Whale Watching on the Kona Coast: Year-Round Whales!
This is unique for Hawaii! This local operator has whale tours throughout the year! Choose from a humpback whale tour (2.5 hrs) in December through March or look for over a dozen cetacean species, including pilot whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales, and so much more in April to November (3-4 hrs).
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Activity Overview
Save $20 with an advanced booking! Tours are $99 or $109 when you book 30 days in advance.
Choose from Two Whale Watching Tours
Erica and I have not seen a tour in Hawaii that offers year-round whale watching, until this company got a new catamaran!
You can now go humpback whale watching just off the Kona Coast from December through March. Or, if you’re not visiting during the regular whale season, then you can go up to 20 miles offshore to see more whale species from April to November.
Year-round whales mean that it’s always whale-watching season in Kona!
Tours depart 10 minutes north of Kailua-Kona Town at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, on the south-central side of the harbor. Click for directions to the check-in location.
Go out in comfort on their 46-foot two-tiered catamaran, The Artemis. See below for details on the vessel.
Humpback Whale Watch: December through March
This time of year brings thousands of humpbacks to the Kona Coast, and they are also on the lookout for nearshore wildlife, including Hawaiian spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, surface-feeding manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and even the occasional whale shark.
Whale tours are from mid-December through March.
- Tours are 2.5 – 3 hours
- See humpback whales perform acrobatics, getting up close and personal
- Guaranteed Whales
- Complimentary Cold Beverages
- Professional Onboard Naturalist
- Save $20 when you book 30 days in advance
- Children 8 and up are welcome!
Pelagic Whale Watch: April to November
From April to November, embark on 3-4 hour pelagic whale watch tours. Their vessels hold a 20-mile USCG certification, offering a wider search range than most Big Island ocean tours and access to Kona’s vibrant pelagic zone.
This area is where you’ll search for over a dozen cetacean species, including pilot whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales, and so much more.
- Tours are 3 – 4 hours
- Guaranteed Whales
- Complimentary Cold Beverages
- Professional Onboard Naturalist
- Save $20 when you book 30 days in advance
- Children 10 and up are welcome!
Please book directly with Hawaiian Adventures Kona at the booking button above. They will email you a confirmation email and take care of the rest of your whale-watching tour! Booking with our button helps us write more Hawaii travel info, at no cost to you. Mahalo for your support!
Private Tours Available: December – March
Hop aboard Callisto, the quick and agile center console, to be the first boat out of the marina for an exclusive private charter for up to 6 guests. It pays to get up early, as the morning hours offer some of the best sightings of the day!
What’s included:
- Availability: December – March
- Up to 6 guests
- Duration: 2 – 2.5 Hours
- Guaranteed Whales
- Complimentary Cold Beverages
- Professional Onboard Naturalist
- Ages 8 and up are welcome
Pricing:
- 7 AM Private Whale Watch: $899
- 10 AM Private Whale Watch: $999
- 1 PM Private Whale Watch: $999
- 4 PM Private Whale Watch: $1099
Callisto is their 32 ft regulator designed for speed, safety, comfort, and an incredibly smooth ride. Equipped with twin 350 Yamahas, Callisto is perfect for exploring inshore reefs or pushing offshore into the deep.
This luxury 6-person vessel has a restroom, a freshwater shower, padded seats, and a custom boarding ladder for easy access in and out of the water. With plenty of waterproof storage, there’s room for guests and their extra gear and equipment onboard. 360-degree viewing and a full walk-around also enhance the premier experience.
Welcome Aboard the Artemis
In 2024, Hawaiian Adventure launched its new vessel, Artemis, a state-of-the-art 46-foot catamaran.
Artemis Features:
- 46 Foot Two-tier Catamaran
- Up to 42 passengers
- Shaded and Full Sun Areas
- Padded Seating
- Surround Viewing
- Onboard Restroom
- Cooler with Complimentary Beverages
Itinerary
- Boarding begins 20 minutes prior to departure
- Leave Honokohau Harbor at the scheduled departure time
- Search for as many whales and as much wildlife as possible
- Possible Whale Types: Humpback whales are the main focus, but we can also see beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more.
- Return to Honokohau Harbor
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Children must be 8+ years old. The longer, Pelagic Tour, has a minimum age of 10.
What is the cancellation policy?
Twenty-four hours’ notice is required for all cancellations. All canceled reservations are subject to a $5 cancellation fee per person to cover the merchant service charges. Reservations canceled less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled tour are not eligible for a refund. Guests may reschedule reservations at no charge up to 24 hours prior to the tour.
Are your tours guaranteed?
They’re so confident in their ability to find marine life that they guarantee wildlife sightings for guests on every dolphin/whale watch tour.
If you do not see a whale or dolphin with them, you will receive a unique promotion code to book another tour for 50% off. There is no fine print, and this is not a stand-by pass. Book online with your unique fluke code, and your next tour is 50% off. It’s that easy.
What does the marine naturalist do on board?
The marine naturalist guide will be on boar,d sharing marine educational info and taking professional photos.
Are cameras and drones allowed?
They encourage cameras, but drones are not allowed on public tours at this time.
Do they provide transport from my hotel or condo?
While staying on the island, you will probably find it cheaper and more convenient to rent a car. Otherwise, there are a number of taxi companies and ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft that can assist you.
What do I bring on the whale-watching trip?
Bring a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt as the ocean breeze may get chilly, and a camera! There is dry storage onboard for backpacks and purses.
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, there is a cabin on the boat.
Check out even more great Big Island whale watching tours.
About Hawaiian Adventures Kona
A third-generation whale-watching family, the Aggergaard’s have built a reputation for running professional, high-quality wildlife tours. They understand that there is an art to running well-rounded, fun, and memorable trips, and it is their dedication to their craft that has set them apart.
They also understand that as professional whale-watching operators, they are in a unique position to be the “eyes on the water” for researchers, collecting data that might otherwise be lost. Utilizing professional-grade cameras, photo identification guides, and SPOT transmitters, each whale encounter is meticulously documented for later use by cetacean researchers.
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