Whale Watching on the Big Island: Tours, Best Time, & More
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see humpback whales in the wild? Whale watching is one of the most popular activities to do on the Big Island, and there are many tours that put you in the midst of this breathtaking experience.
I’ll never forget going on a whale watching tour in Hawaii when I was a kid. To this day, it is still one of my favorite travel memories.
In this guide, I’ll answer your questions about whale watching on the Big Island, like the best time of year to see whales and places to go for spotting them.
I’ll also provide a list of the best whale watching tours on the Big Island and include details like tour durations, cost, and more. So whether or not you’ve explored the Big Island, this guide will help you plan your epic whale watching adventure.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
A Detailed Guide On Whale Watching on the Big Island
Below we will get into all the details about whale watching on the Big Island. I’ll answer all your burning questions and provide you with a few different tour options. However, if you’re just here to find the best whale watching tour, I’ve got you covered! Below is my top pick!
Dolphin and Whale Watch Tour with Hawaiian Adventures Kona
- Price: Starting at $119 per person
- Duration: 3.5-4 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Soft drinks and bottled water
A Quick Look at the Big Island
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to the Big Island to help plan your epic adventure!
Where to Stay:
Royal Kona Resort: The PERFECT place to stay in Kona! Great location, awesome pool and bar, and spacious rooms!
SCP Hilo: An environmentally conscious hotel that perfectly represents Hilo!
When to Visit:
– My favorite time is April/May (great weather and shoulder season)
– High season is December – March (also whale season!)
– Summer (July-August) is very warm and also sees a good amount of crowds
Things to Do:
Snorkel with Manta Rays (the TOP activity to do on the Big Island!)
Mauna Kea Stargazing Adventure (pricey but a very unique experience)
Whale Watching Cruise (keep reading!)
Read my full list of things to do here!
P.S. The Big Island is HUGE! You will need a rental car to get around the island and experience all it has to offer. I highly recommend using RentalCars.com!
Frequently Asked Questions about Whale Watching on the Big Island
Before I get into a breakdown of the top whale-watching tours on the Big Island, I wanted to cover some frequently asked questions!
Where is the best whale watching on the Big Island?
The best place to go whale watching on the Big Island is off the Kohala coast, on the northwest end of the island. This area typically sees 2-3 times as many whales as other areas on the Big Island. However, most whale watching tours will leave from the Kailua-Kona area, and you can still spot plenty of whales from the Kona coast! You can learn more about the different ares of the Big Island in my guide: Where to Stay on the Big Island.
What month is best for whale watching in Hawaii?
There is no specific month per say, as whale watching season runs from November – April when the whales are migrating from Alaska. However, whale sightings typically peak in December and January! This is also high season in Hawaii, so be prepared for crowds!
Is whale watching better in Hilo or Kona?
While there are plenty of whale sightings in Hilo, Kona is the better option! Most tours leave from the Kona side of the Big Island. Plus, during whale season, the Hilo side sees an insane amount of rain, which puts a damper on whale watching tours!
Which Hawaiian Island has the most whale sightings?
During the 2023 season, a count was conducted on the same day in February across the Hawaiian islands. Oahu saw 467, the Big Island saw 68, Kauai saw 273, and Maui saw 313.
How much does a whale watching tour cost?
The average cost of a whale watching tour on the Big Island is around $120. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a tour that is less than $100!
What time of day is best for whale watching?
The morning is the best time of day for whale watching on the Big Island! In fact, the amount of whales seen around 8:00am is over 50% more than the amount seen at noon. In addition, ocean conditions are typically calmer in the morning, making your ride more enjoyable and making it easier to spot whales!
What types of whales can I see on the Big Island?
The most common type of whale you will see during whale season on the Big Island is the humpback whale. During the winter months, humpback whales migrate from the frigid Alaskan waters to the warmer waters of Hawaii! Aside from humpbacks, you might also see pilot whales and false killers whales year round on the Big Island.
Pssst: Planning a trip to the Big Island?? Make sure to check out my ultimate One Week Big Island Itinerary to help plan your vacation!
Are there any regulations or guidelines for whale watching in Hawaii?
Absolutely! State and federal regulations like the Marine Mammal Protection Act exist to protect humpback whales in Hawaii. The most important regulation prohibits anyone from approaching humpback whales within 100 yards. This applies to tour boat operators, personal water crafts, and swimmers.
Are whale sightings guaranteed on these tours?
Of course, no company can guarantee you will see whales on their tour! They are wild animals after all. However, most tours offer an opportunity to come on another tour if you don’t see whales on your first. Plus, most of these tours include a whale watching guide who will help you spot them!
Can you see whales from the shore?
Absolutely! You’ll have the best chance of seeing whales from the shore on the Kohala Coast. Places like Lapakahi State Historical Park and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site are both free to enter and a great places to watch for whales! Again, go in the morning for your best chance.
Top 5 Whale Watching Cruises on the Big Island of Hawaii: Cost, Duration, and More
Dolphin and Whale Watch Tour with Hawaiian Adventures Kona
- Price: Starting at $119 per person
- Duration: 3.5-4 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Soft drinks and bottled water
- Pick Up Location: 247 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona
If you don’t want to do a bunch of research, take my word for it and book this top-rated whale watching Cruise! This dolphin and whale watching tour with Hawaiian Adventures Kona gets gold stars all around and is one of the best “bang for your buck” Big Island whale watching cruise. For $120 per person, you get 3.5 hours of cruise time on a luxurious, comfortable boat.
In the winter months, you can choose from a 7:00am, 11:00am, or 3:30pm departure time. The best part is, Hawaiian Adventures Kona also runs in the off-season from July through November and will search for pilot whales, false killer whales, whale sharks, spinner dolphins, and more during this time!
Plus, they offer a no-whale guarantee policy. If you don’t see whales on your trip, you can take the trip again for free! In addition, if you book more than 30 days in advance, you can save $30 on the tour!
Afternoon Whale Watching with Hang Loose Boat Tours
- Price: Starting at $109 per person
- Duration: 2.5-3 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Bottled Water & Snacks
- Pick Up Location: 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy
If you are looking to experience a smaller group tour for your whale watching cruise, Hang Loose Boat Tours is a good option! Their 24-person catamarans offer a more intimate experience than other whale watching cruises. However, a smaller boat will not handle the waves as well. In addition, this tour leaves at 12:30pm, when the seas tend to be rougher than the mornings. So if you are prone to sea sickness, I would opt for another tour.
Adventurous Captain Zodiac Whale Watching Cruise
- Price: Starting at $127 per person
- Duration: 3 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Sodas, fruit juices, bottled water and snacks
- Pick Up Location: 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy #16
With 5 stars on TripAdvisor, this whale watching tour is great for those looking for a little bit of adventure! The tour takes place on a small, zodiac raft that only fits 16 passengers. Because of this, this tour isn’t recommended for pregnant people or those with back/neck problems. However, it does allow you to cover a lot of ground (water I should say), and the boat doesn’t rock as much as traditional tour boats.
Depending on where the whales are spotted, you might even get a chance to see coastal caves and volcanic lava tubes on this tour! Plus, the boat has a hydrophone on board, which allows you to hear the whales singing underwater. The tour is typically offered at 8:00am and 11:45am – I recommend the earlier one!
Check prices and availability for this tour here! 🐋
Wake Up with Whales By Ocean Sports Cruises
- Price: Starting at $120 per person
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Beer, wine and soft drinks
- Pick Up Location: 69-275 Waikōloa Beach Dr
As the name suggests, this whale watching cruise leaves bright and early at 8:00am from the Kohala Coast! The Kohala Coast is one of the best places to see whales on the Big Island. This tour takes place on a beautiful catamaran, which really elevates the experience! They also have hydrophones on board, so you can hear the whales’ songs!
This tour is highly-rated on TripAdvisor; however, it is a bit shorter than the other whale watching tours in this guide. Oceans Sports Cruises does offer a no-whale guarantee policy. Plus, beer and wine are included 🙂
Whale Watching with Body Glove Cruises
- Price: Starting at $119 per person
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐
- Includes: Snacks and light refreshments
- Pick Up Location: Kailua Pier
For those looking for a comfortable and convenient whale watching tour, this is a great option! The Whale Watching with Body Glove cruise takes place on a large, double-decker catamaran. This boat has a large shaded sun deck and cushioned seats, so it’s perfect for guests who want to be more comfortable. The boat is also wheelchair accessible!
In addition to comfort, this tour leaves directly from downtown Kona at the Kailua Pier. So if you are staying in Kona, you don’t have to worry about journeying far for pick up! The tour offers free snacks and light refreshments like coffee, soda, water, and tea, plus alcohol is available for purchase!
This whale watching cruise also has a no-whale guarantee policy! However, the only time slot is at 1:00pm, so you may not have as much luck as on a morning cruise!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, whale watching is one of the most adventurous things you can do while visiting the Big Island. If you are visiting the Big Island between December and April, you need to add one of these tours to your itinerary! You won’t regret it 🙂
Also, if animals are your things, make sure to check out my other Big Island blog posts! The Big Island is home to some amazing marine life. I highly recommend a night dive with manta rays and looking for dolphins as you kayak to Captain Cook! The Big Island also has some incredible snorkeling where you can see all kinds of underwater critters!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
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