When will the first humpback whale be seen in Hawai‘i waters?

Whale watching season is upon us. Can you guess when the first humpback sighting will be?

The Pacific Whale Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to ocean and marine life conservation, is looking to the public to speculate when the first gentle ocean creature will be seen in Hawai‘i waters this year.

The person who guesses the closest date and time to the first whale sighting with published photographic evidence by ocean vessel, land or air will win a free tour for two on Maui with PacWhale Eco-Adventures ecotour and a PWF membership and swag bag.

Click here to make a submission.

In 2023, the first sighting reported to the nonprofit was Oct. 25. However in 2022 and 2021, first glimpses of the humpback were seen in September. Click here for the Pacific Whale Foundation’s historic first sightings since 1998.

The official whale-watching season starts in November and continues till April. This year, one off-season sighting of the animal was reported in July in waters off O‘ahu.