Could anyone tell me the approximate date the whales arrive in Hawaii and when do they depart. I think they arrive in mid-November
but don't know how long they stay. Planning a trip.

Let me check on their reservations and I'll get right back to you.

I think the peak months are January, February, March. Their numbers start to taper off in April as they head back to Alaska.

I have been to the islands a number of times....last year was the first for a winter vacation......you may see whales or you may not. We were there late January and only saw a few from afar, including round trip to Lanai. We had grand hopes, but only saw a few distant breachings. Plan your trip and have a wonderful time.....search for the sea turtles!

Wow; I can't believe the previous post. I have been there in Jan and March and it is like Whale soup. It is almost impossible to look out at the ocean and not see whales.

We went to Maui mid-May & booked the "end of season" whale watch afternoon cruise by Pacific Whale Foundation out of Maaleea(sp) in the channel between Maui & Lanai and/or Molokai. I didn't expect to see anything so was pleasantly surprised when we saw a couple of mother/baby pairs. It was great, they came right over to the boat to check us out. A timeshare owning colleague tells me that the area is very, very busy with them in Feb/March.
Have a great trip,
p.

I think "officially" whale season in Maui is mid November to mid May. We were there mid April this year and saw quite a few from our balcony at the Outrigger Wailea, our poolside restaurant, a lookout point between Wailea and Lahaina and on a whale watching boat trip. Whale watching was the highlight of our trip! We want to go a little earlier next time in hopes of experiencing the "whale soup" a previous poster mentioned. While on the boat trip (Pacific Whale Foundation) they said the season started very late last year....didn't see anything until well into December.