Hilo humpback whale tour: Winter migration viewing

Humpbacks travel 6,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaiian waters every winter to breed and birth calves.

A 90-minute humpback whale watching tour from Hilo on a 35-foot Wellcraft Scarab with a live English-speaking guide. You ride out to sea in search of the North Pacific humpbacks that migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter, viewing them during their breeding and calving season from mid-December onward. Local juice and snacks are included.

The experience

Hilo is on the east side of the Big Island, and Hilo Ocean Adventures runs the only whale watching operation there. The tour departs from the coast and takes you out on a 35-foot boat built for viewing, with plenty of deck space to move around and spot whales. The humpbacks arrive around mid-December each year after completing one of the longest migrations of any mammal: a nonstop 6 to 8 week journey covering 6,000 miles from Alaska. Roughly 12,000 of them come to the Hawaiian Islands during the winter season to mate, birth calves, and nurture their young.

You'll spend 90 minutes on the water with a guide who knows where to look and what to listen for. The boat is designed to get you close enough to see these creatures without disturbing them. While marine life sightings are frequent, the whales are wild animals, so there's no guarantee you'll see them on every departure, but the Big Island's east side is one of the best places in Hawaii to encounter them. The tour includes local juice and snacks to keep you comfortable during the ride.

What’s included

• Local juice and snacks.
• live guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 10:30 and 12:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hilo Ocean Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to watch humpbacks from a shared boat on the east side of the island: the only operator there during winter season.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

When do humpback whales arrive in Hawaii?

Humpback whales begin arriving around mid-December each year and stay through the winter season. The 12,000 North Pacific whales make the journey from Alaska to breed, birth calves, and nurture their young before returning north.

How far do humpback whales travel to reach Hawaii?

Humpback whales migrate 6,000 miles from Alaska in a nonstop journey lasting 6 to 8 weeks, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth.

What boat will I be on for this tour?

You'll ride on a 35-foot Wellcraft Scarab with plenty of room and deck space for viewing. The boat is designed specifically for whale watching and comfortable positioning to spot marine life.

Is whale sighting guaranteed on this tour?

While marine life is spotted frequently on these tours, humpbacks are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed on every departure. The Big Island's east side is one of the best locations in Hawaii to encounter them, but weather and animal behavior affect each trip.