
25/02/2025
Second Great Whale Count of the 2025 Season Reports 1,947 Whales Counted
On February 22, volunteers counted a total of 1,947 humpback whales across the main Hawaiian Islands. The Great Whale Count by the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count coordinated efforts to gather this data from 44 sites.
Highlights:
• On February 22, volunteers counted 1,947 humpback whales across the main Hawaiian Islands.
• 498 volunteers participated in the count at 44 sites across the islands.
• Whale sightings by island:
• Maui: 802
• Oʻahu: 408
• Kauaʻi: 321
• Hawaiʻi Island: 263
• Molokaʻi: 153
• The peak observation period was between 9:30 – 9:45 a.m., with 262 whales counted.
• This was the seventh year of coordinated counts between the Great Whale Count (Pacific Whale Foundation) and the Sanctuary Ocean Count (Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary).
• The data provides insights into humpback whale population trends and potential duplicate sightings.
• Weather conditions were reported as mostly sunny, with light winds and calm seas.
• Volunteers also observed green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, flying fish, and various seabirds.
• The counts occur three times annually on the last Saturdays of January, February, and March during peak whale season.
• Preliminary count data is available through the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Maui Whale Festival websites.
• The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, managed by NOAA and Hawaiʻi DLNR, conducts efforts to protect humpback whales and their habitat.
Find out how volunteers contributed to the Second Great Whale Count of the 2025 and the significance of counting humpback whales.