3 Best Kauai Whale Watching Tours (+ tips for shore viewing)

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We have gone whale watching close to twenty times in Hawaii, but we were slow to go on a Kauai whale watching tour. Kauai is no stranger to whales, but they don’t get the humpback whale quantities that Maui does, for example. Throwing whale counts to the wind, we decided to go whale watching in Kauai to report back to you.

Here are our favorite Kauai whale watching tours. We researched the best tours, went on different boats, and tried different locations on the Garden Isle.

Our takeaway from our research was that a Kauai whale-watching tour is a lot of fun, —not just for the chance to see whales in the wild but also for the crews sharing stories, being on the water, seeing Kauai’s shoreline, and the Mai Tais when they are included!

If you’re visiting Kauai between December and March, I recommend you book a whale-watching tour!

Here’s our guide to the best Kauai whale watching tours and where to go if you want to see them from shore!

Want to cut to the chase? Book the best Kauai whale watching tours:
Kauai Zodiac Tourz: 14-passenger raft departs from Poipu, prepare for an adventure!
Captain J’s: 28-passenger super raft (more like a boat) leaves from Port Allen
Kauai Sea Tours: Cocktail tour: 28-passenger power boat with drinks or a 12-passenger Raft tour, both tours depart from Port Allen
Hot Tip: A snorkel or sunset dinner sail is another good way to see whales during whale season. Explore our Kauai boat tours for a chance to see whales, dolphins, and the Napali Coast (for example).

Kauai Whale Watching FAQs

When is the Kauai whale watching season?

The peak of the whale watching season in Hawaii officially runs from December to March. It is possible to start seeing whales as early as September and as late as May. You’ll see that most whale watching tours start in December and end in March, whether or not the whales have decided to arrive early or stay late. 

What time of day is best for whale watching on Kauai?

Luckily, whales can be active at any time of day, so there’s no specific time window that is particularly best for seeing them. 

Our favorite time of day to book a whale watching tour is in the morning as ocean conditions are typically more calm and the heat of the day is a few hours away. The trade winds also start to pick up in the afternoon.

I recommend booking your whale watching tour at least two weeks in advance to get the time and date that fits your Hawaii itinerary. During our Hawaii spring break trip, the tour we wanted in the morning was booked. The afternoon tour ended up being wonderful for us, but book early!

What month is best for whale watching on Kauai?

The Sanctuary Ocean Count takes place on the Hawaiian Islands every year from January to March. Volunteers count whales, which provides a great snapshot of the humpback population and the number of cetacean visitors each island receives every year. 

In 2023, the best month according to the official whale count for Kauai was March (3.4 whales per 15-minute count period), but in 2022, it was January. Numbers fluctuate yearly, and there’s no guarantee that one month will be better. If you’re curious, you can find all of the data on whale counts here.

Learn more about Hawaii in the winter and what to know before you book your trip.

What is the best place to see whales on Kauai?

You could enjoy a beach day and casually spot whales breaching, tail flipping, and spouting. You can also snorkel or swim and hear the whales sing in the water. Here are a few places on Kauai that are your best bet for seeing whales from the shore. We have had good luck at these locations for spotting whales.

The Kīlauea Lighthouse on Kauai’s North Shore is a great place to spot whales and a cool viewing point even if they don’t appear. Kapa’a Lookout and Ninini Point are two options on Kauai’s East Side. While you are on the East Side, check out our Things to Do in Kapaa!

Several beaches in Poipu, including Poipu Beach, Shipwreck Beach, and the lookout at Makahuena Point, are great for spotting whales swimming by.

Find a great place to stay on Kauai:
Where to stay on Kauai database
Princeville vs Poipu: Finding the Best Place to Stay on Kauai
7 Best Resorts on Kauai for Families: our kids approve!
The 7 Best Kauai Hotels for Couples

How much is a Kauai whale watching tour?

Kauai whale watching tours are generally similar in price. Tickets for adults range anywhere from $109 to $125 while children can range from $85 to $105. Private tours are also available although these are much more pricey. 

Prices change based on the size of the boat and resulting group size. Some tours will also include drinks, like beer and cocktails.

We prefer to highlight tours with small group sizes. They can be a bit pricier, but we find the experience and chance to see whales from the boat (good seats) to be worth the price.

Is a Kauai whale watching tour worth it?

Honestly, we’re on the fence. It’s your best chance to get up close to a humpback whale, and it’s always fun to get out on a boat on the water. But there are plenty of tours that don’t see whales or don’t have many close encounters.

We’ve enjoyed our Kauai whale watching tours, but we go out with the expectation that we might not see whales or not see them up close. If you’re set on an incredible whale-watching experience, your best bet is to head to Maui. 

As I mentioned, we prefer to go on a snorkel, sunset, or Napali Coast tour during whale season. During the tour, you will most likely see whales, and the captain will slow down or stop to see if the whales approach the boat.

Keep in mind that boats need to keep a 100-yard distance away from humpback whales by law. Most boats head to an area where they expect whales to be present and turn off the engines. They cannot drive up next to whales for safety concerns. However, a whale may decide to approach the boat on its own – a thrilling experience! 

Because it can be a little more difficult to find whales in the water surrounding Kauai, most tours don’t have guaranteed sightings and won’t rebook your whale watching tour if you don’t see them. While this might be slightly disappointing, try to keep an open mind. There’s still the chance to see dolphins and other marine life, like sea turtles, if the whales don’t appear! 

The 3 Best Kauai Whale Watching Tours

Here are our three favorite Kauai whale watching tours. You can click the buttons to learn more about each tour and to book directly with the tour operator. We enjoy sharing local Kauai companies! Thank you for supporting local!

These tours are not listed in our preferred order. Find the tour that is convenient, comfortable, and at the right price for you!

Another important note about these tours: they do not visit the Napali Coast. They travel along the South Shore of Kauai. While the Port Allen whale tour departures get close to the Napali Coast, they won’t make it all the way to the stunning cliffs.

Kauai whale watching tours are two hours in duration. Hence, they can’t make the trip to the Napali Coast from Port Allen.

1. Raft Tour from Poipu (South Shore)

Our 7-year-old son loved this tour more because of the Zodiac raft ride than the whale watching. He called it a Hawaiian roller coaster, and I have to agree with him.

My favorite parts of this Kauai whale watching tour were the following:

• Convenience in the departure location. You meet for the safety briefing and to pick up your snorkel gear in Koloa Town, just 8 minutes north of the Poipu resorts and vacation rentals. You can drive to the harbor or take their shuttle.
• The harbor is not in Port Allen but is at Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor. The harbor is on the way to Spouting Horn, about 9 minutes from Poipu Beach.
• Max tour group size is about 14 people. We only had four on our tour!
• The tour company uses two 25’ Rigid-Hull Zodiac boats for its whale tours. These boats give an exhilarating ride in search of humpbacks. A ride on board this Zodiac is truly an adventure. But don’t get worried, while you may get splashed it is a smooth ride. Motion sickness can happen but a lower probability compared to a large catamaran.
• This proximity to the water’s surface means that if the whales do come close, you’re going to have an incredible encounter. They also use a hydrophone for capturing whale songs beneath the surface.
• Fruit juice, water, and light snacks are provided. A dry bag for your valuables and towels (if you want to bring a towel) is also provided.
• The tour includes sightseeing along Kauai’s South Shore. They got up close and personal to the famous Spouting Hole blowhole.

Drawbacks of this tour are:

• There’s no shade or bathrooms on board, just you, your fellow passengers, and the open ocean. 
• You will have to sit on the raft’s side with a hand on the rope and your feet under the rope. There is one seat in the front for children or others needing a smoother ride.
• Because the zodiac is fast and bumpy, this tour isn’t suitable for children under 5 or pregnant women.

2. Power Raft Tour from Port Allen (medium-sized group)

Captain J’s Offshore Adventures offers two afternoon whale watching tours on their 37’ Super Raft Kauai Voyager 1. This super raft is larger than a Zodiac boat, has the agility of a Zodiac, and has more comforts than a Zodiac (like actual seats).

The Super Raft can hold up to 28 people and is a bit more cushy than Zodiac boats in that it has bathrooms on board and shade from a canopy. A viewing deck provides unparalleled views of the whales, breaching, and tail flipping. They also bring a hydrophone to hear the beautiful whale songs.

This tour leaves from Port Allen Harbor, and light snacks and drinks are provided. Captain J’s offers the best value ticket price for children at just $85. This is a great savings considering that most charge over $100. Unfortunately, the boat isn’t accessible for children under five or pregnant women as it can get bumpy. This tour is also excellent for sunsets!

3. Catamaran Power Boat from Port Allen (large group)

We went out on the ‘Imiloa Whale Watching Cocktail Tour with our kids. The ‘Imiloa is an express catamaran that has two toilets on the main deck, is fully shaded, and everyone gets a seat. There is also a viewing platform for better views by the captain.

The crew was entertaining and hospitable with the open bar of Mai Tais, water, juices, beers, and bags of chips. They talked about the whales, Kauai, and answered all our island and whale questions. The experience was fun for our three-year-old and all the other folks on the tour.

They also offer a Whale Watching Discovery Rafting Tour. The tour is on a faster and more agile Zodiac raft. The raft can get close to shore so the tour includes some coastal detours for local information and sightseeing.

All of their tours take off from the Port Allen Marina, only a 20-minute drive from Poipu.

Learn more about these two tours by clicking the buttons below.

Check out more great tours for your Kauai trip:
Napali Coast Snorkeling & Sailing Tour
Mountain Tubing Adventure
Wailua River Kayak and Hike to Secret Falls

Whale Watching on Kauai tips

Seeking out whales on your trip to Kauai can be an unforgettable experience. With a few tips and tricks, you’ll have a wonderful time watching the humpbacks. Here’s what we recommend to make your tour even more memorable:

1. Most Kauai whale watching tours don’t offer rebooking. 

You’ll notice that many whale watching tours on islands like Oahu and Maui offer free rebooking if you don’t see whales. This can be a little tricky on Kauai. While there’s a good chance that you will see whales in the ocean off Kauai from December to March, it’s not guaranteed as it generally is on islands like Maui. Free rebooking generally isn’t offered because it’s a bit more likely that you won’t see whales.

2. Book your whale watching tour early in your trip.

Booking your whale watching tour in the first few days of your trip ensures that you have a larger window of time to potentially book another whale watching tour if you’re really itching to see them (we don’t blame you!). Having the option to book a second chance tour is also a good idea because you can try out a different tour on another part of the island.

Keep in mind that even if there aren’t any whales, there will probably be other beautiful sea creatures like dolphins and sea turtles. If for some reason you don’t end up seeing whales on your whale watching adventure, head to one of our recommended spots on Kauai to see them from land!

3. Go in the morning.

While there’s no “best” time to see whales, we highly recommend going in the morning. Not only will you be spared from the (sometimes) searing Hawaiian sun, but these tours are more likely to be less full. Afternoons also mean that the tradewinds will likely start to blow and the water can get a bit more choppy. 

4. Research your vessel ahead of time. 

Be sure to research the vessel of your whale watching tour ahead of time. They range widely from fast and furious zodiacs to slow-moving catamarans. If you’re more prone to seasickness, this can be a major factor in whether or not you have a good time. Those with children or who are pregnant will also need to be extra careful which tour they book as some won’t be suitable. 

While that fast and fun tour on a zodiac might sound like a great time, it truly is for the adventurous at heart. At the same time, those who are looking for an exhilarating adventure might not have as much fun on a more sultry cruise onboard a big catamaran.

Check out more to do on Kauai:
35 Best Things to Do on Kauai (we will surprise you!)
The 7 Best Beaches on Kauai in the Winter
24 Things To Do on Kauai with Kids: from toddlers to teenagers

Plan your trip with confidence

Whether you make it to Hawaii for whale season or decide to go another time, cut your planning time down to a fraction with an itinerary. They’re packed with excursion days, the best restaurants, what to pack, all the way down to where to find free parking. We have your whole trip covered.

My husband and I purchased your itineraries for our recent trip to Kauai and Oahu. We found them super helpful, and your recommendations were spot-on. We had a wonderful time, and we didn’t regret a minute of how we spent our time there thanks to your guidance. I really appreciate the effort you put into these and if we ever manage to get back to Hawaii (we loved eating/drinking our way through Honolulu and I hear Maui is absolutely beautiful….), I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase additional itineraries.

Claudine