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Here is a short list of the best Whale Watching Tours in Kauai as determined by client reviews.
Whale Watching Tours Sorted by Specific Tour
Kauai Whale Watching
Whale Watching Kauai is 'the' popular activity during the months of Dec and runs until the end of March. The Kauai sea coast could by no means be considered dull or uneventful during any time of year, but when the whales arrive in the winter months the Kauai waters become absolutely alive with an extra pulse of energy. Although these enormous animals can often be seen from the shoreline, the very best way to view them would be from the deck of one of the Kauai whale watching boats.
If the Dolphins along Kauai's coast could be considered the court-jesters of this sea kingdom with all their jumping, spinning and gymnastic antics, the whales in this environment would be likened to the kings and the queens of the realm. The majesty of these magnificent and regal animals is second to none. The whales swim in these waters with an attitude suggesting they were viewing the boundaries of their own private sanctuary, and in many ways it could be said that they are.
What should you expect to see on a Kauai Whale Watching Tour:
They travel in pods and are often spotted initially, not by eye, but by the sound of their tremendous blow when they first reach the surface.
This is often followed by the visual sighting of others whales in the pod.
Once on surface off Kauai's coastline it is not unusual for whales to remain for ten or fifteen minutes playing with each other, slapping their flukes on the water and launching themselves high in the air in what is referred to as a "breach".
Soon thereafter there will be the familiar flip of the tail as the whales "sound" or dive deep to the ocean's depths.
Each step of the whale watching process will be narrated or interpreted by your whale watch boat's captain or a whale watching specialist who is there for the purpose of providing information and answering your questions.
There is so much to know and learn about these fascinating animals that you may not satiate your appetite for knowledge in one two-hour whale watch and it's not a bad idea to go on a couple different trips during your holiday.
We have many different boats are available for Whale Watching Kauai?
Some people prefer the sense of stability of the larger whale watching vessels. It's not a bad idea to find one that has two decks as you often get a better vantage point from the upper level.
Others of you may prefer the more adventurous rafting boats or 'Zodiacs' that zip across the ocean surface at great speed. These vessels carry small groups of people, are more intimate, and allow you to ask more questions.
Some would prefer a totally private whale watch for only six or less, and we can provide those whale tours as well.
Regardless of the type of Kauai whale watching boat you choose you will become mesmerized by these fantastic animals.
Norwegian Cruise Line - Pride of America Cruise Ship:
Whale watching tours will not pick you up at the cruise ship pier. Your best bet is to either arrange for a taxi to take you to and from the departure location or to have Tom Barefoot's Tours arrange for a Rent-A-Car shuttle to pick you up at the cruise ship pier. The best timing for most of these Kauai Whale Watching Tours is going to be on the Thursday or Friday of your cruise schedule.
Checkout Tom's Tips and Insights about Kauai Whale Watching Tours
In Hawaii and of course in Kauai as well, the whales come visit in the winter months. On Kauai, the giant surf visits the north shore in the winter months. Because the surf can be so dangerous this time of year, the Na Pali Coast is, by in large, off-limits for the whale watching tours. Primarily all the whale watch boat will be taking out along the south shores which will provide a much more stable ride. There are a number of types of vessels that do the whale watching tours on Kauai but the most popular seem to be the 'hard hulled inflatable', or zodiac type boats. These offer a very swift ride and can maneuver between the various pods of whales very quickly. This is important because at some point in time, the whales you are following will 'sound' (dive) and you will be left looking for others in the area. Once they are sighted the idea will be to get over to them very fast so you will be able to spend some time with them before they make a dive as well.
Do you still have questions about Whale Watching Tours?
Kauai Sea Tours is a large charter boat company that offers tours off the coast of Kauai and particularly the NaPali Coast with its beautiful 'signature' boat , Lucky Lady. In addition it also provides romantic dinner cruises and whale watches and also has a fleet of specially designed raft boats which are great for exploring caves, snorkeling and racing dolphins. More Info / Buy Now
Catamaran Kahanu is a boat tour company that offers tours of the spectacular NaPali Coastline on Kauai's North Shore and also offers dinner cruises and whale watches. With a maximum capacity of only eighteen passengers these tours are very personalized and your captain and crew are of Hawaiian ancestry and have been lifelong residents of Kauai. More Info / Buy Now
Blue Dolphin Charters offers spectacular motor sailing cruises to the NaPali Coast of Kauai and to the 'forbidden island' of Niihau. In addition Blue Dolphin also offers whale watches, snorkeling, snuba, dinner cruises, sunset sails and rafting excursions. All emphasis is placed upon customer comfort and its large boats each maintain large walk-in restrooms, fresh water showers and plenty of deck space. More Info / Buy Now
Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures for years has offered tours to see the spectacular NaPali Coastline of Kauai. Sailing large and luxurious Gold Coast Yacht Sailing Catamarans, Captain Andy's will take you snorkeling and dolphin watching as well as provide romantic dinner and sunset cruises. In addition you can enjoy rafting adventures to the NaPali Coast. More Info / Buy Now
Holo Holo Charters offers a variety of boat tours on Kauai on large, powerful and stable catamarans. Tours include beautiful snorkel and dolphin watch excursions to the NaPali Coastline, raft tours of NaPali during the summer months, dinner sunset cruises, whale watching and tours to the forbidden island of Niihau. More Info / Buy Now
Kauai Z-Tours operates 16 passenger rafts along the southern coastlines of Kauai. Their complement of tours includes snorkeling excursions, whale watches and dolphin watches. The southern coastline of Kauai is ideal for rafting the majority of the year as opposed to the 'north shore' where the waves can become too dangerous in the winter. Sunny weather is usually on hand all year also so it makes for a great snorkeling destination. More Info / Buy Now
The 34' Radon Sport Fisher 'Lahela' is the boat used by Lahela Ocean Adventures. The boat is certified for as many as 12 passengers and is ideal for both sport or bottom fishing. The primary asset of this vessel is its extremely experienced crew and each of the three captains who man the boat have put in years trolling the waters surrounding Kauai. More Info / Buy Now
Boasting two very fast and maneuverable rigid hull inflatables, Napali Explorer provides adventurous boats that are ideal for the conditions that can be found along the Napali Coast. The small groups taken on these tours make them very personalized and these boats are perfect for exploring the numerous caves and sheer cliff formations that make the Napali Coast so famous. More Info / Buy Now
Well as you probably know, the whales come to Kauai every year.
Actually they come to all the islands every year. They come in the winter time, usually. Mostly we say between Christmas and Easter. They actually come long before that, a few of them and a few of them stay a little bit later afterwards, but the bulk of them are here during that portion of the year. They come to all the islands and a good question that's often brought up is, which island do they go to most. It's really kind of a difficult study. There's a number of viewpoints that have happened amongst scientists regarding that. I think it's generally accepted that they, probably the majority of them will hang out more in Maui County in the narrow or shallow seabeds between Lanai and Kaho'olawe and Molokai and Maui. Also, the island of Hawaii sees a lot of whales and also the penguin banks between Molokai and Oahu.
As far as Kauai, as far as really trying to get a handle on, do these whales come back to the same spot every year and is that where they hang out? Well, it's been documented that the same whale has been seen on the southern point of The Big Island. Then, within two weeks, has been as far as Kauai. So, they travel around. There's no question, there are lots of whales that we see every year on Kauai. We have lots of whale watching tours that go out, generally from Port Allen or from Nawiliwili Harbor. You're going out in either larger boats or smaller ones. You're going out in big catamarans, possibly, that carry a number of people. You could also go out in the little zodiac type rafts and smaller vessels.
Each one of them has an advantage. The larger ones are a little bit more stable in the water, if that's a situation that you don't want to have to deal with. You're going to be able to, at some points, actually get higher up on the vessel, as well, and have a nice view of the whales. Generally, you're seeing dolphins as a bonus on these trips, as well, so that's neat. The smaller ones, like the zodiac type, those are a treat, too. They're a bit more adventurous, I think. Generally a younger group of person, or younger at heart, will do those. You're with smaller groups of people. You're able to ask maybe a bit more questions of the captain of the boat and get a few more answers in that way. If there's a downside, for some people, it's that it may be a little bit harder on your back to be able to deal with the pounding, which occasionally can happen as you're going against surf. It's a decision you need to make.
Anyway you get out there, it's going to be fantastic to see these amazing, giant creatures that come all the way across the ocean from Alaska and Canada every year, making the entire journey, just to come here to mate, to calve, and to frolic and enjoy the Hawaiian environment. Just like you.
If you have any questions about Tours or Activities in Hawaii, just give us a call or check out TomBarefoot.com. We're here to help.
The Hawaii whale watching season is the most anticipated time of year regarding activities in the islands. Whale watching is available for visitors to enjoy between December and May.
