Mahi Mahi Swimming Near Giant Humpbacks in Maui

An unforgettable scene off the coast of Maui: a mahi mahi cruises alongside massive humpback whales, offering a striking perspective on scale in the open Pacific. Humpback whales in Hawaiʻi can reach lengths of 45–50 feet (13–15 m) and weigh up to 40 tons. Mahi mahi on the other hand can grow up to 7ft long. Seeing the two together highlights just how immense humpbacks truly are. Maui’s shallow channels serve as winter breeding and nursery grounds for North Pacific humpbacks. While sharks are part of the same marine ecosystem, encounters like this are typically peaceful, with each species focused on its own behavior. This footage captures a rare natural moment—no interference, just raw scale and presence in the wild. Filmed in Maui, Hawaiʻi during peak whale season.