Want to enjoy the adventure of whale watching? Then choosing Hawaii will be the ultimate best choice since it is worldwide famous for perfect whale sightings. From Maui’s excellent whale-watching opportunities to Oahu’s perfect spots with amazing views and transportation facilities. This is a perfect place if you want to spot these gentle creatures. As whales come to the warm water of this archipelago they give visitors incredible opportunities to witness breaching, tail slaps and playful calf sightings. However many people miss it because of a lack of information and proper planning. But you will not as today’s travel tip will guide you through the top places for whale watching in Hawaii. Reaching the bottom of this blog you will know where you can spot these majestic creatures in Hawaii.
Top Places for Whale Watching in Hawaii
Hawaii includes many islands but not every one of them will give you a perfect view of whales. Choosing the right island and spot matters; this is where many people make mistakes. In this section you are going to find the best places for an amazing whale watching moment in Hawaii.
Maui
Maui is popular as the capital of whale watching in Hawaii. Choose Maui for an amazing sighting to watch whales during your trip to Hawaii. Being the prime destination for whale watching this place hosts thousands of whale migrations every year. Below you will find the best locations to find perfect whale watching opportunities in Maui.
- Ma’alaea Harbor: Ma’alaea Harbor has calm and warm water which attracts many whales on the southwest coast. This gives visitors having a great opportunity to enjoy whale watching in a better way with a perfect tropical atmosphere.
- Lāhainā Harbor: This is a very popular launching point in Hawaii. Overly known for its calm, protected water. Based on the West Maui especially the leeward side it holds many top-rated operators which can ensure a perfect whale sighting.
- Maui Nui Basin: Coming to the ultimate spot you should not miss if you want to experience an unforgettable whale watching destination that is Maui Nui Basin. Located between Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe it is a protected shallow stretch of ocean. It includes warm, calm water with a federally protected nursery which becomes a breeding ground for half of the whales.
Molokai & Lanai Channels
You can consider Molokai and Lanai Channels as your destination as well if you have already covered exploring Maui. The channels around Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi offer better whale viewing chances. Whales prefer nursing their calves and breeding because these channels hold shallow water with protection from open-ocean swells.
- Auʻau Channel: Your first choice should be Auʻau Channel if you are choosing between Molokai and Lanai Channels. Located between Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi it is highly protected by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. It is 252 feet deep with warm and bathtub-like conditions making it ideal for calves to nurse and sustain.
- Kalohi Channel: In between Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi there is Kalohi Channel. This is an ideal and favourite place for mother whales with small calves. This is a narrow channel about 9.3 miles long that holds an incredible calmness. As mother whales come with their babies visitors often spot many whales doing different activities here.
Oahu
Many first-time visitors tend to prefer Oahu over other islands because of its accessibility. But they also wonder if this island can provide whale-watching opportunities or not. Well yes Oahu has some wonderful places with great whale watching chances. With pretty views this becomes more enjoyable along with having a sight of these beautiful creatures.
- Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail: Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail is counted as one of the prime spots to watch whales in Oahu. Based on the southeastern tip this is known as the best land viewing point of Oahu. Its elevated sea cliffs will impress you with great whale watching opportunities and stunning views.
- Diamond Head Road Lookout: Diamond Head Road Lookout can be an ideal point to spot whales performing blows and tail slaps. As this is near the Waikiki beach many visitors prefer this location.
- Ehukai & Sunset Beach: Ehukai & Sunset Beach is also considered a good spot for whale sightings. There is a chance to see whales from the shoreline as mother whales come to nurse their babies here.
Big Island
In Big Island the only places that offer beautiful whale watching are mostly located in Kohala and Kona. Without wasting any further time let us go through them.
- Kawaihae: Kawaihae literally it means ‘’ Water of the wild’’. It is the ultimate location for you if you want to experience whale watching on the Big Island. It is about 35 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Not only this but it also serves mesmerizing views making it more attractive to the visitors.
- There are two other places such as Kapaʻa Beach Park and Holoholokai Beach Park ideal for whale watching on the Big Island.
Best Time For Hawaiian Whale Watching
Knowing the best time for whale watching in Hawaii is important for tourists since you can’t watch whales year-round in Hawaii. It is considered the prime destination for whale watching mainly during the wintertime or late spring. This is when every year thousands of North Pacific humpback whales come from Alaska to the warm water of this place. So the ideal time to experience whale sightings is January through March. In total the whale watching season goes from mid-December to mid-April. But the peak time is from January to March.
Now let’s know the time of the day when you should go for whale watching. This activity is generally ideal when the water is calm. Every morning from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and also during the late afternoon is the best time for watching these amazing creatures.
Best Hawaii Whale Watching Tours
Let us view the ways that can make your whale watching experience more enjoyable, adventurous and better. There are various tours available from raft rides to sails you can choose any one of them depending on your travel choice and budget.
Sailboat Cruises & Catamarans
Sailboats and Catamarans are available to enjoy whale watching more closely and efficiently. These are multi-level vessels with enough space. With a variety of facilities that ensure comfort like seating places, bars, snacks and so on making it a perfect choice for many travellers. Another thing these vessels have is the hydrophones for visitors to hear whale song. These also have shade and an open 360° view.
Zodiac Boat Tours
Zodiac Boat Tours are the raft tours that can take you closer to whale watching, the marine beauty of Hawaii and other things like sea caves and lava tubes. These are fast RIBs that are not very high but sit low in the water. These can give you an amazing opportunity for close viewing and eye-level watching. Zodiac tours will also be ideal for adventurers and small group trips. But if you have back issues or are travelling with young kids then you should avoid this tour.
Whale Watching With Snorkel
A snorkel and whale watching combo in Hawaii is a combination of snorkelling and searching for the humpbacks. These types of trips take almost 3.5 to 5 hours. Advantages of taking these trips is you will not only watch whales closely but also the full range of Hawaii’s marine life. Most operators will provide you with a full snorkel costume, a complimentary lunch and beverages.
Sunset & Dinner Sails
Sunset & Dinner Sails attract many travellers as the golden hour time is perfect for views and for wildlife as well. Picking this tour you will most likely spot whale activities such as tail slaps, breaches and spy-hopping. These tours usually offer multi cuisine dinners or even buffets with a local variety of dishes. It usually starts at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM and takes 2 to 3 hours to complete this tour.
Quick Comparison of Hawaii Tour Costs For Whale Watching
| Tour Type | Cost | Duration |
| Raft Adventure | $80–$150 approx | 2 hrs generally |
| Catamaran Tour | $60–$120 | 2–3 hrs |
| Whale Watching With Snorkel | $150–$180 | 3.5 to 5 hrs |
| Sunset & Dinner Sails | $130–$250 | 2 to 3 hours |
Few Additional Tips For Whale Watching In Hawaii
In this section lets view how you can make your journey more efficient and comfortable. Below we will have a brief discussion on the things you need to carry during your travel. As well as the things you should follow to avoid any kind of travel.
Things To Take
During our travels to unknown places we often forget to take things which causes a lot of travel. But not this time as reading the list below you will know what to take during your whale watching in Hawaii.
- Reef-safe sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate
- A hat with a chin strap because the wind in Hawaii is wild
- Polarized sunglasses.
- Better to take lightweight fleece, windbreaker or maybe a hooded sweatshirt because you might feel cold when the boat is running fast.
- Keep your camera ready with proper settings since you will not get much time to capture these creatures’ moments.
- Keep your belongings in a waterproof dry bag.
- Footwear such as sturdy, non-slip shoes to avoid any trouble
- Keep water and snacks like protein bars with you otherwise you will end up being dehydrated in the sun.
- Carry some cash it will be effective to give a tip to your tour or guides
Travel Tips For Hawaiian Whale Watching
- First of all choose the right island to visit
- Picking up the right boat tour is also important
- Notice the blows in the water which can be a sign that there is a whale.
- Always remember to maintain 100yards distance from them and respect NOCC guidelines
- Keep checking weather updates on the official website Hawaii.gov, since the weather here is very unpredictable.
- Choose operators carefully like choosing someone who respects nature
Frequently Asked Questions
Maui is known to be the perfect island for seeing whales in Hawaii. With the warm and shallow water it becomes a perfect ground for breeding and nursing for the North Pacific whales.
Unfortunately yes vessels kill many whales every year. Mainly the cruise ships cause this type of accident.
Yes experiencing whale watching in Hawaii is absolutely worth it as it gives one an amazing experience with the beauty of the islands.
Conclusion
Whale watching is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and in Hawaii it becomes more beautiful and adventurous. Experience this adventure but definitely with respect for the wildlife and nature. However you can go through Oahu vs Maui vs Kauai in case you cannot decide on the right island. Morley you can make your Hawaii journey comfortable and relaxing by choosing our charter bus rental in Hawaii services.