Maui Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching on Maui promises an adventurous and unforgettable experience aboard our luxury air-conditioned catamaran, the Pride of Maui ‘Elua. As you set sail on the vast Pacific Ocean, expect to witness the North Pacific humpback whales breaching, tail slapping, and elegantly gliding through the waters. These gentle giants migrate to Maui’s warm waters during winter, offering visitors an up-close encounter. Amidst the scenic beauty of the island of Maui, guests will be captivated by the whales’ acrobatics and their soul-stirring whale songs. This tour offers many amenities to enhance your experience:

• 2.5-hour whale watch, a half-hour more than other boats
• Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophone and 2000-watt Bower and Wilkins theatre audio
• Complimentary beverages and snacks
• Peak season whale watching
• Stunning island and ocean views
• Witness the majesty of the North Pacific humpback whales in their natural environment!

Call Guest Services at 808.242.0955 for Military, Senior, Kama’aina, Group, and Special Rates.

Exceptional Vacation Value
Our Maui whale watching tour is truly an exceptional vacation value. Our luxury air-conditioned catamaran offers the most stable and spacious whale watching experience on Maui with incomparable amenities including two restrooms, a large quartz-topped bar, elegant fixtures, and over 2,000 feet of open deck space featuring separated viewing areas for families and groups.

Maui Whale Watching
Every year from December through March, the North Pacific humpback whales migrate to the warm tropical waters of Hawaii. The coastal waters of Maui enjoy the largest concentration of these amazing animals by far. Whale Watching in Maui is commonly considered some of the best in the world. Our whale watching tour offers an unparalleled experience.

During your whale watch cruise, these amazing animals will often display themselves in full glory, giving you the ultimate Maui whale watching experience. You may witness a mother whale frolic with her calf, or a full-grown adult breach exuberantly out of the water. Sightings of these playful behemoths, which can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons, are GUARANTEED on our Whale Watch Tour. Whales will be sighted, or your next whale watch tour aboard the Pride of Maui ‘Elua will be complimentary.

For more than one reason, the Island of Maui is consistently rated the Best Island in the world. Not only do the visitors and happy locals of Maui know this, but so do the humpback whales. Year after year, the humpback whales travel from cool Alaskan waters all the way to warm Hawaiian oceans for their annual winter breeding.

They are first spotted in Maui’s waters as early as October and their presence gradually increases as more pods and escorts finally arrive in Hawaii just in time for the holiday season. Maui’s Whale Season runs from mid-fall to April. The peak season for watching whales is generally during the latter part of the season: January, February and March.

Common behavior
Some common behavior displayed on a whale watching trip includes blowing and spy-hopping. They’ll also slap their tails, which is believed to be an act of communication and to demonstrate their individual strength. Spy-hopping is when the humpback whales come high out of the water to have a look around at the world above.

A mature North Pacific humpback whale averages about 40ft in length and weighs about 40 tons, although they’ve been known to grow up to 16 meters or 52ft long. Their heavy bodies can weigh up to 50 tons; the heart alone is about 400lbs or more. The size of these whales makes them hard to miss, especially when they swim in groups. Female whales are slightly larger and use their size to defend themselves and their nursing calves from the more aggressive males.

Restrictions
Data compiled and sponsored by The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Marine Sanctuaries (Hawaiian Islands) and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The North Pacific humpback Whale is a baleen whale (toothless), which is an endangered and protected species.

Whale watching on Maui is as good as it gets, with the opportunity on any given trip to see numerous animals displaying a variety of interesting and memorable behaviors. Newborn calves, in addition to being adorable, are curious and often bring mom up to the boat for a close encounter. As a protected animal, it is unlawful to approach these majestic animals at a distance of less than 100 yards during a Maui whale watch and we adhere strictly to these regulations.

It is not uncommon for the whales to approach us as we sit idle in the water. Close encounters initiated by the whales are common on a whale watching tour on Maui.

Experience whale watching aboard our luxury catamaran, where elegance meets adventure. From the modern Euro interior to the oceanfront views from every cushioned seat, this vessel sets a new standard in comfort. The climate-controlled main cabin features elegant fixtures, premium flooring, and sophisticated LED lighting, creating an atmosphere that’s in a class of its own.

The immersive experience features the haunting melodies of whale songs through our state-of-the-art hydrophone system, played through our 2000-watt Bower and Wilkins theatre audio. Our spacious design includes separated viewing areas, ensuring families and groups can enjoy private moments while witnessing unforgettable whale behaviors from our sprawling observation deck.

Looking to explore more of Maui’s waters? Discover our full range of marine activities and learn about ocean safety during your visit.

Guarantee
December is when the whales arrive, and they are not in full numbers until mid-January.

Whale sightings are guaranteed January through March only. Our guarantee includes a free pass for your next whale watching tour if no whales are sighted on your trip. Whale sightings are not guaranteed in December or April due to whale migration patterns during the arrival and departure periods. The whale sighting guarantee is good for free passes only, no refunds or cash value.

Amenities
Experience the perfect vantage point for whale watching aboard our spacious luxury catamaran. The sprawling observation deck offers panoramic viewing free from obstruction and ample opportunities for taking photos.

Our vessel features a sophisticated air-conditioned main cabin with large picture windows, a quartz-topped bar, elegant fixtures, two modern restrooms, warm freshwater showers, and comfortable separated viewing spaces for families and groups.

Crew & Safety
Your safety, above all, is the most important thing to us. Our owners have been in business for over 40 years, and it shows in our daily operation. Your crew is certified and proficient in life-saving skills and CPR.

We maintain vigilant deck watch for your safety and assistance. Our modern vessel comes equipped with the latest navigation and emergency equipment, and your highly-trained crew is proficient in all aspects of passenger and safe-vessel operations so that you can relax and take it all in.

Biology
North Pacific humpback whales can weigh anywhere between 25-40 tons (50,000-80,000 lbs), and approximately 1-ton (2,000 lbs) as newborns. They can grow up to 60 feet in length, with the females being the larger sized of the breed. The humpback whale’s upper (dorsal) body is primarily a dark shade of grey, with distinct areas of white on their flippers (pectoral fins) and under (ventral) bellies. On average, the North Pacific humpback whale can live for about 50 years (although there have been accounts of some living up to 90 years), and reach sexual maturity between 5-7 years old. The North Pacific humpback whales feed on small crustaceans, krill, plankton, and small fish, consuming up to 3,000 lbs of food per day. Humpbacks don’t ever feed in Hawaii’s oceans; they only feed during their Alaskan Summers. They focus on storing strength and the blubber that they will live off of during their annual winter migration to Hawaii.

Behavior
The male humpback whales are driven to mate with the females and procreate. It is common during the heat of the Maui whale watching season to find large competitive groups (pods) of male humpback whales jousting for the opportunity to mate with a single female. It is quite an exciting experience to watch them as they wrestle with each other for the position to mate.

The female humpback whales with newborn calves are particularly vulnerable to the advances of the males during the Maui whale watching season. Sometimes during our whale watch, we will be mugged (an affectionate term) by a female and her calf, as she uses our large catamaran to hide under in an attempt to ditch the hopeful males. Other times, curiosity causes them to come closer to us. Being mugged by humpback whales while on a whale watch in Maui is the ultimate whale watching experience where photo opportunities give way to cherished memories.

Conservation
The original Endangered Species Conservation Act (ESCA) of 1969 has been amended and updated as The Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act was the first of its kind to protect marine species in danger of extinction from common threats including poaching and hunting for sport. Before the act, the humpback whales were maltreated and had no protection. The foreseeable future for the humpback whale species was at a great risk.

Working in conjunction with various marine related non-profits and education-based activity tour companies, the ESCA and the MMPA are responsible for protecting the growing numbers of the magical humpback whale species.

Pride of Maui goes to great lengths to educate guests on the habits and beauty of the humpback whales, as well as to ensure that our practices are at the highest standards of safety for the ocean, marine life, and our guests. All tours are in line with the most recent marine conservation practices. Pride of Maui vessels are top of the line; boat captains and staff are all educated and expertly trained.

Migration
Humpback whales migrate 3,500 miles from Alaska to Hawaii every year. It takes them 4-8 weeks to complete this journey. Alaska is their feeding ground, and Hawaii is their breeding and birthing ground. The island of Maui offers sheltered water where the females can more safely give birth and raise their young.

Whales are mammals and the calves are fed with their mother’s milk. While suckling, it is believed they may be safer from predators in the sheltered Maui waters, as opposed to out in the open ocean or less-protected seas.

Whales start migrating to Hawaii in December and leave in April. Past year sightings have been as early as October, with the whales staying in Hawaiian oceans as late as June. The peak time to watch whales in Maui is in February during mating season, with March coming in second.

Mating
Humpbacks are still a huge mystery. There have been no recorded sightings of humpback whales mating or giving birth.

During the late season, as the whales are preparing to leave the Hawaiian waters, male bulls come to escort a female and her calves out of the Hawaiian channels. It is quite common to see “competitive pods” of males at this time. These are pods of males fighting amongst each other to win over and impress the females. Male humpback whale competitive pods can be very aggressive, with head slapping, tail slapping, and breaching upon each other sometimes resulting in bloodshed.

Humpback whales are not monogamous! They are believed to be promiscuous breeders, and the males do not play a parental role in the lives of their calves. Genetic testing shows that over the breeding life of an individual female, calves will have different fathers.

Baby humpback whales are in utero for 11-12 months. When born, they can be between 12-14 feet in length, and weigh 1-1/2 tons. Surviving off their mothers 50% fat milk, the calves grow at least 1-inch and gain approximately 100 pounds per day.

Beverages
Complimentary osmosis filtered water and soft drinks.

Light Snacks
Snacks, Jumbo hot dogs, homemade cookies, ice cold beer, mai-tais, wine, seltzers, and craft cocktails available for purchase on board.

Note: All non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages and snacks are available for purchase onboard.