Awesome Maui Whale Watching with the Pacific Whale Foundation

The winter months in Hawaii are absolutely full of humpback whales, and that’s why Pacific Whale Foundation is a great tour company to plan a day with when you visit Maui. Departing from very near the Maui Ocean Center, the Pacific Whale Foundation leads educational whale watching tours in the Maui Nui area of the Islands. I’ve got the scoop on what to expect when you go whale watching from Maui, tips for humpback whale photography and more ideas for things to do on the west side of the Island of Maui. You’ll have a great whale watching experience, I just know!

Have you done whale watching tours from Maui before? If so then you likely know how incredible they can be. Even at the start or end of whale season, being on the water is a treat no matter if you see fifty humpbacks or just four. If you have any questions about Maui whale watching or the Pacific Whale Foundation, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you have a wonderful visit. Aloha!

Highlights of Maui Whale Watching

For somebody who hasn’t been in Maui in the winter months, I don’t know if they really understand the number of whales in the Maui Nui area. Doing a whale watching tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation is a stunning way to get to experience the humpback whale population. The Maui whale watching tours leave from Maalaea, right by the Maui Ocean Center and head out into the area between Maui, Lana’i, Molokai and Kaho‘olawe.

This is THE place to see humpback whales as they raise their young and enjoy the warm waters of Hawaii for the winter. When you do a whale watching tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation, you get to not just watch for whales but you get to learn all about their lives, their behaviors and how to identify individual whales. It’s really cool and is a wonderful activity with kids.

Book this tour here!

Tips for a Pacific Whale Foundation Tour from Maui

When you head out on your Maui whale watching tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation, you’ll be able to be either inside or outside, and can roam between the two. If you’re somebody who cares deeply about where you sit or want to anchor yourself somewhere, be sure that you check in for your tour on time and are at the front of your group to board the boat. Remember though, wildlife moves and the captain shifts the boat to help passengers on all sides have a good experience. If you’re set on being inside, you may really limit what you can see during your trip.

Something else that may help some people when they go whale watching in Hawaii is to be thoughtful about getting seasick. If you need to take seasickness medicine, you do you, but remember that sometimes this will make you very sleepy and you may actually fall asleep on the boat. I like to manage my own seasick tendencies with fresh air and being at the back of the boat or on the lowest deck possible. If you’re really sensitive, the best spot on a moving boat is the lowest deck near the back, close to fresh air.

Gear for Maui Whale Watching Tours

Don’t forget your polarized sunglasses and a hat when you go whale watching in Maui. Having a wide brimmed hat that can stay secure is really helpful when it’s a very sunny day, especially when you’re on the water with extra reflections.

When it comes to camera gear, photographing humpback whales can be tricky. You usually cannot see the whales very well when they’re below the surface so you have to be able to be quick to get your shots. I find that for Maui whale watching a 250mm lens is actually sufficient to start, as it gives you a broad enough range of vision to spot the whales when they breech. If you’re noticing a breaching pattern or are fast, use a bigger telephoto lens for closer shots, but that can be tricky sometimes.

Parking for Whale Watching with Pacific Whale Foundation

There is a parking lot attached to the plaza where you’ll check in for whale watching with Pacific Whale Foundation and the Maui Ocean Center. It’s a shared lot with digital payment for parking. DON’T FORGET TO PAY. We’ve parked here for both the aquarium and for our whale watching tour with Pacific Whale Foundation. If you’re staying close by, it will probably be a similar cost to take an Uber, but the best option really is to walk if you’re able, but it’s unlikely you’re staying here in Maalaea.