About Hawaiian Adventures Kona
About Us
The Aggergaard family, owners of Island Adventures Whale Watching and Hawaiian Adventures Kona, have been running whale watch tours for over 25 years, and pride themselves in offering educational experiences to respectfully visit with whales in their natural habitat. Their adventure started in the San Juan Islands, a region of the Salish Sea known for its killer whale activity. For many years, orcas were the species predominantly seen whilst exploring these inland waters, but in recent years this trend has changed. As once-endangered populations of baleen whales, such as humpbacks, began to recover, they rediscovered the Salish Sea as productive summer feeding grounds.
Today, over 500 individual humpbacks have been documented utilizing Salish Sea waters, a phenomenon referred to locally as “The Humpback Comeback”. What’s even more exciting, is that third-generation Salish Sea humpbacks have returned to these historic feeding grounds. The utilization of photo-identification to distinguish between whales has allowed the Aggergaard family, and their guests, to get to know these whales on an individual basis. It is this connection, and a desire to learn more about this incredible species, that brought them to Hawaii, the wintering location of many of the same humpbacks they’ve come to know so well.
A third-generation whale watching family, the Aggergaard’s have built a reputation for running professional, high-quality wildlife tours. They understand that there is an art to running well-rounded, fun, and memorable trips, and it is their dedication to their craft that has set them apart. They also understand that as professional whale watching operators, they are in a unique position to be the “eyes-on-the-water” for researchers, collecting data that might otherwise be lost. Utilizing professional-grade cameras, photo identification guides, and SPOT transmitters, each whale encounter is meticulously documented for later use by cetacean researchers.
Hawaiian Adventures Kona understands that first-hand experiences are key to cultivating connections between communities and wildlife. We hope that our tours can inspire this respect for marine life in those visiting Hawaii, a respect that the Kona community embodies. We are excited to be a part of a community that understands the health of our oceans is tantamount to our own well-being, and play our part to promote this mindset. Come join us on the water, and experience the connection with the whales that has inspired our family for the past 25 years.
Choose a vessel with a USCG offshore certification, research-grade hydrophone, onboard bathroom, shade and wind protection, and expert captain and local marine naturalist. While choosing the right boat can make a trip, the crew and their attention to detail is just as key. You can feel confident with Hawaiian Adventures Kona, a team that is meticulous when it comes to equipment upkeep, safety, and cleanliness.
Our brand-new, state-of-the-art tour boat, built specifically for Kona whale watching.
Introducing Artemis, a 46 foot aluminum catamaran custom built for mission focused wildlife adventures on the breathtaking Kona Coast of Hawaii. Boasting two shaded viewing decks, easily accessible swim platform with dual swim ladders, forward facing bucket seating, spacious onboard restroom, hydraulic powered bow ramp, boat-wide sound system, and scientific quality hydrophones, Artemis is the only vessel of its kind in Hawaii.
Meet our luxury private charter vessel, Callisto.
Introducing Artemis, a 46 foot aluminum catamaran custom built for mission focused wildlife adventures on the breathtaking Kona Coast of Hawaii. Boasting two shaded viewing decks, easily accessible swim platform with dual swim ladders, forward facing bucket seating, spacious onboard restroom, hydraulic powered bow ramp, boat-wide sound system, and scientific quality hydrophones, Artemis is the only vessel of its kind in Hawaii.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, our expert guides offer the Big Island’s ultimate small-group wildlife experience. Our year-round whale watching, night manta snorkels, and private charters are the best opportunity for a true Hawaiian Adventure.
Whale watching in Kona is year-round! Hawaiian Adventures Kona has access to both near-shore and pelagic zones, which gives you the opportunity to see humpback whales during the winter months, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, surface-feeding mantas, pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more!
Experience the real Kona nightlife and meet the mantas! Our Kona Night Manta tours depart strategically out of Honokohau Harbor, giving us the ability to head where there’s better conditions, fewer people, and more manta rays. This small-group tour is the best way to experience the #1 activity on the Big Island.
Explore the Kona Coast at your own speed. Private tours are the best choice for small or large groups that value exclusivity and a personalized experience. Whether you’re looking for a family adventure, school trip, memorial service, or something entirely different, our team will work with you to create your custom adventure.