KONA WHALE WATCHING TOURS
Year-round dolphin and whale watch tours from Kona
Big Island Whale Watching
Join us as we explore Kona’s offshore! Unique to the Big Island of Hawaii are over 12 species of whales that can be found year-round. Kona’s rich coastal environment and deep offshore waters provide the best opportunity for the most potential encounters. Enjoy the magic of the winter humpback migration, or join us the rest of the year as we search for pilot whales, sperm whales, whale sharks, beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, and many more!
Our search doesn’t stop at whales, as we often encounter spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, mantas, turtles, flying fish, sharks, and a host of other marine life on the Kona Coast! Our tour durations are designed for ample time on the water and the ability to cover a large range of offshore areas. Our vessels are a platform for comfort and education, as our onboard naturalists will talk about the whales, wildlife, and Kona coastline throughout the trip!
Our Hawaiian Adventures crew is passionate about whales, and we pride ourselves on being the whale experts of the Big Island. The ocean provides new opportunities on every tour, so trust the guides who do this every day! Our crew works hard to show you the most wildlife on every trip, and we aim to leave you with a new appreciation for Kona’s whales, wildlife, and vibrant ecosystem. Come winter, spring, summer, or fall, our goal is to show you it all!
Guaranteed Kona Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours
Year-round guaranteed dolphin and whale watching aboard Artemis
Unique to the Big Island of Hawaii, over a dozen species of whales can be found on the Kona Coast year-round! Join us as we explore the offshore in search of pilot whales, false killer whales, whale sharks, spinner dolphins, sperm whales, and more!
Experience the Hawaiian Adventures Kona difference. On all of our year-round dolphin/whale watch tours, enjoy complimentary cold beverages, an onboard professional naturalist, and guaranteed sightings. All of our whale watching tours are appropriate for guests ages 10 and above. If you are traveling with guests under the age of 10, please call our office.
Regular Price:
$119
Advanced Booking Discount:
only $89 per person
Save $30 per person by booking 30+ days in advance!
Dolphin and Whale Watch Season
Year-Round Whale Watching
Humpback Season — Mid-December - Mid-March
Departure Times
March 24 - December 15: 8:30 AM
December 16 - March 23: 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM
Tour Duration
March 24 - December 15: 3-4 Hours
December 16 - March 23: 2.5-3 Hours
The Big Island’s only guaranteed dolphin and whale watch tour.
Kona is the ultimate whale and wildlife destination. Kona’s calm waters, deep coastlines, and variety of marine life make the region a world-class eco-tour location. The best tours leave out of Honokohau Harbor, which has access to both near-shore and pelagic zones. Exploring the near-shore zone, you have the opportunity to see humpbacks, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, and surface-feeding mantas. With a US Coast Guard offshore certification, Hawaiian Adventures Kona can also reach the pelagic zone- something very few tours do. The pelagic zone expands the search to pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more! Hawaiian Adventures’ 3-4 hour tours allow for a greater search range, more time with whales, and more wildlife encounters on every tour!
Species Covered: Pilot Whales, Beaked Whales, Sperm Whales, Melon Headed Whales, Whale Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, False Killer Whales and more!
Date Range: Year-Round
Sighting Success Rate: Over 97%. Our Whale Report shows a detailed account of every tour. We rarely miss!
What happens if I don't see a whale? We have a passion to show our guests whales. If you happen to be on one of the rare days we do not see whales, you will receive a unique promotion code to book another tour for 50% off. This code will be good for one return trip for your group, does not have an expiration date, and can be booked online for any available tour.
Get Ready For Your Whale Watch Tour!
Prep & Enthusiasm!
Revisit your confirmation email! You will find the address to the marina and a foolproof satellite image that will lead you directly to the meeting location. We recommend arriving 30 min prior depending on where you’re coming from on the Island. It’s much more relaxing if you’re a couple of minutes early, so bring your enthusiasm and the crew will take care of the rest.
Dress for Success
Our year-round dolphin and whale watch tours depart daily at 8:30 AM (December-March 7 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM). We recommend monitoring the weather and dressing appropriately for the conditions of the day. Storage onboard allows for bags, layers, hats, glasses, and other extra gear. The best way to have fun in the sun is sun protection, so we highly encourage a full layer of sunscreen before boarding!
Motion of the Ocean
Departing from the lee side of the Big Island the conditions are typically calm, but there’s always a motion to the ocean. Sea sickness is uncommon on these tours, but for those who are susceptible we suggest taking seasickness medication the night before and the morning of your tour. We suggest staying hydrated, avoiding heavy foods, and abstaining from alcohol before your whale watch.
Check In and Boarding
We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your tour. All guests need to meet at the Hawaiian Adventures Kona sign on the south-central side of the marina, 15 minutes prior to departure. There’s no need to print off email confirmations or tickets –– we’ll check you in electronically with the last name on your reservation!
247 Kealakehe Pkwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Check In Address:
Choose a vessel with a USCG offshore certification, research-grade hydrophone, onboard bathroom, shade and wind protection, and expert captain and local marine naturalist. While choosing the right boat can make a trip, the crew and their attention to detail is just as key. You can feel confident with Hawaiian Adventures Kona, a team that is meticulous when it comes to equipment upkeep, safety, and cleanliness
Our brand-new, state-of-the-art tour boat, built specifically for Kona whale watching.
We're thrilled to announce that the newest addition to Hawaiian Adventures Kona is almost complete. The brand-new, state-of-the-art, 46-foot catamaran named Artemis will be available for year-round whale watching tours from July 8th, 2023. Featuring two viewing decks, powerful Volvo IPS engines, comfortable seating, and onboard restrooms, Artemis promises to offer an exceptional and unforgettable tour experience unlike any other in the area.
Meet our luxury private charter vessel, Callisto.
Callisto is our 32 ft regulator designed for speed, safety, comfort, and an incredibly smooth ride. Her name comes from a killer whale in the pacific northwest (T65A6), who was named after the hunting partner of Artemis, the greek goddess of the hunt. Equipped with twin 350 Yamahas, Callisto is perfect for exploring inshore reefs or pushing offshore into the deep. This luxury 6-person vessel has a restroom, fresh water shower, padded seats, and a custom boarding ladder for easy access in and out of the water. With plenty of waterproof storage, there’s room for guests and their extra gear and equipment onboard. 360-degree viewing and a full walk-around also add to a premier experience.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, our expert guides offer the Big Island’s ultimate small-group wildlife tour. Our year-round whale watch, night manta, Kona snorkel, ocean adventure, and private charters are the best opportunity for a true Hawaiian Adventure.
Experience the real Kona nightlife and meet the mantas! Our Kona Night Manta tours depart strategically out of Honokohau Marina, giving us the ability to head where there’s better conditions, fewer people, and more mantas. This small-group tour is the best way to experience the #1 activity on the Big Island.
Snorkel the Kona Coast and beyond! All snorkel tours at Hawaiian Adventures Kona are private charters, which allows you to explore at your own speed. Whether it’s snorkeling at historic Kealakekua Bay or skipping the crowds and checking out the crew’s favorite snorkel spots, we provide all snorkel gear (masks and fins) for you and your party!
After 25 years in the tour business, this is the tour our family would seek out while traveling. It is also what we do for fun while not running other tours. Whether you're looking for an offshore pelagic snorkel, prefer inshore reefs, or are searching for wildlife from the comfort of our luxury six-passenger vessel, Callisto, our guides will sculpt a wildlife adventure you’ll never forget.
Explore the Kona Coast at your own speed. In selecting a private charter, you are choosing personalized service, exclusivity, and ample space aboard our 6-passenger center console Callisto. Work directly with your captain to design your dream excursion in the days leading up to your trip, ensuring your trip with Hawaiian Adventures Kona will be the highlight of your Hawaiian experience.