Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii
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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 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii worth booking?
Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii is a 2-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $95 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $95 per person
Our company is uniquely owned by Native-Hawaiian watermen. As the only company of its kind on the island, we hope you'll support local. Our owners, Makua Rothman and Kala Alexander, have spent a lifetime in the water, an
What you get
About this experience
Our company is uniquely owned by Native-Hawaiian watermen. As the only company of its kind on the island, we hope you'll support local. Our owners, Makua Rothman and Kala Alexander, have spent a lifetime in the water, and that respect and dedication has carried over to Haleiwa Shark Tours and Whale Watching.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Use of snorkeling equipment
Not included
- Private transportation
What you'll see and do
North Shore
Once you meet your crew at the boat they will brief you on safety before you head out past the most famous surf breaks in the world. Along the way you see famous tv and movie sites. If you are one of the lucky ones, not only will you see humpback whales , but you might also see dolphins, turtles and maybe even the amazing flying fish. In between you will learn some Hawaiian and surfing history. Surfing or the art of riding waves was actually created right here in Hawai’i.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Search "Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor," park near the only small two-story building IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE BOATS, and wait for our call. Check in time is 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. ALOHA and MAHALO !
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Search "Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor," park near the only small two-story building IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE BOATS, and wait for our call. Check in time is 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. ALOHA and MAHALO !
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
- Haleiwa Shark Tours
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
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very cool
The tour guides that are brothers are incredible! My bf wanted to go and loved it so much. I was terrified and they helped me with my snorkels feel comfortable and were cheering me on. Saw many sharks. This is NOT for anyone who gets sea sick. You’re in open ocean with massive waves and the cage is slamming against the boat too that you go in. Amazing people though dealing with sea sick passengers
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed, but boat ride was fun
We did not see any whales. Thought if that was the case we would have option to go again. Sunset boat ride was fun.
via Viator
Whales & Sunset, the boat tour on Oahu
Amazing experience from start to finish! Even though we are a local family, this was our first time on the whale watch sunset tour with Haleiwa Shark Tours, and it completely exceeded our expectations. As far as location, it is always better out on the North Shore away from overcrowded Waikiki. We are glad to support a Hawaiian-owned company. Their connection to Hawaii made the experience much more meaningful. The boat was comfortable, with great viewing spots—and we were lucky enough to see humpback whales breaching, blowing spouts, and slapping their tails just offshore. Truly breathtaking. The crew was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable, sharing interesting facts about the whales, their behavior and connection to Hawaii. You could tell they genuinely care about the ocean and the wildlife. Ending the tour with a sunset near Haleiwa was perfect. Watching the sunset on the ocean is pure magic and an unforgettable way to wrap up the day. This was our first whale watch tour with them, I’ve also done their shark tour, which was just as incredible—so I can confidently say Haleiwa Shark Tours delivers amazing experiences all around. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something special on Oahu.
via Tripadvisor
Best whale watching in hawaii
Best whale watching trip of my life. We saw so many whales this trip and the captain went out of his way to make sure we got the best views of the north shore. Sunset was so gorgeous and everyone was so nice and told us some amazing facts about the whales!! 10/10 would book again, thank u so much!
via Tripadvisor
Best Whale Watching Tour on Oahu
The best whale watching experience you can imagine on the northshore of oahu. Captains Kala and Lono made this tour spectacular. They started with greeting their passengers with Aloha and safely boarded us onto the Cadillac of boats, the beautiful Kamohoali’i. In booking this tour for my mom and I, I knew the captains cannot control Mother Nature and we looked forward to whatever she decided to bring us and WOW she delivered. Kala and Lono are native Hawaiians and one of only two all native Hawaiian run tour companies on Oahu. Maybe they don’t control nature, but they are sure connected to it and knew exactly where to go. It was as if the ocean life knew they were there. Whales surrounded our boat, flying fish zooming by and even Galapagos sharks swam so close. The most magical sight for me was watching an ‘iwa bird glide through the sky and land right on the boat where our captain, Lono, gently moved close to the bird as if they were reunited best friends. The ‘iwa stayed perched on the top of the boat, watching the whales along side us. If you’re coming to the islands to immerse yourself in the culture and nature of Hawai’i, there is no other tour that will come close to this one. Just as we were leaving to end the tour, there was a sail boat waving for help, our captains quickly turned our boat to rescue them. Turns out the other boat was fine and just excited to see the whales - just shows how aware, safe, professional and helpful our crew was. BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW for an unforgettable experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
via Tripadvisor
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
- $95 to $135
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii cost?
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Prices start at $95 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 Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii 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 Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 5 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 Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii?
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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 World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii 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 Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii?
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Around 2 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 Whale Watching on "The World Famous North Shore of Oahu", Hawaii 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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