Due to the importance of these waters as breeding and feeding grounds we at differing times of the year, encounter such species as Humpback Whales Sperm Whales, Pygmy Whales, Melon-headed, False Killer, rouge Orcas and Beaked Whales.

Humpback whales return to Hawaii's warm waters every winter to mate, give birth and take a break from eating after feeding in the colder Alaskan waters during the summer.

By new year, baby whales (calves), mothers and escorts are frequently seen in the shallow warmer waters in bays and channels. Calves are generally 10 to 15 feet long and average 3000 pounds.

Humpback whales are an endangered species. In the past, the global humpback whale population size was about 750,000 to 2 million animals before being decimated by commercial whaling. The current entire world population is about 30,000-40,000.

Hawaii has a prominent place in the bloody history of commercial whaling, when whales were hunted almost to extinction for oil.

The Hawaiian Humpback whale is still on the endangered species list but a complete ban on whaling in Hawaiian waters has resulted in an increase in local whale population since the 1960's.

The majority of the whale activity is seen each winter near Ko Olina between February and March, but whales have been observed early as September and with a few staying as late as June,a dn are a daily occurence from mid Dec through April.

Hawaii's humpback whales are famous for their unique underwater "songs" that are known to be variations on the previous year's theme.

We recommend the marine biologist led, and eco-friendly Wild Side Specialty Tours for a morning whale watching cruise (dolphins and turtles included!), or a late afternoon sunset / whale watch cruise.

Coral Reefs | Spinner Dolphins | Hawaiian Monk Seal | Green Sea Turtles | Whale Watching| Let's go see 'em! |