Every winter the Big Island
is visited by migrating whales!
Watch the Humpback Whales
The Kohala Coast is one of the best places to view humpback whales! Whale season is from November to April, but their numbers peak in January and February. Early mornings are the best time to see whales, with higher numbers of whales and calmer conditions making it easier to spot them.
Whale Watching Tours
Many boat cruise companies offer whale watching tours during the winter months. Here are a selection of companies that offer these tours:
- Sunlight on Water
- Honokohau Harbor (Kona), 2.5 hours, check for times
- Oceanic Patrol
- Kawaihae, 2.5 hours, check for times
- Body Glove
- Kona, 2.5 hours, check for times
- Adventure X Boat Tours
- Puako, 2 hours, check for times
- Puako, 1.5 hours, check for times
- Captain Dan McSweeney’s Whale Watching Adventures
- Kailua-Kona, 3 hours, check for times
Watch Whales From the Shore
Generally the best places to see whales from the shore are in North Kona, Kohala, North Kohala and the Hilo Coast. You’ll need time, patience and luck to spot the whales from the shore. Keep your eye out for large spouts of steam and water (the whale breathing out and in again) as a sign of where to find the whales.
Four specific places that are prime spots to see whales are:
- Holoholokai Beach Park
- Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
- Lapakahi State Historical Park
- Kapa’a Beach Park
We recommend contacting organisations directly to get the most up to date information about their operations.
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