KONA WHALE WATCHING TOURS
See humpback whales on Kona’s best tour boat
Big Island Whale Watching
Join us as we explore Kona’s offshore! Unique to the Big Island of Hawaii, we can find over a dozen species of whales and dolphins year-round! Kona’s rich coastal environment and deep offshore waters provide the best opportunity for the most potential encounters. Enjoy the magic of the winter humpback migration, or join us the rest of the year as we search for pelagic whales including pilot whales, sperm whales, whale sharks, beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, and many more!
Our search extends to Hawaiian spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, mantas, turtles, flying fish, sharks, and a host of other marine life on the Kona Coast! Our tour duration and vessel speed allow us to cover a wide range and spend more time with wildlife. Our vessels are a platform for comfort and education, as our onboard naturalists will talk about the whales, wildlife, and Kona coastline throughout the trip!
Our Hawaiian Adventures crew is passionate about all whales, and we pride ourselves on being the whale experts of the Big Island. The ocean provides new opportunities on every tour, so trust the guides who do this every day! Our crew works hard to show you the most wildlife on every trip, and we aim to leave you with a new appreciation for Kona’s whales, wildlife, and vibrant ecosystem.
Guaranteed Kona Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours
Year-round guaranteed dolphin and whale watching aboard Artemis
Unique to the Big Island of Hawaii, over a dozen species of whales and dolphins can be found on the Kona Coast year-round! Join us as we explore the offshore in search of pilot whales, false killer whales, whale sharks, Hawaiian spinner dolphins, sperm whales, and more!
Experience the Hawaiian Adventures Kona difference. On all of our year-round dolphin/whale watch tours, enjoy complimentary cold beverages, an onboard professional naturalist, and guaranteed sightings. All of our whale watching tours are appropriate for guests ages 10 and above. If you are traveling with guests under the age of 10, please call our office.
Regular Price:
$119
Advanced Booking Discount:
only $99 per person
Save $20 per person by booking 30+ days in advance!
Dolphin and Whale Watch Season
Offshore Whale Watching –– April - December
Humpback Season — Mid-December - Mid-March
Departure Times
March 24 - December 13: 8:30 AM
December 14 - March 23: 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM
Tour Duration
March 24 - December 13: 3-4 Hours
December 14 - March 23: 2.5-3 Hours
Private Dolphin/Whale Watch Tours
Experience the Kona Coast and its variety of marine life on our personalized private tours! Hawaiian Adventures Kona offers private dolphin and whale watching tours for groups of up to 6! We offer four departure times during humpback season (mid-December-March), giving you the ability to enjoy a private whale watch tour at any time of the day!
Tour Availability: Mid-Dec. - March
Departure Time: 7 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM
Tour Duration: 2-2.5 Hours
The Big Island’s only guaranteed dolphin/whale watch tour.
Kona is the ultimate whale and wildlife destination. Kona’s calm waters, deep coastlines, and variety of marine life make the region a world-class wildlife location. Our tours leave out of Honokohau Harbor, which has access to both near-shore and pelagic zones. Exploring the near-shore zone, you have the opportunity to see humpbacks during the winter months, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, and flying fish. With a US Coast Guard offshore certification, Hawaiian Adventures Kona can also reach the pelagic zone- something very few tours do. The pelagic zone expands the search into waters thousands of feet deep to look for pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more! Hawaiian Adventures’ tour durations allow for a greater search range, more time with whales, and more wildlife encounters on every tour!
Species Covered: Pilot Whales, Beaked Whales, Sperm Whales, Melon Headed Whales, Whale Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins, Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, False Killer Whales and more!
Date Range: Year-Round
Sighting Success Rate: Over 97%. Our Whale and Wildlife Report shows a detailed account of our encounters every week!
What happens if I don't see a whale or dolphin? We have a passion to show our guests marine life. If you happen to be on one of the rare days we do not see whales or dolphins, you will receive a unique promotion code to book another tour for 50% off. This code is good for your return trip with us, does not expire, and can be used when booking your reservation online.
Get Ready For Your Whale Watch Tour!
Prep & Enthusiasm!
Revisit your confirmation email! You will find the address to the harbor and a foolproof satellite image that will lead you directly to the meeting location. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your tour’s departure. It’s much more relaxing if you’re a couple of minutes early, so bring your enthusiasm and the crew will take care of the rest.
Dress for Success
We recommend monitoring the weather and dressing appropriately for the conditions of the day. Storage onboard allows for bags, layers, hats, glasses, and other extra gear. The best way to have fun in the sun is sun protection, so we highly encourage a full layer of sunscreen before boarding!
Motion of the Ocean
Departing from the lee side of the Big Island the conditions are typically calm, but there’s always a motion to the ocean. Sea sickness is uncommon on our tours, but for those who are susceptible, we suggest taking seasickness medication the night before and the morning of your tour. We suggest staying hydrated, avoiding heavy foods, and abstaining from alcohol before your whale watch.
Check In and Boarding
We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your tour. All guests need to meet at the Hawaiian Adventures Kona sign on the south-central side of the harbor, 15 minutes prior to departure. There’s no need to print off email confirmations or tickets –– we’ll check you in electronically with the last name on your reservation!
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 and your experience onboard.
Our brand-new, state-of-the-art tour boat, built specifically for Kona whale watching.
We're thrilled to have our brand-new state-of-the-art 46 ft catamaran Artemis! Her features include two viewing decks, powerful Volvo IPS engines, shaded and full sun areas, comfortable seating, and an onboard restroom! Artemis promises an exceptional and unforgettable tour experience.
Meet our luxury private charter vessel, Callisto.
Callisto is our 32 ft center console designed for speed, safety, comfort, and an incredibly smooth ride. Equipped with twin 350 Yamahas, Callisto is perfect for exploring inshore reefs or pushing offshore into the deep. This luxury 6-person vessel has a restroom, fresh water shower, padded seats, and a custom boarding ladder for easy access in and out of the water.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, our expert guides offer the Big Island’s ultimate wildlife tours. Our year-round whale watch, night manta, and private charters are the best opportunity for a true Hawaiian Adventure.
Experience the real Kona nightlife and meet the mantas! Our Kona Night Manta tours depart from Honokohau Harbor, giving us the ability to head where there’s better conditions, fewer people, and more mantas. 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.