Hawaii s big island is home to migrating pods of humpback whales, which often breach as they build up energy for their northward migration. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. It is the largest and the southeasternmost of the hawaiian islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the north pacific ocean. This activity only operates from december through midapril during whale season. They only would come to hawaii when they knew they could see whales, usually around february.
The whales do seem to prefer west maui, perhaps because of the shallow, warmer water. If you spot a whale while out on a boat, keep in mind that its illegal to approach a whale closer than 500 feet. Although most hawaii guidebooks state that whale watching season runs from november to april, the peak time for whales in kona is from midjanuary through early march. February, and march during peak whale season of each year from 8. Check out our list of mustdo water activities in island of hawaii. Also, you will find good viewing along the east to north shores of kauai.
Whale watching on the big island of hawaii big island. The kohala coast of the big island is a marine mammal sanctuary and provides these animals a warm and safe environment to give birth and tend to their young. In hawaii, the big island is like the sometimes awkward older sibling. Its humpback whale season in hawaii hawaii magazine. Should you find yourself on the island of hawaii, making an effort to go whale watching is an unforgettable experience, but youll need to do a bit of planning to make it happen. Depending on the season, join us for our big island whale watching adventure, morning swim with wild dolphins, andor manta night snorkel. Life on the big island hawaii comparing puna, kona and hamakua coast. While it is the biggest, it isnt the most populated. Waikoloa whale watching 8am whale watch hawaii ocean sports offers wake up with the whales a 90 minute morning whale watch on a sailing catamaran, casting off.
The big island is almost twice as large as all other hawaiian islands combined. The number one spot to go whale watching is in kaanapali, maui and the number two spot is kohala coast, big island. Kauai offers a range of whaleviewing opportunities, including poipu beach on the south shore, kilauea lighthouse on the north shore and kapaa overlook on the islands coconut coast. Every winter, our humpback whales in hawaii make the 3,000mile journey from alaska to hawaii to mate and give birth in our warm tranquil waters. And when whale season rolls around, this already spectacular island becomes magical. Top whale watching cruises on the big island of hawaii. Theres plenty of whale watching tours or even snorkel tours to choose from. Our island is know for its beautiful nature and many cool activities and it is almost impossible to fit everything in your vacation even if you. Free gifts, no booking fees, and easy booking with travelshack. Best chance to see them would be in the winter off the big island kona side or the channel between lanai and molokai. Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density. It has to do with the depth, 600 feet is the magical number, but one big difference between the two locations is population of boats. Every winter, pods of graceful humpback whales migrate from alaska to the warmer waters of the hawaiian islands chain.
The most wonderful time of the year is whale watching season in hawaii. Just make a break for the kona coast or the waikoloa area if you want to do some big island whale watching. Well show you how to make best use of your time so you can see everything this island has to offer. Mauna loa, which is the secondtallest mountain on the big island, helps block trade winds that can more easily affect whale watching on the other hawaiian islands, especially in the afternoon. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best. The humpbacks are an endangered species that travel to hawaii from the north pacific waters off alaska each winter to breed. Since long before whale watching gained the enormous popularity it boasts today, captain dan mcsweeneys passion and caring for whales defined the character of his whale watching business. But pacific whale foundation ecoadventures is not your ordinary cruise company. Maui, kauai and the big island are the most popular islands for hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation.
Youre able to hear the whales singing through the provided hydrophones. This is a part of our 9day big island itinerary update may 22, 2019. December to april is an exciting time for the big island of hawaii because it marks whale watching season. Our vessel, the wicked wahine, is a fast, comfortable ride that. The below table outlines the key differences between our two whale watching cruises.
This narrated tour brings you to some of the best viewing grounds via 24person catamaran. Snowcapped mountains, lush tropical forest, crystal clear water and an active volcano. There are many onthewater whale watching tours available. We will begin processing online booking requests after september 1st, 2020 so please wait until then to submit your booking forms. Where to find the whales on each hawaiian island hawaii. Hundreds of humback whales counted along hawaiian island.
In addition to maui, the big island offers some of the best whale watching in hawaii. Whale watching and snorkeling with turtles makes for a very good day. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaiis shorelines. I had originally scheduled our swimming with wild dolphins trip for yesterday, but considering that we could. On the island of hawaii, whales are often seen along the shores of the kohala.
These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and. Both counts will take place three times during peak whale season. Get involved sanctuary ocean count hawaiian islands. It seems like a certain few individual sharks enjoy hawaii and return periodically but its still a holy grail sighting. We recommend west or south maui and the kohala coast of the big island. The spinner dolphins off the kona coast of hawaii have the highest human exposure rates than anywhere in the world and federal officials work toward finalizing a rule outlawing the practice. Its whalewatching season on the big island holualoa inn.
Between november and april is peak whale watching season around the big island. Every winter, over 5,000 humpback whales travel from alaska to hawaii. Experience the beauty of kauai and the chance to see a spectacular humpback whale show with boat tours departing daily. The benefit of the zodiac is that you are closer to the water, and. Big island of hawaii whale watching tours one of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching. Hawaii whale watching guide for the big island big.
Hawaii island big island in many parts of the mainland u. Whether its an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best island of hawaii cruises around. Sanctuary ocean count hawaiian islands humpback whale. Whale watching on the big island your big island experience. Big island of hawaii travel guide 2017 7 amazing things to do. Click on the chart number to download a portable document format pdf of the chart. Every year between the months of december and may, visitors to hawai. Contributed photo by bo pardau special to west hawaii today.
Big island whale watching tour venture out with wahine charters and witness one of the largest animals on the planet on the best whale watching charter in hawaii. As many as 10,000 whales winter in island waters, a good number of them visible. Zodiac raft whale watching adventure is one of our favorites. Hawaii is known as a top destination for whale watching, especially for an estimated twothirds of the north american population of humpback whales that vacation in hawaii. Hawaii whale watching is definitely an activity you dont want to miss out on if youre visiting the islands during whale watching season. Humpback whale season on the hawaiian islands is between november and early may, but some months are better than others. Whale watching boat tours can offer a closer view of humpbacks. Here is a selection of big island whale watching tours or other cruises on which you are likely to see whales. You wont see as many on the big island, but if youre on the shore you should still be able to see some. Bestselling author and longtime hawaii resident, andrew doughty, unlocks the. Sanctuary ocean count and great whale count volunteers gathered to. See our wheretostay guides for maui and the big island for insights on accommodation selection. What is the best hawaiian island for whale watching.
Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Come see the humpback whales frolic in hawaiis warm waters. Years before we moved to hawaii, my husbands family would come to hawaii in the winter to see whales. Unlike the other main hawaiian islands of maui, oahu, and kauai, the big island offers ideal whale watching conditions throughout the day. You might also spot some of the other whale species that make their home in these waters yearround sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales and rare beaked whales as well as dolphin pods and curious sea turtles. Known for the hospitality of our captain and crew, guests experience the true aloha spirit, knowledge of the islands and the sea. Hawaiis humpback whale season technically begins in november when the gargantuan mammals make the long journey from cold north pacific ocean seas to calve in hawaiis famously warm waters. Day 5 swimming with wild dolphins and a whale shark in. Forgotten in favor of adorable little brothers and sisters, her attributes are often glossed over. Whale watching on the big island 2020 big island of hawaii. Big island whale watching whale watching tours on the. Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales. The ocean in and around kailua kona and south is generally not bad in winter.
From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaii s shorelines. There are several companies that offer big island whale watching tours. See why body glove has the best on big island experienced guide, hear whales sing with hydrophone, spacious boat with bar, and sighting guarantee. The humpback whales leave the icy waters of alaska and migrate 6000 miles to hawaii every year to give birth and care for their calves. Every december through april, about 5,000 humpback whales make the journey thousands of miles from the icy waters of alaska to the warm waters of hawaii where they mate and nurture their young. The best months to visit for peak hawaii whale watching. Make sure to book a tour early, as they fill up quickly. Both include an onboard marine naturalist narrating the cruise and a sighting guarantee in the unlikely event no whales are spotted, you can go again.
Maui is known to have the largest transient whale population during humpback whale season. Flip nicklinminden pictures the sanctuary ocean count provides hawaii residents and visitors with the opportunity to actively participate in evaluating the status of humpback whales. Hawaiian islands humpback whale explore whale watching. This island often draws people that are looking for a mellow time in on a stunning location. The finest guidebook ever written for the big island. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the. The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. Big island covid19 announcements, list of online resources and talk story about ways we can assist our communities.
Hawaii whale watching tours are generally only available during humpback season between november and april. Ocean sports wake up with the whales hawaii discount. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months. These destinations offer hawaii whale watching tours that highlight those whales that choose to congregate in the alenuihaha channel. When visiting the big island, ill recommend a cruising in kailua bay. Although there were more records during the humpback whale season, there are. This is when thousands of pacific humpback whales make the journey from the waters off alaska to hawaiis warm waters to breed and give birth to their young. The pwf difference pacific whale foundation is a world leader in marine ecotourism. Get involved sanctuary ocean count national marine sanctuary offices and visitor centers closed to the public. Weve seen whales from 5 different islands, and the end of january is a great. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai.
Here in the hawaiian islands, however, the white clumps of water that signify winter are found in splashes and spouts, when between 10,000 and 15,000. The first ever longterm 1 week resighting of a killer whale from hawaiian. Get up close and observe them in their natural habitat as these magnificent creatures blow, tail slap, breach, and dive in the clear waters off the kona and kohala coasts. The once dwindling humpback whale population now numbers more than 21,000. Head for the coastlines of all hawaiian islands right now. The first whales start arriving to the big island in late november, and more arrive as the season continues, until their numbers peak in the months of january, february, and march. The count is held the last saturday of january, february, and march during peak whale season of each year from 8.
With an area of 4,028 square miles 10,430 km 2, it has 63% of the hawaiian archipelagos combined landmass, and. More than 550 volunteers gathered data from the shores of oahu, kauai and hawaii islands during the hawaiian islands humpback whale. However, peak hawaii whale watching season occurs during february and march. And while the whales do take an extended reprieve near the islands, they are not there year round, and there may be better areas than others to catch a glimpse at their massive beauty. The pdf files are very large and may require considerable. Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. Whale watching on the big island mauna lani sea adventures. A snorkeler and a whale shark meet offshore north of ellison onizuka kona international airport on the big island. The big island is the largest and most volcanically active of all hawaiian islands. Set sail on your destinations toprated boat tours and cruises. You may be able to see manta, a whale and a dolphin by a season. This all new ninth edition is a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the big island. Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight. Whale watching on the big island offers more than just humpback sightings, too.