Things To Do In March: Whale Watching St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Solar Eclipse
Maui in March is one of the best ways to kick off the spring season. For nature lovers, humpback whales are still plentiful and there’s no shortage of land- and ocean-based whale watching options. St. Patrick’s Day is always a hit with Maui’s handful of Irish pubs, most of which include live music and drink specials. Keep in mind that while most clocks will spring ahead on Sunday, March 12, Hawaii doesn’t observe Daylight Savings.
To Dos On Maui This March
March Top Picks Of Things To Do
- Outdoor Activity: Private kayak whale watch tour
- Couples: Whale Watching with a private Stand Up Paddle Boarding tour
- Families: Whale and Ocean Arts Festival (March 4-5)
Maui Whales and Whale Watching
- Peak season: January – March
- Tips: Pack your binoculars
- Highlights: Too many whales to count!
Maui is magnet for humpback whales, and if you’re lucky enough to be on Maui in March, then you’re in for a treat. Landlubbers will appreciate the fact that whales can be spotted right from the beach, while those looking for a truly memorable experience can opt for ocean-based whale watching excursions that range from large catamarans to kayaks. Make sure to catch these guys while you can, as humpback numbers begin thinning out in April.
Best land-based whale watching Spots:
- Papawai Point (West Maui) – A superb, cliff-side vantage point located directly off the highway, albeit extremely crowded during the day.
- Olowalu Reef (West Maui) – Humpbacks are frequently seen cruising along the coastline between Maalaea and Lahaina. Just make sure to pull over to the side if you spot a whale while driving!
- Pu’u Olai (South Maui) – Although it’s a bit of a climb, there’s no better place to get a bird’s eye view of South Maui’s coastal waters and, of course, cruising humpbacks.
- Honolua Bay (West Maui) – Although known more for its waves than its humpbacks, Honolua provides a scenic overlook that you won’t want to miss. Whales are regularly seen along this part of the coastline and if all else fails, there’s no shortage of surfers to watch.
Best ocean-based whale watching:
- Maui Kayak Adventures – Forget the overcrowded boats where passengers are packed like sardines! Maui Kayak Adventures offers guests a kayak adventure face-to-face with humpbacks, but away from the crowds.
- Hawaiian Paddle Sports – If you’re looking for a fresh new way to experience whale watching, then look no further than Hawaiian Paddle Sports who offers Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe and Stand Up Paddle Boarding whale watching tours.
- Trilogy – Trilogy offers a variety of high quality whale watching excursions on its luxury, sailing catamarans.
Best Place to Learn Everything You Ever Wanted About Humpbacks:
- Whale Talks (South Maui) – Join staff from Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary for FREE, informational talks 11am – noon. Talks are held Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays at the Sanctuary headquarters in Kihei.
- Papawai Point (West Maui) – Papawai Point offers an excellent vantage point for whale watching and is staffed daily by a naturalist (8am-2pm).
Best places to grab a drink and watch whales:
- Fleetwood’s on Front Street (Lahaina) – It doesn’t get much better than rooftop cocktails and breaching whales
- Seascape Restaurant (Maalaea) – Perched overlooking Maalaea Harbor and conveniently located halfway between Kihei and Lahaina, enjoy nightly pau hana Happy Hour from 5-7pm
- Sarento’s On the Beach (Wailea) – A fine dining experience that also offers breakfast, Sarento’s is located directly on the beach and offers a nightly Happy Hour from 4:30pm-6:30pm
St. Patrick’s Day On Maui – Friday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day revelers have a choice of partaking in holiday festivities at some of Maui’s favorite brewing establishments. Restaurants and bars host live music, while those looking for a unique way to celebrate should consider the Leprechaun Chase 5k run.
Mulligans on the Blue
Location: 100 Kaukahi St, Wailea
Highlights: You can’t get much more festive than at Maui’s only Irish owned and run restaurant and bar. Here, St. Patty’s Day is all day, celebratory affair with drink specials, live music, and panoramic views of the Pacific from the main dining room.
Fleetwood’s On Front St.
Location: 744 Front St, Lahaina
Highlights: Check out the legendary Mick Fleetwood’s drum set while listening to the bagpipes.
Dog and Duck Irish Pub
Location: 1913 South Kihei Rd, Kihei
Highlights: Laid-back pub atmosphere with live music and a wide selection of ales, beer, and grub.
March Festivals On Maui
Whale and Ocean Arts Festival
Date: Saturday/Sunday, March 4- 5, 2017
Time: 10am – 4:30pm
Location: Banyan Tree Park (Lahaina)
Admission: Free
Highlights: Celebrate everything whales and ocean at Maui’s annual Whale and Ocean Arts Festival. This family-friendly event includes whale researchers, artists, Hawaiian musicians, and hula troupes. Kids will enjoy the keiki art contest, lei making, and face painting.
Prince Kuhio Festival
Date: Saturday, March 18- Sunday, March 19
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Banyan Tree Park (Lahaina)
Admission: FREE
Highlights: An all day event celebrating the birth of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole who is known for his efforts to champion the Hawaiian culture and people. Activities include lei making demonstration, Maui made artisans, and live music.
5th Friday Lanai Town Party
Date: Friday, March 31
Time: 5:30-8pm
Location: Dole Park (Lanai City)
Admission: $60 Ferry Ticket
Highlights: Experience a unique side of Lanai at the island’s 5th Friday Town Party Celebration. The family-friendly event features Lanai’s small businesses along with live music, food and drinks, free drawing prizes and more. Reservations for ferry transport between Maui and Lanai must be made in advance.
March Concerts & Shows
Hawaiian Music Series Concert
Date: Thursday, March 30
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Location: Baldwin Home Museum Lawn (Lahaina)
Cost: FREE
Highlights: Enjoy this FREE outdoor concert series featuring Maui-based entertainers. Blankets and beach chairs are welcomed. A great way to wind down after a day spent exploring Lahaina town.
A Recipe To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Get your fill of green this St. Patrick’s Day with this delicious pohole fern salad.
Pohole Salad
Recipe courtesy of Executive Chef Dylan Montano, Star Noodle
1 Ounce Sesame oil
¼ Ounce Cherry Tomato, halved
¼ Ounce Kula Onions, julienned
¼ Ounce Dried Shrimp
¼ Ounce Dried Cuttlefish, chopped
¼ Ounce Konbu Shiofuki
4 Ounce Pohole, cleaned & blanched
Instructions:
1. In a 4-quart pot, bring water to a boil.
2. Add 3 tsp salt and blanch pohole for 2 minutes.
3. Shock pohole in iced water, drain and pat dry.
4. In a bowl, combine pohole, sesame oil, Kula onions, dried shrimp and konbu. Mix until well incorporated.
5. Garnish with cherry tomatoes.
Weather On Maui In March
March on Maui is signaled by an increase in trade winds and an easing of large surf along the north and west shores. Sunshine typically dominates, especially along leeward shores, and there are plenty of perfect beach days to be had. High temperatures generally hover between the low eighties and high seventies. Ocean temperatures average in the mid-seventies.
| Location | Avg. High °F | Avg. Low °F |
|---|---|---|
| Haleakala National Park (Summit) | 60 | 43 |
| Kahului | 81 | 64 |
| Kapalua | 79 | 66 |
| Lahaina | 83 | 65 |
| Makena State Park | 77 | 64 |
| Hana | 78 | 65 |
Ongoing Events In March
| Event | When | Where | Why You Should Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maui Friday Town Parties | Every Friday 6pm-9pm | March 3 Wailuku March 10 Lahaina March 17 Makawao March 24 Kihei March 31 Lanai | FREE Family-friendly community block parties with live music, food, and fun |
| Friday Night is Art Night | Every Friday 7pm-10pm | Lahaina | Gallery shows, artists demonstrations, music, food |
Volunteer Events In March
| Event | When | Where | Why You Should Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Environmental Volunteer Days (Hawaiian Islands Land Trust) | Every Friday 8am-Noon | Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge Halewaiu Road Wailuku, HI 96793 | Habitat restoration of native coastal wetlands |
| Malama Honokowai Restoration (Maui Cultural Lands) | Every Saturday 9am-5pm | Meet at the Pu’ukoli’i “Sugar Cane Train” Station Lahaina | Restoration and maintenance of historic Honokowai Valley |
| O‘o Farm Volunteer Days | Every Wednesday 8:45am-11:30am | O‘o Farm 651 Waipoli Rd, Kula | Support sustainable farming practices |
| Community Garden Work Day | Every Wednesday 9am-Noon | The Maui Farm 100 Ike Drive, Makawao | Learn sustainable farm practices with garden work |
| Kākoʻo Iā Kahoʻolawe | 4th Saturday of month March 25 8am-Noon | Kihei Boat Ramp 2988 S. Kihei Rd, Kihei | Work on walking trail and native plant nursery to propagate plants for Kahoʻolawe |
| Hoaloha ‘Aina (South Maui Volunteers) | Every Monday 7:30am-9:30am | Check website for meeting location | Coastal trail and fence maintenance, invasive species removal |
Maui Kayak Adventures
61 Halekuai St., Unit 2
61 Halekuai St., Unit 2
Kihei, HI 96753
United States
