LAHAINA, Maui — The first humpback whales of the season are arriving in Hawaiian waters.

A lone whale was spotted Wednesday about three miles off Lahaina, and there were reports of whale sightings earlier in the week off the Big Island.

Capt. Alan Steed said he was operating the Expeditions ferry from Manele Harbor on Lana'i to Lahaina around 2:30 p.m. when he saw a whale about a half-mile from the vessel. The marine mammal surfaced and spouted and then displayed its fluke as it submerged.

About an hour later as Steed's vessel was heading to Lana'i, he saw a whale in the same area.

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 humpback whales migrate to Hawai'i during the fall and winter months to breed, calve and socialize.