Whale Watching from West Oahu (small group raft)
The Waianae Coast, just past Ko Olina Resorts, is the place for whale watching on Oahu! Enjoy a small power raft tour (15 guests) during the annual migration of humpback whales to Hawaii.
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Activity Overview
Whale Watching from West Oahu Highlights
- Tours are 3 hours
- See humpback whales perform acrobatics, getting up close and personal on a 15 passenger raft boat
- Hear the whale songs through a hydrophone
- Get the chance to see other marine life
- Guaranteed sightings offered
- Snacks and drinks are not provided, but you’re free to bring whatever you’d like, BYOB! They do have coolers available to borrow and ice to top them off.
- Children 4 and up are welcome!
Whale watching tours start at $150. Whale tours are from mid-December through March, departing daily in the afternoon.
Book directly with Dolphin Excursions at the book here button or on the calendar below. They will email you a confirmation email and take care of the rest of your whale-watching tour! Booking here helps us write more Hawaii travel info, at no cost to you. Mahalo for your support!
The whale-watching tour in their high-speed power raft (cover more distance to find whales) leaves from Waianae Boat Harbor (click for directions). Free and secure parking is available.
Whale Watching from the Waianae Coast, Oahu
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, mid-December to March, for the purpose of calving and mating. The warm inshore waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands offer the 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. Close encounters are possible on their power rafts!
This tour is primarily focused on humpback whales, but you will also get in the water and snorkel with the turtles and the fish. If the dolphins are still out there, they usually stop and give them a quick look before finding the big guys.
If you’re not visiting during whale season, you’re in luck as Dolphin Excursions also offers a Dolphin Encounter Snorkel Tour.
For a whale-watching tour closer to Waikiki, check out this whale-watching tour from Waikiki to watch whales off of the coast of Diamond Head.
Reasons to Go Whale Watching with Dolphin Excursions
Head out with the nerdy marine biologists that love sharing the marine life of the Hawaiian Islands. They will answer all your questions on humpback whales, Hawaii history, and anything else you’d like to know about the ocean surrounding you.
15 guests maximum on their power raft! We love this tour for ditching the crowds of Waikiki. Escape from a big boat tour for close encounters with humpback whales.
BONUS! This tour includes snorkeling with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and fish. Dolphin sightings are possible.
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 an underwater camera (like a GoPro) to capture close encounters from the raft or use it when snorkeling.
3-Hour Duration Tours
Daily tours for 3 hours. Ages 4 and older are welcome. Check-in 30-minutes prior to boarding.
Departs from the Waianae Boat Harbor
The departure location is Waianae Boat Harbor, 25-minutes from Ko Olina Resorts.
Snorkel Tour
Enjoy the whales and then jump into the water (if you desire) to swim with sea turtles and fish in the calmest and clearest water around Oahu.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Children must be 4+ years old.
What is the cancellation policy?
No refunds for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance. You have until 9:00 am the day before your tour date to make any cancellations. If you fail to cancel any activity and do not participate in any of your selected activities “No Show”, then they reserve the right to charge the full amount of the activity to the credit card you have provided.
What does the marine naturalist do onboard?
The marine naturalist guide will be onboard sharing marine educational info. They no longer take professional photos.
Where do we meet for check-in?
Check-in time is 30 minutes before the tour time. Please meet next to Spinners Cafe at the Waianae Boat Harbor. For GPS, please use 85-491 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, Hawaii 96792. Make sure you type in “Waianae” or the zip code “96792” so you do not get routed to the wrong Farrington Hwy. There are two on Oahu.
If you get lost, call the numbers below:
For tours departing before 8am call (808) 561-4621
For tours departing after 8am call (877) 257-5579
Are cameras and drones allowed?
Cameras are encouraged, 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 towel, and a camera! There is dry storage onboard for backpacks and purses.
Snorkel gear is provided but they encourage you to bring your own. You may also purchase a new set to take home with you.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included at this time. You will get a 10% discount at Spinners Cafe if you would like to purchase food before or after your tour. You may bring snacks and beverages of your own with you onto the boat. BYOB welcome.
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?
Not really, there is a small canopy over the captain so plan to be in the sun during the tour.
About Dolphin Excursions
Since 1998 the owner, Victor Lozano has taken pride in sharing the west coast of Oahu with visitors. His respect and admiration for the wildlife that exists there shows and he has curated a staff of captains, management, and crew who share the same values. Several members have been with him for almost 20 years, and a few of his captains are marine biologists themselves. With such a passionate and engaged group, you are in the best hands to see the wonders of the west coast of Oahu.
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