Booking choice: The Ka'anapali sunset dinner sail, from $168 per adult. Check dates Tour details
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales (koholā) travel to Hawaii's warm, shallow waters to mate, give birth and raise their young. The waters around Maui, Lanai and Molokai are part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
NOAA puts the viewing window at November to April. Here is the 2026-27 calendar, and how to make the most of it from West Maui.
The quick answer
Humpbacks are in Hawaiian waters from about November to April, and January and February were the strongest months in the 2026 counts. The 2027 Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count fall on January 30, February 27 and March 27. From shore, Papawai Point off Honoapiilani Highway has Pacific Whale Foundation naturalists daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in season. On or in the water, stay 100 yards from any humpback; aircraft must keep 1,000 feet.
When is whale season on Maui in 2026-27?
Roughly November 2026 to April 2027, with the most whales in January and February.
The NOAA sanctuary gives November to April as the viewing window. The 2026 counts show how the season peaks and fades: volunteers observed 1,954 whales in the January count, 1,935 in February and 436 in March, NOAA reported. If whales are the reason for your trip, aim for mid January to late February.
| Count day, 2026 | Whales observed |
|---|---|
| January | 1,954 |
| February | 1,935 |
| March | 436 |
| Season total | 4,325 |
When are the 2027 whale counts?
January 30, February 27 and March 27, 2027. Registration opens in early January.
NOAA's Sanctuary Ocean Count covers Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii Island, while the Pacific Whale Foundation's Great Whale Count covers Maui and Lanai on the same days. 2026 was the program's 30th anniversary, with more than 1,200 volunteers. Anyone can sign up, and a count morning on a Maui headland is a cheap, social way to spend a few hours with binoculars.
Where can you watch whales from shore near West Maui?
Papawai Point, a lookout off Honoapiilani Highway about 3 miles northwest of Ma'alaea Harbor, is the easy pick.
Through whale season, the Pacific Whale Foundation's Trail of the Whale puts marine naturalists at Papawai Point daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with binoculars and scopes to share. In South Maui they are on the oceanfront path at the Wailea Beach Marriott on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.
From the beaches at Ka'anapali, Napili and Kapalua you look across the channel toward Lanai and Molokai. Look for the spout of a blow first, then the tail or a breach.
Can you see whales on the Ka'anapali sunset dinner sail?
The sunset dinner sail is not sold as a whale watch. Gemini, which runs it from Ka'anapali Beach, sells separate whale watches in season.
Gemini's listing on the Hawaii Tourism site lists seasonal whale watches alongside year-round snorkel trips and sunset sails, all from Ka'anapali Beach on its 64-foot catamaran. Any boat in the channel has to follow the same 100-yard rule. On the summer sails, guests have reported dolphins and flying fish.
If you want dinner and the light more than wildlife, the sunset dinner sail is two hours with dinner on board and youth and child rates.
Two hours at sunset from Ka'anapali Beach, with dinner and drinks on board.
Explore the Ka'anapali sunset dinner sail Tour detailsHow close can you get to humpback whales in Hawaii?
No closer than 100 yards on or in the water, by any means, and 1,000 feet in an aircraft. The rule applies out to 200 nautical miles.
The federal approach regulations cover swimmers, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, boats and drones alike. To report a violation, call the NOAA enforcement hotline at 1-800-853-1964. For an injured or entangled whale, call 1-888-256-9840.
What else should you plan around whale season?
Winter is also Hawaii's wet season, and this one is forecast drier than normal. Book outdoor days with free cancellation either way.
Whale season runs through the October to April wet season. NOAA's outlook for 2026-27 leans dry because of a strong El Niño. The forecast and what it means for an off-road day are in our wet season post. A morning on the Lahaina ATV Adventure and an evening on the water make a good West Maui winter day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales on Maui?
January and February. In the 2026 counts, volunteers observed 1,954 whales in January and 1,935 in February, against 436 in March.
Do you need a boat to see whales on Maui?
No. In season you can see blows and breaches from shore. Papawai Point off Honoapiilani Highway has Pacific Whale Foundation naturalists daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How far must boats and swimmers stay from whales in Hawaii?
100 yards. Aircraft must stay 1,000 feet away. The rule covers Hawaiian waters out to 200 nautical miles.
When is the 2027 whale count?
On January 30, February 27 and March 27, 2027, with registration opening in early January.
Ready to book
Choose your ride
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Ka'anapali Small-Group Zipline Adventure
- Off-road transfer up the slopes of the West Maui Mountains
- Guided zipline course, maximum 12 guests
- Guide commentary on the island's history, native plants and wildlife
Lahaina ATV Adventure: Small-Group UTV Tour
- Guided two-hour off-road tour in a four-seat side-by-side (UTV)
- Helmets and goggles (required for everyone)
- Two stops so drivers can switch and take photos
