The 5 Best Big Island Whale Watching Tours

1.Whale Watching On The Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 573 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $98Our pick

Join Hang Loose Boat Tours at Honokohau Marina for a 2.5-hour Kona whale watch aboard a small catamaran. The crew searches for humpbacks, plays their songs through onboard hydrophones, and shares facts about whales and Kona. Bottled water, snacks, light refreshments, and a restroom are provided. Bryce and Aiden are among the crew names associated with this operation.

“Saw so many whales! Mom and baby, a whale breaching, a whale on its back slapping the water! It was amazing!! The crew was wonderful and knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor! Great experience!”

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2.Pelagic Whale Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $129

Set out from Honokohau Harbor at 8:30 a.m. aboard Hawaiian Adventures’ 46-foot catamaran, Artemis. Naturalists such as Andrew and Olivia explain whale behavior, dolphins, sharks, and the Kona coast as you search near-shore and pelagic waters. The 3 to 4-hour trip offers open viewing, padded seating, shade, and free drinks.

“It was wonderful experience. We saw pilot whale, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphin and shark. So it was totally worth it.”

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3.Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113

Captain Zodiac takes you along the Kona Coast in a fast, 16-passenger Zodiac raft for about three hours. Captains such as Shelby, Marco, Ashley, Rick, and Sam share Hawaiian history, whale behavior, and volcanic geology while scanning for humpbacks, spinner dolphins, turtles, and manta rays. A hydrophone lets you hear whales underwater.

“Fun, friendly and knowledgeable crew. We saw many whales...several up close. I highly recommend this experience.”

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4.Kailua-Kona: Whale Watching Cruise on the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 273 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

Join Hang Loose Boat Tours for a 150-minute whale-watching cruise from Honokohau Harbor. Guides such as Bryce, Aidan, Jacob, and Simon search for humpbacks, dolphins, and other sea life while a hydrophone lets you hear whale songs underwater. The covered boat carries up to 24 people and includes snacks, juice, water, and ginger ale.

“We had a great time with Simon and his crew. We spotted several whales as well as dolphins, which were racing our boat.”

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5.Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 263 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $151

Cruise from Kailua Pier along Kona’s coast aboard Body Glove’s 65-foot catamaran. A naturalist explains whale behavior while a hydrophone lets you hear underwater songs. The two-and-a-half-hour trip includes light snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, and a cash bar. Whales are guaranteed, or you can return free.

“Great experience!! Highlight of our day!! Great boat with a great crew!! Well worth the price of admission!!”

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