By Hawaii.com Team
Photo by Mike Ledray (Shutterstock).
This article was originally published on Jan. 18, 2022, and was updated Dec. 12, 2025.
The sun-kissed waters surrounding Hawaiʻi’s picturesque islands hold a secret that captivates locals and tourists alike — the awe-inspiring presence of humpback whales.
As the winter chill descends upon the northern hemisphere, these gentle giants embark on an epic journey to the warm embrace of Hawaiʻi’s tropical seas. Join us on a mesmerizing adventure as we dive into the enchanting world of humpback whales, exploring their incredible migration, unique behaviors and the profound impact they have on Hawaiʻi’s ecosystem.
Researchers believe whales descended from terrestrial creatures some 65 million years ago and eventually adapted to full-time survival in the vast and trackless sea.
Trackless, until whale hunters came along. There was a time when Maui was known as the center of the Pacific whaling industry. In the mid-1800s, ships carrying whale hunters came and went from Maui harbors. Today, tourists fill the ocean-going vessels and whales are fair game only to observe.
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Courtesy of Ko Olina.
Humpback whales, scientifically known as Megaptera novaeangliae, are true globetrotters. Every year, they embark on one of the longest migration journeys of any mammal, covering thousands of miles from their feeding grounds in cold, nutrient-rich polar regions to the warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands.
The annual pilgrimage is quite the spectacle, drawing thousands of visitors who eagerly await the opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures up close.
Hawaiʻi's warm, shallow seas serve as an ideal environment for whales giving birth and nursing their young calves. The calving grounds offer protection from natural predators, making it a safe haven for the newborns during their most vulnerable stages of life.
Once in Hawaiʻi, the humpbacks engage in fascinating courtship rituals that include breaching, tail slapping and intricate vocals.
The males compete fiercely for the attention of females through acrobatic displays, launching their colossal bodies out of the water and creating enormous splashes. However, it is their enchanting songs that truly captivate the hearts of those who have the privilege of hearing them.
Humpback whales are renowned for their melodious tunes, believed to be one of the most complex and evocative forms of communication in the animal kingdom. These hauntingly beautiful songs can travel for great distances, echoing across the ocean’s depths. Scientists are still decoding the purpose behind these vocalizations, but they are thought to play a significant role in mating rituals and establishing territory.
The humpback whale is the fifth largest of the great whales.
When preparing for a deep dive, humpbacks arch their back and raise their tail flukes above the water. The whale’s arched back appears above the water as it dives. It is this arching that has earned the humpback whale its common name.
A humpback’s pectoral (side) fins can be up to 15 feet long.
Adult female humpbacks can be up to 45 feet long; males are generally 42 feet long.
A mature humpback can weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 lbs).
Baby humpbacks (calves) are generally 10 to 15 feet long and average 3,000 pounds at birth.
Humpbacks swim tremendous distances during their migrations: up to 7,000 miles round-trip between their summer feeding areas of the North Pacific and their winter breeding grounds in Hawaiʻi.
In 1997, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was one of 13 national marine sanctuaries created under the U.S. Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. This sanctuary supports management, research, education and long-term monitoring for the endangered humpback whale and its winter breeding grounds in the Pacific.
The presence of humpback whales in Hawaiʻi is not only a remarkable natural wonder but also a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of our planet’s ecosystems. The whales’ annual migration highlights the importance of preserving both their breeding and feeding grounds to ensure the continuity of their species.
Thankfully, conservation efforts in Hawaiʻi have been instrumental in protecting these magnificent creatures. Whale-watching tours and water-based activities adhere to strict guidelines to prevent disturbances and maintain a safe distance from the whales, ensuring their natural behaviors are not disrupted. Additionally, local organizations work tirelessly to educate the public about the critical role humpback whales play in maintaining a balanced marine environment.
In Kihei, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary operates an education center that features displays and research material on humpbacks.
The sanctuary, established in 1997, was created to protect the endangered whales. Its jurisdiction spreads over 1,400 square miles of coastal waters adjacent to the main Hawaiian Islands.
Visit the education center at 726 S. Kihei Rd. (next to Kalepolepo County Park) It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free. The Whale Discovery Center at the Maui Ocean Center is another excellent source of information about humpbacks.
Humpback whales are not only guardians of the oceans but also ambassadors of awareness, inspiring people around the world to take action against threats such as climate change and ocean pollution. Through collective efforts, we can secure a brighter future for these incredible giants of the sea.
Humpback whales are not the only whales that can be found in Hawaiʻi’s waters. Several other whale species can also be spotted in Hawaiian waters throughout the year.
Hawaiʻi’s warm and nutrient-rich waters make it a diverse and rich habitat for various marine life, including different species of whales. Some of the other whale species that can be found in Hawaiʻi’s waters include:
Sperm Whales: Sperm whales are deep-diving whales and are often seen in the offshore waters of Hawaiʻi. They are the largest toothed whales and are known for their distinctive square-shaped heads and impressive diving abilities.
Bryde’s Whales: Bryde’s whales are relatively common in Hawaiian waters, particularly around the main islands. They are medium-sized baleen whales and are often observed feeding on small fish and krill.
Pilot Whales: Pilot whales, both short-finned and long-finned, can occasionally be spotted in the deeper waters of Hawaiʻi. These social and highly vocal whales tend to travel in large pods.
Melon-Headed Whales: Despite their name, melon-headed whales are actually a species of oceanic dolphin. They are occasionally seen in Hawaiian waters and are known for their playful behavior.
Killer Whales (Orca): Although not as common as the other species mentioned, there have been occasional sightings of killer whales in Hawaiʻi’s waters. These apex predators are known for their intelligence and complex social structures.
Cuvier’s Beaked Whales: Cuvier’s beaked whales are deep-diving whales that can be found in offshore waters. They are elusive and not often seen, but they are present in the region.
Officially, whale season in Hawaiʻi runs from December 15 to May 15, although the first whale of the season is usually spotted sometime in early October. By the week after Thanksgiving, it’s common to find whales off of Maui or Lānaʻi.
The North Pacific Humpback whale mating season lasts for up to five months. This is when these 40-ton creatures swim south from Alaska to mate in Hawaiʻi’s warm waters. In total, that journey of nearly 3,000 miles takes six to eight weeks to complete, with Humpbacks attaining an average speed of three to five miles per hour.
By the peak of the season from January to March, thousands of Humpbacks have gathered in Hawaiʻi from Hilo to Hanalei, with the largest concentration of whales residing between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. If you book a whale watching tour from Maui, experience the thrill of spotting a spout about 300 yards off the bow, and then motoring close for a front row view to the dramatic aquatic performance.
Because the Humpbacks are protected, however, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it’s illegal for vessels to approach the whales any closer than 100 yards. That said, there’s always the hope that the boat will get “mugged” and the whale will decide to swim towards you — potentially ending up inches from your boat or swimming directly underneath.
If you’re lucky enough to get “mugged” in Hawaiʻi, admire the details of the Humpback’s body you can only see from up close — from barnacles growing beneath their fins to tubercles on top of their heads. On average, the North Pacific Humpback whales grow 40-45 feet, with female whales being slightly larger to accommodate nursing their young. Amazingly, after the calves are born here in predator-free Hawaii, they add to their weight by suckling on milk that’s approximately 40% milk fat — thereby gaining about eight pounds per hour as they prepare for the journey back north.
(Shutterstock)
Humpbacks aren’t the only whales you can see in Hawaiʻi. Odontocetes, or toothed whales, are also frequent visitors to the warm Pacific surrounding Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. Unlike the migratory humpbacks, many of these whales can be spotted year-round, giving locals and visitors alike a chance to encounter an incredible diversity of marine life. The four most common include:
false killer whales
melon-headed whales
pygmy killer whales
short-finned pilot whales
Odontocetes are toothed whales, a group that includes dolphins, porpoises and several whale species. They differ from humpbacks and other baleen whales in that they use teeth and echolocation to hunt fish and squid.
Around Hawaiʻi, the odontocetes you’re most likely to encounter include:
Short-finned pilot whales
False killer whales
Melon-headed whales
Pygmy killer whales
Plus occasional sightings of orcas (killer whales)
These species are often spotted in large pods, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Watching them swim, dive and interact socially is a completely different experience from spotting solitary humpbacks.
Researchers with the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Wild Whale and Dolphin Project recorded more than 62 odontocete sightings in just a three-month period around Maui County. These included:
Spinner, spotted, bottlenose, and rough-toothed dolphins
Short-finned pilot whales
Melon-headed whales
Orcas
Some of the groups were massive. One pod had over 400 odontocete whales. Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi form a prime habitat for these species, thanks to the deep offshore waters surrounding the islands.
The most frequently seen odontocete whales off Maui are short-finned pilot whales.
Size: 12–16 feet long, 1.5–2.5 tons
Appearance: Bulbous head, curved dorsal fin, dark gray to black coloring
Social Behavior: Found in pods averaging 20–30 animals
Pilot whales are highly social and often travel in tight family groups. Seeing a pod move together across the surface of the ocean is one of the most memorable whale watching experiences in Hawaiʻi.
False killer whales are rarer but especially exciting for whale watchers.
Size: 13–16 feet long, up to 2,500 pounds
Appearance: Sleek black body with a lighter gray belly
Behavior: Known for leaping and sometimes bow-riding with boats
Despite their name, they look very little like true killer whales. They are intelligent, fast-moving and occasionally interact with human vessels, making them a favorite among researchers and photographers.
Melon-headed whales are smaller odontocetes that often gather in enormous pods.
Size: 7–8 feet long, ~350 pounds
Appearance: Black backs with a lighter gray throat patch
Behavior: Extremely social; pods can include hundreds of individuals
One rare recorded sighting near Maui included 400 melon-headed whales swimming together.
While they aren’t common, orca whales (killer whales) have been sighted off the coast of Lānaʻi and other islands. Researchers believe these belong to a population of “rogue killer whales” that travel in small groups and sometimes feed on unexpected prey.
Males: Up to 28 feet long, ~8 tons
Females: About 23 feet long, ~4 tons
Behavior: Opportunistic hunters, sometimes seen attacking other whales or large fish
Spotting orcas in Hawaiʻi is extremely rare, but for whale watchers lucky enough to witness them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Are orcas found in Hawaiʻi?
Yes, though rare, orca whales have been sighted, mostly around Maui and Lānaʻi.
What is the most common toothed whale in Hawaiʻi?
Short-finned pilot whales are the most frequently seen odontocetes around Maui.
Can you see dolphins while whale watching in Hawaiʻi?
Absolutely. Spinner, spotted, bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins are often spotted alongside odontocete whales.
When is the best time to see odontocetes in Hawaiʻi?
Many species are present year-round, unlike humpbacks which are seasonal.
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