Makana Charters, a Native Hawaiian family-owned boat tour operator based in Waimea, Hawaii, has opened reservations for the 2026-2027 humpback whale watching season. The season runs from November through May, with January confirmed as the peak month for sightings, according to the company. The announcement matters for travelers planning winter trips to Kauai, as it provides a longer booking window than the federal season and highlights a departure point that minimizes travel time to the Na Pali Coast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary states that humpback whales are present in Hawaiian waters from November through April, with January through March representing the strongest stretch. Makana Charters’ on-water observations extend that trip-planning window into May. Each season, more than 10,000 North Pacific humpback whales migrate approximately 3,000 miles from their Alaska feeding grounds to Hawaii’s warm, shallow waters to breed, calve, and nurse.
Every Makana Charters captain maintains the NOAA-required 100-yard minimum distance from any humpback whale encountered and does not approach or follow a whale to close that distance. Whale sightings are common during the season but are never guaranteed. More information about the Kauai whale watching season is available on the company’s website.
Makana Charters departs from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha, the departure point closest to the Na Pali Coast of any operator on the island, operating across a fleet of six catamarans accommodating between 12 and 36 guests. Reservations can be confirmed by phone or online, depending on group size. Travelers planning Kauai whale watching tours can schedule a departure for the 2026-2027 season through the company’s booking system.
Makana Charters also offers private Na Pali Coast charters and sunset cruises for guests seeking an exclusive or evening departure. Availability and boat assignment are confirmed at the time of booking. Kauai visitors can reserve a whale watching tour with Makana Charters.
The company has operated Na Pali Coast tours for 26 years, continuing the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises, and the family has called Kauai home for more than 100 years. The season dates and peak month are based on NOAA’s confirmed window and the crew’s direct experience on the water.
