Flukes Up! Dive into Maui Humpback Whale Season.
Every winter, Maui welcomes some of its most anticipated guests: the humpback whales. These gentle giants migrate thousands of miles from Alaska to Hawaii’s warm waters, making the islands their home for mating, calving, and nurturing their young. This year’s Maui humpback whale season promises another spectacular display of acrobatics, breaching, and underwater song that never ceases to amaze visitors and locals alike.
Here’s the latest on humpback whale activity, how you can experience the magic up close with ocean equipment rentals and tours from Auntie Snorkel at www.auntiesnorkel.com, and how you can participate in important scientific research to support humpback whales.
The Journey of the Humpback Whales
What’s unique about humpbacks is their fascinating social behaviors: males sing hauntingly beautiful songs presumably to attract mates, mothers are often seen teaching their calves essential survival skills, and the whales frequently breach and tail-slap—activities that make whale-watching such a thrilling experience.
News of the Whales
This whale season, researchers are reporting an increase in sightings earlier in the season, suggesting a robust migration. However, this year’s whale season comes with mixed news about humpback whales, highlighting both their resilience and ongoing challenges. While humpbacks are making their annual migration to Maui’s warm waters, climate change and other factors are creating new hurdles for these majestic creatures.
The Impact of Climate Change
Concerning Mortality Rates
Recent data from AI-driven research revealed a staggering statistic: over 7,000 humpback whales died in the North Pacific over the past decade. Much of this loss is attributed to a massive marine heatwave that disrupted ecosystems and food chains, leading to an unprecedented number of entanglements. Such events have intensified in frequency due to climate change, putting additional stress on whale populations.
The Importance of Responsible Whale Watching
These findings further stress the critical need for responsible whale-watching practices. While tours provide invaluable opportunities for education and awareness, they must also prioritize the safety and well-being of the whales. In Maui, operators are adopting stricter guidelines to minimize disturbances, ensuring that visitors can still enjoy up-close encounters without impacting these creatures’ health and behavior. Read more about how you can help here.
Hope Through Technology and Conservation
Despite the challenges, there’s hope. Advances in technology, such as AI analysis, entanglement monitoring and response, and tracking are helping scientists monitor and better understand whale populations. These tools not only track migration patterns but also provide insights into their behaviors, which can guide conservation strategies. Efforts in Maui to protect these whales—such as responsible eco-tourism, marine sanctuaries, and community education—remain vital for their survival.
How to Enjoy the Whales on Maui
1. Book a Whale-Watching Tour with Auntie Snorkel
Whale watching with Ultimate Whale Watch
Whale-watching tours are the best way to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, and learn more about the importance of protecting them. Auntie Snorkel offers a variety of tour options, from small, intimate rafts to larger boats with onboard naturalists. These tours take you to the heart of whale activity, where you can witness breaches, fin slaps, and spyhopping up close.
The tours often include hydrophones, so you can listen to the whales’ haunting songs as they echo through the water. Many tours also provide expert guides who share fascinating facts about humpback behavior and conservation efforts. Book early at www.auntiesnorkel.com to ensure your spot during peak season!
2. Rent Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs)
Be very cautious out in deep water on paddle boards. You never know who might crash your session!
For a more personal and adventurous way to experience the whales, consider renting a paddleboard from Auntie Snorkel. Paddling out on your own gives you the freedom to explore Maui’s waters at your pace, and you might even spot a whale spouting or breaching in the distance. The serene silence of paddling puts you in the perfect position to hear their songs if you’re close enough. It’s also a fantastic way to combine fitness with adventure while keeping an eco-friendly footprint.
Always remember to know your own limits, don’t venture too far from shore, and keep a safe distance (at least 100 yards) from the whales to ensure both their safety and yours.
3. Snorkeling Near Whale Activity
While snorkeling is primarily about exploring coral reefs and marine life, the presence of whales nearby can make your adventure extra special. Their songs can often be heard underwater, creating an unforgettable soundtrack to your snorkeling experience. Imagine swimming among vibrant fish and coral while hearing the echoes of a humpback’s call—it’s a truly magical Maui moment.
With Auntie Snorkel’s high-quality snorkel gear rentals, you’ll have everything you need to fully enjoy this one-of-a-kind underwater experience. For the best chance of hearing whales, try snorkeling in areas with deep enough waters to dive down a bit, like Makena Landing or Kahekili. (Always remember to know your own limits and stay well within your comfort zone!)
Get Involved: Join the Happy Whale Citizen Science Project
Maui whale watchers have a unique opportunity to make a difference through the Happy Whale citizen science project. This innovative platform invites whale enthusiasts to contribute to global conservation efforts by sharing their photos and sightings of humpback whales.
How Happy Whale Works
This project not only supports critical research but also gives participants a personal connection to the whales they encounter. After submitting a photo, you could receive updates on “your” whale’s travels and learn more about its life and journey.
Our Whale!
We are thrilled to report that we uploaded the best fluke photo we had on hand, and a few days later got matched to a known whale! Our whale’s earliest reported sighting was 2011, and he/she has 12 sightings in the database (including ours). While our photo was from a Blue Water Rafting trip in 2019, there have been subsequent sightings in 2021, 2023, and 2024. An interesting fact to note is that 3 of the other sightings were on the same date as ours, 2/22/19, and another was also on 2/22 but in 2021. February 22 must be this whale’s favorite day to make a splash! Check out what your whale’s dashboard might look like, and some of the photos below of Our Whale’s journey. Can you spot changes over time?
Become A Citizen Scientist
By joining the Happy Whale project, you’re contributing to the protection and understanding of humpback whales while making your Maui whale-watching experience even more meaningful. Whether you’re on a tour, paddleboarding, or simply spotting whales from the shore, don’t miss the chance to turn your photos into valuable scientific data!
This exciting initiative underscores how everyone, from locals to visitors, can play a part in safeguarding Maui’s most iconic winter visitors. And be sure to share your whale tail photos with us, too – especially if you get a match on Happy Whale!
Make This Whale Season Unforgettable with Auntie Snorkel
At Auntie Snorkel, we’re here to help you make the most of Maui’s magical whale seasons. From whale-watching tours, to SUP and snorkel gear rentals, we’ve got everything you need for a thrilling adventure.
Visit us in Kihei or Lahaina, or book your gear and tours online at www.auntiesnorkel.com. Let’s make 2025 the year of unforgettable encounters with Maui’s most majestic winter visitors!
