Kona Whale Watching Excursion 3 hr - Image 1
Kona Whale Watching Excursion 3 hr - Image 2
Kona Whale Watching Excursion 3 hr - Image 3
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Kona Whale Watching Excursion 3 hr

TourTruth score 8.0 out of 10

Very goodTop 22% in Big Island of Hawaii

20 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 3 hrs
  • Updated October 31, 2026

Watch humpback whales on an intimate 3-hour Kona boat trip, with a chance to hear their songs through a hydrophone when they sing.

About this tour

See humpback whales in Hawaiian waters on a small-group outing from Kona. With no more than six guests aboard, this excursion offers a more intimate way to watch the whales and learn about their behavior from the crew.

The trip lasts 180 minutes. Keep an eye on the water as humpbacks visit the islands, and, when the whales are singing, listen to their haunting calls through an onboard hydrophone. Snacks, soda and pop are provided, and snorkeling equipment is available for use. Snorkeling requires climbing a vertical ladder, so consider the physical requirements before setting out.

Meet the crew at the bathroom pavilion on the harbor’s north side, between the two boat ramps, 15 minutes before departure. Look for the brown roof rather than the red one. Choose this Kona whale watching excursion for a close-knit experience on the water and a chance to hear the whales when conditions allow.

Highlights

  • Watch humpback whales in Hawaiian waters
  • Listen to whale songs through a hydrophone when whales are singing
  • Enjoy an intimate outing aboard a boat limited to 6 guests
  • Learn about humpback whales from the crew

What's included

Included

  • Soda and pop
  • Snacks
  • Use of snorkeling equipment

Not included

  • Reusable water bottle

Ratings on each provider

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

Important information

  • Arrive 15 minutes before departure at the bathroom pavilion on the harbor’s north side, between the two boat ramps; look for the brown roof, not the red roof
  • Enter Kealakehe, take the first right, then turn left after the gas station on your left
  • Participants must be at least 4 ft tall and weigh under 250 lbs
  • Travelers should have a moderate level of physical fitness
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  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers must not have had major surgery in the past 6 months
  • Snorkeling requires the ability to climb a vertical ladder
  • Service animals are allowed

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 5.00 from 20 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

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 8.0. Top 22% in Big Island of Hawaii means it ranks in the top 22% 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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