The whales are here from roughly Christmas to Easter and they are spectacular to watch
(more info...)
 Whale
Watching in the Big Island of Hawaii |
 Blue
Sea Cruises - 70' Power Catamaran with Glass-Bottom Viewing |
| Body
Glove Cruises - 51' Trimaran |
| Capt.
Zodiac - 23' Inflatable Zodiac Rafts |
| Kamanu Charters - 36' Custom Sailing Catamaran |
| Kona
Sunrise Charters - 55' teknicraft catamaran |
| Mauna
Lani Sea Adventures - 50' Sailing Catamaran |
| Sea
Quest Rafting- Rigid Hull Inflatable Raft |
| Sunlight On Water - Whale Watch Tour |
| Tropical Sun Sportfishing - Whale Watch Tour |
Hawaii Whale Watching Tours
Whale watching in Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most popular of all activities on the Big Island.
Unlike other locations in Hawaii, the Big Island is not only the seasonal home for the famous Humpback whales but is also home year round to a selection of Sperm whales, Pilot whales, Pygmy Killer whales, the Melon Headed whales and the rare beaked whales. There are about 78 species of whales in the Order Cetacea. Cetaceans are classified into two subgroups, Mysticeti or "baleen whales", and Odontoceti or "toothed whales". Generally the toothed whales are found further off shore and can be often seen on one of the famous Kona coast fishing charters that ply the deep waters off the Big Island of Hawaii.
No other whale however matches the glitz and pizzazz of the active Humpback Whales which show up from roughly December through April. Big Island of Hawaii whale watching trips abound through this period with Kona whale watching trips being the most prominent. These beautiful animals make their annual journey from the waters off Alaska tothe waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Here they mate, cavort and give birth to their young. You can often see babies which were just born traveling with their mothers and learning how to dive, slap their fins or flukes and breach high into the air. One interesting fact about these new born calves is that they grow at the incredible rate of about 100 lbs a day strictly from the milk they receive from their mothers.
Speaking of food, another incredible fact about these annual visits is that the whales, while they are in Hawaiian waters, actually do no eating whatsoever. They just live off the bounty of stored fat they accumulated while feasting on plankton, krill shrimp and other crustaceans in the Pacific waters of North America. And while we’re discussing unusual facts, lets also mention that the lung capacity of full grown Humpback is approximately the volume that would be take up by a Volkswagen bug. No wonder they can stay submerged for as long as an hour at a time.
There are a very large variety of whale watching trips. Big Island of Hawaii whale watches generally leave both mornings and afternoons.
- Morning is usually the best time for whale watching. The ocean is flat, making the whales easier to spot.
- Zodiac rafts are extremely exciting but not recommended for pregnant women or those with bad backs.
- Children love whale watching! The price for kids is usually half of the adult fare. Larger boats provide them with room to run around.
Whale Watching Tours and Whale Watching Excursions in Oahu - Options Below:
Blue Sea Cruises - Offers a Dolphin Adventure and Glass Bottom Cruise, Whale Watches in season and an Evening on the Reef Sunset and Glass Bottom Dinner Cruise. They also offer custom charters for Weddings, Anniversaries, Corporate Events and Holiday Celebrations as well as Ash Scatterings at Sea Memorials. The new "Spirit of Kona" a 70' double deck power catamaran features 2 large glass bottom viewing ports for viewing marine life above and below the waters' surface and with underwater downward lights mounted in the hull you have the unique opportunity to view the reef nightlife. Can accommodate up to 150 passengers. |  Blue Sea Cruises Price Range: (From: $65.90 - To: $65.90) |
Body Glove Cruises - Offers snorkel, sunset sail, scuba or whale watching trips. 90 passenger capacity on board a 51' Trimaran "Kanoa", the Body Glove Boat. The Body Glove is wheelchair accessible and features the latest in safety equipment, spacious upper sundeck, large shaded cabin, fresh water showers, and his and her restrooms. |  Body Glove Cruises Price Range: (From: $61.99 - To: $61.99) |
Capt. Zodiac - Exploring the Big Island's Kona Coast and searching for whales by 16 passenger 23' inflatable boats is an experience of a lifetime. Due to the bouncy nature of the ride this tour is not recommended for persons with back or neck problems or pregnant ladies and small children under 3.Bring wear sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and a bag or towel to protect your binoculars and camera from sea spray. |  Capt. Zodiac Price Range: (From: $57.90 - To: $57.90) |
Kamanu Charters - KAMANU CHARTERS is a 36' Custom Sailing Catamaran with a friendly and professional captain and crew. Guests are limited to 24 for comfort.
and it departs from the Honokohau Marina. |  Kamanu Charters Price Range: (From: $65.90 - To: $65.90) |
Kona Sunrise Charters - Whale Watching offers a deluxe snorkel cruise or whale watching excursion on board "Hula Kai" a 55' teknicraft catamaran designed and built to accommodate guests who seek the very best in luxury, comfort and technology. This new vessel seats 42 passengers. Whale Watching from December 19th to March 15th. |  Kona Sunrise Charters Price Range: (From: $75.00 - To: $75.00) |
Mauna Lani Sea Adventures - Come aboard "Winona's" spacious 50' deck to relax and enjoy the Humpback Whale, Hawaii's State Marine Mammal. The humpbacks are an endangered species that travel to Hawaii from the North Pacific waters off Alaska each winter to breed. The Kohala coast of the Big Island is a Marine Mammal Sanctuary and provides these animals a warm and safe environment to give birth and tend to their young. It also offers us a unique opportunity to witness a variety of dramatic behaviors, from tail slapping and head lunges, to full breaches out of the water. |  Mauna Lani Sea Adventures Price Range: (From: $66.90 - To: $66.90) |
Sea Quest Rafting- - Whale Watch 3 Hours starts January 15th from Keauhou Bay. Max of 12 guests. Boats amenities include a front row seat, hydrophone system, snacks, great photo opportunities and free whale watch guide. Guaranteed sighting or go again for free. |  Sea Quest Rafting- Price Range: (From: $52.90 - To: $52.90) |
Sunlight On Water - Captain Michael (aka China Mike), operated the first charter boat offering Dolphin Swims here in Hawaii. Michael and Melainah are both USCG Licensed Captains, and their boat, Uhane Nui O Nai’a, is one of the most comfortable around. They also have an exceptional kinship with Dolphins and can offer you an experience unlike any other. Their great love and respect for the Dolphins, Whales and all who call the Ocean their home, is reflected in the sharing of their extensive knowledge and etiquette for swimming with free Dolphins. |  Sunlight On Water Price Range: (From: $72.00 - To: $72.00) |
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Hearing Impaired - Read the full transcript for this page's audio narrative.
Big
Island of Hawai Whale Watching Tours 
- It is one of the
largest animals in the world! It swims to Hawaii from the waters
off Alaska, spends the whole winter here, then swims back, and during
that whole time it never eats! Its lung capacity is the size of a
Volkswagen bug! Its babies, who are born in Hawaii, grow at a rate
of 100 lbs. a day! Is there nothing that can be said about the Humpback
Whale that doesn’t
beg to be described in the superlative? The Humpbacks visit our waters
every winter and our whale watch season runs from Dec. 15 to May
15.