It’s Whale-Watching Season in Hawaiʻi

The first humpback whale of the 2024-2025 season was spotted off the coast of Kāʻanapali, Maui, on Oct. 8 by Capt. Matt Talbot and his crew.

“Our crew and guests were ecstatic to be able to witness the season’s first sighted individual making its way through Maui Nui just a mile offshore, marking the start of what promises to be another unforgettable whale season on the island,” said Blake Moore, general manager of Teralani Sailing Adventures.  

While the whale siting may seem early, Moore points out that the first spottings in the past 10 years have all fallen in a window between Sept. 29 to Oct. 12.  

Since the first siting on Oct. 8, Moore says whales are being spotted weekly in Kāʻanapali. 

The first humpback whale was spotted off the coast of Kāʻanapali, Maui, by the Teralani Sailing Adventures crew.
Photo: Courtesy of Teralani Sailing Adventures

Every winter, North Pacific humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaiʻi, completing a six-week voyage to the Islands’ shallow, warm waters. Between 8,000 to 12,000 humpback whales return to the Hawaiian Islands to mate, raise their young and impress whale watchers with their playful shows.  

READ MORE: Our Tips for Whale-Watching in Hawaiʻi 

Locals and visitors alike look forward to the first whales of the season. Most years the early arrivals are spotted in October but the season is considered to run from November to May. Known as koholā in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), these beloved creatures are protected marine mammals. Moore reminds visitors to never swim with or touch whales—and for that matter, any other marine mammals. 

While humpback whales can be spotted from any of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is considered one of the best places in the world to see these creatures. Most beach-goers can spot whales while lounging on a beach in Māʻalaea, Kāʻanapali, Kīhei and Wailea. 

Maui is also home to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Established in 1992, the sanctuary is committed to the conservation of humpback whales and their habitat within Hawaiian waters. The Islands are crucial breeding and calving grounds for the North Pacific humpback population. 

One of the best ways to understand the significance of these creatures is to embark on a whale-watching tour. Seeing these creatures—which weigh between 55,000 to 66,000 pounds—flap their tails and breach is an unforgettable experience. It’s one of the reasons travelers enjoy winter in Hawaiʻi. 

Tour companies such as Teralani Sailing Adventures offer whale-watching excursions. Teralani’s first tour begins Nov. 1 and ends April 15, 2025. Since 1994, the local, family-owned business has been operating out of Kāʻanapali Beach. It is now West Maui’s largest operator with three luxury catamarans. 

For more tips to ensure your whale-watching trip is memorable, check out this guide.