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Puʻukoholā Heiaufall & winter wildlife

Historic site· National Historic Site

At Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, humpback whales: best seen between November and April from the park's shoreline, per the National Park Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.

Updated

Sources for this timing ↓
Local timing
Between November and April
General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

About Puʻukoholā Heiau

What it is
A National Historic Site in Hawaii
What you'll see
Humpback whales offshore · usual peak between November and April

Right now at Puʻukoholā Heiau

Right now in Puʻukoholā Heiau · October

  • Black-tipped reef sharks in Pelekane Bay (best in the early morning) · throughout the year
  • Sharks and dolphins along the shore · any time of the year

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
  • Puʻukoholā HeiauLocal timing: between November and AprilThis page

Where to watch

  • Park shoreline

    Best spot

    Humpback whales are a very common sight from the shore in the winter months; spinner dolphins sometimes too

    National Park Service ↗

  • Pelekane Bay

    Best spot

    Black-tipped reef sharks come into the bay all year, usually best in the early morning

    National Park Service ↗

Worth the drive

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

The year at Puʻukoholā Heiau

  • Black-tipped reef sharks in Pelekane Bay (best in the early morning)Nowthroughout the year
  • Sharks and dolphins along the shoreNowany time of the year
  • Humpback whales: best seenbetween November and April

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see wildlife at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site?

Humpback whales: best seen between November and April from the park's shoreline, per the National Park Service: between November and April. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Is it wildlife season at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site right now?

Not now: its usual fall & winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: between November and April, local timing.

When can I see humpback whales at Puʻukoholā Heiau?

They're best seen between November and April, and are a very common sight from the shoreline in the winter months.Source: National Park Service, Sharks, Whales and Dolphin Viewing ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When are the reef sharks easiest to see?

Black-tipped reef sharks come into Pelekane Bay all year; the best time is usually early morning.Source: National Park Service, Sharks, Whales and Dolphin Viewing ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What is the heiau?

A temple whose construction, around 1790, went with the political rise of Kamehameha I.Source: National Park Service, History & Culture - Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is the trail easy?

Some sections can be slippery when wet: stay on the marked path and step carefully.Source: National Park Service, Safety - Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site?

Park shoreline: humpback whales are a very common sight from the shore in the winter months; spinner dolphins sometimes too; Pelekane Bay: black-tipped reef sharks come into the bay all year, usually best in the early morning.

What is Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site like through the year?

Humpback whales: best seen (Nov–Apr), Black-tipped reef sharks in Pelekane Bay (best in the early morning) (Jan–Dec) and Sharks and dolphins along the shore (Jan–Dec).

How we know · Sources (3)

How we know

National Park Service, Sharks, Whales and Dolphin Viewing (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · National Park Service, History & Culture - Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · National Park Service, Safety - Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

All our sources and how we use them →