You Don’t Need Snow To Enjoy Hawaii’s Best Winter Activity

For many areas of the U.S., winter means snow and a lot of it. However, here in Hawaii, it means something totally different—it’s the best time for whale watching. The winter months are when North Pacific Humpback Whales play in the warm waters surrounding the islands, breed, and care for their young. Whether on a whale watching tour or even from the shore, this time of the year means opportunities to view these magnificent creatures are much more common and unforgettable.

In the Hawaiian culture, whales are more than just remarkable animals. They are believed to be family guardians and a manifestation of the Hawaiian ocean god Kanaloa. Whales are often seen in ancient petroglyphs around the islands, and the annual migration of the whales is a sacred event for the Hawaiian people.

It is believed that nearly two-thirds of the North Pacific Humpback Whale population returns to the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands each winter to breed and care for their young. November and December are when humpback whales typically start to arrive in the warm waters. However, January and February are the best times for viewing, based on a higher concentration of whales and increased activity. And while humpback whales are the most common whale you will see in the waters during the winter months, it isn’t uncommon to view others as well, including orcas, pilot whales, and toothed whales.

During this time of the year, whales can be seen from every island. In fact, the Au’au Channel, which lies between Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i, is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. This channel is warm and calm, creating ideal conditions for whales to nurse and care for their calves. The shallow water of the channel also tends to deter predators who prefer deep water.

However, the Au’au Channel isn’t the only ideal place for viewing whales during the winter months. On the Big Island, the Kohala Coast is a terrific place to view whales breaching the surface in the distance. On Oahu, take the short hike to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse, and once you arrive, spend a few moments staring out at the ocean. Here, you may just see tail slaps, whales breaching, and water spraying out in the distance. Not to mention, these are some of my favorite island views (I love to recommend this hike to families visiting Oahu).

If you would rather get up close, there are typically dozens of whale-watching tours that take you out into the ocean. While there are rules about how close the boats can get to the whales, it’s still an amazing experience being in the water with these exceptional animals—animals that can reach lengths of 40 to 60 feet and weigh up to 40 tons.

Winter in Hawaii might not look like many other states in the U.S., but we wouldn’t have it any other way. The opportunity to view whales so close and in such large numbers is one of the things we love most about winter in Hawaii. We are so blessed.

What are some of your favorite whale watching destinations in Hawaii? Is there a whale watching tour you recommend? If so, please share it with me. I’d love to check it out. And if you are feeling inspired and ready to plan your own winter adventure on a Hawaiian island, try Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for activity, accommodations, and restaurant recommendations.