Would you like to have an unforgettable whale-watching experience while visiting Hawaii? It’s not uncommon for residents and tourists to see beautiful, large whales in the ocean while aboard a boat in the sea, especially near the Kohala Coast of the big island or Maui or Kauai.
If you’d like to see these whales in their natural habitat while spending the day out in the water, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. Many companies in different parts of Hawaii offer a whale watching experience that takes you to some of the best areas to spot these majestic creatures.
Insider Tip: Be sure to also visit Hawaii’s spectacular waterfalls during your visit. There is no shortage of natural beauty in this unique state.
When is Whale Watching Season in Hawaii?
January through March is considered peak of whale watching season in Hawaii. North Pacific Humpback whales pass through the area on their annual winter migration during these months. Though you may be able to spot them as early as November and as late as May. We visited during late April and they had already headed out on their migration.
Which Hawaiian Island is Best for Whale Watching?
Maui is considered the best island to spot whales. But really all of the Hawaiian islands offer vantage points from shore and via ocean cruises to see these amazing creatures. The Kahala coast on the big island offers viewing right from shore. Poipu Beach on Kauai is another popular spot to watch for whales.
Insider Tip: If you are traveling with your kids, find out which Hawaiian island is best for families.
What Types of Whales Can You See in Hawaii?
There are several species of whales that spend time in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands. But there are thousands of North Pacific Humpback whales that make the area home during their winter migration. Also in the area though less likely to spot are Short Finned Pilot Whales, Melon Headed Whales, Sperm Whales and Dwarf Sperm Whales.
Whale Watching Cruises
The best way to see the whales is to take a whale watching ocean cruise. Here are a few of the outfitters that you may want to consider depending on which island you decide to visit.
Ocean Sports
Ocean Sports located on the big island of Hawaii has an excellent reputation for finding humpback whales on their whale watching tours. They also offer sunset cruises, snorkel cruises and other fun water excursions. The crew members are all friendly and knowledgeable. We felt very safe onboard. Our kids enjoyed striking up conversation with the crew. And, the sunsets, of course, are also spectacular.
Waianae Coast Snorkel Cruise
The Waianae Coast Snorkel Cruise offers visitors the opportunity to see what is on the ocean floor, swim with dolphins, and even watch for whales from the Oahu area. The whale-watching adventures are seasonal, but if you’re in the area at the right time, you can participate in this relaxing, enjoyable activity.
Between January and March, it’s easy to spot humpback whales because those are the months when they’re known to migrate from one area to the next. You can enjoy lunch on the boat while you wait to get a close view of the whales. You never know how many whales you’ll see, but if you are there at the right time, you’ll probably lose track.
Ali’i VIP Whale Tour
When you’re not really into snorkeling and swimming with dolphins, but you want to see the whales, the Ali’i VIP Whale Tour is an excellent tour to take. Up to 11 people get to ride together in the vessel, listening to music that is calming and known to encourage the whales to jump around in the water.
You’ll have a relaxing and comfortable experience with loved ones while learning about the whales in the area and even eventually seeing them. You’ll depart from Lahaina and head out to see for several hours in an attempt to see as many whales as possible. The tours will last for nearly two hours and take place on Fridays, Wednesdays, and Mondays each week.
Maui Whale Watch Cruise
Do you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth? The Maui Whale Watch Cruise is perfect. The company offers a guarantee to all guests that they’ll see whales while out on the ocean for two hours. If not, riders get to head back out on the cruise on a different day for FREE. Knowing there is a guarantee makes this cruise even better.
The large boat provides comfortable seats and plenty of space for social distancing between guests.
You’ll have the option of sitting in the upper deck or an enclosed cabin, where you won’t have to worry about getting wet.
If you don’t mind potentially getting a bit wet from whale movements, you can stand on the upper deck to observe these beautiful marine animals in their natural habitat.
During your trip with this company, you’ll get to listen to whale narration, observe these beautiful creatures, and even stop at the gift shop inside the boat.
The money spent at the gift shop gets put into whale research, making it the perfect place to visit when you want to grab souvenirs for loved ones.
Pono’s Kayak Adventures Private Pedal Kayak Whale Watching Tour
If you enjoy heading out in the water while kayaking, you’ll love this four-hour tour that involves using a private pedal kayak to head out on the water to search for whales. Up to three people can travel together on the private kayak. Because it’s more of a personal experience, you can enjoy it even better.
The tour lasts for four hours, but guests often spend a bit of extra time out in the water. You can easily admire these beautiful humpback whales from close proximity while riding in your kayak. It will lead to better interactions with these animals. It’s a unique and exhilarating experience worth trying. If you’d like to see the whales without distractions from other guests, this private tour is ideal.
Oahu Whale-Watching Experience
When you’re in Oahu, you’ll want to check out the Oahu Whale-Watching Experience. You’ll notice multiple humpback whales traveling together in the water. The best time to go on this tour is anywhere between December and May, which gives you plenty of time to decide when to go to Hawaii. You’ll get to ride on a boat with a small number of people, making the experience more intimate and enjoyable.
You can enjoy a nice meal on the boat while watching the whales as they swim around and have fun. If you don’t see any whales, the company allows guests to come back for another whale watching experience for free. Not only are you spending time watching whales, but you’ll also receive valuable information about these animals and their migration pattern during your tour.
Kona Whale Watch From Honokohau
While spending time in Kona, consider whale watching from a sailing boat. The tour lasts for about 90 minutes. You’ll get to ride around in Honi Olani in a unique sailing boat that offers a more intimate experience for whale watching.
While you spend time in the water to see the whales, your tour guide will also provide unique information about these whales. You’ll learn where they choose to go when they give birth and what types of behaviors they typically display throughout the year. If you want to have a one-of-a-kind experience, this is the perfect tour for you to take.
You’ll have dozens of opportunities to watch whales while you’re staying in Hawaii. No matter which Hawaiian island you visit, you’ll find companies offering an unforgettable whale watching experience.
Choose the excursion that you feel best meets your needs. Make sure you’re visiting at the right time to ensure that you can see as many whales as possible. When you see these whales in front of you for the first time, you’ll feel a sense of excitement like no other. Don’t forget to take photos to capture all the amazing sights you’ll see while you’re out on the water.
