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WHALE SEASON IN HAWAII: WHAT IT MEANS FOR PARASAILING IN MAUI & KONA

A whale breaching with its head and flipper visible against a cloudy sky and distant mountains.

Whale season is right around the corner in Hawaii!

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales make an incredible journey from Alaska to Hawaii’s warm waters. It’s one of the most exciting times of year to be out on the ocean, but it also brings a few seasonal changes to our parasailing operations.

At UFO Parasail, we operate in both Maui and Kona, and here’s what you need to know if you’re planning an ocean adventure this winter!

Maui Parasailing: Last Day December 14th!

Maui is one of the most popular destinations for humpback whales during their annual migration. The protected waters surrounding Maui, Molokai, and Lanai provide an important breeding and nursing habitat for these amazing animals. To give the whales plenty of room during their stay, our last day of parasailing operations on Maui will be December 14th.

If you’re visiting Maui, there’s still time to fly above the beautiful waters of Kaanapali Beach before we take our seasonal break!

 

Two people parasailing with a blue parachute, guided by a person on a boat.Kona Parasailing: Open All Year!

Don’t worry, parasailing doesn’t have to come to an end just because whale season is here!

Our Kona location on the Big Island operates year-round. While humpback whales migrate throughout Hawaii, their winter breeding and nursing activity is especially concentrated around Maui and the surrounding sanctuary waters. Kona is less affected by these seasonal whale concentrations, allowing us to continue offering parasailing adventures throughout the year.

So whether you’re visiting in July or January, you can enjoy incredible ocean views and an unforgettable flight above the Kona coastline!

5 Fun Facts About Hawaii’s Humpback Whales

Here are a few fun facts to impress your friends the next time you spot a whale:

  1. They travel thousands of miles! Humpback whales migrate roughly 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaii every winter.
  2. They’re BIG! Adult humpback whales can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh around 40 tons.
  3. Whale songs are incredible. Male humpbacks produce complex songs that can travel long distances underwater.
  4. Baby whales drink A LOT! A newborn calf can drink up to 100 gallons of its mother’s milk per day.
  5. They don’t eat while visiting Hawaii! Humpbacks primarily fast during their breeding season, living off energy stored during their summer feeding season in Alaska.

Smiling man holding a large fish on a boat with mountains in the background.What About Fishing in Maui?

While our Maui parasailing operations take a seasonal break, our sister company, UFO Fishing, runs fishing tours year-round! Winter is a great time to get out on the water, with opportunities to catch mahi mahi, striped marlin, and various Hawaiian bottom fish. You might even spot a few humpbacks along the way!

Plan Your Next Ocean Adventure!

Whether you’re parasailing above Kaanapali before December 14th, flying year-round in Kona, or heading offshore with UFO Fishing, there’s always an adventure waiting for you.

Come enjoy Hawaii’s beautiful waters with UFO!

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