The whales visit Oahu from roughly Christmas through Easter.
(more info...)
 Whale
Watching in Oahu |
 Dolphin
Excursions - Zodiac Mark VI |
| Hawaii
Nautical - Whale Watch off the leeward coastline |
| Makani Catamaran - Whale Watch |
| Navatek
I - Whale Watch and Lunch |
| North
Shore Catamaran - 40' Catamaran |
| Star
of Honolulu - Lunch and Whale Watch |
Oahu Whale Watching Tours and Humpback Whale Watch
Each winter, Oahu is the focus point for whale watching tours, whale watching cruises and the return of the majestic humpback whales.
The whale watching season is usually under way by the 15th of December and usually lasts through Easter. The very best months are February and March when whale sightings are almost guaranteed. Oahu whale watching tours are a particular delight for visitors coming to Hawaii to escape the winter chill and these humpback whales can often be seen from the shoreline of Waikiki or Honolulu.
The best way to observe humpback whales, however, is by taking one of the many whale watching tours on one of a variety of whale watch boats off the coast of Oahu. Pick-up and return are generally provided from your Waikiki hotel. Whale watch tours usually last about 2 hours which is plenty of time to visit these gentle humpback whales. Almost all whale watching tours will include whale naturalists to explain the fascinating whale behavior such as breaching, sounding and the various mating rituals displayed.
As the humpback whales come this time of year to give birth and to mate (they eat virtually no food during the months they spend in Hawaii) you can often see baby humpback whales swimming closely with their mothers.
In any event, if you're here in Hawaii during the winter months (or better yet you should plan to be in Hawaii during the winter months) be sure to take one of our many whale watching tours to see the spectacular humpback whale.
Helpful
Tips from Tom Barefoot - Whale Watching in Oahu:
- As an added bonus, should you decide to take one of the cruises that departs from the Wainae or leeward coast (about a 45 minute drive from Waikiki.
- Some whale watch companies provide pick-up) you may have the additional treat of being able to see (and often swim with) dolphins as well.
Whale Watching Tours and Whale Watching Rides in Oahu - Options Below:
Dolphin Excursions - Get wet with the dolphins. Picture this: You're in the water, with a mask and snorkel, surrounded by Spinner Dolphins as they go about their everyday activities. Watch them swimming or playing and if you're lucky, maybe they'll do a spin or a flip just to show you how much fun a dolphin can have! The Waianae Coastline is actually the only spot in Hawaii where you have not only an almost guaranteed likelihood of seeing dolphins but almost as great a likelihood of actually swimming with them as well. Don't be afraid. They like people as much as you like them. Your professional guide will be in the water with you making sure you're safe and making certain that you're not inadvertently interfering with them. This is one of the most fun and educational tours you are likely to take on your vacation and Dolphin Excursions is famous for its return clients who come back to visit year after year. Don't forget, they also whale watch in season. |  Dolphin Excursions Price Range: (From: $95.00 - To: $95.00) |
Hawaii Nautical - Here's a boat company that does all things "nautical". How about a dolphin snorkel sail, a sunset cocktail cruise, a gourmet dinner cruise, an overnight interisland sail, a whale watch, a dive tour or a private boat charter. Hawaii Nautical is a family business and they pride themselves in being attentive to your every need. Their playground is the Waianae Coastline and their top-grade beautiful catamarans are designed for the discriminating Oahu visitor. |  Hawaii Nautical Price Range: (From: $60.00 - To: $60.00) |
Makani Catamaran - The Makani Catamaran is one of the newer catamarans in Oahu's fleet of boats having been built in 2006. This is one of the most beautiful vessels you will find on the island and has fantastic modern amenities. Their offerings include snorkeling tours, sailing adventures, sunset sails and whale-watching. This vessel is also ideal for private charters of all kinds and can accommodate up to 80 passengers. If you're looking for a special outing for your group that will be first class, the Makani is a fabulous choice. |  Makani Catamaran Price Range: (From: $35.00 - To: $35.00) |
Navatek I - Technology is the driving force behind the Navatek 1 which revolutionized ocean travel by literally smoothing out wave action in rough seas. The Navatek’s SWATH technology (Small Water-plane Area Twin Hull design) offers guests a comfortable, stable and smooth ride. There are two air conditioned dining decks, each with its own bar, sound system and restrooms. Spacious outdoor decks, including a top floor observation deck which allows guests to take advantage of spectacular ocean and coastal views. |  Navatek I Price Range: (From: $65.00 - To: $65.00) |
North Shore Catamaran - North Shore Catamaran Charters sails out of the quaint North Shore town of Haleiwa. This is the famous coastline you've heard about that has some of the biggest surf in the world at places such as Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and Pipeline. During the winter months the surf is often enormous and conditions are too radical to allow for snorkeling off the coast. During this season the boat is mostly used to see our visiting humpback whale population and other marine animals. During the summer the coastline is ideal for snorkeling adventures and offers great visibility and fabulous reef-life. Sunset cruises are available all year long as are private charters for groups of 25 or less. This boat is beautiful and is a great choice for an intimate sailing, snorkeling or whale watch experience. |  North Shore Catamaran Price Range: (From: $75.90 - To: $75.90) |
Star of Honolulu - The "Star of Honolulu" is the largest dinner cruise ship in the Islands and was custom designed to provide its guests with a calm and gentle sailing experience. Relive the romance of Hawaii's "Boat Days" starting with the grand departure from Honolulu's historic Aloha Tower or Kewalo Basin. An amazing 1500 passengers can be boarded on the 232 ft. Star of Honolulu. This vessel does whale watches as well. |  Star of Honolulu Price Range: (From: $24.90 - To: $48.90) |
This page contains information about: oahu whale watching, oahu whale watching tours, oahu hawaii whale watching, whale watching in oahu, oahu watch whales, oahu whales, oahu whale tours, oahu humpback whales.
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Our discounts do not require coupons, the purchase of a discount card, or joining a budget wholesale club. When we say discount we really mean discount.
Whale Watching Tours in Oahu - Whale watching in Hawaii is not to be missed. The Humpback Whales come here, but only in the Winter months roughly between Christmas and Easter. Their main home is in the Arctic waters off the coast of Alaska and Canada but they make the mammoth swim here to Hawaii once a year to mate, bear their young and to generally cavort about and enjoy life. They are absolutely intriguing animals. They for the most part eat krill and plankton which is found in their home waters and is not found here so for their entire five month or so journey to Hawaii and back they do not eat. They literally lose tons of weight during this time and the babies they bear are nourished by their mothers milk and actually gain about 100 pounds a day. They cruise the waters surrounding Maui and the neighbor islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai but really don’t travel much once they reach here. Dozens of pods of whales can be found in the waters surrounding the islands during the Winter months and the pods often consist of three, four or more whales. The baby whales are beyond cute and are usually seen right next to the mothers. Whale sightings on our whale watches during these months are almost a given and during the peak season it is literally impossible not to find them. If you didn’t do anything else while you were here in the Winter you should do a whale watch. And by the way, don’t forget your camera.