Seasonal· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Big Island Humpback Whale Season
20° 9.9′ N · 155° 54.4′ W · approximate
From November through April, North Pacific humpback whales come to Hawaii's warm, shallow waters to mate, calve and nurse, and the Kohala and Kona coasts fill with breaches and tail slaps that can be seen from shore and from the cockpit.
Practical
Coordinate is a representative point off Lapakahi, which To-Hawaii.com notes is a good winter whale-watching spot. NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: whales are present November through April; always keep a safe and legal distance of 100 yards; report an entangled whale to the NOAA Fisheries hotline at 888-256-9840 or hail the US Coast Guard on VHF 16. Slow down and post a lookout under way in whale season, especially at night and in the channel approaches off Upolu Point; mothers and calves rest at the surface. The 2024-2025 season was the entanglement response network's busiest on record (32 confirmed reports, 16 entangled whales).
Best for
Whale watching under sail
Season
November to April
Nearby
- Lapakahi State Historical Park0.5 NM away
- Mahukona Anchorage1.1 NM away
- Mahukona Harbor1.3 NM away
- Nishimura Bay Anchorage1.5 NM away
- Kohala Coast Dive Moorings (Puako to Black Point)5.9 NM away
- Upolu Point6.9 NM away
- Kawaihae Marketplace and Da Fish House8.7 NM away
- Kohala Burger & Taco (Kawaihae)8.7 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).