First Humpback Whale of the Season Spotted Off Kauaʻi’s Coast
Kauaʻi crew spots first koholā of the 2025-2026 season.
The first confirmed humpback whale sighting of the 2025-2026 season was off the coast of Kauaʻi on Oct. 14, 2025. Holoholo Charters recorded the sighting at 7 a.m.
Captain Kekoa and his crew aboard the vessel Holoholo spotted the whale along the island’s western coast while en route to Niʻihau for a tour. The crew and guests were thrilled to catch a glimpse of the seasonal visitor.
Watch the video here.
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“Spotting the first humpback of the season is always a thrill—it’s like seeing an old friend return home,” said Noah Cew, a Holoholo crew member, in a news release. “Every year, these moments remind us just how special Kaua‘i’s waters are.”
Known as koholā in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 North Pacific humpback whales migrate from Alaska to the warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands each year to give birth, mate, and care for their young.
Locals and visitors alike look forward to the first whales of the season. Most years, the early arrivals are spotted in October, though the season is generally considered to run from November through April.
READ MORE: Our Tips for Whale Watching in Hawaiʻi
One of the best ways to appreciate the significance of these majestic creatures is to embark on a whale-watching tour. Seeing these giants— which can weigh between 55,000 and 66,000 pounds—flap their tails or breach the surface is an unforgettable experience. It’s one of the reasons travelers love winter in Hawaiʻi.
“Our crew lives for that moment,” said Holoholo Charters General Manager Chandra Bertsch in a news release. “When word came in from the team, everyone at the harbor felt the excitement. The first sighting marks the start of one of the most magical times of the year on Kaua‘i, and we’re so proud to share it with our guests.”
Founded in 1997, Holoholo Charters operates a fleet of vessels designed and built on Kaua‘i. The charter company offers daily adventures to the Nāpali Coast and tours off of Niʻihau.
To learn more or book a whale-watching adventure, visit holoholokauaiboattours.com.
