
Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 204 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki worth booking?
Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki is a 2-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $54 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 204 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (204)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $54 per person
See humpback whales during their annual migration in the waters off Oahu on a whale-watching cruise from Waikiki. Enjoy great photo ops of the massive mammals, as well as views of Honolulu, Diamond Head and the Kahala Go
What you get
About this experience
See humpback whales during their annual migration in the waters off Oahu on a whale-watching cruise from Waikiki. Enjoy great photo ops of the massive mammals, as well as views of Honolulu, Diamond Head and the Kahala Gold Coast. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for other marine life like Hawaiian spinner dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles.
What's included
Included
- Naturalist guide
- Breakfast
- Onboard exhibits
Not included
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Star of Honolulu departs from Aloha Tower Market Place, Pier 8 at 9:15 AM. Please check in from 8:30 AM onboard the Star of Honolulu.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Star of Honolulu departs from Aloha Tower Market Place, Pier 8 at 9:15 AM. Please check in from 8:30 AM onboard the Star of Honolulu.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible; please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- Products may be adjusted due to government COVID-19 guidelines.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 204 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
204 verified traveler reviews for Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Really bad experience
Breakfast is only banana bread and coffee. Don't even include the juices. Staffs are arguing in front of the guests. We didn't see a whale either. They offered to call the customer service to rebook but I am not doing it. I wasted my half day and $85 per person.
Response from the operator: Aloha 754yadanarm, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We sincerely apologize for your experience and want you to know that your feedback has been shared with management. We are committed to improving and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future. Mahalo, Star of Honolulu
via Tripadvisor
Smooth sailing and beautiful views
My boyfriend and I went on the Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise and we both had a great time. The cruise is ~2 hours long and I wish it could've been longer. It was a beautiful sunny day when we went, but eve if the weather is bad, there is indoor and covered seating and viewing locations. It is a family friendly and accessibility friendly boat making it great for everyone to be on board. The staff were kind and helpful, we enjoyed the onboard Naturalist's informative overview of whales and the other animals of the Hawaiian islands. And even though we didn't see any whales on this trip, you get a voucher to go on another cruise with them during whale season which is a cool gesture
Response from the operator: Aloha Navigate794668, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the whale watching experience on the Star, though the whales didn't visit during this trip. We hope that you were able to rebook your cruise with us for another adventure - we will see you again soon! Mahalo, Star of Honolulu
via Tripadvisor
whale watching Star of Honolulu
The Captain and the crew were very helpful and friendly with information and finding whales. Great Time Aloha
Response from the operator: Aloha Ambassador9618, Thank you for your kind review! We ae glad that you enjoyed our Whale Watch cruise experience. We hope to welcome you aboard again! Mahalo, Star of Honolulu
via Tripadvisor
Never again
I feel a little deceived because reviews on this cruise said we would have to get briefly in the water to get on and off making me think it was a different cruise and smaller boat. I have already been on the star of Honolulu and thought it was quite boring. Didn't see any whales but that's not the reason. I just wanted a different boat experience. I think they should actually tell you the name of the boat before you book.
via Viator
You’ll definitely see...
You’ll definitely see whales here! We were able to see everything they said through the introduction of the trip.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $54 to $85
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 71
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki cost?
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Prices start at $54 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oahu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oahu is not rushed.
Is Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 204 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oahu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki?
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Around 71 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oahu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oahu and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oahu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oahu?
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On Outty we rank every Oahu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour, Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling, Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oahu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oahu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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