Thar She Blows! Maui Whale Season in Full Bloom

January 12, 2017, 4:18 PM HST
* Updated January 12, 4:26 PM

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SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT

With the humpback whales back in the islands, ocean users are reminded to Be Whale Aware.

The Pacific Whale Foundation recommends traveling at a speed no greater than 12.5 knots in the peak season, which includes the months of January, February and March.

The organization has put together some guidelines to ensure the protection of marine wildlife and habitat as humpbacks make their annual migration to the Hawaiian Islands between November and May.

New Aquarium and Whale Watch Experience by Maui Ocean Center

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The Maui Ocean Center’s Aquarium and Whale Watch Experience launched on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

The combo package includes an Aquarium Day Journey Pass and afternoon whale watch tour from 1 to 3 p.m. aboard Aloha Blue Charter’s 40 foot catamaran Hokua.

The tour will take guests through the renowned Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, one of the world’s most important humpback habitats for nearly 10,000 humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiʻi each year.

The Aquarium and Whale Watch Experience can be booked online at MauiOceanCenter.com/whales or by calling Aloha Blue Charters (808) 249-2583.

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Whale Tales Program

In celebration of one of the most exciting times of year on the island of Maui, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa invites guests to celebrate whale season with a variety of special offerings, including the resort’s popular Hyatt Whale Tales program and guided whale watching cruises.

Through the end of March, guests can learn about the magnificent whales that journey to Maui each winter from a Maui Ocean Center expert. The visiting ocean naturalist will educate participants of all ages on the humpback whales that frequent the island, and will teach guests how to spot whales in their natural habitat.

For those who want to catch a close-up piece of the action, binoculars are available to spot whales right off the shores of Kāʻanapali Beach.

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Hyatt Whales Tales workshops are held Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. in Halona Kai off the resort’s Atrium Lobby. Call (808) 667-4727 for more information.

Run & Walk for the Whales

Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual Run & Walk for the Whales will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. One of Maui’s largest sporting events, Run & Walk for the Whales starts and ends at the Māʻalaea Harbor Shops.

Participants can choose between the Half Marathon (6:30 am), 10K run (7:00 am), 5K run (7:15 am), 4K walk (7:20 am), or a 1K run (7:20 am) for keiki ages 12 and under. Professional chip timing is included for runners in the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, plus clock timing for the 4K Walk and 1K Keiki Run.

Online registration for the Run & Walk for the Whales closes at midnight Feb. 1, 2017.

All proceeds support Pacific Whale Foundation’s whale research in Hawaiʻi and other parts of the Pacific, marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren, and ocean conservation programs including efforts to prevent marine debris and to end whaling worldwide.

Other Upcoming Whale Events include the following: