Winter visitors: Maui’s humpback whales
January 21, 2026 · From the Island Star journal
Photo: J. Moore / NOAA, permit #14682, as credited in the original Island Star article.
Photo: J. Moore / NOAA, permit #14682, as credited in the original Island Star article.
A seasonal journey
Island Star’s January journal entry follows humpback whales from their northern feeding grounds to Hawaii’s winter waters. The waters around Maui, Molokai and Lanai become a place for breeding and raising calves.
Planning a winter sail
The article describes December through April as the main season, with February and March offering particularly active viewing. Wildlife is part of the natural environment, so an encounter can never be promised on a particular charter.
From the deck
Watching from a sailing yacht offers a different perspective on the water. Ask the Island Star team about seasonal conditions when planning your charter.
Preview summary of the original Island Star article. Read the original story ↗