Every year Maui hosts one of the most amazing guests from the ocean: the humpback whale temporarily resides here. From the chilly waters of Antarctica to the warm, sheltered seas surrounding Maui, these gentle giants—known for their great weight and elegant motions—migrate thousands of kilometers. They breed here, birth here, and entertain guests to one of the most breathtaking displays found in nature. Extra resources!
Humpback whales are quite amazing, weighing up to 36,000 kg and reaching for sixteen meters. Beyond their great scale, they are renowned for their acrobatics—leaping out of the water in lighthearted breaches and slapping the surface with their fins and tails. Hearing the eerie tunes sung by the males, though, is maybe the most enchanting aspect of seeing these whales. A soundtrack for the whole experience is created by these intricate tunes, which can last up to 20 minutes and resound over miles.
Not just their existence but also the narrative of their survival makes Maui such a unique location to see humpback whales. Thanks to worldwide conservation, humpback numbers have inspiredly recovered from almost eradication by commercial whaling. They still suffer problems like entanglement in fishing gear and rising noise pollution in our oceans even if they are no longer regarded as being at risk of extinction.
The quiet, shallow waves off Maui offer the perfect environment for spotting moms carrying their newborns, therefore imparting the knowledge required for their survival. Usually born every two to three years after an 11-month pregnancy, female humpbacks nurse their young for up to two years. From a boat, the shoreline, or even while snorkelling nearby, observing these interactions provides a rare and personal insight into their world.
Experience this natural beauty at the ideal time—December through April—as the whales visit Maui. Long after the trip finishes, you find yourself thinking back on a humpback breach just meters away or listening for their song fade across the waves.
Whale watching in Maui is an experience unlike any other for anyone looking for a unique link to the sea and its amazing residents.