Hilo Humpback Whale Tour 90 min - Image 1
Hilo Humpback Whale Tour 90 min - Image 2
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Hilo Humpback Whale Tour 90 min

TourTruth score 6.4 out of 10

Average

19 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Cruise off Hilo aboard a 35-foot Wellcraft Scarab and look for wintering humpback whales on this 90-minute ocean adventure.

About this tour

Each winter, humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawaii, bringing the chance to spot these majestic animals off Hilo’s coast. Set out on a 90-minute Hilo Humpback Whale Tour aboard a 35-foot Wellcraft Scarab, with room for everyone to enjoy the views. Hilo Ocean Adventures is the only company offering this tour on the island’s east side. Keep watch for whales and other marine life as you cruise, and enjoy local juice and snacks along the way. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the winter season offers a memorable opportunity to look for visiting humpbacks. Check-in locations vary by departure time: the 8:30 AM tour meets at Slip #4 at Wailoa Boat Harbor, while the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM tours meet at the Hilo Ocean Adventures storefront. Choose a departure and experience a Hilo Humpback Whale Tour on the water this winter.

Highlights

  • Watch for humpback whales visiting Hawaii from Alaska in winter
  • Cruise aboard a 35-foot Wellcraft Scarab with room to view marine life
  • Enjoy local juice and snacks during your time on the water

What's included

Included

  • Local juice and snacks

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation from the check-in location to the boat harbor

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Common complaints

Important information

  • Suitable for ages 8 and up; minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed
  • For the 8:30 AM tour, check in at Slip #4, Wailoa Boat Harbor, 181 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720, 15 minutes before departure
  • For the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM tours, check in at the Hilo Ocean Adventures storefront, 1717 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, HI 96720, 1 hour before departure

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes.

What is the minimum age?

Guests must be at least 8 years old. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Are Whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Humpback whales and other marine life are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Where do I check in?

For the 8:30 AM tour, check in at Slip #4 at Wailoa Boat Harbor. For the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM tours, check in at the Hilo Ocean Adventures storefront.

What should I know about physical requirements?

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.54 on Viator and 4.09 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.4.

Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii

How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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