These gentle giants spend their Hawaiian winter vacation turning tricks for anyone in a 50 mile radius. They also take advantage of our relatively predator-free warm waters to give birth. Once all this has been accomplished, they prepare for the 3,500+ mile journey that will take them back to the chilly waters of Alaska.
Whale watching is such a unique opportunity and most visitors hate to miss the watching window! If you’re someone who wants to see a whale do a backflip in person, then here’s your (almost) sure-fire guide to catching a Kodak moment with a humpback.
When Humpbacks Arrive in Hawaii
These kind creatures technically make their first debut around October or November, but they slowly arrive at different times, and you’d be one of the lucky few to catch a glimpse of a whale at this time.
Peak Hawaii Whale Season
Around February, the majority has made the voyage to these balmy waters and are ready to put on a show. You’d be hard-pressed not to see at least a few, even if you’re only experiencing through binoculars.
And they begin to depart
By the end of March, these 52-foot, 40-pound giants will be flipping a tail wave to you as they exit the stage.
A few will stick around until May, but those spotting a whale at that time are the golden ticket winners.
So, February and March are your winning months to catch sight of a stunning humpback whale! The photos here were all taken at the end of March 2015 by Hawaiian Paddle Sports.
World Traveler, Digital Nomad, Small Business Enthusiast, and Lover of words! Originally from Austin, Texas, I’ve lived on Maui for many years. Currently in Los Angeles.
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