
Whale Watching On The Big Island
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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
4.8/5
Based on 648 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale Watching On The Big Island worth booking?
Whale Watching On The Big Island is a 2.5-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $109 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 648 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (648)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Let us take you for an awesome journey on our fast powered catamaran that has shade to offer while spotting whales. The boat is also equipped in head (bathroom). Cruise along the coast in search of whales during season (
What you get
About this experience
Let us take you for an awesome journey on our fast powered catamaran that has shade to offer while spotting whales. The boat is also equipped in head (bathroom). Cruise along the coast in search of whales during season (December until mid April). If you are visiting Hawaii during this time, don't miss out and reserve your seat to see those magnificent creatures up close. We guarantee seeing whales or come again for free!
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Snacks
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
After turning into the harbor, TAKE the very first road to the RIGHT. Follow the road, pass Gentry's Kona Marine and a small gas station -Sea Store and Deli on the left, then TURN LEFT. As you drive in, you will see a small brown roof building to the right (restrooms). Meet crew under the pavilion.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
After turning into the harbor, TAKE the very first road to the RIGHT. Follow the road, pass Gentry's Kona Marine and a small gas station -Sea Store and Deli on the left, then TURN LEFT. As you drive in, you will see a small brown roof building to the right (restrooms). Meet crew under the pavilion.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hang Loose Boat Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Not recommended for pregnant women in advanced pregnancy
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 648 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
648 verified traveler reviews for Whale Watching On The Big Island. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful company and tour!!!!
Everything was amazing. I’ll start by saying we booked when a storm that created devastation arrived. They properly canceled our trip and it lead me to contact Tom in the office to see if we could reschedule. It ended up being odd but there was a window in the storm with sunshine we decided to take advantage of. Boat was clean. Snacks were great. Crew was great. We saw a momma and her baby and followed them for quite awhile. But the unsold diamond was Tom. He recognized my area code when I called and we chatted like old friends. He told me where to buy the best coffee (from a lady in a car outside of Costco) and best restaurants. He didn’t lie! Made our whole trip as we planned around his recommendations. Just a great guy to chat with. Don’t miss out on chatting him up! Just a warning for those who get seasick. I did everything I normally do to be ok. Ear patches. Dramamine perfectly timed. Food hydrated. Ready. Unfortunately none of it helped. (Me issue not anything to do with them!!). I ended up in the back of the boat for 80% of the trip. Crew checked on me a lot! Brought me water and apologized 100 times. Not their fault. Appreciated the empathy.
via Tripadvisor
Didn’t see any whales
No whale sightings. We saw some spinner dolphins but that was all. Long boat ride and disappointed. Captain said it was end of season.
via Viator
We saw two whales breach...
We saw two whales breach early in the whale watch. Later, a whale swam right next to the boat. The "Captain" was entertaining and informative. Crew was friendly.
via Viator
No whales
No whales were found today 3/21/26 Ocean was very rough but our skipper was very good and got us back safely.
via Viator
Excellent Day whale watching
Great experience! Saw several whales and the staff was very attentive to everyone’s needs. I would highly recommend. Great crew
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 227
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale Watching On The Big Island: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does Whale Watching On The Big Island cost?
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Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Whale Watching On The Big Island take?
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Plan for about 2.5 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 Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.
Is Whale Watching On The Big Island worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 648 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Whale Watching On The Big Island?
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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 Whale Watching On The Big Island suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Whale Watching On The Big Island?
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Around 227 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 Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Whale Watching On The Big Island 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 Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii?
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The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?
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April to October, though the island runs year round. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?
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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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