Whale Watching Tours in Big Island of Hawaii at a glance
- Our pick: Whale Watching Big Island: 2.5-Hour Catamaran Cruise, US$ 109 per person (2h 30m, 4.76★ · 650).
- Top rated: Zodiac Whale Watching Hawaii: Humpback Whales from 100 Yards, US$ 124 per person (3h, 4.89★ · 483).
- Best value: Dolphin and Whale Watch in Kona: Kailua-Kona coastal cruise, US$ 99 per person (2h 30m, 4.64★ · 80).
Price per person across the 11 options priced per person: US$ 99–US$ 179 (median US$ 124). With 100+ reviews: 6 of 11.
Of the 11 options: 11 with live guides in English, 11 with free cancellation, 10 with instant confirmation, 1 with hotel pickup, 8 kid-friendly and 10 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Price per person. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 100 reviews.
Whale Watching Tours in Big Island of Hawaii
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
11 options
Whale Watching Big Island: 2.5-Hour Catamaran Cruise Spot humpback whales on a 2.5-hour Big Island catamaran cruise December through mid-April with a professional guide, drinks and snacks included. Every day · 12:30 ★ 4.76 (650 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 109 per person
Zodiac Whale Watching Hawaii: Humpback Whales from 100 Yards Watch humpback whales from a 24-foot Zodiac raft in Hawaii during winter migration season, with beverages and snacks included. Every day except Wednesday · 08:00 and 11:45 · From age 4 ★ 4.89 (483 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 124 per person
Kona whale and dolphin watching tour: Guaranteed sightings Whale and dolphin watching tour on the Kona Coast with a professional crew certified for deep offshore waters: see pilot whales, spinner dolphins. Every day · 08:30 · From age 10 ★ 4.87 (584 reviews) Duration: 3h–4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 129 per person
Kailua-Kona whale watch tour: Guaranteed sightings Whale watch tour from Kailua-Kona pier during December to April with certified naturalist, hydrophone whale songs, and guaranteed sightings or return free. Every day except Wednesday · 13:00 · All ages ★ 4.36 (264 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 160 per person
Dolphin and Whale Watch in Kona: Kailua-Kona coastal cruise Dolphin and whale watching cruise on Kona's coast with naturalist guide narrating wildlife, sea caves and volcanic cliffs from a rigid hull boat: 2.5 hours, ages 5 and up. Every day · 08:00 and 10:45 · From age 5 ★ 4.64 (80 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 99 per person
Waikoloa Whale Watch Tour: Humpback Sightings Guaranteed Whale watching tour in Waikoloa along the Kohala Coast from December through April, with expert crew and sightings guaranteed. Every day · 09:45 and 13:45 · All ages ★ 4.60 (129 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 129 per person
Big Island: Whale Watching Cruise Kona Coast & Snacks Spot humpback whales along Hawaii’s Kona coast on a relaxed boat tour with snacks, water, and a friendly crew. Includes bathroom onboard and flexible rain check. Every day · 14:00 · All ages ★ 4.85 (183 reviews) Duration: 2h Live guide: EN · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 99 per person
Humpback Whale Watch Tour: Kona Coast from Honokohau Harbor Watch humpback whales, dolphins and manta rays on the Kona coast with a professional naturalist guide, cold beverages included. Every day · 07:00, 11:00 and 15:00 · From age 8 ★ 4.96 (78 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 119 per person
Kona Coast Whale Watch: Humpback Whales Guaranteed Cruise the Kona Coast on the Spirit of Aloha catamaran to watch humpback whales breach and play at the surface, with a full bar and guaranteed sightings or a free return trip. Every day · 14:15 · All ages ★ 4.54 (61 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 109 per person
Hilo humpback whale tour: Winter migration viewing Watch humpback whales on a 90-minute boat tour from Hilo's east side, where 12,000 North Pacific whales arrive each winter after their 6,000-mile migration from Alaska. Every day · 08:30, 10:30 and 12:30 · From age 8 ★ 4.54 (13 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 179 per person
Kohala Coast Sunset Whale Watching: Humpback Encounters Whale watch on the 46-foot Namaka off the Kohala Coast, a breeding sanctuary for humpback whales and spinner dolphins, with three viewing decks and a marine naturalist guide. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat · 15:30 · Pickup available ★ 4.71 (7 reviews) Duration: 2h 15m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 172 per person
All 11 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Watching Big Island: 2.5-Hour Catamaran CruiseOur pick | US$ 109 per person | 2h 30m | 4.76★ · 650 | Every day · 12:30 | English |
| Zodiac Whale Watching Hawaii: Humpback Whales from 100 YardsTop rated | US$ 124 per person | 3h | 4.89★ · 483 | Every day except Wednesday · 08:00 and 11:45 | English |
| Dolphin and Whale Watch in Kona: Kailua-Kona coastal cruiseBest value | US$ 99 per person | 2h 30m | 4.64★ · 80 | Every day · 08:00 and 10:45 | English |
| Kona whale and dolphin watching tour: Guaranteed sightings | US$ 129 per person | 3h–4h | 4.87★ · 584 | Every day · 08:30 | English |
| Kailua-Kona whale watch tour: Guaranteed sightings | US$ 160 per person | 2h 30m | 4.36★ · 264 | Every day except Wednesday · 13:00 | English |
| Waikoloa Whale Watch Tour: Humpback Sightings Guaranteed | US$ 129 per person | 1h 30m | 4.60★ · 129 | Every day · 09:45 and 13:45 | English |
| Big Island: Whale Watching Cruise Kona Coast & Snacks | US$ 99 per person | 2h | 4.85★ · 183 | Every day · 14:00 | English, Japanese |
| Humpback Whale Watch Tour: Kona Coast from Honokohau Harbor | US$ 119 per person | 2h 30m | 4.96★ · 78 | Every day · 07:00, 11:00 and 15:00 | English |
| Kona Coast Whale Watch: Humpback Whales Guaranteed | US$ 109 per person | 1h 30m | 4.54★ · 61 | Every day · 14:15 | English |
| Hilo humpback whale tour: Winter migration viewingGroup of up to 6 | US$ 179 per person | 1h 30m | 4.54★ · 13 | Every day · 08:30, 10:30 and 12:30 | English |
| Kohala Coast Sunset Whale Watching: Humpback EncountersPickup offered | US$ 172 per person | 2h 15m | 4.71★ only 7 reviews | Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat · 15:30 | English |
By what you need
- Small groups (up to 15) (1): Hilo humpback whale tour: Winter migration viewing (US$ 179 per person)
- With pickup (1): Kohala Coast Sunset Whale Watching: Humpback Encounters (US$ 172 per person)
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