Big Island Whale Watching: Best Places to See Whales

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If you visit Hawai’i from December to late March, put Big Island Whale Watching on your to-do list. We are big fans of the whale-watching community on the island.

Erica and I appreciate the quality of the whale tours, the shore-viewing locations, and the likelihood of breaches and close encounters. Those three things get us excited for whale season every year.

Unlike California whale-watching, it is easy to see whales in Hawaii. Not from a mile away, close encounters are everyday when you go on a whale tour. A close encounter occurs when a curious whale approaches the tour boat. They may swim by or do a mugging or spy hop. Even if you don’t get stared at by a whale, the annual humpback whale migration is not something to be missed.

A Big Island whale-watching tour is NOT required. I will share our favorite shore-viewing locations near the resorts, along with a map.

Here is another bonus of visiting Hawaii during whale season. When you stick your head underwater, you will hear them singing. I know; it never gets old.

Honestly, though, going out on a whale-watching tour is your best chance for breaches, pec slaps, muggings, spy hopping, and all those other delightful things humpback whales do around tour boats.

Jordan’s Quick Opinion on Big Island Whale Watching

Full disclosure from our years of living in Hawaii and being on over 15 whale-watching tours (and counting) across Hawaii: whale watching on the Island of Hawaii is our second-favorite island to watch whales in Hawaii.

Maui is our preferred destination because it has more whales than the other islands. Hence, we have The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching on Maui. The title is a bit over the top, but it is worth reading.

That doesn’t mean you should skip Big Island whale watching. Not everyone can island hop during their Hawaii vacation. See our Maui vs. Big Island viewpoint if you are figuring out which one to visit.

I’m sharing our whale-watching experience, frequently asked questions, shore-watching locations, and our favorite tours. But first, here is my main advice on whale-watching.

Big Island Whale Watching Takeaways

Here is my primary advice on Big Island whale watching that I give to my friends and family.

• West Hawaii (Kona and Kohala Coasts) is the best side of the island for whale watching. Most visitors stay on this side of the Big Island, especially during the winter. Here is our Hilo or Kona article. We also have a Hilo vs Kona video comparing the two!
• Puako Bay on the South Kohala Coast and offshore Kailua-Kona are the two most popular Big Island whale-watching locations. You will find viewing locations here and tours departing from here.
• In recent years, one location has not been better than the other. Puako Bay was the place to go in years past, but now whales are seen just as frequently offshore Kona.
• If you’re serious about experiencing the awe of Big Island whale watching, go on a whale-watching tour. We share our favorites below.
• We like to go whale watching on the Big Island early in the morning. It is a perfect first-day-on-the-island activity, as you will be up with jet lag. Enjoy the water and the whales, and start your vacation right.

I’m sure you have more questions. For example, what is the best time during the day for whale watching? See the Big Island Whale Watching FAQs below to answer those pressing questions.

Example of a Big Island Whale Watching Experience

We enjoy making videos on our travels to Hawaii. We find video to be a wonderful medium for sharing an experience with other travelers. In this video, we share going out with Adventure X Boat Tours from Kawaihae Harbor, on the north Kohala Coast (click for directions).

This is our favorite way to experience whale watching on the Big Island! This tour took place at the end of March, the end of the whale season. We saw breaches and pec slaps, but mostly from afar. Not many whales were left, but we still loved our time on the water and with the whales. My son loved seeing the whales and the manta ray!

On this trip to the Big Island, we stayed at Waikoloa Resorts. Specifically, we stayed in Waikoloa Beach Villas. Here is our full review. If that vacation rental doesn’t sound right to you, see our Big Island Where to Stay list of reviews.

From the resorts, it was a 15-minute drive north to Puako Bay. Big Island whale watching was #11 in our 15 Best Things to Do in Waikoloa.

Big Island Whale Watching FAQs

Even though I have been on many (many) Hawaii whale-watching tours, I am not a trained marine naturalist. You will have a marine naturalist on your whale-watching tour. They will keep you mesmerized with whale facts, trivia, and behaviors.

Here are some questions that you can bring to try and stump them.

• What is “logging,” and why do whales do it?
• Is a False Killer Whale a whale, a dolphin, or both?
• Have researchers ever seen a whale birth?
• Why do birthing females have male escorts?

I will share the frequently asked questions (FAQs) common on our YouTube channel and our Hawaii travel newsletter responses. These are more about planning a whale-watching activity on your trip to the Big Island.

Can you swim with whales in Hawaii?

No, you cannot swim with whales in Hawaii. It is against the law.

To protect the whales and minimize their disturbance, tour boats must stay 100 yards away. Whales can approach tour boats, stand-up paddlers, and kayaks, so close encounters occur.

When a whale approaches your SUP, kayak, or tour boat, you don’t have to maintain 100 yards of separation. You can’t approach a whale. Let them come to you.

Don’t move, and let the curious whale take a look at you. Like the kayakers in the picture below, they stayed calm and watched the whale take numerous passes at them.

When is the Big Island whale watching season?

Big Island whale watching season is from December through March.

You will not see humpback whales outside of whale season. You could get lucky and see other types of whales on snorkel and sunset sailing tours from April to October. But, don’t count on it.

Why is whale season only in those months? Humpback whales make an annual migration to Hawaii. They travel 3,000 miles from Alaska to breed, birth, and nurse their calves for the journey home.

Unlike those Hawaii cruise passengers, the whales don’t eat while they are in Hawaii. They come in waves as they can only stay for a few weeks.

In general, males and mating females come first. December through January, you are more likely to see groups of males pursuing a female and males fighting. Eager males are known to arrive as early as late October. But whales don’t arrive in serious numbers until December; hence, tours will start then.

In February, females who give birth arrive and stay the longest to nurse their calves and prepare them for the journey home. Watching a mother teach her calf how to breach is the cutest thing you will see in your life. The calf is nicknamed a flying pickle.

When we go on tours in March, we usually see only moms with their calves and a male escort. That is our experience, but of course, you can see all types of whales and whale behavior in March.

The peak season, or the highest population of whales offshore the Island of Hawaii, changes yearly depending on when these groups overlap the most.

February is considered the peak season as groups frequently overlap at this time. These groups and dates are not precise, but this is the general sense of whale season.

What time of day is best for whale watching on the Big Island?

This is the most frequent question we get asked. The answer is simple: any time of day.

Whales don’t sleep (they don’t sleep like us, anyway), so they do what they do throughout the day.

We prefer whale watching in the early morning for the following reasons:

• The weather is cooler in the morning. You might need a light jacket on a sunrise tour, but it will come off quickly.
• Trade winds start in the afternoon. You can expect smoother ocean conditions in the morning.
• We love an early morning tour on our first day on the Big Island. We are up early with jet lag so it is a great way to start our trip.
• Tours are less crowded in the early morning so you can get last-minute bookings or fewer people in the group (aka, better seats).
• Sit on your condo or hotel’s lanai (porch) with a cup of coffee and binoculars to spot whales. That sounds relaxing. Put on our Hawaii Vacation Guide Spotify Playlist while you are at it.

What month is best for whale watching on the Big Island?

The population of humpback whales offshore the Big Island is highest in late January and February, but this changes yearly.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary conducts a whale count every January, February, and March. The official whale counts on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island are used to estimate the number of whales for the season.

For example, the whale population was highest in 2023 during March. However, most whales were found in the waters in January 2022.

Learn more about the best time for whale watching in Hawaii and visiting Hawaii in the Winter.

How much is a whale-watching tour on the Big Island?

Our cost analysis found that Big Island whale-watching tours cost between $100 and $180 per person. Some companies offer discounted rates for children, while others have a flat per-person rate.

The difference in tour costs depends on the group size, type of boat, and special inclusions.

The cost of Big Island whale-watching tours is higher than on the other islands. You can find many Maui tours for less than $100, including two-hour options. Tours on Oahu are cheaper because they offer more large-boat tours (50+ passengers).

If you want to charter a private boat, you can expect to shell out several thousand dollars for the tour. It’s not the cheapest excursion on the Big Island, although it can be a memorable experience if you want a personalized trip or traveling with large groups.

Is a whale-watching tour worth it on the Big Island?

I love whale watching, but I didn’t always love it. I lived for two years on Oahu. Whale season wasn’t a thing to get excited about; locals didn’t talk about going out.

When we moved to Maui, it was hard not to see whales offshore, which excited me to go on a tour.

My first tour on Maui was a sunrise whale-watching tour. The tour was epic. Multiple breeches, chases, and whale fights happened the entire time. My favorite part, though, was watching the sun rise behind Haleakala as they deployed the hydrophone. Whale songs filled the speakers. It was something to behold.

So yes, I proudly say that a whale-watching tour is worth it. Sightings are not guaranteed on all Big Island tours, they are on Maui, but the experience is not just about having a breech happen next to your tour boat. The entire experience makes for a truly Hawaiian experience.

If I didn’t sell you on a Big Island whale watching tour, explore our Big Island Activities for our favorite Big Island tours and experiences.

Big Island Whale Watching Locations from Shore

There are many places around the Big Island where you can see them directly from the shore. You may see them from your hotel room or on one of the 5 Best Sandy Kona Beaches.

Here are our favorite places to watch Big Island whales from shore. The first two options are up on a hill, allowing for a good view of the whales.

Bring a pair of binoculars for the best view. When whales breech, they usually continue to breech for some time.

A few of the best Big Island whale-watching locations from shore

1. The sacred Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site on the Kohala Coast is one of the best places for whale-watching. The name should give you a clue, as Puʻukoholā translates to “Hill of the Whale.” The historic site is free to visit; here are Google Maps directions. It is located on the north end of the Kohala Coast. Visiting the site is also a way to have an authentic Hawaiian experience.
2. Further up the Kohala Coast, as you approach the town of Hawi, you will find Kapa’a Beach Park. Click for Google Maps directions to Kapa’a Beach. This is another good viewing location.
3. Puako Bay is famous for Big Island whale-watching. You can visit beaches along this coastline, such as Hapuna Beach (one of the best beaches in Hawaii) and Waialea Beach.
4. The Kohala Coast is full of luxury, beachfront resorts. Walk out onto their beaches—all beaches are public in Hawaii—to catch a glimpse of a breach. Most of our Best Big Island Resorts for Families are good for whale watching, as they are on this coast.
5. If you are in Hilo in East Hawaii, you can watch whales from anywhere along Hilo Bay. See our view on staying in Hilo or Kona.

While it is possible to see whales from the coast, a boat tour increases the chances of spotting them, as you can get closer to the pods (but not too close, as we’ll discuss a little later!). It never hurts to hang out at some of the best beaches on the island and see if you spot any whales.

7 Best Big Island Whale-Watching Tours

Choosing a whale watching tour can be challenging, as the options are as vast as the ocean. But we’ve picked out a few favorites to help narrow your choices.

We haven’t been on all these tours. For the ones we haven’t had a chance to do a tour with, we have added them to our list for the following reasons:

• The best reviews
• Quality and unique tour experience (marine naturalist, hydrophone for listening to whales talk, drinks, etc.)
• A fair tour price. These aren’t the most expensive tours offered, but a good value.
• Their departure location is conveniently located near visitor areas, which reduces the time needed to get to whale-sighting locations

Remember that state and federal regulations require boats to stay 100 yards away from the whales. For this reason, most tours will head to an area and then turn off their engine to not disturb the whales. While they can’t approach whales, you might find that whales may choose to approach the boat, which can be a very thrilling experience if it happens!

My last point on whale tours! The Big Island has a fantastic community of whale tour operators. They work together on spotting whales and sharing the news with other boats. This enables more folks to see the amazing whales.

Plus, the tour providers are nature lovers. They reduce whale hits and self-police on the 100 yard+ rule.

1. Hawaii Adventures Kona: Year-Round Whale Watching

You read that correctly, this local company offers year-round whale watching from the Kona Coast.

Enjoy humpback whale watching on a 2.5 to 3-hour tour from December through March.

For the rest of the year, go up to 20 miles offshore for the chance to see pilot whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales, dolphins, and more.

Plus, they offer guaranteed sightings of whales or dolphins, or you receive a voucher for a return trip.

A marine naturalist will also be on board to answer any questions about sea life. You can even listen to the underwater whale song through a hydrophone, which is an extraordinary experience.

The 43-passenger, 46-ft catamaran has a shaded cabin and an open-air back deck for viewing. See the picture below.

2. Captain Zodiac – raft whale watching from Kona

If you want a small, intimate whale-watching tour, Captain Zodiac is one of the best options on the Big Island. The raft only takes a maximum of 16 passengers, so everyone can have a front-row seat to all the marine life action! 

The raft is faster than other boats, and the ride is rather bouncy. Pregnant women or people with back problems are not advised to join. The raft also doesn’t have a shaded canopy, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to be in direct sunlight for three hours. 

Tours are conducted by a marine naturalist who will be sharing information as you navigate the open waters. In addition to whales and other creatures like dolphins and sea turtles, the captain will take you to sea caves and lava tubes (if conditions allow).

Captain Zodiac operates three daily tours (morning, afternoon, and sunset), and boats depart from the Honokohau Marina on the Kona Coast.

3. Adventure X – Raft Whale Watching

We took this exhilarating whale-watching tour with Adventure X a couple of years ago and loved it so much. It’s a small-group tour (20 people max) on an inflatable power raft with padded seats, shade, an upper viewing deck, and a bathroom! 

Tours leave near Puako Bay, so this is a great option if you’re staying near the Kohala Coast. Guided by an onboard marine naturalist, you’ll be taken to areas where you can see the whales breaching, swimming, nursing, or even competing with each other.

This is the tour that we feature in our Big Island whale watching video above.

There are two morning tours to choose from – one at 8 AM and the other at 10:30 AM. The trip lasts 2 hours, and snacks and cold drinks are provided along the way.

4. Kona Whale Watching on a Spacious Boat

Kona whale watching doesn’t get any easier than this tour! We like this tour for the ease of departure from downtown Kona and the spacious boat. Plus, with two stories, you can get some great views. A photo of the boat is below, with my wife, Erica, in it.

We also like this tour for the opportunity to cruise along the Kona Coast. It is a beautiful part of the Big Island.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Departs from Kailua Pier in Downtown Kona (click for directions)
• Marine Naturalist is onboard and they use a hydrophone to listen to whale songs!
• Discounted pricing for children 17 and below
• Ages: All are welcome!

5. Kona Snorkel Trips – whales and history

Can’t decide between a whale watching tour and a historical sightseeing trip? With this guided tour by Kona Snorkel Trips, you don’t have to choose! 

Hop aboard this inflatable power raft and enjoy a day exploring some of the most fascinating historical attractions on the island. Hear stories about ancient Hawaiian culture as you pass by Ali’i Drive, Holua Slide, and the grounds of the Battle of Kuamo’o in Keauhou. 

But don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for five different species of whales, including migrating humpbacks. Because the boat takes 18 passengers, this is a great experience to enjoy the scenery in a small group setting. 

Tours depart from the Honokohau Harbor in Kona at 7:30 in the morning and last approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. And don’t be fooled by the tour company name. Although Kona Snorkel Trips is mainly known for its snorkel tours, this whale-watching tour is purely for sightseeing, so you won’t go into the ocean. 

6. Sunlight on Water – Kona whale watching

Sunlight on Water offers a picturesque whale-watching tour aboard its custom-built 40-foot vessel. It’s a larger boat, so there are more passengers (capped at 24), but it’s a much smoother ride than the power rafts. There’s even a bathroom and a warm, freshwater shower on board (which you probably won’t need since you won’t be going into the water)!

Leaving Honokohau Marina in Kona, the onboard marine naturalist will share information about the gentle whales that you see splashing in the ocean. And they’ll even dip the hydrophone into the water so you can hear their majestic song.

But mamma and baby humpbacks aren’t the only creatures you’ll see during your visit. Sea turtles and dolphins are also commonly spotted in the area.

At the moment, Sunlight on Water only operates one whale-watching tour a day at 11:30 AM.

7. Kona Ocean Adventures: Boat from Kona

The folks at Kona Ocean Adventures also operate a nice tour out to see the humpback whales. While you’re out on the ocean, you’ll learn about their migrating, mating, and breeding habits (guides on the boat are incredibly knowledgeable about all things whales).

As with other tours, they also have an onboard hydrophone so you can hear them communicate underwater.

Kona Ocean Adventures offers two different morning tours each day of the week. You can choose to leave on the 7 AM or 9:30 AM cruise. If neither of these times suits you (or if you simply want a VIP experience), they also offer private chartered whale-watching tours. Light refreshments and snacks are provided.

Before You Go Big Island Whale Watching

Before booking a tour, here are a few must-know tips to make your whale-watching experience as memorable as possible.

1. Go on a whale-watching tour at the beginning of your trip. If you choose a company that offers guaranteed sightings and you don’t see whales, your excursion must be rescheduled later. But if you book a tour towards the end of your trip, you might not be able to take advantage of the rebooking. So, make sure to go at the beginning of your trip just in case you don’t see whales the first time and need to go again! Also, if the weather is bad on the day you want to go out, the tour can be rebooked for later during your stay.
2. Opt for a morning tour. Our family prefers early morning whale-watching tours. I have given all my reasons above, but the main one is you will get the best weather.
3. Pick the right vessel. As you can see, many boats take passengers out to see the whales. The boat you choose can significantly impact your whale watching experience. Small, speedy power rafts are fun (our kids love them), but they aren’t suitable for pregnant women or people with injuries. Larger boats are slower and crowded but can be more comfortable and affordable. We recommend choosing a tour and vessel that fits your travel preferences and style.
4. Watch our 7 Mistakes to Avoid when Booking a Hawaii Whale Tour for more tips on booking a tour.

Find the best accommodations on the island:

• Where to Stay in Kona: the 7 Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals
• Westin Hapuna Beach: wake up on the best beach on the Big Island
• Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort: our best trip yet?
• Big Island Camping: 27 Sites and How to Book

Non Big Island Whale-Watching Activities

If this Big Island Whale Watching Guide didn’t convince you to go whale watching on your winter vacation to Hawaii, we have a lot of other recommended activities for you to do. See our list of Big Island Things to Do to fill your itinerary.

Planning a trip to the Island of Hawaii can be overwhelming. With so many things to do, ensure you know the best route and plan the best stops.

You can finish your planning today with our Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary. Choose the perfectly planned excursion days that sound the best to you, and you are off. Slip in a whale-watching tour, or save that for a free day! Our itinerary gives you choices, and you can customize your days with our Quick Hits section. That is enough from me; click below to learn more.

Big Island Things to Do (non whale watching!)

• 29 Incredible Things to Do on the Big Island
• 32 of the Best Things to Do in Hilo
• The 10 Best Big Island Farm Tours You Won’t Want to Miss
• The 5 Best Manta Ray Snorkel and Dives
• The 10 Best Big Island Waterfalls (+ ones you can swim in!)

You will have a wonderful trip to the Big Island! Enjoy whale season, and best of luck with seeing some breeches!