Many repeat visitors are thinking of returning to Hawaii earlier this year, word today confirms that the Humpback Whales are thinking the same thing!

Today the first confirmed Humpback Whale sighting of the Fall/Winter 2011 season occurred in the sanctuary waters near Honaunau Bay on the Big Island when Captain Tony Roensch reported witnessing two tail slaps from a humpback whale yearling.

This first sighting is a full 23 days earlier than last year which means the whales are here early!

Last year’s first sighting (Fall/Winter 2010) was on October 21st and in the year prior (Fall/Winter 2009) the first sighting was on October 20th.