Big Island Tour Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're interested in booking a tour or already have a reservation, take a moment to review some of our most frequently asked questions to help prepare for your upcoming adventure!
Hawaiian Adventures Kona has a variety of public and private charter options. We offer guaranteed whale watching tours year-round. Mid-Dec through March, we run up to 3 humpback-focused whale watching tours every day.
For private charters including whale watching trips, memorial services, small-group experiences, and more, visit our private charters page.
Public whale watching tours are on our state-of-the-art 46 ft catamaran Artemis, as well as our rigid-hull inflatable Apollo.
We’re so confident in our ability to find marine life that we guarantee wildlife sightings for our guests on every tour! If you do not see a whale or dolphin with us you will receive a unique promotion code to book another tour for 50% off.
Our public tours are designed for an adventurous audience. We cannot accommodate children under the age of 10 for our 3-4 hour tours (April-November) and under the age of 8 for our 2.5-3 hour tours (December-March). With a USCG offshore certification, we often venture further offshore than other tours. We may encounter ocean conditions that are not suitable or comfortable for younger children. The safety and experience of our guests is our #1 priority, so this requirement is firm.
All of our tours depart out of Honokohau Harbor; centrally located between downtown Kona and the airport. Please meet at the white Hawaiian Adventures Kona sign located on the south-central side of the harbor.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. We recommend arriving to the harbor 30 minutes before your tour to find paking. Please calculate your drive time based on arriving a half hour prior to your tour as we push off the dock at our scheduled departure time.
Public Tours
Cancellations more than 24 hours prior to the departure time: Canceled reservations are subject to a 6% cancellation fee to cover the merchant service charges. Guests may reschedule public tour reservations at no charge up to 24 hours prior to the tour. Cancellations within 24 hours prior to the departure time: Reservations held for a public tour canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time are not eligible for a refund.
Private Tours
Cancellations more than 48 hours prior to the departure time: Canceled private charter reservations are subject to a 6% cancellation fee to cover the merchant service charges. Private charters require 48 hours notice prior to the tour to reschedule. Cancellations within 48 hours prior to the departure time: Private charter reservations canceled within 48 hours of the scheduled departure time are not eligible for a refund.
Artemis is a USCG certified vessel, meaning we are fully equipped with all USCG safety equipment including lifejackets, float-free life rafts, an EPIRB and more. You are not required to wear a life jacket on our boat, but are welcome to if that suits your comfort level.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion-sickness medication the night before your tour and again one hour before your scheduled departure. Staying hydrated, avoiding heavier foods, and abstaining from drinking before your tour can also help prevent seasickness.
If you encounter motion sickness while onboard, notify our crew right away. With years of experience working on the water we have picked up some tips and tricks to make you feel better.
Prepare For Your Tour
We’ve dedicated an entire page on how to prepare for your upcoming Kona whale watch tour! Click the button below to get tips and tricks from the Hawaiian Adventures crew!
Season: April - November
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Departure Time: 8:30 AM
Possible Whale Types: Beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more. Humpbacks commonly seen in April and November.
Season: December - March
Duration: 2.5-3 Hours
Departure Time: 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM
Possible Whale Types: Humpback whales are the main focus, but we also can see beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more.
Book Direct and Save
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, we offer the best available rates to our guests who book direct. Take the hassle out of making reservations through third-party booking agents and you’ll receive the lowest discounted rate. You’ll also receive direct communication with our team of year-round, full-time crew with confirmation emails/text messages, tour reminder emails, and special promotions after your tour. Should your travel plans change, it’s much easier to modify a direct booking as opposed to a third-party booking. Book direct with Hawaiian Adventures Kona to get the best service and lowest prices!