Whale Watching from the Kohala Coast (small group raft)
This is the whale-watching tour for close encounters! Leaving out of Puako (near Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast), you will enter the nursing grounds of mother humpback whales and their babies. Go out a little further and you may witness a competition pod. Enjoy whale-watching on a power raft!
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. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Activity Overview
Whale Watching Tour Highlights
- 2.5-hour tour
- Snacks and drinks provided
- Small group experience with a maximum of 20 passengers
- Tours depart from Kewaihae Harbor (north Kohala Coast, click for directions)
- Enjoy whale watching on a power raft; this tour offers close encounters!
- Children 3 and up are welcome
- The power raft has an awning for sun protection, and you can sit up high in its crow’s nest for excellent viewing!
Whale-watching tours start at $125 and are from January to mid-March.
Book directly with Adventure X Boat Tours 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!
Puako Bay Whale Watching Experience
My son Henry and I headed out one morning from our Kohala Resort (Mauna Lani Resort) for the 20-minute drive to Kawaihae Harbor. We loved it. The tranquil water, the boat ride, the manta ray sighting, and of course, the whales!
Watch our video below to feel the experience and get some tips on whale watching in Puako Bay or the Big Island in general. Remember to book here if this trip interests your group, as booking on our website is a direct booking with the tour operator and it helps us make more reviews! Mahalo!
Whale Watching in Puako Bay
If you’ve always wanted to go whale watching on the Big Island, you’re in luck! Humpback whales travel to the Hawaiian waters every winter to mate, give birth, and nurse.
From baby whales curiously scouting out the boat to witnessing a triple breach, Adventure X Boat Tours has seen it all during their Big Island whale-watching tours.
The captains and crew are very knowledgeable about humpback whale behavior and will share insightful facts throughout the entire trip.
Reasons to Go Whale Watching With Adventure X
Want to ditch the crowds? Adventure X offers small group tours aboard their 30 ft rigid inflatable raft. Here are the reasons you need to go whale watching with Adventure X.
If you’re staying in Waikoloa or along the Kohala Coast, this is the whale-watching tour to book. Conveniently departs from Kawaihae Harbor (click for directions) on the Kohala Coast, north of the Fairmont Orchid and Mauna Kea. Beach Hotel (40 minutes north of Kailua-Kona).
For whale-watching tours departing closer to Kailua-Kona, see our recommended power rafting and boat tours. Those may be more convenient for you.
We love whale-watching on a power raft! While they would never chase a whale, they can cover more ground to find them, and they carry a maximum of 20 passengers! Their Malaialena is a 30-ft Rigid Inflatable Boat, a type of boat considered among the safest (hence the Coast Guard uses them).
She is a fun and comfortable ride with padded seats, shade, an upper viewing deck that seats 4, AND a bathroom on board!
Onboard Naturalist
A marine naturalist is 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.
2-Hour Duration Tours
Two-morning tours a day are available, 8 AM and 10:30 AM. Check-in 30-minutes prior to departure. Ages 3 and older are welcome.
Departs from the Kohala Coast
The departure location is Kawaihae Harbor (click for directions), just north of Waikoloa.
Drinks and Snacks Provided
Cold drinks and snacks are provided. Bring sunscreen and a hat. Click the Book Here button to learn more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Children must be 3+ years old. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy.
What does the marine naturalist do on board?
Adventure X Boat Tours has a wonderful team of marine naturalists. Their marine naturalist guides will be on board, sharing marine educational info.
Can I bring a good camera?
Absolutely! Bring a GoPro or another suitable waterproof 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 Adventure X 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?
Yes, there is a shade canopy on all the rafts.
About
Adventure X Boat Tours specializes in giving guests safe, quality, and fun ocean adventures that are respectful and sustainable to the ocean, animals, and island.
Known for the hospitality of their captain and crew, guests experience the true aloha spirit and knowledge of the islands and the sea.
We are affiliate partners with Adventure X Boat Tours 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 — you are amazing!