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Kona Whale Watching Tour

Location: Kona, Big Island

Tour Highlights

Watch the Kona horizon erupt as a humpback surfaces, sending a plume of mist into the warm Hawai‘i air before slipping beneath the deep Pacific blue. Cruise the Big Island coastline in search of mothers, calves, and breaching whales while their haunting songs echo through an underwater hydrophone.

  • Watch humpback whales surface and breach along the Kona Coast
  • Listen to singing humpbacks through an underwater hydrophone
  • Cruise offshore aboard a modern 24-passenger catamaran
  • Scan Kona waters for playful Hawaiian spinner dolphins
  • Relax with sweeping views of the Big Island coastline

Quick Local Tip: Kona’s volcanic seafloor drops into deep water remarkably close to shore, so whale-watching boats can reach prime humpback habitat without traveling far offshore. During whale season, that steep drop-off can make the search especially rewarding, with whales often moving surprisingly close to the Kona Coast.

What to Expect

Watch the Kona horizon for that first burst of mist as your captain searches the deep Pacific waters for humpback whales. Once a whale appears, the excitement shifts to following its movements, watching for powerful tail flukes, surfacing whales, mothers with calves, and the possibility of a sudden breach.

Your two-hour whale watch takes place aboard a modern 24-passenger catamaran, giving you a comfortable platform for scanning the water while the Big Island coastline stretches behind you. Hawaiian spinner dolphins may also make an appearance along the way.

When conditions allow, the crew lowers an underwater hydrophone so you can listen for the haunting songs of humpbacks beneath the surface; a completely different perspective on whales you may have just watched from above.

Between sightings, settle in with included drinks and snacks and enjoy the Kona coastline while the search continues.

Included

  • 24-passenger catamaran
  • Underwater hydrophone for listening to humpback songs
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Onboard restroom

Duration

2 Hours

Address

Honokohau Harbor North Boat Ramp

74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Cancellation Policy

Group Tours: Cancellations within 48 hrs receive a full-refund
Private Charters: Cancellations made 7 days before scheduled tour are subject for a full refund.

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