Why Kona Has Good Whale Watching and If Tours Are Worth It
Does Kona have good whale watching? Heck yes it does!
The best time to go whale watching in Kona is during the winter months, typically from December to April (though sometimes they arrive as early as November and stay through May).
During this period, over 8,000 humpback whales migrate 3,500 miles from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm, shallow waters in Hawaii to breed and give birth.
The peak season for sightings is usually from January to March, offering the best chances to spot these majestic mammals.
Taking a whale watching boat tour is your best bet at sighting them and TOTALLY worth doing!
Whales are oftentimes seen from shore as well.
In this post you’ll find:
- The best whale watching tour companies to book with in Kona
- Where you can search for whales from land in Kona
🤔 Did You Know? There are 17 other whale species that live in the waters around the Big Island? Hawaiian Adventures operates a whale watching tour year-round to search for them.
Top 3 Whale Watching Tours in Kona
The best way of seeing whales is to take a whale watching tour. Kona has a ton of whale companies to choose from, each with their different amenities and experiences.
These are the three I recommend that are worth taking.
1. Hawaiian Adventures
Whale watching all year round!
⏳ Tour Length: 3.5hrs | ⭐ Star Rating: 5/5 | 📍 Departure: Honokohau Harbor
While humpback whales are seasonal, there are still 17 other species of whales to see throughout the year and Hawaiian Adventures operates year-round to search for them.
By joining their dolphin and whale-watching tour you have the chance to spot species like pilot whales, sperm whales, melon head whales, and even whale sharks.
Beyond whales, also keep a look out for Hawaiian spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, turtles, flying fish, and various sharks.
Everyday is different, so you’ll never know what you’ll see.
🤔 Did You Know? Technically, all dolphins are whales.
The crew is passionate and informative about sharing all about the marine life and will answer any and all of your questions. I just wish they used a mic to hear them a bit better.
They have a 46-foot catamaran with two levels. The seats onboard are kinda like patio lounge chairs, so pretty comfortable for a boat tour. They also provide cold beverages so you can stay hydrated.
The company is also conscious about keeping the ocean clean and will pick up trash if they see it along the way.
2. Captain Zodiac
Rafting gets you to whales fast and better for the seasick prone
⏳ Tour Length: 3hrs | ⭐ Star Rating: 5/5 | 📍 Departure: Honokohau Harbor
Captain Zodiac takes you on their 24-foot Zodiac Hurricane RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat), zooming across the ocean and searching for humpbacks, among other sea life like dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and more.
While the Zodiac raft can be bouncy, it’s actually pretty fun!
The captain and crew know their stuff about marine science and animal behavior to give you the best experience possible. They have a hydrophone on board so you can hear the eerie, but awesome sounds of the whales singing and talking to each other underwater.
As you are adventuring hunting for whale sightings, they take advantage of being in a maneuverable raft to take you through coastal sea caves, volcanic lava tubes, and tall rock archways.
I like that the raft holds only 16 passengers, so there’s no bad seat in the house and the tour feels more personalized.
⚠️ Please Note: the raft isn’t covered with shade, so bring appropriate sun protection. If it’s raining, they do provide raincoats if needed.
As someone who easily gets seasick, I prefer the raft (rather than boats) as it’s closer to the surface of the water (so less swaying) and goes fast, cutting through the waves so I don’t feel them as much.
3. Body Glove
Good food and like a party boat
⏳ Tour Length: 2.5hrs | ⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5 | 📍 Departure: Kailua Pier
Body Glove offers a fantastic whale-watching experience that I can’t recommend enough!
The catamaran itself is pretty sweet, with two levels. The top deck offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, complete with bench seating and bar tables. Downstairs are roomy booth tables and benches and also where they serve their snacks and drinks.
Speaking of snacks, they’re surprisingly good.
The captain did a great job of finding whales and sharing interesting facts about them. On my trip, we saw a momma with her baby whale and another doing some tail action (sadly I didn’t see breaching this time).
One of the coolest features is the underwater hydrophone, which lets you hear the beautiful songs of the humpback whales.
⚠️ A word to the wise, always keep your phone secure while taking pics! Unfortunately, I watched a fellow passenger drop their phone and it slid perfectly through a slot in the floor and right into the ocean!
I was pleasantly surprised with my experience with Body Glove. The crew was super friendly and even helped me out when I was feeling seasick.
Where to Watch for Whales from Shore on the Big Island
If you don’t want to risk getting seasick (believe me, I can relate!), you can still whale watch from land.
Because the ocean floor shelf drops off pretty close to shore, the humpbacks are often seen surprisingly close to beaches on the Big Island. So whenever you are at the beach during whale season, keep your eyes on the horizon.
Popular Beaches to See Humpbacks Around Kona
- Kua Bay – I’ve seen them a few times here
- Hapuna Beach – a great way to keep an eye out is from the upper lounge balconies at the Westin next door
- Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site – Puʻukoholā translates to “hill of the whale” in Hawaiian, so…yeah
- Kiholo Bay – bonus freshwater pool to cool off after searching
Again, these are just a few places to look for whales. Really, anywhere there’s ocean views, there’s even a chance to see them in Hilo or from the cliffs at South Point.
🐳 Whale Watching Tips
- Bring binoculars – while whales are often seen close to shore, binoculars will catch the whales when they’re further out
- Search in the mornings – whales are active throughout the day, but during the mornings the waves are calmer, making it a bit easier to spot them
- Don’t give up – patience is key when whale watching; one minute there’s nothing, the next is an exciting aquatic show
Want to get IN the water with marine life?
Find out all about snorkeling with manta rays at night here!
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🛏️ Hotels: Expedia – exclusive discounts & earn rewards
🚑 Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage – compare multiple plans in one place
🧳Packing: Amazon – this is my personal list of items I travel with
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