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MAUI WHALE WATCHING
No motors, no crowds, no noise, a whale experience you won’t forget!
Maui Whale Watching Kayak Tours
A stable and beginner friendly choice, kayaking is something ANYONE can do. We use ‘Ocean Kayak’ Malibu Two’s, Scuppers and Scramblers. These almost impossible to flip vessels provide a safe and secure option great for family, a couple or individual fun. The nice thing about being on a PRIVATE whale watching tour in Maui is if you want to break up your trip and snorkel for part of the tour you can. You get to call the shots.
“Best way to whale watch!”
My husband and I have taken several large-boat whale watching tours in the past, with mixed success. We are avid kayakers and thought we’d try Hawaiian Paddle Sports whale watching private kayak tour. Unfortunately, I mistakenly booked the wrong tour and did not realize it until the day before our tour. Kate cheerfully corrected the error and got us on the right tour. Our guide was Kristin. She met us at Olowalo beach. Sadly, our tour was canceled that day secondary to high winds–which we came to appreciate during our rescheduled tour the next day. Kristin gave us a brief, informative talk about the whales, our safety and our game plan for the day. We were outfitted with life vests and comfortably seated in a two man boat. Kristin carried a dry pack, snacks and water for us in her kayak. She was energetic, knowledgeable and informative. We met up with numerous whales immediately. One spouted right next to our boat– what a thrill. We kept a safe, responsible distance at all times. Kristin also did not waste our energy “ping pong ing” across the bay to chase whales down. She seemed to know intuitively where they were. After our tour, she sent us photos she had taken during our trip, links to whaleinformation and other interesting websites. She was a delight. I highly recommend this form of whalewatching if you are modestly fit, and would definitely recommend this very professionally run tour company.
Visited January 2018
Maui Whale Watching Outrigger Canoe Tours
T he modern Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe or Wa`a is where ancient Hawaiian Culture and modern technology mix. In ancient days wooden Wa`a were used for transportation, fishing, voyaging, and sport for chiefs or Ali`i. Today’s modern fiberglass design allows for a more stable, performance-based canoe perfect for individuals, small groups, families, and children. The Ama or outrigger provides stability allowing for a narrow hull which cuts through the water with ease. The stability, speed and higher vantage point from the Outrigger Canoe make this the ideal way to Whale Watch. Unlike our exclusively private Kayak Tour, SUP and Surf lessons, on our Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe tours we do combine parties to fill all the seats in the canoe. If time allows, we will jump in for a quick snorkel to view more marine life.
Info
3 Hour PRIVATE Whale Watch Tour
South Maui, Makena
We do NOT combine parties!
FREE Digital Photos of your tour
Water, Snack, Snorkel Gear provided
Certified Marine Naturalist Guides
$159 per person
Not recommended for children <4 years old
“Kayak whale watch/snorkel”
We went on 2 separate outings in the same week with HPS. My husband and I are not the most athletic and I was a bit apprehensive about being out in the open ocean. I was upfront with both our guides about my concerns. I found them both to be friendly, reassuring, informative and they check in often to ensure that we were always in our personal comfort zone. Our first trip was with Enzo. We were able to see many whales at distance of 100 yards (which is as close as humans are allowed to approach by law). We were very lucky when a baby whale came closer to check us out and mama surfaced not fifteen feet away from us.
Our next outing was with Dan, this was a magical day! We not only had a very close encounters with a curiouis baby humpback and it’s mama (swimming under my kayak!) but then Dan helped me go snorkelling in water that was about 15 feet deep. This was a big deal for me as I have been very afraid to try anything like this for my whole adult life. He was just great!
Saw lots of beautiful fish and Dan was full of interesting information and helped us spot others that we might otherwise have missed.
The tours are about three hours long, including orientation and for the level of personal attention they are very reasonably priced. Exellent for small groups. Highly recommend.
Visited February 2019
Whale Watching On Maui SUP : Stand Up Paddle Board Tours
T he fastest growing ocean craze, “SUP” Stand Up Paddling, is fun for all ages! While standing on a SUP you have a high vantage point allowing you see whales at a further distance. However, the slow speed of Stand Up Paddle Boards limits the area we can cover in this two hour tour. SUP Maui Whale Watching Tours are best for our guests who already have SUP experience or for those who simply wish to learn to SUP and possibly see a whale in the process. Like always it’s a private tour so we can do whatever you want to do:)
Stand Up Paddle Boarding Whale Watching video on Youtube: WHALE WATCHING SUP VIDEO
Info
2 Hour PRIVATE Tour
South Maui, Makena or West Maui
We do NOT combine parties!
FREE Digital Photos of your tour
Water, Snack, Snorkel Gear provided
Certified Marine Naturalist Guides
1 Guest $199
2-5 Guests $139 per person
6 or more Guest $139 per person with an additional guide
“Whales from the SUP!”
Never did I think I would be able to see whales from the SUP board, but we had the perfect conditions to paddle out to where they were. My guide was awesome — she was great at putting me at ease, and gave me the instructions I needed to get paddling right away. What an incredible way to experience the whales — just you and the sound of their breathing, enough to take your own breath away. The guides at Hawaiian Paddle Sports not only give you a great lesson, but I learned so much about the whales and why they are so special to Maui. This was a highlight of my trip! Thank you HPS!!
Visited January 2015
THE LOW DOWN ON WHALE WATCHING MAUI
Every year between December and April visitors from all over the world flock to Maui to Whale Watch. Maui’s shallow, warm and protected waters provide the perfect habitat for Humpback Whales to mate and give birth. As a matter of fact the waters off of Maui’s South/West shores (Kihei, Lahaina, Wailea, Olowalu, Makena, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Napili) are the some of the most populated waters in the WORLD for Humpback Whales. Humpback whales are the most “watchable” whales due to their surface activities: Pec Slaps, Breaches, Fluke Slaps, Spy Hops and Tail Up Dives. They also surface on average every 10-15minutes to breath, spraying water 15 feet in the air as they clear their lungs through their blowhole, perfect for spectator’s or those on a Maui Whale Watching tour. If you’re in Maui during whale season going on a whale watch tour is a must!
“Seeing a whale from a kayak is a totally different experience. What I will remember most is the sounds of the whales. We stopped at one point and just quietly waited. I could hear them breathing all around us. It drove home the point that these are fellow mammals and I was deeply privileged to be able to spend some time with them on the water.” -John Shirley
NOW LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR “MAUI WHALE WATCHING” OPTIONS AROUND THE ISLAND
There are number of Large boat operators which offer Maui Whale Watching Tours. Our guests who have also been out on Whale Watching Boats say that there is no comparison to seeing a whale up close and personal on Stand Up Paddle Board, Ocean Kayak or Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe. No crowds, no engine noise, just peace and quite… then, “there she blows”!!! It is a very awakening experience to see the Humpback Whales in this way.
Why a PRIVATE whale watching tour? Most of our guest don’t need this question answered as you’ve found our website because you’re looking to get away from the crowds and off the beaten path. It has been our experience that guests come a variety of fitness levels, paddling ability and overall comfort in the ocean. On a group tour you are limited by the weakest paddlers in the group. No one likes to be held back and no likes to feel like they are holding others back. That is why Hawaiian Paddle Sports was created, to offer a private alternative to ocean activities on Maui. We feel that in Large whale watching group tours the guest experience is compromised at the expense of the whale watch tour companies profits. We’ll keep you away from the large crowds and offer a personalized, exclusive experience by the best guides in the business. That’s our promise to you. We’ll go at YOUR pace… its YOUR Whale Watch Tour!
CHOOSE YOUR MAUI WHALE WATCHING TOUR
After a water safety and paddling orientation we begin a relaxed paddle off shore and begin looking for these gentle giants. We usually see several pods of whales on our tours with a wide array of activity: Pec Slaps, Fluke Slaps, Spy Hops, Breaches and you can even hear the whales singing!!! Your knowledgeable guide will share information about humpback whales, marine life and the islands surrounding you. If time permits after the whale watching portion of the tour, we will leisurely paddle back to one of our favorite snorkeling reefs where you’ll cool off while snorkeling with Honu (Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles). As with our other paddle snorkel tours, start by choosing your vessel: Ocean Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board or Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe. Then choose the location you wish to depart from: Olowalu or Makena.
Epic Whale Watch Video
Learn About Humpback Whales
Birthing & Mating Habits
Mating and birthing are two of the most popular reasons for Humpback Whales to make the trek to Hawaii each year. The Auau Channel, between West Maui, Lana’i, and Moloka’i, is one of the most popular breedings and calving grounds. Males, follow prospective female mates and often find themselves in competition with other interested males.
Eating Habits
Humpback whales feed on a mixture of krill, plankton and other small fish and typically eat up to a ton of food per day. Since these types of fish aren’t found in Hawaiian waters, humpback whales do not eat while in Hawaii, surviving solely off their thick layer of blubber throughout the winter months until they return to Alaskan waters.
Whale Songs
Males are known to sing, and create complex songs that span an impressive 8 octaves and can be heard up to 12 miles away. The specific reason for these songs are not fully understood, it is believed they are done to attract potential mates and communicate with other whales.
Anatomy & Behavior
Humpback whales can hold their breath for up to 45 minutes and sleep by shutting off half of their brain at a time. They perform a number of interesting behaviors on the surface of the water, including slaps, lunges, peduncle throws, peduncle arches, fluke-up dives, fluke-down dives, spy hopping, lobtailing, blowing and, our personal favorite, breaching.
Life Expectancy & Population
The life expectancy of humpback whales is an estimated 45 to 50 years, although research has suggested that many can live upwards of 90 years. Although classified as an endangered species in the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, it is estimated that only 30% of their original humpback whale population remains today, a total of 30,000 to 40,000 whales.
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