We’re Fodors choice for whale watching on Oahu, and deemed by CBS’ Josh Horwitz (author of “War of the Whales”) as one of the “Top Five American Whale Watching Tours“

When is the best time to see the humpback whales? Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaii in the fall. We are are seeing daily sightings for the 2023-2024 Humpback Whale season. Best time of day to see them is on the early morning charter or the sunset cruise. True for most any wildlife, they are most active during those times. Weather is usually better at those times as well.

The population increases as the season progresses with daily sightings come mid-December. The peak population comes a little later (closer to Feb. – March). As does the most action/behavior viewing. By May, sightings are back down to just a few.

Here during summer (not humpback whale) season? Year-round Whale Watching

In Hawaiian spiritual custom, whales are an essence of the ocean and are important in Native Hawaiian cultural practices, including using the ivory of whale teeth to create highly prized niho palaoa (necklace of sperm whale tooth and human hair) worn by high-ranking ali’i (royalty).

Hawaii’s waters are serve as habitat to 27 species of marine mammals, of which 26 are cetaceans (whales or dolphins) and one is a pinniped (the Hawaiian monk seal). Of these 22 whale and dolphin species, four (the blue whale, the fin whale, the Hawaiian false killer whale, and the sperm whale), are endangered, while the rest are still federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Humpback whales are still threatened and have special protection in their Hawaii home with 100 yard approach laws. There are 18 species of odontocetes (toothed whales) that have been documented in Hawaiian waters, and eight species of mysticetes (baleen whales).

Several additional species of odontocetes are likely to be recorded in Hawaiian waters in the future, based on their overall distribution patterns. These species are:

• Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
• Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)
• Ginko-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens)
• Mesoplodon hotuala, a species of beaked whale recently re-discovered from Palmyra Atoll and other locations in the western Pacific.

*Note the eighth species of baleen whale documented for Hawaiian waters was a gray whale seen in February 2022 – a report on that sighting is available at this link.

Wild Side has been offering marine wildlife charters since 1996 and involved in research and conservation of the same animals even longer. The company has built a reputation of sensitivity to the needs of these fellow-travelers, their environments, and habitats. Since these activities are becoming more and more popular, the need to share awareness (backed by scientific study) of safe parameters becomes essential.

The species we most commonly see are spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, false killer whales, pygmy killer whales and melon-headed whales. Of course, the humpback whales over winter season.

Share tropical Hawaiian waters with the whales (na kohola) and our crew of biologists and naturalists. Experience first-hand action in pristine whale-rich, areas away from the rush of Waikiki and Honolulu. Your photography gear will stay dry, while you view marine life in a non-invasive manner, being whale-wise in Hawaii.