Dolphins in Hawaii in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see dolphins in Hawaii. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 135 of the 1,259 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for dolphins in Hawaii
10.7%
of yearly sightings
135
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
1,259
verified records a year
December 8%, January 10.7%, February 8.7%. Busiest month is January at 10.7%.
1,259 verified observations of dolphins in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
January
135 records (10.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 135 | 10.7% |
| February | 109 | 8.7% |
| Marchpeak | 125 | 9.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 120 | 9.5% |
| May | 87 | 6.9% |
| June | 110 | 8.7% |
| July | 106 | 8.4% |
| August | 87 | 6.9% |
| September | 98 | 7.8% |
| October | 95 | 7.5% |
| November | 86 | 6.8% |
| December | 101 | 8% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Spinner Dolphin | 996 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 112 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 44 |
| Pantropical Spotted Dolphin | 36 |
| Pygmy Killer Whale | 10 |
| Rough-toothed Dolphin | 7 |
| False Killer Whale | 5 |
| Melon-headed Whale | 3 |
In Hawaii, January carries 10.7% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (8%) into January, and it heads toward February (8.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in Hawaii are Spinner Dolphin, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Short-finned Pilot Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which dolphins you are most likely to see
- Spinner Dolphin996 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin112 records
- Short-finned Pilot Whale44 records
- Pantropical Spotted Dolphin36 records
- Pygmy Killer Whale10 records
- Rough-toothed Dolphin7 records
Plan your dolphin trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in Hawaii.
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Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in Hawaii
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dolphins in Hawaii in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 135 of the 1,259 verified dolphins sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see dolphins in Hawaii?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, March and April.
What month is best for dolphins in Hawaii?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and April, based on 1,259 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Spinner Dolphin, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Short-finned Pilot Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in Hawaii in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Hawaii