Prepare For Your Kona Tour

A man standing on the deck of a boat, reaching out towards the ocean, with safety equipment including a life buoy attached to the railing and the sea visible in the background.

How to Prepare

We’re excited for the opportunity to take you on the ultimate Hawaiian Adventure!  We run small-group, personalized tours and reservations are required before arriving to Honokohau Harbor. We accept last-minute reservations when space is available, but at times we do fill up days in advance and have to turn people away. The best way to ensure you have a spot on one of our tours is to book your tour online or give us a call to reserve in advance.

We want you to have the best day on the water!  We recommend applying sunscreen before the tour. Please, no spray-on sunscreen on the vessel.  If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication the night before your tour and one hour before your scheduled departure. Below are some more tips on how to make the most of your tour!

A group of people, some with backpacks and hats, waiting in line near a marina, with boats docked in the water. A sign shows they are waiting for Hawaiian Adventures Kona whale and dolphin search tours.
Three people standing on a dock near a boat, engaged in conversation. One person wears a blue shirt, another a white hat and shirt, and the third, facing the camera, wears a gray hoodie, sunglasses, and a black cap.

Arrive Early

Arriving early can set the right mood and tempo for your trip. It’s definitely more relaxing to be a few minutes early!  All guests meet at the white Hawaiian Adventures Kona sign on the south side of Honokohau Harbor approximately 30 minutes prior to departure.  The Captain and crew will begin boarding and start our pre-trip orientation 15 minutes prior to the tour!  Please use the link below for the exact GPS coordinates to our boarding location:

Boarding Location
A man and woman sitting on a boat, gazing at the ocean during sunset.
Person with curly hair, wearing a cap and red jacket, sitting on a boat, looking at the horizon during sunset or sunrise.

Dress for Success

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!

A woman with long blonde hair in braids, seated on a boat, smiling and talking to two men, with the ocean in the background.
Two people enjoying a day by the water, with the ocean visible in the background, wearing sunglasses and casual clothing.

Get Excited!

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!

Aerial view of a marina with boats docked, surrounded by parking lots, buildings, and roads, including a highlighted yellow route leading to the marina entrance.

Free, Convenient Parking

Parking on the south-central side of Honokohau Harbor is free! Please park in the gravel spaces on the right side of Keakakehe Parkway. Parking is located west of the red-roof restroom and just steps away from the white Hawaiian Adventures Kona boarding sign. 

Boarding Location

Check in and boarding happens directly at the boat! As you enter Honokohau Harbor, continue straight on Kealakeke Parkway. Do not turn right at the split –– continue straight past the dumpster area and red-roofed restroom. Take the second entrance after the red-roofed restroom into the parking area (right-hand side). Park and head down the road to the white Hawaiian Adventures Kona sign located here: BOARDING LOCATION

Lost?

Give us a call if you need assistance. This link will take you directly to our boarding location, so please use this! 

Boarding Location Link
kona reef snorkel
Visit FAQ's

 Want to Chat?

Our phone lines are open from 5 AM to 1 PM, but we have our text line open nearly 24/7.  If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call, or better yet shoot us a text and we’ll get back when it’s convenient for you! 

Call or text: 808-339-3604

A whale breaching the surface of the ocean, with water splashing around.

Season: April - November
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Departure Time: 8:30 AM
Possible Whale Types: Beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more. Humpbacks commonly seen in April and November.

A whale's tail rising above the water in the ocean, with a distant shoreline in the background.

Season: December - March
Duration: 2.5-3 Hours
Departure Time: 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM
Possible Whale Types: Humpback whales are the main focus, but we also can see beaked whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more.

Book Direct and Save

At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, we offer the best available rates to our guests who book direct. Take the hassle out of making reservations through third-party booking agents and you’ll receive the lowest discounted rate. You’ll also receive direct communication with our team of year-round, full-time crew with confirmation emails/text messages, tour reminder emails, and special promotions after your tour. Should your travel plans change, it’s much easier to modify a direct booking as opposed to a third-party booking. Book direct with Hawaiian Adventures Kona to get the best service and lowest prices!

Rates and Schedule