Mōlī, the Laysan albatross

Huge seabirds with nearly 7-foot wingspans nest in Hawaiʻi from about November through summer. You can see them at Kaʻena Point on Oʻahu (free, about a 5-mile round-trip hike) and Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauaʻi. July and August are best for chicks.

• Arrive and start nesting around November; the season lasts about nine months.
• Oʻahu: Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve, protected by a predator-proof fence. Free; about 5.4 miles round trip on an exposed, hot trail.
• Kauaʻi: Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the north shore; small entry fee, check current days and hours.
• They can live into their 60s and return to the colony where they hatched.
• Most of the world's Laysan albatross nest in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
• Stay on the trail and well back from nests; don't touch the birds.

Source: Hawaiʻi Magazine: Where to see nesting albatross

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.