7 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Hawaii Whale Tour
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- Welcome to Hawaii whale season (Dec - March)! Before you book a whale tour, here are 7 mistakes you should avoid when whale watching on the Hawaiian Islands. After many whale-watching adventures in Hawaii, here is what we have learned.
Humpback whales migrate down from Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii from December to mid-April every year. They come to mate, birth, and nurse their young. Whale-watching tours are a safe and respectful way to view these magnificent mammals in their natural habitat. We hope these tips help with your Hawaii vacation!
10% Off with Ultimate Whale Watching Rafting Tours: promo code HVG for their 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ka'anapali Beach! Their most popular tour.
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Hawaii Whale Watching Guide
00:00 Intro
00:44 #1 Going Too Early or Too Late in the Whale Season
01:49 #2 Not Going to Maui
02:31 #3 Taking a Snorkel Tour to See Whales
03:54 #4 Kayaking and SUP Whale Watching Tours
04:38 #5 Booking Whale Watching Late in Your Trip
05:26 #6 Sleeping In
07:12 #7 Not Understanding the Difference Between Whale Tours
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Happy New Year Erika, Jordan & Henry. Thanks for the good info.
No joke, Paddle boarding recently had a mom a calf that were super interested in our group of paddle boarders (we live on Maui). The whales were curious for hours and it was amazing.
that is amazing. I accidentally captured on my drone a calve investigating and splashing paddle boarders last year. The SUP riders were perfect. They just chilled out and didn't move. I am jealous you got to experience it
You guys give such great advice. We bought your guide to O'ahu last August and it was sooooo good. Very informative. Looking forward to our Maui trip this year and your advice. Aloha from San Diego.
Thanks for the comment Melissa! We appreciate you grabbing our Oahu itinerary! You will have a great trip to Maui, glad you can make it back to the islands.
Happy New Year! Thanks for keeping my dream of visiting Hawaii alive. I now have a long list of places and activities to visit when I can finally travel. Hope Henry and Edith had a great Christmas.
Hope you can come out sooner rather than later. Happy New Year! Edith and Henry got spoiled by the grandparents.
Did a whale watching tour with Ultimate on Maui yesterday. We saw so many whales! One in particular breached the surface at least 8 times, absolutely amazing experience. We decided on Maui based on your recommendations, thanks so much for your videos :)
That’s amazing! I’m jealous. I’m glad you came to Maui for the whales! Have a great trip. The weather has been lovely.
Thank you for all the information you post. We will be there on the 17th of this month and I booked a sunrise tour with Ultimate Whale Watch tour for the raft trip because of your recommendations. To be right down on the water with the whales is on the top of my bucket list, so thank you again for all the great info about Whale watching and everything else to do on Maui.
Aloha Dawn, have a wonderful whale watching tour on the 17th! The sunrise tour will be something special. Thanks for watching and have a wonderful trip to Maui!
We’ve always had real good luck booking thru the Pacific Whale Foundation semi private tours but next visit we will try one of your tours recommendations. Thanks for all your videos makes me miss Maui.
Love this channel. Happy New Year!
Mahalo! Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks again for another great information video.
I just read your latest email newsletter and it is a masterpiece. Thank you. One thing we want to book someday on one of our Hawaii vacations is a whale-watching trip. On our last journey (December 2021), we went on an excursion to the north shore with Kevo's Beach Bus. That was marvelous. We had a great time and I highly recommend them. We were on Oahu for twenty days and we rated that day as the best one. Keep up the great work. I love the newsletter and the videos.
Mahalo Jack for the newsletter review! We take a lot of pride in our newsletter. Thanks for sharing the north shore recommendation for whale watching too. Always good to know about another local tour operator.
Great information as always guy’s 👍❤️🇨🇦😎
We are headed to Maui mid January and wife booked semi private whale morning tour with Pacific Whale Foundation folks again. We are excited that the Covid restrictions are over and we can travel again
We went whale watching on Christmas Day of 2021, our family gift to each other. We saw several whales, but the highlight was seeing a momma and her baby.
It was SO CUTE!!
That is awesome! Congrats on seeing the calf! It will be jumping out of the water in January, flying pickles as the naturalist call them.
We went out with Seafire out if Kihei just before Christmas and saw a mom and baby swimming around. Seafire tours was so great we booked a tour with them to Molokini for the next day (got super lucky they had an opening with it being last minute). Not our first trip to Maui as we like to stay away from the tourist areas and rent a condo.
Aloha, welcome to our Hawaii vacation channel! Watch our Start Here playlist for a crash course in visiting the Hawaiian Islands.
Start Here Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLAtd_s8w8KUV8410dQlYC8ugQqIBoP1EH
Then check out our website thehawaiivacationguide.com/ for free itineraries and other good stuff. Have a safe and wonderful trip to the Aloha State!
Thank You! 2 questions: Best tour for motion sickness prone person? Which tour/s really goes into the behavior and science? Happy New Year to your family!
Praying for more travel this year
Thank you for the tips. We havent visited our time share in three years. We arrive in Kihei on friday, we miss Maui soo much.
Have a wonderful trip back to Maui! It has been too long!
I went on December 12 the of 2021 and Saw 2 Whales and Tons of Dolphins.. WOW.. We went on the SAME Day on the PARAGON with Sail Maui!!! Please tell Cassie, Lilly and Justin, that I LOVE Them and they were an AMAZING Crew!!! xoxoxoo
Happy Nee Year guys! I lucked out last year, I went to Maui and the number of whales I saw was amazing. I spent 10 days diving all day, and I heard and saw the whales almost every day. The dive boat has to stop a few times heading to and from Molokini and Lanai simply because the whales were passing in front of us. The highlight of the trip was when I was diving off Molokai, I had a whale come within 80 feet of me, it was truly amazing.
Wow, that is a story. I'd love to in the water with them (legally of course). One whale watch, we had to stop as we were exiting the harbor as whales were passing through the lane. Snorkeling and diving during whale season is a special treat to hear the songs.
We also prefer the smaller rafts for all the reasons you mentioned, but the larger boats do have an advantage when it comes to overall visibility. Being right at water level in a smaller raft gives an incredible sense of intimacy when the whales are close, but standing on a deck maybe ten or twelve feet above surface level gives you a much wider field of vision when the whales are further away. The larger boats can also offer some comfort to those who aren't quite comfortable on a small craft: for some people, it may be worth sacrificing the close-up views in favor of a steadier ride, room to move around, and a bathroom if needed.
Mahalo Bob for sharing the tip on the big boats. Your tip from our First Timers video made it into our newsletter this week. Keep sharing the sound advice, we appreciate it.
And by the way Happy New Years 🥳to you and your Family 👍❤️😎
Happy New Year Chris! All the best to you and the family in 2022.
Loved the information, thank you! Your little guy is adorable ;-) I
Thanks so much!
Be there in Feb for the weekend! Booked with ultimate.
Thanks for booking with Ultimate! enjoy peak whale season!
Happy new year guys! Love your channel! My friend and I booked a trip at the end of this February to the Big Island, but I do also notice the Omicron is getting worse during the holiday season. Do I need to worry about my trip?
Happy New Year! We share updates on safe travel and COVID restrictions here: thehawaiivacationguide.com/hawaii-travel-restrictions/
And sign up for newsletter for updates to your inbox: thehawaiivacationguide.com/newsletter/
Watched this and husband was happy that I planned ours correctly, all thanks to your other videos that we’ve watched. We’re “taking advantage of our jet lag” as Erica said and going out the morning after we arrive! I’m curious if you’ve ever done any stargazing activities? We are also doing a “celestial cruise” while we’re there, and I’ve noticed there are also guided stargazing on Haleakala.
Thanks for watching and the comment! Have fun on the sunrise whale watch! We haven't done a stargazing tour. There are guided tours for Haleakala but a cruise sounds like a better idea during the winter as clouds on the volcano ruin the experience pretty fast.
Happy New Year!! I am getting super excited for my trip. We are less than 3 months now! I booked one of the VIP morning tours with Ultimate Whale Watching and Rafting. We are going middle of March so fingers crossed we'll have good luck. We did book it on our second full day so we can rebook in case we don't see anything. You guys may want to reach out and touch base with them... The staff I came into contact with was super friendly but I did have an issue using your guys' code. I booked just a little over a month ago (Nov 22nd). There was no way to use a code online so I had to call them. And the person I spoke with said your code was set up for snorkeling tours only, not whale watching tours. I told them I had just watched your video from earlier in the year about the best whale watching tips and had decided on the rafting experience... I must have sounded bummed enough because he put me on hold for a couple of minutes then came back and said they would go ahead and honor the 10% off.
haha, well done on negotiating the 10% off. We have asked Ultimate to add our promo code for the VIP tour as the option isn't available. HVG works on snorkeling and whale tours. Have a wonderful trip on March!
Aloha! I loved this video and found it very informative (I like the idea of an early morning trip) however I often get seasick so that’s my main worry for going out on choppy seas, I hope one day I’ll be lucky enough to see a Whale.
a morning trip will be perfect to avoid the trade winds in the afternoon! Hope you can make it out for whale season soon!
Thanks for the tips! I was on the snorkel tour with Ultimate and saw y’all heading out on the whale watch. The snorkel trip with them was great they did a bunch of whale watching before and after our snorkel spot. During whale season Ultimate cuts down the number of snorkels to allow for more 🐋🐋🐋
Never mind just found your IG link. Following now!! I wish I would have met you guys when I was out there 😁
I went to Hawaii twice in 2021 because of you guys. I went to Oahu in June and Maui in October. I loved them both and can’t wait to go back to another island!
Glad we helped with your planning and thanks for subscribing as that helps us out! What island is calling your name next?
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide I shared with my cousin too who went to Maui for her honeymoon! I love your channel, thanks for replying!!
I’m thinking Big Island or Kauai. I love snorkeling!! What do you recommend?
Thank you!!! My aunt and i are thinking Mauii this January 2024! Would you recommend Hana? And a whale watching guide?
Have a wonderful trip! The Road to Hana is a wonderful trip but there are few places to stay in Hana. See here for places to stay: thehawaiivacationguide.com/where-to-stay-in-hana-maui-for-one-night/
Here are our favorite whale tours: thehawaiivacationguide.com/best-whale-watching-tours-maui/
I'll be in Maui from late November to December 5th hoping I can see some whales!
I hope you can! Some come early. If whales are out, they will offer tours
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide bad day whale watching is better than a good day at work! Thanks for all the content!
I have just discovered ur channel and the plethora of information is so great . What if I am planning a trip on late April ? Can we go for whale watching?
I’m glad you found us! Unfortunately, whale season is over by the end of April. They have all gone home.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thanks for the prompt reply
You two are so sweet. I love your personalities. I’m going to Maui for the first time on Dec 24. To your knowledge, will there be fireworks on the 31st for New years?
we haven't seen an official announcement but Wailea should have fireworks again this year. We have a list of things to do for Christmas here (updating as more is announced): thehawaiivacationguide.com/things-to-do-in-hawaii-during-christmas/
Hello!! My aunt and I are hoping to go see whales in Maui in January. We want to avoid Lahaina. Can you recommend a tour/)place to stay???!
Check out our website for Kihei and Maalaea Harbor whale watching tours: thehawaiivacationguide.com/activity_category/maui/. Stay in South Maui or Kaanapali to se whales from shore!
Would it be worth it to do a whale watching tour in early April? We'll be there April 7-12! Wondering if we should book a whale watching tour or not! I know you have always said they are about done this time of year. Thanks!
Yes, if the tour company is offering them then it is still worth it. The guarantee sightings on Maui (double check) so they have confidence you’ll see them. Some moms and calves stick around.
Which do you recommend captain zodiac or adventure x on the big island? Do you have a promo code for both?
I like adventure x for the seating and I like Puako Bay. No promo codes for them I’m afraid.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thanks! Have you done the liquid Hawaii tours? We decided to go with them for our manta ray experience because they are closest to our hotel. Might switch the whale watching to them too but would love your opinion if you’ve tried them! Thanks for the reply. We purchased the Kauai and big island itineraries and we are binge watching your videos. Thank you so much!!
I was talking with a friend today and she’s visiting January 20 and was going to wait to book her excursions, I quoted Jordan about not waiting they’ll be booked…
Your very wise Bill, good advice! I don't like to take advantage of cancellation policies but they are helpful in our current environment. Most whale tours offer 24 hour or 48 cancellation policies.
I noticed Ultimate Whale Watch has whale tours on their calender website till late April but every other website only goes till March 31. I'm going to Maui the very end of March to beginning week of April. What are my chances of seeing some whales then?
Every whale season is different but your odds are good to see whales. Tours continue until they can’t guarantee sightings.
Would like to stay a month in April or May 2023 in Waikiki, I need a kitchen...any suggestions??????????
thanks for emailing us, I hope our email answered your questions!
That one clip was basically listening to whales banging or flirting with each other lol
Would love for you to come out on The Magic Merman, we are the only raft style boat out if Kaanapali. Check out our reviews.
Thanks for the invite! We will give you a holler. We’ve seen you at the beach.
Any suggestions for whale watching tours on Oahu?
We post them on our website when they open reservations in November
Any updated codes for booking? Trying to book a December trip and the code is no longer valid.
Aloha Jeff, they haven't put up reservations for whale watching yet. They usually open reservations in October. Are you looking at their official site? The promo code HVG is working for their snorkel and whale watching tours.
www.ultimatewhalewatch.com/
Do you guys go to or enjoy upcountry or no beach no fun?
We love upcountry, especially the farm tours. We include an upcountry day in our Maui itineraries. This is our most recent upcountry video: ruclips.net/video/n3-hykzyMSE/видео.html
Great tips! So is the weather hotter or cooler out on the. Ocean?? I ask bc for example in Monterey, it’s 10 degrees colder out in the pacific 🥶😂!!
the ocean is about 76 degrees F during the winter while the air is in the 80s during during the day. at night, it gets in the 70s.
Great video! As someone who works whale watching trips as a marine naturalist in Maui, I'd like to emphasize two of your points.
Yes, we do see whales on our snorkel tours on every trip now, but we don't always stop for the whales (unless they surprise us with a close encounter!). So go whale watching for whale watching, and snorkeling for snorkeling!
There are several tour operators, so pick what is best for you. I highly recommend researching who you are booking with rather than picking at random (as some of our guests do). Why? Not only are their different boat types, but also different crew personalities. Some trips give you an ohana vide where the crew make it a point to learn your names, some are a 5 star experience with food, and others like my company focus on education and conservation.
Can't wait to see ya out on the water!
Thanks for the additional emphasis and tips! We appreciate the great advice for whale watching enthusiasts! Enjoy the season, you have a wonderful job.
Have you tried the submarines? I saw Atlantis was advertising tours in Lahaina where you can watch the whales underneath the ocean?
We are coming out with a video comparing Atlantis and ReefDancer semi-sub soon. They are a fun experience, especially for families. Seeing a whale underwater via the submarine is a low probability. It has happened about once every three years.
Does Hawaii require proof of a booster shot?
Happy new year
No they don't. Maui does starting on Jan 8 to dine indoors if it is time to get the booster. But no travel restrictions for boosters at this time.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide
Thanks
So there's no point in going around August?
Not if you’re looking for whales.
🌎✌️❤️🌱💪🩷🙏🐋🐳🐬🐟🐠🐡🦈
please let us know when covid testing and masks are no longer required to travel to Hawaii, 2023 or 2024??????
no one knows as they wait for the pandemic to cool off. I know, that is a horrible answer.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide unfortunately, no one knows, we'll wait and see.
Funny because we went on that yellow small boat with the lady and it was an ok experience false hopes on seeing certain things,we had to go back to harbor because she stationed the boat on some post so she got a ticket.waste of time. It was basically a snorkeling cruise
Can I book inexpensive private raft /boat? Cannot stand those wooing and applause, so cringe. It's nature people, be quiet
Yes, almost all the tour companies offer private tours. Ultimate Whale Watch offers a private tour.