Where to see whales on the Big Island, Hawaii
Humans aren’t the only mammals who enjoy heading south for the winter. Every year, the majestic North Pacific Humpback Whales migrate down from the icy waters of Alaska to the warm waters surrounding Hawaii.
This migration spans from November to May, with peak sightings happening from January to March. Ready to sea for yourself? Check out my tips for whale watching on the Big Island.
Why the Humpbacks Love Hawaii
It’s basically impossible not to fall in love with this stunning archipelago. But what attracts whales to Hawaii?
Believe it or not, the oceans around Alaska are pretty dang cold. So the humpbacks travel south to birth and nurture their calves in warmer waters. The Hawaiian waters also offer greater underwater visibility and a lack of natural predators.
The humpbacks also find some time to do a bit of mating. These whales have an 11-12 month gestation, meaning their calves are conceived and birthed here.
A Whale of a Time
Adult female humpbacks stretch just under 50 ft long and weigh about 35 tons. (Adult male whales are slightly smaller, but still very impressive!) There are a few ways you can whale watch: by land, by sea, or literally in the sea.
By Land: When you’re visiting the Big Island, North Kona and the Kohala Coast offer you the best chances to see whales. I recommend checking out Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site or Lapakahi State Historical Park. Bring a picnic and a pair of binoculars. If you’re feeling really adventurous, camp at Kapaa Beach Park.
By Sea: Some of the best whale-watching tours depart from Kona. You can hire a range of private boats – multi-deck cabin cruisers, pontoons, catamarans, or motorized rafts. An inflatable raft might not appeal to those of us who enjoy the finer things in life. But these rafts are actually the best way to get a sea-level view of the whales!
In the Sea: Humpback whales sing elaborate mating songs that last 10-20 minutes. If you are within several miles of the whales, you can listen to these amazing aquatic operas. Many boat tours offer a snorkeling component, but you can often hear them from the coastline as well. Just stick your head underwater, “pop” your ears, and listen.
The story of the humpback whale is a rare bit of good environmental news. Commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries nearly obliterated humpback populations. But decades of conservation efforts restored population levels from about 10,000 to 80,000.
Responsible tourism surrounding whale watching is an easy way to support protection for these magnificent creatures.
Finding a New Porpoise in Life
These humpback whales swim ~3,000 miles over 4-6 weeks to reach Hawaii.
All you need to do is hop on a flight, watch a few movies, and bam – you’re in paradise. Seriously, it’s so simple: you can fly direct to Kona from over 10 U.S. cities. So what’s stopping you? Humans can benefit from warm waters too!
The whales will head back north. But I’m willing to bet you’ll want to stay. Give me a call when you’re ready to find your new habitat.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.