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. Year-round we offer whale watching and night manta snorkel tours. Mid-Dec through March, we run up to 3 humpback-focused whale watching tours every day.
For private charters including whale watching trips, night manta snorkels, memorial services, small-group experiences, and more, visit our private charters page.
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 accomodate children under the age of 10 on our public tours. With a USCG offshore certification, we often venture futher 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.
Our night manta snorkel tour is an unforgettable adventure, but it is not for everyone. As an in-water experience at nighttime (in the dark), safety is our #1 priority. You must have prior snorkel experience, be a strong swimmer, and be able to tread water and swim unassisted.
Have additional quesitons? Reach out to our office to discuss if this tour is right for you.
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, night manta, or snorkel tour! Click the button below to get tips and tricks from the Hawaiian Adventures crew!
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.