We all know Kauai is one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth, and we aren’t alone. Not all of our visitors are human however. Every year starting in November and peaking in January 1000’s of humpback whales, or kohola in Hawaiian come to enjoy the warm waters around our island to mate, calve, and nurse their young. And what a beautiful start to life that must be!
There’s always excitement when the first whales appear, knowing that soon more will follow after their long long journey all the way down from the icy Alaskan waters. We can’t imagine the journey these amazing animals have taken, but we can surely enjoy their antics.
Many of our local tour operators have shorter whale watching tours up that younger kids (3 and up) will enjoy such as Captain Andy’s. But if you’d prefer to stay on land all you need is to be in sight of the sea. A pair of binoculars will also make you most popular person on the beach!
Here are some of our favorite places to see whales from land: Kilauea Lighthouse in Kilauea; Shipwreck’s Beach, Makahuena Point & Spouting Horn in Poipu; The Kauai Bike Path in Kapaa runs for 8 miles offering plenty of opportunities; as do the cliffs in Princeville.
