Humpback Whales in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is a good month to see humpback whales in Hawaii. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 142 of the 1,253 sightings logged across the year (11.3%), 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 humpback whales in Hawaii
11.3%
of yearly sightings
142
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
1,253
verified records a year
November 1.7%, December 11.3%, January 25.5%. Busiest month is February at 31.7%.
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 |
In Hawaii, December carries 11.3% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (1.7%) into December, and it heads toward January (25.5%) after. The busiest month is February (31.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Hawaii are Humpback Whale. 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 humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale1,253 records
Plan your humpback whale 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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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 humpback whale viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 142 of the 1,253 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 11.3% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see humpback whales in Hawaii?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though February and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for humpback whales in Hawaii?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and March, based on 1,253 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii