The only Hawaiian island with year-round whale watching — humpbacks in winter, pelagic species all year.
The Kohala Coast and Kona may see fewer humpbacks than Maui, but Hawaiʻi Island, or the Big Island, offers something unique among the islands: year-round whale watching. From April through November, operators run pelagic tours far offshore into deep water, searching for pilot whales, sperm whales, false killer whales, beaked whales and other resident cetacean species that are rarely encountered elsewhere in Hawaiʻi. For visitors coming in the off-season, the Big Island is the only Hawaiian island where meaningful whale encounters are possible year-round.
During whale watching season, December through March, there is less humpback activity on the Big Island than Maui, but the island’s natural beauty more than makes up for it. Humpback whales love the warm, sheltered waters of both the leeward and windward sides and can be found in the near-shore zones around most of the island, making them viewable both from shore (including from the lānai of some hotels) and on guided boat tours.
Hawaiʻi Island pairs humpback season with year-round dolphins and pelagic species. Here's how to match the experience to when you visit.
Overall experience
Kohala Coast — 2–3× more whale activity than other Big Island locations.
Year-round encounters
A pelagic tour with Hawaiian Adventures Kona — pilot whales, sperm whales, false killer whales.
Whale watching from shore
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site — 'Hill of the Whale,' a cultural site with prime views.
Beach + whale watching combo
Hapuna Beach — one of Hawaiʻi's best beaches, with distant whale views.
Shore watching (East Side)
Hilo Bay or the Hawaiʻi Magic Skies B&B Farmstay.
Sighting guarantee
Hawaiian Adventures Kona — guarantees a whale or dolphin sighting on every tour.
Family tour
Body Glove Hawaii — catamaran cruise with kid pricing (from $49.99, children 5 and under).
Small-group premium tour
Kohala Divers — a 46-foot custom boat, max 24 guests, with a sunset option.
Time of day
Early morning (before noon) — up to 50% higher sighting rates.
Kona: Kohola Whale Watching Excursion
Kona: Humpback Whale Watch Tour
Big Island: Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure
Kona: Guaranteed Dolphin/Whale Watch
Big Island, Hawaii: Whale Watching Tour
Big Island: Whale Watching Tour
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The Kohala Coast on the west side of the island sees two to three times more whales than other Big Island locations according to research data, but the Kona Coast and Hilo are also good options. Here are seven places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore.
This historic site is home to one of the largest restored heiau (temples) in Hawaiʻi. Its name reveals exactly why it’s such a great place to watch for whales — Puʻukoholā means “Hill of the Whale,” and it offers one of the best shore-based whale watching spots on the island, with panoramic views of the ocean and nearby Kawaihae Harbor. Puʻukoholā Heiau was built by Kamehameha I. That alone makes this a good stop. While you’re there, explore the exhibits and museum shop. There’s plenty of parking and nice restrooms, but it can be very hot and windy in this area, so plan ahead.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. Photo by Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku.Like Puʻukoholā, Lapakahi State Historical Park on the North Kohala Coast offers elevated views of the horizon, making it easier to spot whales across a wide swath of ocean. This partially restored, 600-year-old fishing village has trails and exhibits to explore while you wait for the whales, and it’s quieter and less crowded than Puʻukoholā. Just be sure to bring water and sun cover, because there’s not much shade.
Lapakahi State Historical Park. Photo by Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku.This small beach park on the North Kohala Coast near Pololū Valley is a great stop for a picnic, a bathroom break and a place to relax while watching for whales. The beachfront pavilion offers a nice, elevated spot, or you can pop up a chair along the shoreline for a relaxing afternoon. There are picnic tables, showers and easy parking. Pick up a pizza from K.O. Pizza or a sandwich from Kohala Grown Market in Hāwī before heading that direction.
One of the nicest ways to whale watch on the Kohala Coast is to spread out on beautiful Hapuna Beach — one of the Big Island’s most popular beaches. Spend the day scanning the horizon in between swimming and snorkeling. Stay at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort for easy, direct access.
Hapuna Beach. Photo by Shutterstock.Any of the sandy-bottom bays between Kailua-Kona and Keauhou offer shore spotting during humpback season. The flat, calm waters of the Kona Coast make spouts easier to spot than on more exposed shores. For a quiet spot without the offshore traffic from boats and activities, stay at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. This is a great place to watch humpback whales just 300 yards off the coastline, and dining al fresco at ʻUlu or the NOIO sushi bar brings the potential for dinner and a show.
For nice views of whales on the east side of the Big Island, Hilo Bay offers many vantage points to look for whales cruising just past the bay’s manmade breakwall. The scenic point at the northern tip of the bay has plenty of parking and shade to hang out and whale watch (though there’s no seating or facilities). Most beaches in Hilo make great places to watch for whales, though sightings are less frequent here than on the west side.
Hilo Bay. Photo by Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku.On the east side of the Big Island, a favorite place to watch for whales is Hawaiʻi Magic Skies B&B Farmstay. Just north of Hilo town, this beautiful farm B&B offers elevated views of the ocean. From the second-floor balcony, it’s easy to see whales cruising by while enjoying a cup of coffee, along with the peacefulness of the farm. Binoculars and comfy chairs are provided to make whale watching even easier.
Photo courtesy of Magic Skies B&B Farmstay.The Big Island has more specialized tours than Maui, seeking more than solely humpback whales. A handful of operators focus specifically on wildlife and research-quality encounters. Most tours depart Kona, leaving from Honokōhau Harbor, with others from Keauhou Bay, Hilo and the Kohala Coast. Here are our favorites.
Note: “Guaranteed sightings” means that if you do not see a whale, the operator will let you book another tour free of charge.
For a real adventure, head out from Kona on the Artemis, Callisto or Apollo for either a near-shore humpback viewing adventure or a pelagic-zone tour to look for a variety of other ocean life. This is the most notable Big Island operator. Each vessel is US Coast Guard offshore-certified, which allows the tour guides access to the deep pelagic zone, unlike most operators who are restricted to three miles from shore. A naturalist is on board for every trip, as well as research-grade hydrophones for listening to whales. Sightings are so consistent that they guarantee whale and/or dolphin sightings on every tour; if you don’t have a sighting, you’ll receive a 50% off code for another tour. Humpback tours run December to March. Pelagic whale tours run April to November, searching for pilot whales, sperm whales, beaked whales and more.
One of the best things about this operator is that it’s the only one that publishes a weekly whale and wildlife report, with an update on all the sea life seen the week before.
Dolphin & Whale Watch Tours: $129, ages 10+ · Departing 8:30 a.m.
From December through March, Body Glove takes guests out for a two-and-a-half-hour catamaran cruise to search for humpback whales. Trained naturalists provide narration so that guests can learn more about the whales and any other ocean life that might pop up along the way. The cruise includes light snacks and beverages and an on-board hydrophone, which offers the opportunity to hear whales underwater if they happen to be in a singing mood. The tour has a 100% sighting guarantee: if you don’t see whales, you can come back for another tour for free. These large, stable vessels make it a great option for families.
For something a little different, Body Glove also offers its Historical Dinner Cruise down the Kona Coast. While the purpose of this cruise is more relaxing, there is a chance you might also have a whale encounter during humpback season.
Whale Cruise: $151 adults, $119.99 children 6–17, $49.99 children 5 and under · Departing 1 p.m.
From mid-December through early April, join Hilo’s only commercial tour boat for a 1.5-hour journey along the scenic East Hawaiʻi coastline with a local captain and crew who share insights into humpback behavior, migration patterns and the whales’ cultural significance to the Hawaiian Islands.
Royal Humpback Whale Experience: $139 per person, ages 8 and older
The Namaka is a spacious 46-foot custom dive boat that departs from the Kohala Coast. With a maximum of 24 guests, this intimate 2.5-hour experience gives you plenty of room to move freely and follow the whale action as Kohala Divers’ naturalist crew — exploring these waters since 1984 — shares insights into humpback behavior, migration and communication. Spot humpback whales and spinner dolphins along the coast before settling in for the sunset with complimentary refreshments. BYOB is welcome. A hydrophone may be deployed so you can listen to the whales, conditions permitting.
Whale Watch and Sunset Cruise: $149 per adult, $99 per child (ages 14 and under). All ages welcome; children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult · 3:30 p.m. check-in, boat departs promptly at 4 p.m. Optional shuttle service from Kohala Coast and Waikoloa resorts.
This is what sets the Big Island apart from Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi: meaningful whale watching outside humpback season. The pelagic zone off Kona is home to more than a dozen cetacean species year-round — short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, melon-headed whales and, occasionally, orcas. Hawaiian Adventures Kona’s weekly sighting logs are a credible reference for which species are around.
Humpback season is December through April, peaking January–February on the Kohala Coast. From April through November, pelagic tours cover resident species. Go early — before noon — for up to 50% higher sighting rates, since Kohala Coast whales tend to go deeper after midday. Aerial surveys show the Kohala Coast sees 2–3× the whale activity of other island locations.
Learn more in our statewide Hawaiʻi Whale Watching Guide.
Big Island pelagic tours may encounter pilot whales, sperm whales, false killer whales and other resident mammals year-round — not just humpbacks. Reputable operators follow strict federal guidelines. If you plan to watch from your own kayak, paddleboard or private boat, see our statewide Hawaiʻi Whale Watching Guide for the rules and best practices.
Hawaiʻi IslandFree cancellationThe Kohala Coast is a whale breeding sanctuary and the best area on the big Island to encounter whale activity. The Namaka is a spacious boat with 3 amazing viewing decks. A marine head and shaded seating areas make the boat a comfortable experience. Our knowledgable marine naturalist crew are professional and fun!
Hawaiʻi IslandFree cancellationHawaiʻi’s Kona Coast offers exceptional opportunities to experience marine life, dramatic coastal landscapes, and rich Hawaiian history. Join us on a relaxed coastal cruise with opportunities to observe dolphins, sea turtles, and, during the winter season, migrating humpback whales. This 2.5 hour tour also provides close-up views of sea caves, lava tubes, and breathtaking volcanic scenery, along with access to areas reachable only by boat. Important: The listed start time is the check-in time, not the departure time. Please do not arrive early. This tour has two designated meeting points. Carefully review all tour details prior to booking, as this experience may not be suitable for all guests. This is a non-snorkeling tour. Generally suitable for ages 5 to 70. Tour time is 2.5 hrs.
Editor's Pick
The Big Island trades Maui's sheer humpback numbers for something no other island has — whales every month of the year. If you're visiting outside of winter, this is the only place in Hawaiʻi to reliably see them.
— Sarah Burchard
Insider Tips
Editor · Oʻahu
Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine.
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