Whale Watching in Kauai
Whale Watching Begins!
From December to May, you are likely to catch a glimpse of a majestic Kohola, or humpback whale, off Kauai’s shorelines. These gentle giants come to the warm Hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves.
Schedule a tour or charter a boat to spot these magnificent creatures. Treat yourself to scenic ocean views as guides take you to the best spots to observe whales playfully surfacing, tail slapping, or blowing spouts in the air. Regulations prohibit boats from approaching within 100 yards of a whale and you should never swim with or touch whales or any other marine animals.
You can also spot whales from Kauai’s many beautiful beaches, including Poipu Beach on the South Shore, and from scenic spots like Kilauea Lighthouse and the Napali Coast’s Kalalau Trail on the North Shore. On the East Side, the Kapaa Overlook between Kapaa Town and Kealia Beach is another notable viewing spot. Whales are attracted to Hawaii’s warm, shallow waters, so keep your eyes open on the sands of Kauai.
While staying at our vacation rental on the South side near Poipu Beach it will give you easy access to the beaches and a perfect opportunity for whale watching along with spotting a green giant turtle or frolicking monk seals. Your more likely to see the monk seals sleeping on the warm sand along Poipu Beach Park.
Credit – Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Joe West
We’re not the only ones who journey thousands of miles to enjoy the warm Hawaiian waters during wintertime. The humpback whale, or kohola in Hawaiian, swim the thousands of miles each year from the cold waters of the North Pacific to breed, calve and nurse their young in the warm shallow waters of Hawaii. And while they are here, they really know how to put on a show!
Whale watching season in Hawaii typically begins in late November
however peak season is January through March. Some whales enjoy their vacation so much that they will extend their stay through May before making their way home.
Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, the humpback whale population has grown in the last 20 years from 6,000 whales in the North Pacific Ocean, with 4,000 coming to Hawaii, to more than 21,000 whales existing today with approximately 10,000 traveling to Hawaii each year.
There is something inspiring about watching a humpback whale, which as an adult can weigh up to 45 tons, play off-shore. Even more exciting is seeing a baby whale take breaching lessons from their mother and learn to splash and play, similar to a baby in a bathtub.
Like all of our visitors, we look forward each year to the arrival of our guests, the humpback whales, who seem to know how to enjoy paradise just as much as we do. Setup your next get-away during Whale watching season while staying at our Poipu Vacation Rental. You can do additional browsing and learn about Kauai Beaches, Snorkeling in Kauai, or Scuba Diving in Kauai.
