Maui's Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel Tours!

Maui’s humpback whales are active all day and even at night! There have been many studies on this but as of yet nothing conclusive. The Sanctuary is dynamic with activity and it changes day to day and hour to hour.  The advice I give my friends is look at the weather, if winds are about the same all day go at the time that fits your day. If you can go more that increase your odds of getting that photo or memory your looking for but be warned the excitement of being around a 50 ton wild animal can be addicting.

The best weather to go whale watching is slightly more complicated than calm lake like conditions. Studies and our observations over the years have given us a solid belief that when there is noise on the surface (wind waves, rain) there is more surface activity. There has been speculation that they may need to be louder with bigger splashes or maybe environmental sounds excites them? Windier days will blow spouts down quicker making it more difficult to spot non-splashy whales and limit areas that are comfortable to hangout in on a boat. No matter what the conditions going out on a whale watch will be more memorable than watching your hotel T.V.

Technically, no snorkeling with humpback whales allowed in the U.S. How do we have all of those epic shots and videos on our socials? Our boat is super low to the water so you can stick your feet in or lean over the side with your head in the water while breathing out of a snorkel. The rule is no approach within a 100 yards. So if you make one arm stroke or kick towards a whale with in a 100 yards of a humpback, bam massive fine and your in jail with the worst why I am in jail story. If your boat is stopped not making any movement and a whale comes to you. No violation, your not protected the whale can mug you and go on its merry way. Which is awesome!

The most consistently best area to go whale watching is on the west side of Maui (Lahaina). The two main reasons are calmest sea conditions because of the 5,788 foot mountain behind Lahaina that blocks the wind for miles and the shallow waters off of Lahaina that are favorable to mom and calves ( the males go where the females are). Maalaea departure is good also there is usually good population density of whales in the area off of Kihei also. Lahaina has a quadruple sized area that humpbacks utilize. Lahaina waters are protected with most days calm wind conditions where Maalaea is most days are windy.  Both areas are fantastic compared to other areas in the Hawaiian islands Maui has the most consistent and abundant areas to experience a humpback whale encounter.