February 14 – March 22, 2026
February 14 – March 9: Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Learn about humpback whales and their remarkable migratory journey to the Hawaiian Islands through weekend activations, hands-on learning, and some of the best land-based whale watching on East Oʻahu.
Sea Life Park Hawaiʻi invites the community and visitors alike to kick off 2026 with meaningful, family-friendly experiences that celebrate marine life, conservation, and Hawaiian waters. Through immersive exhibits, daily educational talks, and seasonal events, guests are encouraged to deepen their connection to the ocean, Hawaiian culture, and the Waimānalo community. Anchoring the park’s early-year programming is the SLP Whale Festival: Celebration of Ocean Giants, a multi-week event honoring the annual return of humpback whales (koholā) to Hawaiian waters.
Humpback whale and rainbow seen in Hawai'i. Photo credit: HTA.
Learn About Humpback Whales | Discover the incredible migratory journey humpback whales make each year from Alaska to Hawaiʻi. Sea Life Park’s education team will share fascinating insights into whale behavior, biology, and life in Hawaiian waters.
Hands-On Keiki Learning | Young learners can participate in a simulated whale detanglement activity and color a printed humpback whale fluke while learning that every fluke is unique—just like a human fingerprint.
Life-Size Whale Views | Guests can explore a to-scale illustrated “Whale Walk” featuring life-size humpback whale outlines displayed throughout the park. The walk begins near Shark Cave and Turtle Lagoon and leads toward Dolphin Lagoon and Seaside Gardens, reinforcing just how massive these ocean giants truly are.
Beginning on World Whale Day Weekend (February 14, 15 & 16), guests of all ages are invited to experience one of Oʻahu’s premier land-based whale watching locations. Overlooking the Kaiwi Coast, Sea Life Park offers elevated ocean viewpoints where humpback whales are frequently spotted breaching, tail slapping, and spouting just offshore during their seasonal migration. Festival activities take place at Seaside Gardens, where guests can join the park’s education team for guided whale watching, engaging presentations, and interactive learning. A limited number of shared binoculars will be available on site, and guests are encouraged to BYOB — Bring Your Own Binoculars.
View from Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail and Manana Island near Sea Life Park. Photo credit: HTA
Local artist Patrick Ching with an ocean-inspired example of his artwork.
Dr. Jessica Jacobs, Hawai’i Pacific University
Talk Topic: Disease Research in Whales and Dolphins
Sea Life Park is pleased to welcome Dr. Jessica Jacob this weekend as our special guest speaker during Whale Festival. Dr. Jacob is a marine biologist and Assistant Professor of Biology at Hawai'i Pacific University. She has a PhD from the University of Florida in Veterinary Medical Sciences and a Master of Science in Marine Science from Hawai'i Pacific University. She specializes in molecular and microbiology, researching infectious diseases that are present in whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. Additionally, Dr. Jacob teaches multiple courses at HPU and mentors’ students within her research laboratory.
Sat., March 7 at 10:45am
Jana Phipps
University of Hawai’i Health and Stranding lab
Mon., March 9 at 10:45am
Clara Orr
Hawai’i Marine animal Response (HMAR)
The festival culminates with Keiki Sunday, one of Sea Life Park’s popular quarterly family events focused on ocean appreciation and hands-on learning. Special live keiki hula performances by Halau Hula 'O Puka'ikapuaokalani; complimentary face painting, a photo booth with a free printed photo, live DJ music at Beachboy Lānai, and interactive educational games throughout the park.
Keiki Sunday begins with a community beach cleanup directly across from the park at "Baby Makapu'u Beach" in partnership with 808 Cleanups, from 8:00am – 10:00am. Recommenation: Volunteers interested in the beach cleanup are asked to park at the beach for the cleanup with 808 Cleanups, then drive over to the park for Whale Festival activities afterward.
Prior to your visit, be sure to follow us on Instagram @sealifepark and hashtag your photos with #slpwhalefest and #slphawaii
Keiki Sunday Activities include complimentary Face Painting with Storybook Hawaii.