Hammerhead Sharks in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is a good month to see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 5 of the 61 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for hammerhead sharks in Hawaii
8.2%
of yearly sightings
5
records in December
#6
busiest month of 12
61
verified records a year
November 6.6%, December 8.2%, January 4.9%. Busiest month is March at 14.8%.
61 verified observations of hammerhead sharks in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hammerhead sharks are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
9 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 4.9% |
| February | 1 | 1.6% |
| Marchpeak | 9 | 14.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 7 | 11.5% |
| Maypeak | 7 | 11.5% |
| June | 7 | 11.5% |
| July | 7 | 11.5% |
| August | 4 | 6.6% |
| September | 4 | 6.6% |
| October | 3 | 4.9% |
| November | 4 | 6.6% |
| December | 5 | 8.2% |
Hammerhead Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Scalloped Hammerhead | 59 |
In Hawaii, December carries 8.2% of the year's hammerhead sharks sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (6.6%) into December, and it heads toward January (4.9%) after. The busiest month is March (14.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hammerhead sharks most often recorded in Hawaii are Scalloped Hammerhead. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which hammerhead sharks you are most likely to see
- Scalloped Hammerhead59 records
Plan your hammerhead shark 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 5 of the 61 verified hammerhead sharks sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii?+
December is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hammerhead sharks in Hawaii?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and May, based on 61 verified observations.
Which hammerhead sharks are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Scalloped Hammerhead, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hammerhead sharks in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii