The sight of their massive bodies, glistening as they move through the water, or the occasional perfect fluke cutting through the surface, is a matchless experience.
Whale Watching
Overview & Activity Comparison
Every December through April, about 5,000 humpback whales make the journey thousands of miles from the icy waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii where they mate and nurture their young. Get up close and observe them in their natural habitat as these magnificent creatures blow, tail slap, breach, and dive in the clear waters off the Kona and Kohala Coasts. With a cruise, you will be able to navigate quickly to the nearest spotting, as well as learn all about these fascinating mammals from an onboard marine naturalist.
Guidebook Reviews
Fodor's Guidebook:
Activity Comparison
The below table outlines the key differences between our two whale watching cruises. Both include an onboard marine naturalist narrating the cruise and a sighting guarantee (in the unlikely event no whales are spotted, you can go again for free). Please visit the individual pages for all the details and to book.
 Off the Kona Coast |  Off the Kohala Coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Kailua Pier in downtown Kona 45 min from Waikoloa | Waikoloa Marriott Beach or Kawaihae Harbor 30-45 min from Kona |
| Days | Daily except Wednesdays Dec 15 - March 31 | Daily Dec 1 - April 15 |
| Time Check-in 30 min prior | 1-3:30 pm | 8-9:30 am or 9:30-11 am |
| Boat | Double-decker 65' catamaran with 3 restrooms and a full bar | 50-65’ catamarans with a restroom & indoor galley |
| Price | Age 18+: $98 Age 6-17: $78 Age 5 & under: Free | Age 13+: $99.59 Age 6-12: $49.99 Age 5 & under: Free |
| More Details | More Details |