The Best Whale Watching Tour from Waikiki
Depart from the small harbor just outside of Waikiki to see whales off the coast of Diamond Head from December through March. This is the best whale-watching experience from Waikiki!
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Activity Overview
And You Creations whale-watching tours start at $99. Whale tours are from December through March, departing 5-days a week in the early morning. Find our full And You Creations review for whale watching below!
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Whale Watching from Waikiki Highlights
The whale-watching tour in their two-deck boat (great views!) leaves from Kewalo Boat Harbor (click for directions).
See the most stunning marine life in their natural habitat on this amazing whale-watching tour. Humpback whales migrate to the Hawaiian Islands during the winter months, December to March, for calving and mating. The warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands offer young whales protection from predators as they build up enough body fat for their 3,000-mile journey north.
Watch as humpback whales complete acrobatic breaches, pec slaps, spy hopping, and more. Whale sightings are not guaranteed but the captain and crew are experts at spotting them. They abide by federal requirements to keep a safe distance to not disturb the whales.
Whale watching from Waikiki will take on a tour in front of Waikiki Beach towards Diamond Head. Enjoy scenic views of Diamond Head as you watch whales in their natural habitat.
And You Creations Review: Why We Love This
We like this tour as the tour size is good for a Waikiki-based tour, their boat provides excellent viewing opportunities, they have a friendly, local crew, and they offer a convenient departure location near Waikiki.
If you’re looking for a smaller tour experience (15 passengers), check out this whale-watching tour that leaves from the Waianae Coast on Oahu.
Bonus: The whale-watching tour includes a hula show and Hawaiian chant to enrich the experience.
Onboard Naturalist
A marine naturalist onboard to answer all your questions
Listen to Whale Songs
They will dip the hydrophone in the water so you can listen to whale songs
Bring Your Camera
Bring your phone or professional camera for pictures. A professional photographer onboard will have pictures available for purchase after the tour.
2.5-Hour Duration Tours
Daily tours for 2.5 hours. Ages 2 and older are welcome—Check-in 30 minutes before boarding.
Departs from the Kewalo Boat Harbor
The departure location is Kewalo Boat Harbor, 2.5 miles from central Waikiki, near Ala Moana Beach Park.
Culture Sharing
The local crew starts the tour with a Hawaiian chant and ends the tour with a traditional hula show.
And You Creations Review: Things to Consider
Whale watching from Waikiki is convenient and a fun time out on the water. We have seen more whales (in our experience) and enjoyed the view more from the Waianae Coast, 45 minutes west of Waikiki. Hence, we also recommend this whale-watching tour from West Oahu.
A few sailboats leave directly from Waikiki Beach for day tours and sunset tours. Beach-loading sailboats are a convenient way to see whales but they don’t specialize in whale-watching like this tour. This tour is on a power boat, hence you forgo a sailboat experience. But, the double-decker design and faster boat provide more opportunities to find and view whales.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Children must be 2+ years old.
What is the cancellation policy?
Tour fees will be fully refunded if cancellation is made more than 24 hours prior to the tour’s departure. (Please note the tour starts early in the morning.) For cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the tour, a full refund requires the presentation of a doctor’s note.
What about bad weather?
In instances where the weather is not ideal later in the day or our minimum passenger count is not met, those who have booked our second tour of the day will be asked to move to our first tour.
Where do we meet for check-in?
Check-in time is 30 minutes before the tour time.
Please meet at Kewalo Boat Harbor, located 2.5 miles from Central Waikiki on the east side of Ala Moana Park. Detailed meeting instructions will be emailed to you with the booking confirmation.
Are cameras and drones allowed?
Cameras are welcome at your own risk, but drones are not allowed on tours at this time.
Do they provide transport from my hotel or condo?
For their whale-watching tour, hotel pickup from Waikiki is not available. We recommend taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to the boat harbor. Limited parking is available at the boat harbor and Ala Moana Park, but getting a ride would be more convenient.
What do I bring on the whale-watching trip?
We suggest you have on hand:
- Flip flops
- A towel
- Sunscreen
- A rash shirt and/or swim shorts if you’re looking for more protection from the sun.
- A light jacket
- Cash or card for photo packages
- Seasickness medication. You can pick up seasickness tablets at local drugstores, or if you only ever experience very mild motion sickness, ginger-based drinks can help stave it off.
- A waterproof camera.
Please try to limit your belongings to one bag per person to conserve space onboard.
Is food provided?
The whale-watching tour from Waikiki includes a light breakfast of pastries and morning beverages.
Will I get seasick?
If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication the night before your tour and again one hour before your scheduled departure. Staying hydrated, avoiding heavier foods, and abstaining from drinking before your tour can also help prevent seasickness.
Is the boat covered?
Yes, the lower deck with the majority of the seating is covered.
Check out the complete list of the best whale watching tours on Oahu.
About And You Creations
And You Creations seeks to share experiences in Hawaii’s distinctive nature that can have a profound impact on one’s life.
Their aim is to share the message of peace and unity with other people and the environment, as Hawaiian culture teaches.
We take great pride in recommending only the best tours in Hawaii. We strive to provide an honest And You Creations review based on other reviews, our knowledge of Oahu, our whale-watching experience, and Hawaii whale-watching data.
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