Whale soup season peaks in February in the Pacific.

Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaiian waters each winter and are most numerous in February; volunteers run scheduled counts and responders have freed entangled whales during the season.

Humpback whales travel from Alaska to the warmer Hawaiian waters each winter to mate and give birth, and February is commonly the peak month for those gatherings. The migration generally runs from November through May, with most animals present between January and March. Mothers and calves use shallower nearshore areas as nurseries, while males form competitive groups and sing as part of mating behavior. Key points: - Humpback migration timing: whales travel from Alaska to Hawaii between November and May, with peak activity in January–March and February often the busiest month. - Purpose of the stay: whales come to mate and to nurse calves in shallower waters often less than about 600 feet deep; mothers and calves tend to leave later than other adults. - Community counting: the Sanctuary Ocean Count, partnering with the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Great Whale Count, runs shore-based tallies at the end of January, February, and March; on January 25, 2025 volunteers recorded about 300 whales in 15 minutes and over 2,100 sightings that morning. - Social behavior: male humpbacks form competition pods and sing to attract mates, and singing also supports social bonds between individuals including mothers and calves. - Noise and movement: researchers report that rising water noise has led whales to sing more loudly and to shift farther offshore during the day, returning to shallower waters at night. - Protection and incidents: the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1992 and covers roughly 1,400 miles of protected waters; on January 30, 2026 responders freed a whale off Kona after removing about 320 feet of ropes, chains, and hooks. Summary: The seasonal concentration of humpback whales around Hawaii in February brings extensive natural behavior related to mating and calf rearing and supports regular monitoring through volunteer counts. Counts continue through March and some incident responses, such as entanglement rescues, have occurred during the season; the schedule of future counts is part of ongoing monitoring efforts.