Whale Watching on the Big Island

Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters to mate, calve, and nurse. NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary puts the season at roughly November through May, with the peak from January through March. The sanctuary, designated in 1992, protects the shallow waters (under about 600 feet deep) around the main islands, Hawaiʻi Island included.

Every boat on this page leaves from the Kona side: Honokōhau Harbor, Keauhou Bay, or Kailua Pier. The leeward coast is sheltered from the trade winds.

How the boats differ

• Dedicated whale watches run only in season. Hang Loose Boat Tours sails from December to mid-April on a shaded catamaran with a restroom, and promises a free return trip if you don’t see a whale. Iruka Hawaii’s two-hour midday cruise gives a free rain check if no whales show.
• Small rafts, like Dolphin Discoveries’ dolphin and whale watch, get into sea caves and lava tubes but have no restroom and aren’t suitable for pregnancy or back problems.
• Sunset sails and dinner cruises aren’t whale watches, but in season they often see humpbacks on the way out and back.

The rules on the water

It’s illegal to approach within 100 yards of a humpback whale in Hawaiʻi, and NOAA applies that to boats, kayaks, paddleboards, swimmers, and drones. A responsible captain stops and lets a whale pass if it surfaces closer on its own. Hawaiian spinner dolphins have their own rule: no swimming with them or approaching within 50 yards, within 2 nautical miles of the main islands.

Tips that make a difference

• Book early in your trip, so a rough-weather cancellation or a no-show “guarantee” leaves time to go again.
• Take seasickness medicine before you board, not once the boat is rolling.
• Read what a guarantee actually means: on these boats it’s a free return trip, not a refund.

Our Big Island whale watching guide covers spotting whales from shore, and the best time to visit explains how whale season fits with winter surf.