Is May a good time for whale watching in Hawaii?

May is the tail end of whale watching season in Hawaii and sightings become increasingly sporadic. Most humpback whales begin their northward migration back to Alaska in late March and April, with the majority gone by early May. A small number of whales — typically mothers with new calves — may linger into May, so sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Some operators stop running whale watching tours entirely by mid-April. If you're visiting in May specifically for whales, lower your expectations and have a backup plan. The silver lining: May has excellent conditions for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and other ocean activities as seas calm down. For guaranteed whale sightings, plan your trip between late December and mid-March.