Visiting Maui in February
Are you starting February, the month of love off right with a vacation to the romantic and adventurous island of Maui? Wondering what it’s like to visit Maui in February? February is the perfect time to visit Maui as the tropical temperatures are a great great from the mainland’s snowy weather, and whale season is at its peak!
We’ve created a list for you of what to do, and what it’s like when visiting Maui in February!
Weather
Maui winters are tropical. February is the middle of winter for us and there are a range of temperatures depending on what part of Maui you are staying on!
Maui’s upcountry reaching higher elevations and the top of our volcano Haleakala, (up to 10,000 feet) even gets snow sometimes! The south and west sides of Maui are lower elevation and closer to the beach, with tropical warm weather year-round.
Lahaina, Maui is the driest and calmest weather on Maui. Temperatures range from 70’s to the 90’s during winter months. Because Lahaina town is located at the base of the West Maui Mountains, a lee provides protection from many of the winter storms that impact other parts of the island. Scattered tropical showers are typical in Maui’s winter months, and sometimes only last a few minutes. Other parts of the island (even just a few minutes north in Kaanapali) will experience rainier and cooler weather! Due to increased rainfall in these locations, snorkeling from the shoreline should be done cautiously as run off makes water murky and unsafe. In this case, taking a private boat for a snorkel tour may be the safest and best option for snorkeling in Maui during winter months.
Most of your vacation days will be sunny and warm in Lahaina in February, with an occasional cloudy day with temperatures still in the 80’s.
Activities
Vacationing in February is a great time for activities on Maui! Some activities on Maui are seasonal, like whale watching, and February is the peak time for this world class ocean activity! Because of whale migration the Maui Nui Basin becomes a protected sanctuary for the whales from December 15th-April 15th every year, putting a hold on activities like parasailing and jet skiing, so more boats can safely whale watch during the winter months.
Whale Watching Tours in Maui
Humpback Whales migrate from Alaska every year to Maui to mate and give birth. They travel in what we call a trickle migration which means some begin traveling here in November/December and the last ones leave around April/May. The majority of the population will be in Maui in the month of February, making it the most popular month for whale watching. Humpback whales go through periods of rest and activity 24 hours a day when they are in Maui, so any time you whale watch you have equal opportunity to see whales! Whales can be found singing solo, swimming mom and calf pairs, followed by a male escort, or every large group of whales in competition pods, males following and competing for a female’s attention. Surface behaviors you may observe include pec fin and tail slapping, sailing, spy hopping and of course the classic breach! Because whales are protected in Hawaii we do not approach them closer than 100 yards. Often they do choose to come closer to us, and in those cases we stop our boats for their safety and hang out with them! This is called a “mugging” when the humpback whales come close to the boats!
Check out our boat tour options today! We also offer private group tours.
Snorkeling Tours in Maui
Believe it or not, even in the cooler months on Maui, snorkeling is still prime! Our waters are still in the 70’s and air temperatures typically in mid to high 80’s! If the water along the coastline has any run-off from rainfall, opt for snorkeling tours on boats where they can take you to Lanai or other Maui coast locations that were not impacted by the rain. Snorkel tours to Lanai typically include seeing the giant seacliff, snorkeling with tropical fish and turtles and dolphin watching! During winter months, and especially during the month of February, our snorkel tours include whale watching because it’s just too awesome to not stop and say hi to our giant humpback whale friends! Learn more about our Maui and Lanai Snorkel Tours today!
Zipline Tours in Maui
February is a great month for zipline tours! With a little extra rain, Maui is even more beautiful and green! Some companies have dual ziplines like Kapalua Ziplines, so you can zipline next to your significant other for a romantic tropical activity! See tropical rainforest or ocean views while zipping across Maui 40mph! Other popular zipline companies in Maui are Piiholo Ziplines, Skyline Eco-Adventures, Flying Hawaiian and Jungle Zipline Tours!
Helicopter Tours in Maui
Maverick and Blue Hawaii Helicopters are up and operating, with tours across Maui and Molokai! Our personal favorite is the West Maui Molokai helicopter tour where you can see Molokai’s sea cliffs and whale watch from the sky! Looking for a romantic valentine’s day proposal? Book the Maui Island Tour that lands in Hana for a quick stop, just enough time to get down on one knee!
Luaus in Maui
Luaus are back in action, with tasty local Hawaiian cuisine and traditional dance! Most luaus are located on a beach front location where you get to enjoy ocean views with a sit-down dinner and Hawaiian style entertainment!
Horseback Riding in Maui
With perfect temperatures for outdoor activities, riding horses on Maui is a must-do experience! Mendez Ranch and Makena Stables include riding along the water, while Piiholo Ranch and Maui Ranch Tours have beautiful green jungle and upcountry scenery! The perfect self love or couples romantic activity!
Surfing in Maui
Winter season means bigger surf for Maui! But don’t worry, if you’re a beginner you can take lessons at spots like Kihei Cove or Lahaina Harbor where north swell wraps around for more beginner or intermediate size waves for surfing! Surfing in February in Maui will most definitely include spotting humpback whales and lots of rainbows! Maui Wave Riders, Goofy Foot Surfing, and Maui Surfer Girls.
Special Events
Maui Gift and Craft Fair
Sundays! Feb 7, 14, 21 and 28th, 2021, 9am-2pm
Shop outdoors at the Maui Gift and Craft Fair every sunday at the Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center!
Pizza for the Paws!
Feb 2, 2021, 5pm-8:30pm
Flatbread restaurant in Paia is hosting a beneficiary night for Maui Humane Society! Enjoy amazing flatbread pizza while a portion of the sales support the animals! Dine in or take-out.
5th Annual World Whale Film Festival
Pacwhale is hosting a hybrid film festival in 2021! The Annual World Whale Film Festival will consist of an in-person hybrid event & virtual film festival.
- Virtual Film Festival
February 19 – 28
Film Festival
Thursday, February 25
Location: Maui Brewing Company, Kihei
Virtual Run & Walk for Whales
February 8 – 28
Check Maui Whale Festival Run & Walk page for more details.
Virtual Made on Maui
We will be inviting Maui Nui artisans to share their online stores! Visit their webpage to learn more.
Farmers Markets!
Visit all the local farmers markets for fresh products and products made locally here on Maui!
Farmer’s Market of Maui, Kihei
61 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753-8801
808-875-0949
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Long’s Drugs, Kihei
1215 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
808-879-2033
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon
Lipoa Street Farmer’s Market
95 Lipoa Street, Kihei, HI 96753
808-357-4564
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon
Maui Open Market, Maui Tropical Plantation
1670 Honoapi‘ilani Hwy, Wailuku, HI 96793
808-446-4128
Sunday and Monday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Farmers’ Market of Maui, Honokowai
3636 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road Lahaina, HI 96761
808-669-7004
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
ONO Organic Farms Farmer’s Market
149 Hana Highway, Hana, HI 96713
808-248-7779
Monday, Thursday, All day
The Maui’s Fresh Produce Farmer’s Market
Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center: 275 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave Kahului HI 96732
808-298-4289
Friday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Farmer’s Market, Kahului
Kahului Shopping Center: 65 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave. Kahului HI 96732
808-333-2478
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Maui Swap Meet
UH Maui College: 310 Ka’ahumanu Avenue Kahului, HI 96732
808-244-3100
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Upcountry Farmer’s Market
55 Kipoaa Place, Makawao, HI 96768
808-572-8122
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Makawao Farmers Market
3654 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, HI 96768
808-280-5516
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
La‘a Kea Community Farm
639 Baldwin Ave., Upper Pa‘ia
Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.,
Lahaina Produce, Sugar Train Station
Pu‘ukoli’i Station & Highway 30
808-298-3465
Everyday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Hana Fresh Market
4590 Hana Highway, Hana
Monday, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Molokai Saturday Market
Alamalama Street at the Thomas Trade Building, located between Bank of Hawai‘i and American Savings Bank.
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–Noon
There’s lots to do, see and plenty of time for beach breaks and mimosas! Book a flight and spend the month of love, February, exploring and adventuring on Maui on a solo or couple trip, falling in love with our little island in the Pacific!