The Whales are back to Maui Waters! The first Pacific Humpback Whale of the season was spotted earlier than usual. The Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Explorer vessel reported spotting its first whale sighting of the season with assistance from the charter boat Maui Diamond on Oct. 8, 2018 at 8:08 a.m.
The sighting occurred 2.4 miles North of Molokini heading towards Māʻalaea Harbor.
The official start of whale season, when they are most active, is December 15th. But that time frame can shift from October and on into May.
Every year, over 10,000 humpbacks annually migrate to the warm, shallow waters of Maui. After feeding all summer in Alaska, they make the trek southward to the warm waters of Hawaii to mate and give birth.
While the whales are in residence, they put on a quite a display. There is nothing quite as spectacular in nature as a 45 ton whale breaching out of the water and coming down in a thunderous splash.
