December through April is the best time to plan a whale-watching trip in Hawaii, with sightings of the magnificent marine mammals peaking in January and February. But the migrating humpbacks can appear even earlier: This is the third year in a row with sightings reported in early October, starting off the Big Island coastline and then moving northward. And you don’t have to take a traditional whale-watching trip to witness the whales spouting, breaching and frolicking in the islands’ warm waters — just like Hawaii’s two-legged visitors do. Here are five eco-friendly ways to enjoy the spectacle:
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