it easy for researchers to differentiate humpback whales from other whales. Although humpback whales are primarily gray/black, they also have bright white areas on their bellies, throats, and flukes.

Humpback whales eat during the summertime. They eat up to one and one-half tons of small schools of fish every day. Their mouths contain baleen plates, which allow them to filter fish from the water when they close their mouths. Humpback whales also eat a lot of krill. This diet of small fish and krill builds the whales’ fat reserves.

The historical annual journey to breed and calve in Maui benefits humpback whales because they have few natural predators; the biggest threat to them is getting struck by a ship. Thankfully the clear water surrounding the Hawaiian Islands creates a safer environment for newborn calves. Maui and the Hawaiian islands also boast variable water depths, which helps the calves learn how to swim and navigate. A mature female usually has a calf every two to three years, with conception prevented by lactation during the interim years.

Groups of humpback whale mothers and calves often swim close to each other for several months after the calves are born. This offers additional protection for the more vulnerable calves. Although there are not many predators of humpback whales near the Hawaiian Islands, they do encounter some during their annual migration north. These predators include killer whales and large sharks, who are more likely to attack the smaller calves than the mature males and females, although predatory attacks on humpback whales in general are rare. The calves and adults are more likely to die entangled in equipment or from vessel strikes.

Humpback whales also breach; it’s a breathtaking sight that looks like an impossible feat. Their powerful flippers propel them entirely out of the water. Although all whale species do this, humpback whales breach more frequently than other types of whales. You may also observe other interesting whale behaviors, such as tail slaps, pectoral slaps, and spy hops. These displays can last for hours!

In the summertime, humpback whales usually gather in pods in the cold waters of the North Pacific. These pods consist of the same individuals for the season. In fact, some reassemble with the same individuals and the newborn calves year after year.

A humpback whale song usually lasts for 10 to 20 minutes, but the whales will repeat it for hours. They all make the same sounds in unison, which results in a loud song that can be heard underwater and sometimes even at the water’s surface. If you’re on the deck of a ship during a Maui whale watching adventure, you may be able to listen to the song.

Over time, a group’s song gradually changes. In addition, the song sung by one group of adult male humpback whales will differ from the song sung by another group. This may also help females identify males who are related to them.

The Humpback Whale species are endangered due to poaching. Poachers desire the oil from the whales. At one point, 95% of the North Pacific Humpback Whale population was extinct due to the harvesting of whale oil. Before people started poaching, the population of humpback whales is estimated to have been almost 125,000. Poachers killed nearly 28,000 humpback whales in the North Pacific before these laws went into effect. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the North Pacific population of humpback whales was designated as depleted. The Central West Pacific and California/Oregon/Washington populations were also depleted.

About 30,000 humpback whales currently swim in the Central and North Pacific waters. The humpback whale group that spends winters in Hawaiian waters is growing by about 7% each year. This is excellent news and proof that conservation efforts are working.

Dolphins and humpback whales may also enjoy a social or playful relationship. Several years ago, whale and dolphin watchers snapped a now internet-famous photo of a dolphin riding piggyback on the forehead of a humpback whale. The Whale and Dolphin People Project, an advocacy group for marine mammals, posted the photo on its social media and marketing materials to demonstrate how different species cooperate and socialize.

Humpback whales are active during the day. They’re easy to spot at sunrise and sunset, which are both busy socializing times for the pods. The peak time of the year for Maui whale watching is from mid-January to March. The weather is mild, the water tends to be calm for Maui ocean activities, and the whales have returned to their breeding and calving grounds.

If you’re planning a trip for a winter Maui whale watching tour, you’ll also have the chance to spot the calves and observe some mating rituals. If you visit Maui in February, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the Maui Whale Festival, which celebrates the history, beauty, and lives of these beautiful marine mammals.

Pride of Maui offers a tour for everyone with dedicated whale watching tours, whale watching and snorkel combo tours, whale watching sunset cruises, private charters, and so much more.

Without delay, visit our website to learn more about our tour availability, booking options, service, and more.