Big Island whale watching: boats from the Kona coast
Big Island whale watching runs out of the Kailua-Kona side, where nearly every tour starts at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on Kealakehe Parkway. The harbor is about 5 miles south of Kona airport and 2 miles north of Kailua-Kona town, so you can drive in from either direction.
The NOAA sanctuary lists the humpback season as November to April, its volunteer page says November to May, and the state tourism site puts it from late December to early May. A cruise in January, February or March sits inside every one of those windows.
All prices below are per person and current as of November 2026.
Our picks: Big Island whale watching tours
The 2-hour midday cruise is the quick, lower-priced way out, and the guided and hydrophone cruises run 2.5 hours. The Zodiac raft takes 3 hours, and the dolphin and whale trip runs up to 4. The reef snorkel is the choice if you would rather swim.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dolphin and whale watch from Kona
- Professional crew
- Cold drinks
A trip of 3 to 4 hours with a professional crew and cold drinks. Meet 20 minutes before departure.
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Zodiac raft whale watching adventure
- Rafting expedition
- Drinks and snacks
- Local taxes
A 3-hour raft expedition with drinks and snacks. Local taxes are included.
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Whale watching cruise from Kailua-Kona
- 2.5-hour cruise
- Snacks and drinks
- Hydrophone speaker
A 2.5-hour cruise with snacks, drinks and a hydrophone speaker so you can hear the whales. Humpbacks visit in the winter months, so plan it for that season.
Check availability →Whale watching cruise with a professional guide
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Snacks
A 2.5-hour cruise with a professional guide, bottled water and snacks. You meet the crew under the pavilion.
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Midday whale watching cruise from Honokohau Harbor
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Bathroom on board
A 2-hour cruise with bottled water, snacks and a bathroom on board. Check in at the booth at Slip A-17.
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Captain Cook reef snorkel tour
- Mask and snorkel
- Water and snacks
Big Island whale watching tours
Cruises, a Zodiac raft and a dolphin snorkel from Kailua-Kona, with live prices and availability.
Whale watching cruises: how the boats differ
The two-hour midday cruise is the shortest way out and costs $99. It starts at Slip A-17 in the harbor, where you check in at the booth, and includes bottled water, snacks and a bathroom on board. The 2.5-hour cruise at $109 adds a professional guide, with water and snacks, and you meet the crew under the pavilion near the restrooms.
A second 2.5-hour cruise, at $115, carries a hydrophone speaker so you can hear the whales as well as watch them. It also includes snacks and drinks. Hotel pickup is not included on this one, so plan to drive to Kealakehe Parkway.
The Zodiac raft and the longest cruise
The Zodiac raft expedition lasts 3 hours and costs $124.31, with local taxes, drinks and snacks included. The office is in the Gentry's Kona Marina parking lot, on the same parkway. The longest option is the dolphin and whale watch, at $129 for 3 to 4 hours. It includes a professional crew and cold drinks, and you meet at the company sign on the south-central side of the marina 20 minutes before departure.
Between the cheapest and the dearest whale cruise lies $30. That pays for a longer trip or for the raft, so choose by how long you want to stay out.
A reef and dolphin snorkel at $69
If you would rather be in the water than on deck, the 3-hour Captain Cook reef snorkel tour is the lowest price here at $69. It is not a whale cruise, so book it as a snorkel day.
Boats must keep at least 100 yards from humpbacks, a rule that applies all year. For spinner dolphins the no-approach and no-swim zone is 50 yards, so a dolphin sighting does not mean a swim with them.
Out of season, the same harbor also serves other boat trips. Our Kona boat tours guide covers sunset sails and the other cruises, and the best time to visit page puts the whale months next to the weather.
Big Island whale watching: questions and answers
When is the whale watching season on the Big Island?
The NOAA sanctuary gives November to April and its volunteer page November to May. The state tourism site puts it from late December to early May, so January to March falls inside all three.
How much does a whale watching tour cost?
Whale cruises run from $99 for 2 hours to $129 for 3 to 4 hours. The Zodiac raft is $124.31 and the dolphin and reef snorkel tour is $69. All prices are per person.
How long are the tours?
The cruises last 2 hours, 2.5 hours and 3 to 4 hours, and the Zodiac raft and the snorkel tour each take 3 hours.
Where do the boats leave from?
Most start at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on Kealakehe Parkway, about 5 miles south of Kona airport. Arrive 30 minutes early for the longest cruise.