Whale watching on the North Shore is one of Oahu's most exciting things to do every winter. It's unforgettable! I've put together this guide to show you the best places to see them from the beach and my favorite tours to get you up close.
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Whale watching on Oahu & Hawaii
Whale watching on Oahu is super popular, and I still get excited every time I see them when I'm at the beach, out on the jet ski, or surfing.
Every winter, the humpback whales return to Hawaii's warm, shallow waters to mate, give birth, and raise their calves. They travel all the way from Alaska, swimming for weeks (nearly 6 to 8 weeks!) before reaching our islands.
This is one of the most important places for them to return to each year! During summer, they feed in sub-arctic regions, then come back in winter to continue their breeding season.
They used to mostly hang out around Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i, and Kaho'olawe, but now that their population has grown, we see them a lot on Oahu, the Big Island, and Kaua'i.
There are great viewing spots all around Oahu, like the Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail or Electric Beach on the west side, but the North Shore is one of the best places to see them.
Fun facts!
Did you know humpback whales don't usually feed while they're in Hawaii? They rely on metabolizing their fat stores for energy as they spend the winter mating, giving birth, and hanging out with their calves. Then they head back to colder waters to bulk up on food.
Also, their annual migration of about 6,000 miles is one of the longest of any mammal!
Where to see them on the North Shore
During Hawaii's winter season, you can see whales on the North Shore from almost any beach, any time of day.
I see them all the time, morning, afternoon, at sunset... They're often breaching (the coolest!), slapping their tails or pectoral fins, and spouting water through their blowholes.
If you're lucky to be snorkeling when they come closer to shore, you might even hear them singing. It's incredible!
Of course, you're never guaranteed to see them, but your chances are pretty high!
Here are a few beaches on the North Shore where I often spot them:
- Pipeline: My favorite beach to see them, especially when they breach right behind the surfers riding waves.
- Rocky Point: I love seeing them here because they come close to shore, giving me a clear view when they breach and play in the water.
- Sharks Cove: A beautiful place to watch whales against the rocks and tide pools. I've even seen them swim right near the rocks here!
- Kaena Point: The Humpbacks seem to love the water around the point, and I don't blame them! It's a quiet, beautiful place to hang out.
If you're not sure where these beaches are, check out my guide to the beaches on the North Shore to get familiar with them. I've also got a North Shore surf spots map that'll help you see where everything lines up along the coast.
And if you want to get a better feel for the area, check out our complete guide to the North Shore.
Whale watching tours
If you want to get up close to the whales, a few great tours leave right from Haleiwa Harbor. These are the ones I'd recommend - they're all small groups run by local crews who really know the North Shore.
Note: These tours only run during the winter whale season.
Deep Blue Eco Tours
I really like Deep Blue Eco Tours because it feels super personal. The boat only takes up to six people, so you're not crowded, and there's a marine biologist onboard who shares all kinds of interesting whale facts.
They're also really respectful - they keep a good distance and never chase the whales.
Quick details
- Group size: Up to 6 passengers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price: $400
- Cancellation: Full refund if canceled at least 48 hours before your trip. Tours can be rescheduled or refunded for bad weather. If fewer than three guests are booked, the tour may be moved to another time.
Hawaii Ocean Adventure Tours
This one's another small-boat tour, but it has a totally different feel. The captain is super experienced and keeps things relaxed. You can even bring your own drinks!
You can choose between two boats: the Finnattic (24 ft.) or the Ilio Kai (33 ft., with a restroom and a bit more room). Both only take six people, so it still feels intimate.
Quick details
- Group size: Up to 6 passengers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price: $475-$625
- Cancellation: 72-hour policy. Cancellations within 72 hours are non-refundable unless due to a medical emergency with a doctor's note.
North Shore Catamaran Charters
If you'd rather sail, this one's for you. You'll head out on the Hoʻo Nanea, a commercial sailing catamaran that fits up to 19 people. It's such a fun way to see the whales while cruising along the coast.
They include soft drinks and water, and you can bring your own drinks too - there's a cooler on board.
Quick details
- Group size: Up to 19 passengers
- Duration: 2-2.5 hours
- Price: $99 adults, $79 children, $1449 private charter
- Cancellation: 24-hour notice for a full refund. Private charters need 7 days' notice; a 20% fee applies for canceled private tours. Refunds or reschedules available for bad weather or low participation.
North Shore Sailing Adventures
North Shore Sailing Adventures is perfect if you want a completely private trip - just you and up to five friends or family on the boat. You'll be on the KEET, a beautiful 40' trimaran, for a morning, afternoon, or sunset sail.
One of the coolest things about this tour is that you can actually listen to the whales underwater with a hydrophone. It's incredible hearing them sing!
Quick details
- Group size: Up to 6 passengers
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price: $1000-$1200
- Cancellation: Full refund or credit if canceled at least 72 hours in advance. Private charters need 7 days' notice; a 20% fee applies for cancellations. Refunds or credits are also available for weather or operator cancellations.
Tours in Honolulu
If you're staying in Waikiki or around Honolulu, you don't have to drive all the way to the North Shore to see whales - some great tours head out from the south shore too.
Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran
This 2-hour whale watching cruise along the south shore is a great choice if you're staying in Honolulu.
The crew shares fun whale facts while helping you spot them, and you can bring your own lunch - snacks and unlimited drinks are included.
- Group size: Up to 49 passengers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price: $109/person
Hawaii Ocean Project
This is a great whale watching tour on Oahu if you're in Waikiki.
You'll cruise past Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, and the boat has multiple levels, so you can watch from the open deck or stay shaded inside.
A whale expert gives live narration, and they even use a hydrophone to let you hear the whales underwater.
- Group size: Up to 80 passengers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price: $49.95 adults, $24.95 children
Helpful tips
- Bring binoculars, especially if you're watching the whales from the beach.
- Look for calmer winds - it's easier to spot them when the water isn't choppy. Fingers crossed for good weather! 🤞
- If you get seasick, take motion sickness medicine before the tour.
- Bring a jacket if you take a whale watching tour, because it can get chilly out on the water.
- Wear a sun shirt, and don't forget reef-safe sunscreen ☀️.
- Stay patient - sometimes you have to wait a bit for the action 😉.
- By law, we must stay at least 100 yards away from the whales.
Need to know
The whale season in Hawaii runs from November through April. This is when they migrate to our waters to mate, give birth, and hang out with their calves.
On the North Shore, you'll usually start seeing the humpbacks in peak season, breaching, tail slaps, and all, around December through March, but honestly, any time during the season is pretty exciting!
Early mornings or late afternoons are often best since the winds are calmer, making them easier to spot, while midday offers perfect lighting for photos.
They're huge! Adult males usually grow around 40 to 45 feet long, and females can reach about 50 feet. Calves are born around 12 to 15 feet long and already weigh close to a ton.
Here's a photo I took from our jet ski - look how big they are next to the spinner dolphins!
Humpback whales aren't aggressive toward humans. I've even snorkeled near them a few times on a jetski (keeping the legal 100-yard distance, of course), and they were completely calm.
They're still massive wild animals, so it's important to give them space and never try to touch or chase them.
Most interactions from a boat or the beach are safe, and incredible to watch!"
Humpback whales are a protected species in Hawaii under federal and state regulations.
If a whale looks like it's in trouble, call NOAA at 888-256-9840 or hail the Coast Guard on VHF 16. If someone's getting too close, report it to NOAA Enforcement at 800-853-1964.
Hope this helps you figure out where to go whale watching on the North Shore and gives you a sense of the best beaches and tours! If you still have questions, drop them in the comments - I love hearing from readers.
Here are a few more things to do on the North Shore and other guides I've put together to help you plan your trip:
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