Can you see orcas in Maui?

The reality, however, is that they do exist in Hawaii, but they aren't a part of a resident population that is regularly spotted in the islands. There have been a handful of orca sightings off the Big Island of Hawaii as well as Maui and Lana'i, and a dead orca once washed ashore along the southern coastline of Lana'i.



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When Is Maui Whale Watching Season? Whale watching season in Maui is November-May with peak season typically running between mid-January and March. At Pacific Whale Foundation, our whale watching season officially kicks off in early November with our Welcome Home the Whales cruise.

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“One of the best places that I have found whales … is in Lahaina Harbor,” Sullivan said. Not so coincidentally, many of the boat tours depart from Lahaina, the West Maui town between the resorts of Kaanapali Beach and Wailea. “The whales will come all the way up to the boats that are moored,” he said.

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The best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. The spring and fall shoulder seasons provide the pleasant weather Hawaii vacationers seek without the high rates and heavy crowds that accompany the summer and winter.

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The wet season in Maui lasts typically from November to March, although Wailea's location on Maui's leeward side gives it a microclimate that is drier than the rest of the island, even during the wetter winter months.

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Though extremely rare, they do. Not only are the winter months in Hawaii considered Humpback Whale season, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the biggest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark (don't forget that whales are mammals). These bad boys can get up to 40 feet long.

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Shore-based Whale Watching: Spend an afternoon at Lime Kiln Point State Park, a 36 acre day use park on the west side of San Juan Island considered one of the best places in the world to view orca whales from shore.

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Here in the confines of Maui County the water is very shallow, which consequently means it's free of predators like fearsome killer whales. The channel between Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i is only about 200 feet deep, and the sandy bottom and calm conditions are a tropical “kiddie pool” for whales.

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November marks the traditional start of the 2022-2023 whale season at the sanctuary. Humpback whales are generally seen in Hawai'i from November into May each year, with the peak season running from January through March, according to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

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The average visitor to Maui spends 8.1 days on the island. How long you should stay depends on what you want to do, but you should plan to spend a minimum of five days on Maui.

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The average visitor to Maui spends 8.1 days on the island. How long you should stay depends on what you want to do, but you should plan to spend a minimum of five days on Maui.

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There are two off-seasons on Maui: the spring and the fall. Spring on Maui is from April to mid-June with April and May being the quietest months. The average springtime temperatures on Maui are around 80 degrees.

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During the peak of the season from January-March, it isn't a question of if you'll see humpbacks—but rather which ones to watch. Maui is home to the world's densest population of North Pacific humpback whales, who make the six-week journey from Alaska to Hawaii to mate, rest, and give birth.

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Staying Warm Even though Maui is known for its warm weather, it can still get chilly on whale watches— even in the sun! The wind coming off the water can be cold, so pack a light jacket or hoodie to bring on board. Layers are key on whale watches.

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