Witness one of natures most majestic experiences as the Koholā nui (Hawaiian meaning “big whales”) return to the warm Maui waters on their annual migration from Alaska. Every year, from November through April, thousands of North Pacific humpback whales traverse the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe through the warm, shallow waters to breed, calve, and nurse their young. In Hawaiian culture, the koholā is considered sacred and is associated with spiritual beliefs, navigation, and the ocean’s power. These whales are also seen as guardians or ʻaumākua (ancestral spirits) by some Native Hawaiian families.

South Maui, Kihei in particular, serves as one of the best whale-watching hot spots in the world. Launching from the Kihei boat ramp, Pro-Diver guests are treated to close encounters breaching, tail-slapping, pectoral fin waves, and nurturing calves while our friendly and knowledgeable guides share informed insights about whale behavior and conservation efforts. The sight and sound of a 40-ton whale launching out of the water just yards from the boat is both humbling and exhilarating.

Often accompanying our Humpbacks are pods of Nai’a (spinner dolphin) and wild sea birds foregrounding the stunning South Maui Coastline. Whether a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, whale watching in Maui is more than a sightseeing trip; it’s a chance to connect deeply at the intersection of nature at her most majestic and Hawaiian Culture at its most sacred.