The best time to see whales in Hawaii is December through April, with peak activity from January through March. More than 10,000 Northern Pacific humpback whales spend their winters in Hawaiian waters, and roughly 75% of the population concentrates in the Maui Nui Basin off West Maui — making Maui the most reliable whale watching destination during the Hawaii whale season.
When Is the Best Time of Year to See Whales in Hawaii? Whale Season in Hawaii Explained
The best time of year to go whale watching in Maui is the winter months, during the Hawaii whale season.
Over 10,000 Northern Pacific Humpback Whales migrate back to Hawaii every year from Alaska during the winter months to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. They travel 3000 miles to the Hawaiian Islands, which is the most remote island chain in the world. Although you can see whales around most of the Hawaii Islands, it’s estimated that about 75% of the humpback whale population spends their winters on Maui, in the calm, warm, shallow waters of the Maui Nui Basin.
Because the majority of the population resides in the Maui Nui Basin, this location along Maui’s west coast became a sanctuary for humpback whales in the 1990s as a means to enact protection regulations to reduce threats and support the recovery of their population. In the last 50 years, the humpback whale population has grown from an estimated 10,000 animals to over 80,000 animals at a rate of 3%-10% annually.
With the population increasing, whale watching in Maui during whale season in Hawaii has become a bucket list activity.
What Are the Best Whale Watching Months in Hawaii?
The best time for whale watching in Hawaii is December through April. Because humpback whales migrate in a trickle migration pattern, some months are better than others for whale watching. More whales are in Hawaiian waters during the peak months than at the edges of the Hawaii whale season.
The earliest we see humpback whales appear in Hawaii is October, but there are just a few animals that begin their migration that early. By the end of November, around the Thanksgiving holiday, we have more regular whale sightings and guaranteed humpback whale sightings for tours starting December 1st every year.
Although December is early in whale watching season in Hawaii, we still see humpback whales on every tour and are looking for those with active surface behavior. It doesn’t take many whales to have a great whale watching, just a couple of curious and friendly ones!
When Is the Peak of the Hawaii Whale Season?
Although the best time of year to see whales is December through April, the peak of the Hawaii whale season is January through March!
By the month of January, we are seeing more whale action than in December, and by February, we have what we call “whale soup”. Everywhere you look, you see humpback whales! By this time, thousands of humpback whales are mating, giving birth, and spending their winter vacation along Maui’s coast.
In March, we still have lots of action-packed whale encounters as the migration begins to wind down and is over by the middle of the month of April. Occasionally, you will see a few straggler whales in May, but these encounters are more of a special treat than a guarantee.
During the summer months, we snorkel and dolphin watch, and then prepare for another whale watching season in Hawaii. Any month during winter, you will see whales in Maui, but the best time to see whales is between Christmas and the end of March, because there are more whales in Maui. In early December and the middle of April, you will still see whales, but there will just be fewer.
It doesn’t take many whales for an awesome encounter; just one curious whale to make your whale watching tour magical.
Ready to See Humpback Whales in Hawaii’s Whale Season? Book Your Whale Watching Tour
Maui Whale Watching Tours
Get closer to humpback whales than you thought possible on a small-group eco-raft tour with crew who have been reading these waters for over 30 years.
Private Charter Whale Watch
Book the whole raft for your family or group and spend the morning at your own pace, exactly the way you want to experience it.
Book a Private Charter Whale Watch
What Time of Day Is Best for Whale Watching in Hawaii?
The best time of day for whale watching is any time of the day! Whales are active and resting 24 hours a day. They have intervals of activity and rest because they do not feed while they are in Hawaii. Their behavior is related to mating and giving birth, which happens at random during the day and night. Our captains do their best to find whales that are in their “active” mode, not resting mode.
You can choose any time of day for whale watching, sunrise to sunset (and yes, they are even active in the dark, it’s just a little harder to spot them!).
What Time of Day Is Best for Photographing Whales from a Boat?
When it comes to professional photography, some times of day are better than others for photographing whales from a boat — not because of whale activity, but because of the lighting preferred for above or underwater photography.
If you are planning to photograph humpback whales above water, the early morning and sunset boating tours offer the softest light for your backdrop. If you are hoping for underwater photos of humpback whales, midday, when the sun is highest, will offer the best lighting for shots taken with a GoPro, waterproof phone, or cameras in waterproof housings.
What Whale Behaviors Can You See on a Whale Watching Tour During Whale Season in Hawaii?
Humpback whales will display active surface behaviors such as pectoral fin slapping, tail slapping, breaching, and spy hopping, which is also how they communicate! Their body language can tell other whales information related to mating and competing, or teach their young important behaviors they will use when they are grown.
If you visit during the best time to see humpback whales in Hawaii, some surface behaviors you may see are:
Pectoral Fin Slapping
Humpback whales have the largest pectoral fins of all whales, measuring up to 16 feet each! Humpback whales will lie on their side and slap their large pec fins against the water, making a big splash and loud sound. We often observe female humpback whales displaying this behavior as a way to get the attention of male humpback whales during mating season.
Tail Slapping
Tail slapping is a way of communicating, either an aggressive move to warn other whales to stay away, or to get the attention of a potential mate. Fun fact about whale tails (also called a fluke) has a unique pattern special to each whale, like a fingerprint!
Researchers use photos of flukes to track whale patterns and behavior and follow specific whales through their lives. The website HappyWhale is a website and app where you can upload your own photos of flukes and learn about the whale you have sighted.
Breaching
Breaching occurs when a humpback whale jumps out of the water. Humpback whales are moving at approximately 28km/hr to propel their 40 tons from under the surface of the water. Scientists believe whales breach for a few reasons, including making noise for attention, cleaning themselves, and teaching their young.
Spy Hopping
When whales want to get a better view of surface activity, they push their heads above the water, which is called spy hopping. When whales spy hop near our boats during the whale watch tour, you can see the whale’s tubercles and the little hairs that grow out of them!
Book a Maui Whale Watching Tour During the Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Hawaii
Whale watching is one of Maui’s best activities. If you are visiting Maui during the months of December through April, put whale watching on your Hawaii vacation bucket list! Book a whale watching tour with Hawaii Ocean Rafting. If you have any questions about whale watching in Hawaii or the best time to visit Hawaii to see whales, you can give us a call or send us a message!