Hawaii Whale Watching Tours

Hawaii boasts a large variety of resident whale species, most of which can be observed throughout the year. The combination of warmer waters and abundant food supplies means most of the whales never need to migrate from the Hawaii area either to feed or calve.

All of the Hawaiian islands are recommended as whale watching destinations, though the best whale watching can be found on the island of Maui. The waters off the west coast of Maui are shallow, warm and prohibited for boating. That means an abundance of food, an undisturbed environment and unpolluted waters, which in turn attracts a large number of whales.

There are several points along the west coast of Maui where humpback whales can be observed quite clearly from the shoreline. The best times to observe the humpbacks are in the early morning and late evening, and the best months are from November to April. About midway through that period, around late January, begins the calving season. During this time, humpback calves can often be seen coming very close to the shore.

Other whales to look for in Hawaii are pilot whales, sperm whales and beaked whales. These species are very active around Hawaii throughout the year, and are best viewed by taking a whale watching cruise. Orca whales (popularly known as killer whales) and false killer whales can also be occasionally observed as they pass through the area to feed on the abundance of smaller marine mammals like seals.