#Whale watching maui zip#

For example: “Whale spout at 3 o’clock!” or “Whale breach at 10 o’clock!”Īll the technology in the world can’t make up for experience on the water. This is how the naturalist will inform you of whale sightings. Learn to tell directions on the boat by using the hour system.A waterproof camera bag is useful for avoiding sea spray. Bring a camera with a long lens capable of fast shutter speeds.Regardless of how warm it is on the dock, it can get cooler on the water. Consider bringing a jacket or windbreaker.How photo-friendly is the boat? Do they make efforts, such as angling the boat to help photographers get better shots?.How much shade is on the boat? Is it possible to get out of the direct sun if you want? Some boat designs and covers provide more shade than others.What’s the limit of passengers on the boat?.Does the tour operation donate a portion of their proceeds to support non-profits like Whale Trust Maui, the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary, or other whale conservation groups?.Does the boat have “Whale Cam”, underwater video equipment with on-board monitors so you can see what’s going on under the water?.Does the tour boat have a hydrophone they drop in the water to listen to whale songs and other sounds?.Does the tour operator guarantee whale sightings? How active have the whales been this season, and how successful has the captain been in finding whales?.Questions to answer before you sign up for your whale watching tour: However, some boats limit the number of passengers below the maximum allowed to enhance the quality of the experience. All boats are certified by law to allow only a set amount of passengers.However, the advantage is that you are closer to the water level and therefore at the same level as the whales, which many people prefer. In a smaller boat, the chances of getting wet increase, and it’s more difficult to get out of the wind.Pontoon type boats decrease rocking which makes seasickness less of an issue. Smaller boats usually mean a bumpier ride, which could be problematic if anyone in your group has neck or back issues.Many smaller boats are equipped with larger engines so they can often get to multiple sites just as fast as the larger boats. Faster boats aren’t necessarily the larger boats.

#Whale watching maui zip#

If the whales aren’t appearing in one area, it’s easy to zip over to another area in the tour time allowed.

Faster boats allow you to visit more whale watching sites, which increases your chances for more encounters with whales.

Tour operators on Maui use a variety of boats from large cabin cruisers with multiple decks, to sailing catamarans, to pontoon type boats, to inflatable raft type boats (with and without rigid hulls or bottoms.)įactors to Consider in Choosing a Whale Watch

That doesn’t mean the whales can’t approach the boats and they sometimes do. Remember – humpback whales are protected and all whale watch companies are required to stay at least 100 yards away while watching whales. While there are dozens of excellent whale-watching companies, choosing the one that’s best for you depends on factors like health issues, comfort, and good old-fashioned personal preference.īelow is a guide and our tour company recommendations to help you choose the best tour for you and ensure you maximize your enjoyment! We pass this along by partnering with Down The Hatch, a locally owned and operated catering company and Raw Love Sunscreen, a locally owned company producing all natural, reef safe sunscreen for use while onboard.From December to April, Maui is one of the greatest destinations in the world to see humpback whales. This opportunity allows us to give you personalized instruction in the water while being able to share what we know and answer your questions.Ĭhoosing Makai Adventures means choosing to support local small businesses. Our entire team is also 100% First Aid & CPR Certified and we provide you with an in-water guide/naturalist. Our Captains all maintain United States Coast Guard licenses and certifications. We look forward to sharing our local knowledge about the area, Hawaiian history, and marine life and do our best to keep up to date with current research. We are a locally owned and operated business consisting of a small team of full-time Hawaii residents dedicated to going above and beyond at every opportunity.