Whale Background

Learn more about the gentle giants of our ocean, the problems they face, and their importance in the marine ecosystem. Read to explore NOAA's efforts to protect whales and how national marine sanctuaries benefit whale populations.

sreenshot of the Humpback Whale Behavior Sheet

Humpback Whale Behavior Sheet

Humpback whales can be seen in Hawai‘i's nearshore waters during the winter. Their impressive acrobatic displays are often visible from miles away.

humpback whale swimming underwater

North Pacific Humpback Whale Fact Card

Fact card focusing on North Pacific Humpback Whales in Hawai’i.

a man looks over the ocean through mounted binoculars

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects these whales and their habitat. From November through April, visitors to the sanctuary can see whales from shore and at sea.

whale tail breaching

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Fact Sheet

The sanctuary was designated to protect the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and its habitat in Hawai‘i. The sanctuary enables citizens and government to work collectively on safeguarding humpback whale breeding, calving, and nursing grounds in waters around the main Hawaiian Islands, an area that supports more than half of the North Pacific humpback whale population.

Voyaging canoe on the ocean

Native Hawaiian Heritage

Ocean stewardship is deeply embedded in Native Hawaiian culture. Humpback whales, or koholā, are an important part of history, legend, and connection to the sea. The cultural and maritime heritage of Hawai‘i plays a role in management decisions and how the sanctuary’s daily activities are carried out.

three humpback whales swimming

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary management plan is a site-specific planning and management tool that describes the sanctuary's goals, objectives, and boundaries. It guides future activities, outlines staffing and budget needs, and sets priorities and performance measures for resource protection, research, and education programs.

humpback whale swimming with her calf

Earth is Blue Magazine

The humpback whale is one of the most spectacular ocean creatures in the world. At 45 feet long and weighing 40 tons, these whales are surprisingly acrobatic, and can be spotted throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System. Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. There, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects them and their habitat.

whale head breaching the water

NOAA Fisheries Whales Website

Whales are among the largest and oldest animals on Earth. They can be found in every ocean and range in size from the small dwarf sperm whale to the massive blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. Whales belong to a group of marine mammals called cetaceans. Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

orca leaping out of the water

Understanding Sanctuary Soundscapes: A Q&A with Carol Bernthal and Sarah Fangman

All across the ocean, marine organisms from tiny fish to enormous whales rely on sound and hearing for their survival. But increasing human activity within our ocean over the last century has also meant increasing levels of noise.

whale tail breaching with a cargo vessel in the background

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies

The humpback whale is one of the most spectacular ocean creatures in the world. At 45 feet long and weighing 40 tons, these whales are surprisingly acrobatic, and can be spotted throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System. Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. There, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects them and their habitat.