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Home / Activities / Whale Watching from the Kona Coast (small group raft)
Hawai'i Big Island Activities Whale Watching

Whale Watching from the Kona Coast (small group raft)

Make your experience of the Big Island one you’ll never forget for a lifetime with a Kona whale watching tour! The professional crew will take you out on a 16-passenger Zodiac raft for some ultimate whale watching.

captain zodiac whale watching 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: 3 hours
  • Included in the price: small group tours (16 passenger rafts)

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Whale Watching Highlights

  • 3 hour duration
  • 3 tours per day: 8:00am, 11:45am, and 3:30pm
  • See humpback whales perform acrobatics, getting up close and personal on small power rafts, which the baby whales get curious about
  • Hear the whale songs through a hydrophone
  • Get the chance to see dolphins and sea turtles
  • Ages 4 and up are welcome
Book here

Whale-watching tours start at $115 and are from January to mid-March.

Book directly with Captain Zodiac at our Book Here button. 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!

Whale Watching from Kailua-Kona Details

Whale season on the Island of Hawaii starts in January and goes through mid-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. By heading out on a power raft, you have the best chance of a close encounter as baby whales are curious about the rafts!

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

Whale Watching With Captain Zodiac Review: why we love it

Want to ditch the crowds? Captain Zodiac offers small group tours with a knowledgeable captain and marine naturalist aboard. Here are the reasons you need to go whale watching with Captain Zodiac.

If you’re staying in Kailua-Kona or along the Kona Coast, this is the whale-watching tour to book. 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.

Zodiac rafts are known worldwide as the perfect vessel to observe marine life. Their fast-moving Zodiacs get into viewing position quickly and provide an exhilarating and fun ride.

The small-group atmosphere allows for a personal and intimate tour. The rafts are only a few feet off the water and everyone has a front-row seat on their 16-passenger Zodiac.

Dolphins and other marine life sightings are common during their expeditions. As time allows, the captain can take you up close to see the sea caves, lava tubes, and rugged coastline.

We enjoyed Captain Zodiac on their Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour. The best! You can’t go wrong with the experience and service of this team.

hawaii big island whale watching captain zodiac raft
Enjoy whale watching from a Captain Zodiac raft.

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. We like to bring our GoPro (underwater camera) on a selfie stick to get underwater shots.

3-Hour Duration Tours

Check-in 15-minutes prior to departure. Ages 4 and older are welcome.

Departs from the Kona Coast

The departure location is Honokohau Small Boat Harbor (click for directions), just north of Kailua-Kona.

Bonus: Dolphins and Sea Turtles

They frequently sight dolphins and other marine life during their expeditions and, as time allows, they can take you up close to see the sea caves, lava tubes, and rugged coastline Click the Book Here button to learn more!

Book here
adventure x hawaii whale watching tour
You shouldn’t miss the humpback whales if you’re visiting the Big Island in January through March.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the cancellation policy?

Captain Zodiac has a strict 48-hour cancellation policy for all tours booked online (72-hours for 6 or more)

Are there any restrictions for the tour?

Children must be 4+ years old.

Please note that due to the bouncy nature of their ride they do not allow any persons with back or neck problems or ladies that are pregnant on the tour.

How many people can be on the tour?

Their rafts can hold up to 16 passengers. Large groups can be accommodated on multiple rafts.

What does the marine naturalist do onboard?

Captain Zodiac has a wonderful team of marine naturalists. Their marine naturalist guides will be onboard sharing marine educational info.

Can I bring a good camera?

Absolutely! Bring a GoPro or another suitable water camera to get underwater shots. You can also bring your fancy camera but there may be light spray so make sure you can keep it dry.

Does Captain Zodiac 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, and a camera! There is dry storage onboard for backpacks and purses.

Will I get seasick?

These small, fast-moving boats have a tendency to cause less seasickness than other types of boats. However, as a precaution, motion sickness medicine should be taken the night before the tour to solve all worries.

Are the boats covered?

No, there is no shade canopy on the rafts.

About Captain Zodiac

Captain Zodiac will take you to explore some of Hawaii’s most amazing sights along the Kona Coast! they

Up-close encounters with marine life are an opportunity not to be missed on Zodiac rafts. They often see pods of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, humpback whales (seasonal), pilot whales, sea turtles, and other rare species. The small-group atmosphere of their adventure allows for a personal and intimate tour.

Their captain and crew are well-versed in marine science, animal behavior, the geology of the island’s lava flows, Hawaiian history, culture, and folklore. This makes their tours informative as well as fun! The captains are part-entertainer and all pirates.

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We are affiliate partners with Captain Zodiac 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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