Monk Seals in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see monk seals in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 320 of the 3,166 sightings logged across the year (10.1%), 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 monk seals in Hawaii
10.1%
of yearly sightings
320
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
3,166
verified records a year
November 7.3%, December 10.1%, January 11.1%. Busiest month is January at 11.1%.
3,166 verified observations of monk seals in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monk seals are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
January
353 records (11.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 353 | 11.1% |
| February | 298 | 9.4% |
| Marchpeak | 340 | 10.7% |
| April | 285 | 9% |
| May | 284 | 9% |
| June | 296 | 9.3% |
| July | 208 | 6.6% |
| August | 205 | 6.5% |
| September | 160 | 5.1% |
| October | 185 | 5.8% |
| November | 232 | 7.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 320 | 10.1% |
Monk Seals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Hawaiian Monk Seal | 3,166 |
In Hawaii, December carries 10.1% of the year's monk seals sightings, about 1.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7.3%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The monk seals most often recorded in Hawaii are Hawaiian Monk Seal. 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 monk seals you are most likely to see
- Hawaiian Monk Seal3,166 records
Plan your monk seal 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 monk seal viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monk seal viewing area in Hawaii.
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Broader backupBook a monk seal 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 monk seals in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 320 of the 3,166 verified monk seals sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see monk seals in Hawaii?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, March and December.
What month is best for monk seals in Hawaii?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and December, based on 3,166 verified observations.
Which monk seals are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Hawaiian Monk Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monk seals in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii