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Hawaii is known for a lot of things: beaches, waterfalls, rainbows, lush green mountains, but my favorite thing to see in Hawaii are…WHALES!

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii from Alaska every winter to mate and give birth in the warm waters. And spotting them (either from the shore or from a boat) is usually a highlight of anyone’s trip traveling to Hawaii during this time of year.

Whale Watching in Hawaii

So where are the best spots to see them? Which cruises offer the best viewing experience? And when exactly is the best time to see them? Here’s everything you need to know!

When is whale season in Hawaii?

Whale season usually stretches from mid December through mid April.

Of course the whales aren’t quite aware of the thousands of tourists in Hawaii waiting for their arrival, so they come when they want to.

The first arrivals could start showing up as early as late November, but they’re few and far between. The end of December through January is when they reallllly start to arrive.

February is PEAK whale season. In prime areas, you can sit on the beach and watch them play all day long.

By mid April, the majority have already started their migration back to Alaska (where they feed), but there could be a few stragglers that hang around into May.

Where is the best island to see whales?

In a word…Maui.

In peak season, the whales can be seen throughout all of the Hawaiian Islands, but they’re undoubtedly the most concentrated around Maui.

The channels between Molokai, Lanai, and Maui are especially shallow and warm so they’re super attractive to whales with babies in tow (BABY WHALES!!!).

If your main priority in coming to Hawaii is to see whales, Maui is your best bet. If you’re just casually interested in seeing the whales, any of the islands are fine.

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Do you have to go out on a boat to see them?

Not at all! Especially during February, there are many beaches where you can see them from the shore.

My friend has even seen whale breaches from the AIRPLANE before.

Your chances of seeing whales from any beach of the island aren’t the same though. Generally, whales prefer calm, warm water (kind of like people!) so they’re definitely more attracted to certain parts of each island.

On Maui, the south side beaches (Kihei and Wailea) and west side (especially Kapalua) are the best areas to see them. Sometimes the whales come close to shore (let’s say 100 yards), but most of the time you’ll be seeing them from a distance.

What if I want a closer look?

There are a TON of companies that take visitors (and locals alike!) out on boats to get a closer look at the whales.

Humpback whales are protected in Hawaii so all boats are required to stay 100 yards away from whales (unless the whale approaches the boat), but (despite extremely rare circumstances) that’s MUCH closer than you’ll be if you’re viewing them from the beach.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Do you have to go out on a really tiny boat?

There are a plethora of options for whale watching excursions. Everything from kayaks to large double decker boats.

The majority of people end up on a large boat (100+ guests) as it’s the cheapest option with the most availability. The main benefit of going out on a boat like this is that people who are prone to seasickness usually experience fewer symptoms as it’s a calmer ride.

There are also a lot of tours that take you out on a catamaran (capacity of 25-50). And of course, there are the small boats (Zodiac style ocean rafts).

No matter what kind of boat you’re on, the vessel can’t get closer than 100 yards so a small boat isn’t going to get you closer than a big boat, but you may have a more intimate experience since there are fewer people on the boat and the boat can move a lot faster.

Personally, my favorite way to go is on a catamaran. It’s a sizable enough boat that it feels very stable and “safe” while offering all of the creature comforts (bathroom, galley, snacks and drinks, etc.) yet there are not so many people onboard that it feels crowded.

Which company has the best excursions?

There are a lot of great commercial companies offering whale excursions, but I personally feel like there’s one choice on Maui: PacWhale Eco-Adventures. They’re a non profit organization so all of the profits of their tours go straight to the Pacific Whale Foundation. And each cruise has a certified Marine Naturalist so you’re sure to get an education along with your entertainment.

Right now all of their tours are departing from Maalaea. My favorite tour is the Whale Watch Sail.

What about snorkeling?

Most “whale watching” tours are exclusively for whale watching, but if you’re wanting to knock out snorkeling AND whale watching in ONE tour…here’s my favorite option.

Sunrise Deluxe Snorkel with Kai Kanani

This is my favorite snorkel excursion on Maui. It features stops at both Molokini Crater AND Turtle Town and because of the departure point in Makena and the early start time, you’re usually the first boat out to the crater (meaning no crowds).

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I’ve put together a post about where to find condos on Maui. It breaks down different areas to look for condos depending on your budget and what you’re looking for. Seriously, don’t miss this post.

Tips for having a good time?

Here’s my #1 tip for whale watching: CHECK YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

Whales are wild animals and while they can be somewhat predictable, they still have a mind of your own.

While many companies will guarantee whale sightings (or let you come back for free if you don’t spot one), it is impossible for them to guarantee spotting any kind of specific behavior.

Spotting a breach (where the whale jumps out of the water) is the holy grail and while it does happen frequently, it’s also possible that you may not see one during the two hours that you’re out on the boat.

This isn’t the fault of the crew or captain, it’s just what makes whale watching so exciting.

So before you go, check your expectations. Remember…the whales are just out there doing their whale thing. They are unaware of your once in a lifetime vacation and your bucket list. If your vacation is going to be ruined if you don’t get to look a baby whale in the eye, you’re probably going to go home disappointed. But that doesn’t stop me from having “staring contest with a baby humpback whale” on my bucket list ; )

Want to read more posts about Maui? I’ve got plenty!

Things You Can ONLY Do on Maui // 4 Day Maui Itinerary // My Favorite Road to Hana Itinerary // Things to Do Upcountry // Tips for Sunrise at Haleakala National Park // Snorkeling Molokini Crater // Whale Watching

My Favorite Hotels on Maui // Where to Find Condos on Maui // Wailea vs Kaanapali // Every Resort in Wailea Ranked // Four Seasons Maui Review // Andaz Maui Review // Fairmont Kea Lani Review // Wailea Beach Resort Review // Four Seasons vs Andaz Maui // Andaz Maui vs Wailea Beach Resort

Best Restaurants in Wailea // Best Breakfast in Wailea & Kihei // Mama’s Fish House // Best Luaus in Wailea

My Favorite Things to Do in South Maui // Best Beaches in Wailea & Kihei // Road to Hana Tips // Driving the Backside of the Road to Hana // Where to See Turtles on Maui

Maui vs Kauai // Everything You Need to Know BEFORE you go to Maui

Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…

Reservations You Need to Make BEFORE Your Hawaii Trip

You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!

Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii so a lot of state and national parks used the closure and reopening to institute reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to make things a little more sustainable.

That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan.

I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )

But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too.

Haleakala National Park (Maui)

To visit Haleakala National Park for sunrise at the summit, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are required to enter the park gates between 3AM and 7AM (sunrise hours).

Online reservations are $1 per reservation/vehicle PLUS you’ll pay the park entrance fee of $30/vehicle when you arrive (National Park annual passes are also accepted at the gate).

The reservation booking window opens 60 days in advance at 7AM HST. There are also a limited number of tickets released two days before.

You can make one reservation every three days with the same account. So if you want to make reservations for back to back days (in case of weather/conditions), you’ll need to do so with separate accounts (email addresses).

If you can’t get reservations for sunrise, you can enter the park anytime after 7AM without reservations. The summit is spectacular during the day and you don’t need reservations for sunset.

I strongly recommend creating an account before and making sure you’re logged in at 7AM HST because it’s not uncommon for reservations to sell out quickly.

Waianapanapa State Park (Maui)

To visit Maui’s famous black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are required to visit the beach and are distributed in windows from 7AM-10AM, 10AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-3PM, and 3PM-6PM. And they are pretty strict about exiting by the end of your window time (you can arrive anytime within your window).

It’s $5/person to enter plus $10/vehicle to park and those fees are paid when you book your time slot.

Reservations open up 30 days in advance.

Iao Valley State Park (Maui)

To visit the lush, green mountains and hike at Iao Valley State Park, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are offered for 90 minute time slots beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM. They ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot.

Entry is $5/person plus $10/vehicle to park.

Reservations open up 30 days in advance.

Diamond Head (Oahu)

To hike to the top of Waikiki’s famous Diamond Head, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are offered in two hour increments beginning at 6AM (6AM-8AM, 8AM-10AM, etc.) and ending at 6PM. If you’re parking onsite, they ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation window.

Entry is $5/person plus $10/vehicle to park.

Reservations open up 30 days in advance.

Tip: I recommend booking one of the first two time slots because there isn’t much shade on this hike and it gets pretty hot.

Hanauma Bay (Oahu)

To snorkel at Oahu’s pristine Hanauma Bay, you must make reservations in advance here.

Entry times are staggered in 10 minute increments from 7AM to 1:20PM with roughly 1000 slots being assigned in advance every day.

Reservations can be made two days in advance and they open at 7AM HST. They’re usually gone in minutes (if not seconds).

If you’re unable to get an advanced reservation, you can try for a day of, walk in ticket. They open at 6:45AM and they only have a limited number available. Everyone in your group needs to be present when you purchase your tickets in person.

There are no reservations for parking and it’s first come, first serve. $3/vehicle.

It’s $25/person to snorkel at Hanauma Bay (12 and under, active military, and locals with HI ID are free).

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday (CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY) from 6:45AM-4PM. Last entry is at 1:30PM, the beach is cleared at 3:15PM and you have to leave the facility by 4PM.

Jellyfish patterns can also affect whether or not the bay is open so double check the day before/day of.

USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor (Oahu)

If you want to take the boat tour at Pearl Harbor out to the USS Arizona, it’s recommended to make advance reservations here.

Online reservations are guaranteed a specific boarding time to go out to the USS Arizona. If you’re unable to get an advance reservation, you can wait standby when you arrive. The line could be short (15 minutes or so) or long (hours) and it just depends on the day (if they’re having problems with the loading dock sometimes they don’t take many from the standby line) and the time of day.

Reservations are supposed to open up 60 days in advance, but keep an eye on your exact dates, because lately they’ve actually been opening up about 57ish days in advance???

They also release a small batch of tickets the day before.

The boat ride out to the USS Arizona is free, but it’s $1 to make the reservations online.

They recently started charging $7/vehicle for parking at Pearl Harbor.

Haena State Park / Kalalau Trail (Kauai)

If you want to hike Kauai’s famous Kalalau Trail, you must make advance reservations here.
You’ve got three options here:

1) Parking & Entry: This is the most flexible option and also the most limited. THESE RESERVATIONS SELL OUT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. There are three time slots available: 6:30AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-5:30PM and 4:30PM to sunset. You can purchase multiple time slots if you want to stay longer. It’s $10/timeslot (parking) plus $5/person and you have to reserve every person when you initially book. Everybody has to arrive in the same car and your ID needs to match the reservation.

2) Shuttle & Entry: If you can’t get parking at the trailhead, there’s also a shuttle option. Shuttle reservations are $35/person (16+), $25/person (ages 4-15), 3 and under can ride free. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes 6:20AM to 6:40PM.

3) Entry Only: If you’re a Hawaiian resident (with HI ID) or someone WITH a Hawaiian resident, you can purchase entry only for $5/person with no advance reservations. Also, if you’re walking or biking to the trailhead you can do this option. But there is NOWHERE to park in the area to walk in. So this really only works for those with bikes or who are staying close enough to walk. They will tow your car if you park outside the designated areas.

The reservation window opens 30 days in advance at 12AM HST. The parking & entry option usually sells out in a minute, but the shuttle availability will last longer.

There are a TON of FAQs here including the possibility of snagging a canceled reservation.

Other Things to Book in Advance

Hawaii is a busy place these days! Besides the state and national parks above, here’s a handful of miscellaneous things you should make reservations for in advance (if they’re on your radar):

Mama’s Fish House (Maui): The iconic spot is the most popular restaurant in Hawaii and dinner reservations usually start filling up about 6 months in advance (they open up bookings 18 months in advance). Make reservations through their website and if the dates you want are already booked, you can join a waitlist. Most people have pretty good success getting in on the waitlist (even if it’s for lunch).

Old Lahaina Luau (Maui): Honestly, any luau you’re planning to attend you should book early, but most people are usually shocked how far out the Old Lahaina Luau books out. Book it as soon as you know your dates (I think they open at the six month window). They also have a waitlist.

Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (Oahu): Everybody loves Jurassic Park so getting to ride UTVs where they filmed the movies is very popular. The ranch offers a lot of different tours but the UTV tours usually book out a couple of months in advance.

Spa Reservations: If you’re staying at a resort with a spa (or planning on visiting one), don’t wait until you arrive to make your reservations. I’d make them at least a month in advance.

Tee Times: Same for golf, reserve your tee times well in advance.

Dining Reservations: Any “fancy” or resort restaurant is likely to be booked up these days so if you like having a nice dinner every night, make your plans in advance.

P.S. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. I’m there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! Your support really helps me keep this blog running!