Whalers Village Museum, Maui

Whalers Village Museum at a Glance

Some 200 years ago, Lahaina was a bustling port town and the whaling capital of the world. Today, whaling is long out of business and the town has found other industries, but the trade is immortalized in one of Lahaina’s biggest attractions: the Whalers Village Museum. Part of an upscale shopping center of the same name, the museum celebrates Lahaina’s seafaring life from the 19th century and the way it influenced Maui’s culture.

Over 70 species of whales can be found at the museum, including authentic specimens of the Hawaiian state mammal, the humpback whale. Most visitors, however, are awed by the 40-foot (12 m) sperm whale, whose skeleton is dramatically displayed at the center. Other attractions include an authentic, fully-equipped whale boat and a recreation of the ship’s forecastle, which showcases the life of whalers in the old days.

The center offers a self-guided tour in English, Spanish, German and Japanese, as well as a gift shop offering various artifacts and souvenirs. Across the hall is the Hale Kohola (“House of Whales”), where you’ll find more whale exhibits as well as educational artifacts about the history of the whaling trade. Families often visit the rest of the Whalers Village Mall after touring the museum, which is on the mezzanine floor.

The Whalers Village Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 10 pm. Admission is free and no reservations are needed, although large groups are advised to book in advance. The mall is located off of Kaanapali Road, close to Kaanapali Beach north of Lahaina.

Whalers Village Museum in Bullet Points

Museum showcases Lahaina’s seafaring life from the 19th century
Over 70 species of whales can be found at the museum
Whale exhibits and educational artifacts about the history of the whaling trade
Self-guided tours

Whalers Village Museum Location

Address: 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Bldg H-6, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

Whalers Village Museum Map (top)

Lahaina Weather (top)

Now
74°F
Windchill:
74°F
Fair
Location: Lahaina, HI, US
Wind: 21 mph NE
Humidity: 71%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.04 in falling
Sunrise: 6:39 am
Sunset: 5:43 pm Fri
Hi: 82°F
Low: 70°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 83°F
Low: 69°F
Partly Cloudy