Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 1
Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 2
Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 3
Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 4
Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 5
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Big Island Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min

TourTruth score 7.4 out of 10

AverageTop 40% in Big Island of Hawaii

938 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 2 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 4, 2026

Cruise the Big Island coast on a shaded catamaran, scan for seasonal whales, and enjoy a free return trip if none are spotted.

About this tour

Set out along the Big Island coast aboard a fast-powered catamaran, with shaded seating as you scan the water for whales. During the season, from December through mid-April, these magnificent animals may appear offshore, offering a memorable glimpse of Hawaii’s marine life.

The 150-minute cruise includes a professional guide, bottled water, and snacks. An onboard restroom adds comfort during the trip, and the guide may speak multiple languages. The crew guarantees whale sightings; if none are spotted, you can return for free. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan to reach the harbor meeting point yourself. Find the crew beneath the pavilion after turning onto the first road on the right, passing Gentry’s Kona Marine and Sea Store and Deli, then turning left.

Book your Big Island whale watching tour for a chance to experience the coast from the water and watch for whales in their seasonal habitat.

Highlights

  • Cruise the coast aboard a fast, shaded catamaran
  • Look for whales during the December to mid-April season
  • Enjoy an onboard restroom
  • Return for free if no whales are spotted

What's included

Included

  • Professional guide
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

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

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • May be operated by a multilingual guide
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers in advanced pregnancy
  • Meet the crew under the pavilion at the harbor; turn onto the first road on the right, pass Gentry's Kona Marine and Sea Store and Deli, then turn left

Frequently asked questions

When is whale-watching season?

Whale watching is offered during whale season, from December until mid-April.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

The provider guarantees whale sightings or a free return trip.

Is there a restroom onboard?

Yes, the catamaran is equipped with a restroom.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.76 on Viator and 4.77 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 7.4. Top 40% in Big Island of Hawaii means it ranks in the top 40% of tours in Big Island of Hawaii by this score.

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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