Whale watching Hawaii season is a popular time to visit the islands, and it may be the best time for your vacation too. If you want to see humpback whales play and thrive in the wild, a winter trip to Hawaii is the ultimate getaway.
Today, we’re sharing all our know-how about whale watching season in Hawaii. You’ll learn when to visit so that you see whales, which island to visit, and how to plan a trip that includes plenty of thrilling whale sightings.
Whale Watching Season in Hawaii
Whale watching Hawaii season runs from December through mid-April. If you’re vacationing during that time frame, you’ll likely see humpback whales breach in the glistening Pacific Ocean. But if you’re planning a vacation around whale watching, you’ll want to narrow down that season even more.
The peak time for whale watching in Hawaii is January and February. For U.S. travelers, that means planning your vacation sometime around Martin Luther King Junior Day and Presidents Day.
Ready to book? Contact Hawaii Aloha Travel to help plan a custom vacation that includes the best whale watching opportunities, along with all the activities you dream of.
If you want to learn more about whale watching season in Hawaii, keep reading — we’ve got lots of great info for you!
The Reason for the Season
So, why aren’t whales in Hawaii year-round? It seems they would like the warm, beautiful water just as we do, and would long to spend their summers in the islands.
Sure, the water in Hawaii is great for swimming, but there’s not enough food for these hungry Humpbacks. During their migration and time in Hawaii, whales are fueled primarily by the fat they’ve stored in their bodies. Researchers recently discovered that whales do a bit of dining during their Hawaiian vacation, but not enough to sustain an active, year-round lifestyle here.
So what drives whales to choose a part-time residency in the Aloha State? Let’s take a look at what happens during the whale watching Hawaii season…
A Whale’s Babymoon
The biggest goal for whales during their migration is to mate and give birth.
The water in Hawaii is shallower and warmer than in Alaska, making it an ideal place for a new baby to get acclimated to life in the water.
Another perk to winters in Hawaii? A lack of predators. Killer whales, which are Humpbacks’ main predators, don’t make the big trip to the islands.
Mating Whales
Of course, before the Babymoon is an essential act for whales… and Hawaii is ideal for romance too.
Many male humpback whales migrate to Hawaii, traveling in pods and competing for the attention of females. And that’s how we get one of the biggest experiences during Hawaii whale watching season: listening for whales.
The distinct song you can hear underwater comes from male whales as they attempt to woo females.
If they’re successful, there will soon be a new addition: an adorable baby whale.
Baby Whales
It’s time for the newest arrival, an adorable bundle of joy. And how’s this for a birth announcement: newborn whales will weigh between 1 and 2 tons and extend up to 15 feet.
While their babies are young, mothers stay in the warm, shallow waters and nurse their babies with over a hundred gallons of breast milk per day. The most popular spot for toddling humpbacks is the ʻAuʻau Channel off the coast of Maui.
Whales of all ages are playful, and this is what makes whale watching in Hawaii so much fun. During whale season, chartered boats and tours take visitors out to the water, where Humpback whales (both adults and babies) often approach boats, playfully bumping into them or swimming underneath.
Even from a distance, you can observe whales playing and exploring as they slap their fins against the water, jump around, and bump into each other.
After Hawaii Whale Season
Like we mentioned, there’s not enough food in Hawaii for whales to live here year-round. When summer approaches, it’s time for the whales to begin their great migration back to the cool waters of Alaska.
By April, baby whales have gained enough strength and skills to take the 4-6 week journey north. And all whales are ready to feast. The long winter living off of stored fat has come to a close, and they will spend the following months eating crustaceans and small fish.
What to Watch for During Hawaii Whale Season
Whales are very active during their time in Hawaii. Just like vacationers enjoy getting out and about with friends, family, and strangers during their Hawaii vacation, whales tend to make the most of their time in the islands.
This means they’re putting on an excellent show for whale watchers in Hawaii. Here’s some of what you’ll see from shore and from whale watching excursions:
Breaching
A breach is when a whale propels out of the water, launching all or some of its body into the air. Sometimes, a whale will spin during its breach – other times it’s a straight leap. They may do this for communication purposes, but oftentimes they’re simply playing.
Diving
If you go whale watching, you may see a whale’s tail sticking out of the water for a couple of seconds. This is part of the whale’s dive. They are headed deeper underwater, revealing the flukes of their tails before their descent.
Logging
You may also see a whale back stretched out across the surface of the water, looking quite like a log floating along. Well, that’s called logging. Scientists believe it’s a whale’s alternative to sleeping. The position allows them to rest and breathe.
Spouting
It’s always exciting to see a whale spouting. This appears to be a push of water, but it’s actually warm air and water vapor that the whale exhales from its blowhole.
Fighting
I went on a whale-watching charter a few years ago, where we witnessed what was essentially a whale fight. Males were competing for a female’s attention, and it was quite the sight—lots of splashing, slapping, and spinning by giant whales.
Whale competitions can be violent and bloody. The winner will say it’s worth it to become the female’s primary escort – a job that often involves mating.
Where to See Whales in Hawaii
During Hawaii’s whale watching season, it’s easy to spot all kinds of actions from these majestic creatures. However, certain spots will offer better sightings.
I’m a big fan of a Maui whale watching vacation, where you can see mothers and calves playing in the Auʻau Channel.
Many whale watchers flock to Hawaii Island’s Kohala coast, where swarms of migrating whales spend the winter.
If you’re visiting Hawaii during winter, you’ll probably be able to see whales no matter where you stay. But if you want to center your trip around whale watching, your best bet is to stay in Maui’s southern coast (around Kihei or Wailea), or near Kona on the Big Island. These are great launching points for a whale-watching boat trip, and chances are good that you can see whales from shore as well.
A Whale Tail As Old As Time
I host winter-time visitors who arrive without much interest in whales. But once they experience the thrill of a whale sighting, they’re hooked. Humpback whales are mind-bogglingly large, extremely playful, and exciting to witness. And learning about their season in Hawaii, their migration patterns, and their unique behaviors just adds to the experience.
So, will we see you in Hawaii next winter? We’ll be seeing whales, and we hope you’ll be with us, catching sight of these majestic migrators.
