Whale Watching, 2 Hours

Two hours of whale watching

Overview

This two-hour whale watching trip runs out of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in Kailua-Kona, with check-in at the Iruka Hawai'i booth at Slip A-17. The boat departs in the early afternoon and heads off the Kona coast in search of whales, with the crew sharing information and interesting facts throughout the ride.

On the water, the crew talks through whale behavior as the trip unfolds. Past guests have described close views of mothers and calves, breaches and tail slaps, and one reviewer described the crew shutting off the engine and simply drifting closer to the whales. Snacks and bottled water are provided, and there is a bathroom on board. One reviewer also mentioned receiving footage from the tour afterwards.

The tour suits most travellers, including families with infants who can sit on laps, and caps at 30 guests. It is a good fit for anyone wanting a short, well-run outing from Kona rather than a full-day boat trip. Whales are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed, but if none appear the operator rebooks guests on the next available tour at no charge.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check-in at the harborMeet at the Iruka Hawai'i booth at Slip A-17, Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, 74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona. The tour starts at 13:30.
2. Board the boatCheck in with the crew and board. Reviews mention the crew helping passengers on and off the boat.
3. Whale watching cruiseA two-hour cruise off the Kona coast looking for whales. Snacks and bottled water are served on board.
4. Return to harborThe trip ends back at the same meeting point at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the trip smoother, drawn from the listing and from what past guests have said.

• Seasickness prep. Motion sickness can be an issue on the water, and one reviewer specifically advised taking sea sickness medication an hour before arrival. Anyone prone to it should plan ahead.
• Arrive early. One reviewer's advice was to be on time and complete the waiver before arrival. Check-in is at Slip A-17, so allow time to find the booth at the harbor.
• Group size. The boat carries a maximum of 30 travellers. Reviewers say the crew is good at finding the whales and making sure everyone on board can view them.
• Food and drink. Snacks and bottled water are provided, and one reviewer noted the crew also handed out sunscreen. Gratuities for the crew are not included.
• Sightings vary. Whales are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, though many reviewers describe multiple whales, breaches and dolphin pods. If no whales appear, the operator offers a free rain check on the next available tour.
• Photos and footage. Reviewers describe getting photos of whales and dolphins from the boat. One reviewer mentioned the crew gives you footage after the tour.

Common issues. Sightings are not guaranteed since whales are wild, though the operator offers a free rebooking on the next tour if none appear. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers and good weather to run; if it is cancelled for either reason, guests are offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellations by guests must be made at least 24 hours before the start time for a refund.

Choosing A Tour