Humpback Whales in Hawaii in February
Yes, February is one of the best months to see humpback whales in Hawaii. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 397 of the 1,253 sightings logged across the year (31.7%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for humpback whales in Hawaii
31.7%
of yearly sightings
397
records in February
#1
busiest month of 12
1,253
verified records a year
January 25.5%, February 31.7%, March 20.9%. 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, February carries 31.7% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 23.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from January (25.5%) into February, and it heads toward March (20.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so February is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Hawaii are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a February split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in February 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.
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 humpback whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best humpback whale viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
Broader backupBook a humpback whale 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 humpback whales in Hawaii in February?+
Yes. February accounts for 397 of the 1,253 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 31.7% of the annual total.
Is February a good time to see humpback whales in Hawaii?+
February is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of February, January and March.
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