HONOLULU (KHON2) — The first humpback whale of the 2025–2026 season made its appearance off Kaua‘i early this morning, Oct. 14; and the sighting marks the start of whale season in Hawai‘i.
Tuesday’s sighting came at 7 a.m. when Captain Kekoa and his crew aboard Holo Holo Charters were on their way to Ni‘ihau.
Chandra Bertsch, general manager at Holo Holo Charters, described the moment with energy and pride.
“We [saw it] early this morning. Our captain crew and all our guests were treated to a big surprise,” she said.
A rare morning surprise
Bertsch said the crew was leading a seven-hour Ni‘ihau Nāpali Super Tour as they cruised the west side of the island near Kōke‘e Point, north of Kekaha. The unexpected encounter happened when the whale launched out of the ocean in a dramatic breach.
“They were just off of Kokole Point, which is a little bit north of the town of Kekaha,” Bertsch said as she described the encounter. “And cruising along like we normally do; and all of a sudden, a giant whale breach right out of the water.”
Guests aboard the catamaran were able to watch the whale from about 400 yards away as it surfaced, lifted its tail, and dove again. The sighting lasted only moments, but Bertsch explained the timing could not have been more precise.
“So, first sighting, it’s just one of those rare timing events, right? If we had been two minutes earlier or later, we would have missed it,” she said.
The start of whale season
Though humpback whales can appear as early as October, the peak season runs from December through March. Bertsch said that during those months, sightings are almost guaranteed.
“But during December through March, you really can’t be on the water without seeing a whale,” she said. “It’s a magical experience to see these whales, even from a distance on the water. To, to see them in their natural habitat. They’re just so beautiful, graceful. And they’re our visitors. We look forward to them come in every year.”
Responsible viewing and future tours
Holo Holo Charters operates out of Port Allen on Kaua‘i, and they offer morning and afternoon tours along the Nāpali Coast and to Ni‘ihau.
Bertsch said that watching whales is as much about respect as it is about excitement. She explained that encounters on the water are a privilege, and Holo Holo Charters is committed to making sure those moments are safe for both guests and the animals.
“We want to make sure we’re always giving them ample space,” she said. “There’s many federal and local regulations about viewing and distances. So we’re always following those guidelines and ensuring that we’re being respectful.”
She went on to explain further.
“We don’t want to inhibit their home,” Bertsch added. “We want to be proper guests and give them the space and view them from a respectful distance.”
With the first whale already spotted, more sightings are expected as the season continues.
You can click here to access the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Whale Sightings Tracker and here for more information on Holo Holo Charters from their Instagram page. You can go to NOAA’s website for more detailed information on marine life in Hawaiʻi’s waters.
For visitors and residents alike, the return of the humpbacks remains one of Hawai‘i’s most anticipated natural events.