Big Island Whale Watching: The 6 Best Tours and Viewing From the Shore
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Every year, more than 10,000 humpback whales migrate 3,000 miles from Alaska to breed and raise their calves in the warm waters of Hawaii. Seeing the whales frolicking in the ocean (or hearing their magical song) is an awe-inspiring experience that attracts people from all over the world.
While whales can be spotted throughout the entire state, they are often seen swimming around the Island of Hawaii (also known as the Big Island).
So, if you’re traveling to the Big Island and want to see these majestic creatures for yourself, then there are several whale watching opportunities you can choose from. Whether it’s from the sun deck of a boat or the sun-kissed shores of the coast, here are some of the best Big Island whale watching experiences.
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Big Island Whale Watching FAQs
When is the Big Island whale watching season?
On the Big Island, most whale watching tours run from December to March. This is when the whale population is the largest, so there’s a strong chance of seeing them in the ocean (along with their babies!).
However, whales don’t migrate all at once. Depending on the year, they can be spotted in Hawaii as early as September and as late as May! Because the season is so flexible, some tours will start earlier or run later than the typical December to March season. Official whale counts occur throughout this time, so you can keep tabs on these numbers to figure out the best time to see them.
What time of day is best for whale watching on the Big Island?
One of the best things about whale watching in Hawaii is that it’s possible to see them at any hour of the day. They are always active, so you can choose a tour that fits your schedule.
With that in mind, we personally prefer tours that start in the morning. There are generally fewer boats out on the water (smaller crowds!), and the lighting is great for snapping photos of the whales. The trade winds are also much calmer, so those prone to seasickness will enjoy smooth sailing on a morning tour.
Weather-wise, it is also much cooler in the early morning. While afternoon trips can be nice, it can get really hot if you’re out in the direct sun for hours.
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What month is best for whale watching on the Big Island?
Of course, the best time for whale watching is when you have the highest chance of seeing whales. This is usually when the population is the highest around the islands.
These numbers are decided by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Every January, February, and March, they conduct official whale counts on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island to determine how many whales there are in the ocean.
Peak season usually falls sometime between December and March, although the exact date changes year by year. For example, the whale population was the highest in 2023 during the month of March. But in 2022, the most whales were found in the waters in January.
Learn more about the best time for whale watching in Hawaii and visiting Hawaii in the Winter.
What is the best place to see whales from the shore on the Big Island?
A whale watching boat tour is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. However, you don’t need to go out on a boat or be out on the water to see them. There are lots of places around the Big Island where you can see them directly from the shore.
The sacred Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site on the Kohala Coast is one of the best places for whale watching. The name itself should give you a clue, as Puʻukoholā literally translates to “Hill of the Whale.”
Further up the coast is Kapa’a Beach Park, another great whale watching site. And if you’re on the east side, you can head to Hilo Bay to possibly see them swimming in the calm waters.
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.
How much is a whale watching tour on the Big Island?
The cost of a whale watching tour varies from company to company. However, we’ve found that they generally cost anywhere from $100 to $180 per person on the Big Island. Some companies offer discounted rates for children, while others have a flat per person rate.
If you want to charter a private boat, then 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 if you’re traveling with large groups.
Is a whale watching tour worth it on the Big Island?
To be honest, the Big Island isn’t the best place in Hawaii for whale watching. Even in peak season, it’s possible that you might not see any activity on your tour. If whale watching is a big priority for you, then we recommend going to Maui instead, as it has more recorded sightings than any other island in Hawaii.
That being said, a whale watching tour is probably your best chance to see them on the Big Island. And it’s always a fun experience to be out on a boat. We’ve really enjoyed the tours that we’ve done here, but it’s important to have the expectation that whale sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Check out some other great activities on the Big Island.
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!)
The 6 Best Big Island Whale Watching Tours
Choosing a whale watching tour can be a challenging task, as the options are as vast as the ocean itself. But we’ve picked out a few of our favorites to help narrow down your choices.
Keep in mind 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 so as not to 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!
1. Hawaii Adventures Kona
This 2.5 to 3-hour whale watching tour with Hawaii Adventures Kona departs from the Honokohau Marina on the Kona Coast. Because the tour is US Coast Guard offshore certified, the boat can access both near-shore and pelagic zones. So not only will you get to see humpback whales, but you might also get the chance to see other breeds too, like pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, and whale sharks.
There will also be a marine naturalist on board to answer any questions you may have about the sea life. You can even listen to the underwater whale song through a hydrophone, which is an extraordinary experience on its own.
The 20 passenger boat has a shaded cabin as well as an open-air back deck for viewing. It’s also nice that they guarantee that you’ll see a whale or dolphin on your cruise. If not, you’ll get a promotion code to book another tour for 50% off.
They have boats leaving at 7 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM, but on different days of the week. Check their calendar if you’re hoping to book a certain time slot.
2. Captain Zodiac
If you want a small, intimate whale watching tour, then Captain Zodiac is one of the best options on the Big Island. The raft only takes a maximum of 16 passengers so that everyone can have a front-row seat to all the marine life action!
Compared to other boats, the raft is fast, 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 3 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 also take you to sea caves and lava tubes (if conditions allow).
Captain Zodiac operates three tours a day (morning, afternoon, and sunset) and boats depart from the Honokohau Marina on the Kona Coast.
3. Adventure X
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) onboard an inflatable power raft with padded seats, shade, an upper viewing deck, and a bathroom!
Tours leave from 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.
There are two morning tours to choose from – one at 8 AM and the other at 10:30 AM. The entire trip lasts for 2 hours, and snacks and cold drinks are provided along the way.
4. Kona Snorkel Trips
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 the migrating humpbacks. And 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 be going into the ocean.
5. Sunlight on Water
Sunlight on Water offers a picturesque whale watching tour aboard their custom-built 40-foot vessel. It’s a larger boat so there are more passengers (capped at 24 people), but it’s a much smoother ride compared to the power rafts. There’s even a bathroom and a warm, fresh-water shower on board (which you probably won’t need since you won’t be going into the water)!
Leaving from 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 get to 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.
6. Kona Ocean Adventures
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 get to learn all 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 with each other underwater.
Kona Ocean Adventures offers two different morning tours each day of the week. You can choose to leave on the 7 AM cruise or the 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.
Whale Watching on the Big Island Tips
Before setting sail, there are a few must-know tips to make your whale watching experience as memorable as possible.
- Book a tour with guaranteed whale sightings. Whales are wild animals, so it can be hard to predict where they’ll be or when they’re the most active. For this reason, there’s always a chance that you might not see them during your tour. This can be a huge disappointment, especially considering that whale watching tours are not cheap. Therefore, we recommend booking a tour that offers guaranteed whale sightings. On the off-chance that you don’t see any during your trip, the company will let you go on another boat tour for free (or at a discounted price).
- Go on a whale watching tour at the beginning of your trip. If you choose a company that offers guaranteed sightings and don’t see any whales on your tour, then your excursion will need to be rescheduled for a later date. 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!
- Opt for a morning tour. Although you can spot whales any time of the day, there are a few advantages of booking a morning tour. It’s generally less crowded (especially if you’re going for sunrise), and the waters are calmer since the tradewinds haven’t picked up yet. Weather-wise, mornings are also more pleasant since you won’t be sitting directly in the sun the entire time.
- Pick the right vessel. As you can see, there are many types of boats that take passengers out to see the whales. The boat you choose can greatly 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 more crowded, but they can be more comfortable and affordable. At the end of the day, we recommend choosing a tour and vessel that fits your travel preferences and style.
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?
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