Whale Watching in Maui Annual Migration of Humpback Whales

Maui’s warm waters host one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events each winter: the return of the humpback whales. Every year, thousands of these giants migrate from the cold seas of Alaska to the tropical channels around Maui. Here we explore why humpbacks make this epic journey, the amazing behaviors you can witness in Maui’s waters, how decades of conservation have helped their populations rebound, and how you can responsibly enjoy a front-row seat to the action.

Migration, Behavior, Conservation & Whale Watching Tours

Annual Migration

Each winter, North Pacific humpback whales embark on an annual migration of about 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaii. This journey, one of the longest of any mammal, can take as little as one month (some whales cover the distance in as few as 22 days). Humpbacks spend the summer months feeding in krill-rich Alaskan waters, building up fat reserves by gorging on krill and small fish. Come late fall, as the Arctic waters cool and food becomes scarce, they head south to Hawaii.

Why Maui? Maui’s warm, shallow waters create an ideal nursery where humpbacks mate, give birth, and nurse their calves each winter. With few predators and balmy temperatures, newborns stay safe while building up essential blubber. Meanwhile, fasting mothers rely on summer fat reserves, devoting months to nursing and protecting their young—often shedding significant weight in the process.

Timeline: Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaii by November, with peak numbers from January to March. By April, most start their journey back to Alaska, though a few linger into late spring. This annual migration makes Maui’s waters a prime spot for whale watching (the best in the world!)

November – December: Whales begin arriving, and their numbers grow.
January – March: Peak season with the most whale sightings.
April – May: Whales migrate back to Alaska; by May almost all are gone.
Every Winter: Maui’s waters host spectacular whale activity!

Whale Behavior in Hawaii

One of the joys of whale watching in Maui is witnessing the astonishing surface behaviors of humpbacks. These giants are surprisingly acrobatic and curious. Here are some common whale behaviors observed around Maui:

Breaching

Breaching is the quintessential humpback spectacle. A whale launches its massive body out of the water, twisting or flipping in mid-air, then comes crashing down with a huge splash. Why do whales breach? Scientists believe breaching serves multiple purposes. The explosive splash and sound may be a form of long-distance communication, essentially a whale’s way of saying “I’m here!” to others over the noise of the ocean (though it’s proven that the breaches attract more males). It’s also thought to be a display of strength and fitness. Some researchers suggest breaching could even help dislodge parasites or just be playful behavior for the whale.

Tail Slapping

When a humpback whale slaps its tail flukes on the water’s surface, it’s called tail slapping or lobtailing. The whale often lifts the back half of its body out of the water and brings its mighty tail down in a forceful smack. A Peduncle Throw is a little different in that it throws it’s tale and part of it’s back through the water sideways.

Spy Hopping

In Maui’s clear waters, you might spot a whale slowly rising straight upward until its head emerges above the surface. This is spy hopping. The humpback will hover vertically, often with eyes just above water, taking a peek at its surroundings. It’s believed that whales spy-hop to get a better look. They may be curious about nearby boats, checking out the shoreline, or keeping tabs on other whales. We’ve seen them come up to our boat and do spy hops right next to us, so we assume they’re just checking us out.

Nursing Calves

Perhaps the most endearing sights in Maui are mother humpbacks with their calves. Maui’s warm shallows serve as a nursery where babies are born and spend the first months of life. Nursing is a near-constant activity for a growing humpback calf. A newborn humpback (typically 10–15 feet long at birth) will drink hundreds of liters of rich milk each day. Humpback whale milk is about 35–50% fat, and a calf can gain as much as 100 pounds (45 kg) per day in its early weeks!

Conservation Success and Ongoing Protection

Humpback whales in Maui are a conservation success story, rebounding from near extinction. Commercial whaling devastated their numbers, leaving only a few thousand in the North Pacific by the 1960s. Listed under U.S. federal protection in 1970, and later under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, humpbacks saw major recovery after the 1985 international whaling ban. By the mid-2000s, an estimated 10,000 whales used Hawaii as a breeding ground, growing 5–6% annually. This progress led to their removal from the U.S. endangered list in 2016 (though some global populations remain at risk).

Maui’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1992, protects 1,400 square miles of critical habitat, ensuring safe breeding waters for over half of all North Pacific humpbacks. Strict 100-yard approach laws safeguard whales from human interference, while the sanctuary leads rescue operations and whale health monitoring.

Though thriving, modern threats persist including entanglements, ship strikes, ocean noise/sonar, and climate-related food disruptions. A population dip from 2015–2018 raised concerns, but numbers are rebounding. Continued efforts, from whale-safe fishing practices to marine protected areas, help safeguard their future. This year, we’re seeing record numbers!

Visitors play a role in conservation by choosing ethical tour operators that respect whale space and support research. Responsible tourism ensures Maui remains a sanctuary for these giants for generations to come.