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Home / Activities / Whale Watching from the Kona Coast (power boat tour)
Hawai'i Big Island Activities Whale Watching

Whale Watching from the Kona Coast (power boat tour)

The crew, the boat, the convenient departure location 10 minutes from Kailua-Kona, and the whales, there are your four reasons to book this whale-watching tour on the Kona Coast.

whale watching kona coast hawaiian adventure tour

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.

Activity Overview

  • Departs From: Big Island – Kona
  • Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
  • Included in the price: cold drinks, professional pictures (at additional cost), hydrophone, marine naturalist, 20 passenger boat, and whales!

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Whale Watching Tour Highlights

  • Tours are 2.5-3 hours
  • See humpback whales perform acrobatics, getting up close and personal on a 20 passenger power boat
  • Hear the whale songs through a hydrophone
  • Get the chance to see other marine life
  • Children 6 and up are welcome!
Book Whale Watching Tour!

Whale-watching tours start at $119 with 3 daily departure times. Whale tours are from mid-December through March.

Book directly with Hawaiian Adventures Kona at the booking button or on their calendar below. 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!

Their most popular tour is their 2.5 – 3 hour Whale Watching Tour that departs 10-minutes north of Kailua Kona at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor (click for directions to check-in location).

Whale Watching from Kona

Whale season on the Island of Hawaii starts in December and goes through March. If you’re fortunate to be visiting during this time, you shouldn’t miss a whale-watching tour!

Watch as humpback whales complete acrobatic breaches, pec slaps, spy hopping, and more.

big island whale watching tour review
Book today to get the time and date you want!
Book Whale Watching Tour!

Reasons to Go Whale Watching With Hawaiian Adventures Kona

We have added this tour to our recommended Big Island tours because they offer a great price for a 20-passenger boat experience.

If you’re staying in Kailua-Kona or along the Kona Coast, and you want the comforts of a boat compared to a raft (see our whale-watching raft tour here). They conveniently depart from Honokohau Marina (click for directions) on the Kona Coast (10 minutes north of Kailua-Kona). For whale watching on the Kohala Coast, perhaps this Big Island Whale Watching Tour would be more convenient for you.

Meet Those Guys, their USCG 20-passenger certified, 38-foot Delta, a brand known for being strong, safe, and seaworthy. Enjoy the wind and sun protection that the shaded cabin provides, or soak up the sun on the open back deck. Onboard, private restroom available.

Hawaiian Adventures Whale tour boat
Those Guys is the boat for whale watching on the Kona Coast.

Those Guys was designed to provide the ultimate small-group experience. Limited group sizes give you a personalized experience, making a trip with Hawaiian Adventures Kona the highlight of your time on the Big Island!

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. Their marine naturalist will be taking professional pictures for sale also.

2.5 to 3-Hour Duration Tours

3 tours available daily. Tours range from 2.5 to 3 hours. Ages 6 and older are welcome. Check-in 30-minutes prior to boarding.

Departs from the Kona Coast

The departure location is Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, 10-minutes north of Kailua-Kona.

Book Whale Watching Tour!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Children must be 6+ years old.

What is the cancellation policy?

24 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.

What does the marine naturalist do onboard?

The marine naturalist guide will be onboard sharing marine educational info and taking professional photos.

What is the best time of year to see whales?

Most visitors associate whale watching in Hawaii with the winter humpback whale migration. From December 15th -March 15th, their focus will be humpback whales, but when the humpbacks return to their summer feeding grounds, their focus will shift to the diverse array of toothed whales that frequent Hawaiian waters, such as spinner dolphins, pilot whales, and more in their whale and dolphin search and snorkel tour.

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.

Hawaiian Adventure Tours Whale Watch Location
Located at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, check-in is on the south side of the harbor.

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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We are affiliate partners with Hawaiian Adventures Tours which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here.

Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — we appreciate you!

Aloha! We’re Jordan and Erica.

We are Maui residents sharing our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii.

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