Maui has the highest annual population of migrating whales. The island has cove-like areas where winds are blocked by the West Maui Mountains. This creates a calmer, warmer environment for whales to breed. A few whale species can be viewed each year including humpbacks, pilot whales and false killer whales.
Maui's best vantage points include the shores of McGregor Point near the Lahaina Tunnel, Puu Olai overlooking Makena Beach, Olowalu Reef and the Wailea Beach coastal trail. Be prepared to do a little hiking and climbing to get to some of these locations.
Kauai features a number of whale watching locations. A higher vantage point on the island is in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Spots around the Kilauea Lighthouse offer clear views of the offshore waters where whales like to play and breach.
Other viewing spots along Kauai shores include South Shore's Poipu Beach and North Shore's Napali Coast trails. The eastern side of the island offers a couple of good viewpoints at Kealia Beach and the Kapaa Overlook.
Oahu features several wide coves and elevated areas to watch whales from land. Beach areas like Hanauma Bay, Ka'ena Point and Shark's Cove offer expansive views of Oahu's shallower, outlying waters. Oahu's north shore around the Turtle Bay Resort is a wide-open viewing area. Higher vantage points include the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse, Leahi near Diamond Head and the Halona Blowhole Lookout.
Locals know Mokuhooniki Island, on the eastern end of Molokai, as a playground for resident whales. Waters here are about 600 feet deep and flow into the Auau Channel, another part of the humpback whales migration route.
Any area along the shores of Mokuhooniki Island is prime viewing space for whale watching, as are Molokai's southern beaches of Alii and Kumimi. Use your binoculars to watch for signs of tail slapping and blowhole spouts of water.
An elevated location near Kawaihae Harbor, on the big island of Hawaii, is excellent for spotting whale pods. This area is also known as the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site.
The word "Puukohola" means "hill of the whale" in the Hawaiian language. Whale sightings are common in Hilo Bay. This cove-like area features the shallow, warm water where whales tend to gather.
On the island of Lanai, Polihua Beach offers views of humpback whales. This remote beach is more difficult to reach -- you'll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to maneuver the rockier terrain. Once you cannot drive any further, hike the rest of the way into the beach's large dunes area.
