Best Time to See Whales in Hawaii
February, January and March is the best time to see whales in Hawaii. Based on 2,563 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Spinner Dolphin · Robert Webster CC BY-SA
Fraser's Dolphin · Norma Malinowski CC BY
Spinner Dolphin · Lucy Keith-Diagne CC BY
2,563 verified observations of whales in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
February
529 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 458 | 17.9% |
| Februarypeak | 529 | 20.6% |
| Marchpeak | 391 | 15.3% |
| April | 214 | 8.3% |
| May | 100 | 3.9% |
| June | 115 | 4.5% |
| July | 114 | 4.4% |
| August | 89 | 3.5% |
| September | 98 | 3.8% |
| October | 99 | 3.9% |
| November | 108 | 4.2% |
| December | 248 | 9.7% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 1,253 |
| Spinner Dolphin | 1,004 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 113 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 45 |
| Pantropical Spotted Dolphin | 36 |
| Dense-beaked Whale | 18 |
| Pygmy Killer Whale | 10 |
| Rough-toothed Dolphin | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Hawaii
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
Sightings of whales in Hawaii peak in February, when 529 of the year's 2,563 verified observations are logged — about 20.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, January and March.
The quietest stretch is August, September and October, when whales are hardest to find — August sees just 89 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, Spinner Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin — 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 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
Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina
Eye-level whale watching (or summer time dolphin watching) onboard our low-to-water small group zodiac rafts. Native Hawaiian owned and voted...
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Hawaii?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, January and March, based on 2,563 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Hawaii?+
August is the quietest month for whales in Hawaii, with only 89 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Hawaii?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Hawaii, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in February.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Hawaii