Book your trip for the right time of year. Whale season in Hawaii begins around October/November and ends in May. However, peak season is usually from December to April, so if you are looking for “whale soup,” then you must plan your trip accordingly.
Decide which island is the best place to see whales. There are some islands that are betters than others for whale watching. The basin between the islands of Molokai, Lanai and Maui are perfect for humpback whales, being both shallow and protected. This makes Maui one of the best places to see whales in all of Hawaii.
Whale watch from shore. There are plenty of places to whale watch from shore, particularly in Maui. In Maui, even from the beach, you are likely to see whale spouts in the distance. However, for an even better vantage point, you should consider whale watching from an elevated spot that gives you a good view of the ocean. In Maui, on highway 30, at mile marker 8, is a particularly popular elevated spot for whale watching. At this spot, NOAA will typically have people there with information about the whales and even binoculars so you can better spot them.
Go on a whale watching cruise. For a different experience of whale watching you might want to consider one of the many whale watching cruises available. There are a lot of tour companies offering cruises, with pictures of whales breaching right next to the boat. Very often those pictures have been edited using Photoshop or the boats have broken the law by getting close to the whale, instead of maintaining a distance of at least 100 yards. To find a reputable cruise, you may need to do some research. The Pacific Whale Foundation is one reputable operator. Even at 100 yards away, a whale can be very impressive, and while the boat is not allowed to approach any closer, a whale may still get closer. Some have been known to go right under boats.
Listen to whale songs. This is a particularly unique opportunity for visitors to Hawaii. Every year, male humpbacks will sing. This song can be heard in the water for many miles. If you go on a whale watching cruise, they probably will drop a microphone into the water so that you can hear the whale song for yourself. If you enjoy diving or snorkeling in Maui, you may be able to hear whale song for yourself in the water.
