Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Hawaii
February, January and March is the best time to see humpback whales in Hawaii. Based on 1,253 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Hawaii.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · Margery L. Oldfield CC BY-ND
Humpback Whale · Kevin Faccenda CC BY
Humpback Whale · Tuoichen CC BY
1,253 verified observations of humpback whales in Hawaii, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
February
397 records (31.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 320 | 25.5% |
| Februarypeak | 397 | 31.7% |
| Marchpeak | 262 | 20.9% |
| April | 94 | 7.5% |
| May | 10 | 0.8% |
| June | 1 | 0.1% |
| July | 1 | 0.1% |
| August | 1 | 0.1% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 4 | 0.3% |
| November | 21 | 1.7% |
| December | 142 | 11.3% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 1,253 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Hawaii
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 56 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 69°F | 57°F | 8.6" |
| Febbest time | 68°F | 56°F | 15.6" |
| Marbest time | 70°F | 57°F | 11.5" |
| Apr | 71°F | 58°F | 15.1" |
| May | 72°F | 59°F | 17.2" |
| Jun | 74°F | 61°F | 18.8" |
| Jul | 76°F | 62°F | 18.1" |
| Aug | 76°F | 62°F | 16" |
| Sep | 76°F | 62°F | 19.4" |
| Oct | 75°F | 62°F | 11.3" |
| Nov | 73°F | 60°F | 10" |
| Dec | 71°F | 58°F | 13.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Hawaii. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Hawaii:
Sightings of humpback whales in Hawaii peak in February, when 397 of the year's 1,253 verified observations are logged — about 31.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, January and March.
The quietest stretch is September, June and July, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for September. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in Hawaii are Humpback Whale — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see humpback whales in Hawaii
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — National Park
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Haleakalā National Park — National Park
Go see them · Hawaii
Humpback Whale Watch Tour
Exceptional Crew Hawaiian Adventures’ crew are true ocean experts. After thousands of tours, the most important is still yours. With years of...
2.5 hours
From
From $119
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Hawaii?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, January and March, based on 1,253 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Hawaii?+
September is the quietest month for humpback whales in Hawaii, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Hawaii?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Hawaii, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in February.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Hawaii