
Why is Whale Watching so Good off Maui?
Why is the whale watching so good off Maui? It is because the area between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai holds significant importance to humpback whales during their annual migration to Hawaii. Known as the Auau Channel, this stretch of water serves as a crucial thoroughfare and breeding ground for these marine mammals. The channel’s relatively shallow depths and calm, protected waters provide an ideal environment for humpback whales to engage in courtship rituals, mate, and give birth to their calves.
- Maui’s Whale Watching Hotspot: The area between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai is excellent for whale watching.
- Auau Channel’s Importance: This channel is crucial for humpback whales during their migration.
- Ideal Environment: The channel’s shallow depths and calm waters make it perfect for:
- Courtship rituals
- Mating
- Calving
- Whale Activity Hub: The Auau Channel is a busy area for whales during winter.
- Research and Observation: The channel offers a prime location for observing whales and studying their behavior.
Auau Channel
As a result, the Auau Channel becomes a bustling hub of whale activity during the winter months, attracting scores of humpback whales seeking refuge and sustenance in preparation for the journey back to their feeding grounds in the north. For researchers and enthusiasts alike, the Auau Channel offers a prime vantage point for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat and gaining insight into their behaviors and biology.
We make use of affiliate relationships with merchants for monetization. This means when you click on the Book Now button and make a booking, a commission may be credited to this site at no additional cost to our guests. Thank you for supporting our site.
Whale Watch Tours Available for Booking
-
From Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watch Tours Aboard the Quicksilver
-
Early Sail with the Whales Maalaea with Sail Maui
-
Morning Sail with the Whales Maalaea with Sail Maui
-
Midday Sail with the Whales Maalaea with Sail Maui
-
Whale Watch Adventure from Maluaka Beach Makena with Kai Kanani
-
2 Hour Whale Watch from Kaanapali Beach with Sea Maui
-
Whale Watch Sail Deluxe Tour from Ma’aleae on Pacific Whale Cruises Ocean Spirit
-
PacWhale Eco-Adventures Ultimate Dolphin Watch
-
PacWhale Eco-Adventures Whale Watch Sail from Maalaea
$119.95 -
PacWhale Eco-Adventures Whalewatch Sail Deluxe from Maalaea
$119.95 -
PacWhale Eco-Adventures Sunset Whale Watch Sail from Maalaea
-
PacWhale Eco-Adventures Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Watch from Maalaea
Posts
Getting Your Directions to Maalaea Harbor
Map credit to Google Maps Getting Your Directions to Maalaea Harbor DIRECTIONS - Use this Google Map Link for location of Maalaea Harbor Expeditions Ferry Ticket Booth located at 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Rd.: Google Map Link Directions TRAVEL TIME TO MAALAEA HARBOR –...
Help with Common Booking Form Issues
Help with Common Booking Form Issues Having trouble completing an online booking? You have come to the right spot for help with common booking form issues and errors! Here is a step by step walk through of the Booking Process with Solutions to common issues. Booking...
NEW Lanai Cat Sanctuary Itinerary: Adding Adventure Park as an Option!
NEW Lanai Cat Sanctuary Itinerary: Adding Adventure Park as an Option! Quick Update: New Lanai Cat Sanctuary Itinerary Combining Visit to the Adventure Park! We are adding a new itinerary that includes a visit to the Adventure Park for an activity combined with a...
Lāna‘i Skatepark and Youth Center Grand Opening
Picture Credit to Maui County Lānaʻi Skatepark and Youth Center Grand Opening Maui County officials, local stakeholders, and community members gathered in Lāna‘i City on March 29, 2025, to celebrate the blessing and grand opening of the Lāna‘i Skatepark and Youth...
Final Whale Count of the Season Records 714 Humpbacks Across Hawaii
Pic Credit Fern Gavelek - A volunteer scopes out the horizon in search of humpback whales at Keauhou Scenic Lookout on Hawaii Island. Final Whale Count of the Season Records 714 Humpbacks Across Hawaii As reported by Spectrum News in their recent article, the final...
The Maui Humane Society is Overcoming Challenges with Innovation
Picture Credit to Maui Humane Society The Maui Humane Society is Overcoming Challenges with Innovation The Maui Humane Society is overcoming challenges with innovation. Recent events have presented challenges to the Maui Humane Society which has long served the Maui...
A Few Facts About Prince Kūhiō – Prince Kūhiō Day March 26, 2025
A Few Facts About Prince Kūhiō - Prince Kūhiō Day March 26, 2025 Early Life & Education Born on March 26, 1871, in Kukuiʻula, Kauaʻi, Kingdom of Hawaiʻi Descendant of Kaumualiʻi, last ruling chief of Kauaʻi Given the nickname "Prince Cupid" due to his...
Lānaʻi: A Look Back at Hawaiʻi’s Pineapple Isle
Picture Credit to Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center Lānaʻi: A Look Back at Hawaiʻi’s Pineapple Isle For much of the 20th century, Lānaʻi was home to one of the largest pineapple plantations in the world and became known as the “Pineapple Isle”. Today, while tourism...
Second Great Whale Count of the 2025 Season Reports 1,947 Whales Counted
Pic Credit Pacific Whale Foundation/Maui News Now Article Second Great Whale Count of the 2025 Season Reports 1,947 Whales Counted On February 22, volunteers counted a total of 1,947 humpback whales across the main Hawaiian Islands. The Great Whale Count by the...
Stargazers in Hawaii: Get Ready for a Blood Moon!
Stargazers in Hawaii: Get Ready for a Blood Moon! Stargazers in Hawaii, mark your calendars! A spectacular celestial event is on the horizon on the evening of March 13, 2025. A total lunar eclipse, the first since a partial eclipse on April 8, 2024, will grace our...