Whales in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is a good month to see whales in Hawaii. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 403 of the 4,432 sightings logged across the year (9.1%), 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.
Good month for whales in Hawaii
9.1%
of yearly sightings
403
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
4,432
verified records a year
November 5.5%, December 9.1%, January 14.3%. Busiest month is February at 15.1%.
4,432 verified observations of whales in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
February
671 records (15.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 633 | 14.3% |
| Februarypeak | 671 | 15.1% |
| Marchpeak | 613 | 13.8% |
| April | 382 | 8.6% |
| May | 312 | 7% |
| June | 286 | 6.5% |
| July | 267 | 6% |
| August | 208 | 4.7% |
| September | 181 | 4.1% |
| October | 233 | 5.3% |
| November | 243 | 5.5% |
| December | 403 | 9.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 1,247 |
| Spinner Dolphin | 996 |
| Domestic Goat | 787 |
| Wild Boar | 707 |
| Domestic Sheep | 169 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 112 |
| Chital | 112 |
| Domestic Cattle | 45 |
In Hawaii, December carries 9.1% of the year's whales sightings, about 0.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (5.5%) into December, and it heads toward January (14.3%) after. The busiest month is February (15.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The whales most often recorded in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, Spinner Dolphin and Domestic Goat. 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 whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale1,247 records
- Spinner Dolphin996 records
- Domestic Goat787 records
- Wild Boar707 records
- Domestic Sheep169 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin112 records
Plan your 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 whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Hawaii.
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Broader backupBook a 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 whales in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 403 of the 4,432 verified whales sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 9.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see 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 whales in Hawaii?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and March, based on 4,432 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, Spinner Dolphin and Domestic Goat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii