Whales in Hawaii in February
Yes, February is one of the best months to see whales in Hawaii. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 671 of the 4,432 sightings logged across the year (15.1%), 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 whales in Hawaii
15.1%
of yearly sightings
671
records in February
#1
busiest month of 12
4,432
verified records a year
January 14.3%, February 15.1%, March 13.8%. 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, February carries 15.1% of the year's whales sightings, about 6.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between January and February, and it heads toward March (13.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so February is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The whales most often recorded in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, Spinner Dolphin and Domestic Goat. 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 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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
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 February?+
Yes. February accounts for 671 of the 4,432 verified whales sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 15.1% of the annual total.
Is February a good time to see 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 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