It’s that sad time of year when the North Pacific Humpback Whales depart Hawaii. At the time of this writing (mid-April), the whales are still abundant, but we are definitely seeing fewer than we saw last month. So, if you happen to be on Maui through the end of...
When you join us on a whale watch tour on Maui, breaching is one of the common actions you’re likely to see. Breaching is when a whale throws its entire body out of the water. It’s an awesome to sight to witness, to be sure. But why do humpback whales...
Every winter, the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to Hawaii are a source of wonder and interest among both island visitors and residents. For those who keep an eye on the blue horizon, the whales can put on quite a show with their acrobatic antics. Their...
There is nothing more exciting than seeing a 30-ton whale throwing itself out of the ocean like a spinner dolphin on one of our whale watches. Luckily for you, whales have more than just one trick up their fins! Here is a visual guide to seven common humpback whale...
When is whale watching season on Maui? Unofficially, whale watching season runs from December 1 – April 30. But the whales came early this year and we’re already running Whale Watch tours! Where is the best place to see the whales? Well, we may be a teeny...
After spending the summer consuming roughly 5,000 pounds of food in Alaska, the humpback whales are completing their arduous 3,000 mile journey to Hawaii. How lucky we are! Though we witness these 30-ton beauties every winter, the sight of a humpback whale breaching...
There are two schools of thought when it comes to jellyfish. When seen in an aquarium, like the fabulous Maui Ocean Center, they are stunningly beautiful. Watching them glow and glide is a sight to behold. On the other hand, when you’re wading waist deep in the...
A rare dolphin-whale hybrid is swimming in the waters of Hawaii. Marine researcher Dr. Robin Baird**, of the non-profit Cascadia Research Collective, told The Garden Isle this hybrid is a “most unusual finding”. The hybrid has been given the scientific...
Book a Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin tour with Hawaii Ocean Project and save $10 by following this special link. Achilles Tang These blackfish have a distinctive orange patch near the tail and some seriously beautiful orange, white, and blue stripes that look like they...
Some people come to Maui for the beach, others for the hiking, most for relaxation. But if you’re coming to Maui and want to try your hand at fishing, there are some things you need to know. In this article, we’ll talk about regulations, where you might...
When you visit Hawaii, you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time in the water. Visitors often ask about sharks, as in “should I be worried about them?” The fact is, many more people run into personal health-related issues while in the ocean...
Turtles are the rare creature you can see both underwater and on shore. While you’re more likely to spot turtles, on Maui at least, in the water, if you know where to look you can see the largest of them, green sea turtles, resting on the beach. Hawaii is home...
One of the most exciting fish to see while snorkeling in Hawaii is a ray. A distant cousin of the shark, rays can often be seen in Maui’s waters fairly close to shore. Highly photogenic, seeing rays is always the highlight of any snorkeling adventure. Here are...
We love our monk seals. But if you’re lucky enough to see one, remember to keep your distance. They are endangered and should not be touched or harassed in any way. Beyond that, Hawaiian monk seal mothers of newborns will aggressively protect their pups. The...
Seeing whales on a whale watch tour is awesome. No doubt about that. But do you know what else is awesome? Seeing dolphins! But is it legal to swim with them? New Spinner Dolphin Rules for The Hawaiian Islands! On October 28th, a new rule goes into effect where...
We often get asked what types of whales, dolphins and sharks are spotted here in Maui. This is not a complete list, just the ones that are most often seen from Maui’s shores and while on whale watch and snorkeling tours. DOLPHINS Spinner Dolphins (Very common)...
Whale season in Hawaii refers to the return of the north pacific humpback whales every winter. While the cycle varies slightly every year, most people consider whale season to run from December to April. To get you ready for whale season, here are 10 fun facts about...
Snorkeling in Maui is fun. When you enter our waters, you’re liable to see fish of all colors, turtles, sea urchins, and maybe even (harmless) sharks and rays. But when snorkeling, don’t overlook the coral. Coral are beautiful, living ANIMALS. Coral has a...
We are sure that you have heard of Hawaii’s state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, and have been challenged to sound out this seemingly complicated set of letters. Lucky for you, we won’t make you do that and will often refer to this fish as “humuhumu” like the locals...
The scientific name for the green sea turtle is Chelonia mydas, but the Hawaiian name is simply: “Honu.” For many snorkelers, these fascinating marine reptiles become the highlight of a good outing. Despite their status as an endangered species, there are...
If you love exploring tide pools and coral reefs to discover the many fascinating inhabitants, Maui is a great place to be. Whether you join us aboard a Molokini Snorkel Boat Tour, or you opt to stick to Maui’s coastlines, the reefs and tide pools won’t...
The waters off Hawaii’s coastlines are full of fascinating marine animals, but few have as many surprising qualities as the octopus. As researchers continue to discover incredible things about the capabilities of these remarkable invertebrates, they continue to...
A new shark species from the deep waters off the northwestern Hawaiian islands has been discovered recently. Don’t worry, this diminutive creature is less than a foot long, and you won’t see it on our Hawaii snorkeling tours because it has been found only...
Thinking about joining us for a Maui snorkeling tour? Ours can take you to the lovely little crescent island of Molokini, or to the scenic shores of neighboring Lanai island. No doubt you’re most excited about the fascinating types of marine life that...
Hawaii’s marine life comes in a rainbow of colors, from the black and yellow hues of our butterflyfish to the red and blue tints of our parrotfish. These vibrant creatures keep guests coming for our Maui snorkel tours time and time again. Their flashy colors...
The octopus has recently become quite popular in the online world, but for some of us, it has always been a favorite. This notoriously clever cephalopod mollusk is one of the more uncommon sightings on Maui snorkeling tours, but if you’re lucky, you just might...
The reef triggerfish is one of the most iconic Hawaiian fish, particularly thanks to its name, which is one of the longest words in the Hawaiian language. When literally translated, humuhumunukunukuapua’a means “triggerfish with a snout like a pig.”...
The raccoon butterflyfish is one of the easiest Hawaiian fish to recognize, with the black eye “mask” that they have in common with their namesake. While many Hawaiian butterflyfish feature bright or pale yellow hues, the raccoon butterfly is more of a...
Photo Courtesy of Maui Ocean Project: mauioceancenter.com If you love marine life, you may be excited to hear that three grey reef shark pups were very recently born at the Maui Ocean Center in the 750,000 gallon Open Ocean exhibit. One of the pups was a male, and the...
A beautiful new Hawaiian fish was recently discovered within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and it has been named Tosanoides Obama Pyle. The fish was named after the president in gratitude for his decision to expand the monument, which we discussed...
On a Maui Boat Tour with Hawaii Ocean Project, you will see a myriad of different marine life. Whether you are on a snorkeling tour, a whale watch tour, or even a dinner cruise, you may see some of Maui’s unique residents and visitors alike. Hawaiian Green Sea...
Whale watching is one of Maui’s most popular activities and for good reason! Humpback Whales are our beloved seasonal visitors. We love to watch these beautiful animals who perform incredibly acrobatic moves despite their large size. We are constantly in awe of...
Marine scientists are buzzing with news of the recent discovery of a beaked whale right here in the Pacific Ocean. Sightings of the whale have been going on in Japan for some time. Japanese fishermen called them “karasu” or ravens, for their exceptionally...
The Hawaiian word for shark is mano. When it comes to awe-inspiring marine animals, sharks are up there toward the top of the list, so it’s no wonder they hold such a special significance in Hawaiian culture. In fact, for many Hawaiian families, the shark is an...
Dolphin sightings are always an exciting event for our Maui ocean cruise guests, so we thought we’d share some fun facts about these acrobatic mammals. Here in the waters around Maui, spinner dolphins have the highest numbers, and are sometimes seen in large...
In April, we shared the story of the ghost-like octopus discovered in Hawaii, which earned the affectionate nickname “Casper” from online fans. Now, just a couple of months later, a ghost-like fish has been discovered in the deepest trench of the Pacific...
The northwestern Hawaiian island chain is home to a very special network of deep coral reefs. Those reefs are part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and they contain the most abundant collection of endemic species found in any region of the world,...
Hawaiian green sea turtles are a common sighting for guests of our Lanai Snorkeling Tours. They graze on the algae and grasses found throughout the reefs, and nest on Hawaii’s beaches. Not only are they wonderful to watch, but they also have a special...
Just when you think Hawaii is out of ecological surprises, someone finds a deep ocean octopus that is very likely to be a new species. As with the new algae species discoveries that we blogged about recently, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration...
January is drawing to a close as peak whale season approaches. Humpback whales migrate in throngs from their cold Alaskan feeding grounds in the summer to our warm Hawaiian waters in the winter. Although the first sightings of the year are often in October or even as...
Humpback whales tend to get all the attention, especially considering their tremendous size, how aerial they are, and the sheer number that migrate to Hawaii in the winter months. They really know how to steal the show. They also tend to be at their thickest number in...
This week, we’d like to highlight some of the exciting efforts of the Cascadia Research Collective, one of the organizations that our Maui ecotourism business supports. Founded in 1979, this extraordinary non-profit specializes in scientific research and...
By Captain Dave As we all know, Maui is a premier destination for not just humans from across the globe, but for our friends the Humpback Whales as well. What many do not know however is exactly why these magnificent creatures choose to make the trip to Maui in the...
