KONA Whale Watching
An unforgettable magic takes hold when winter ocean winds kiss the face of the Pacific, heralding the arrival of one of natures most awe-inspiring spectacles. What an experience to cruise down the sun-soaked Kona coast, the gorgeous volcanic shoreline painting the edge of the horizon, and suddenly, a colossal cloud of white mist shoots up in the air, and seconds later, the 45-ton creature blasts its entire body from the clear blue water in an explosion of sound. The show goes on!
Whether this whale watching experience makes the ultimate trip you dreamed of your bucket list trip, your sure to be moved at one of natures greatest displays. It’s a fact that thousands of humpback whales each winter migrate 3,000-miles from warm feeding grounds in Alaska to cool calm waters of Hawaii to reproduce. If you hope for a guaranteed front row show to witness this incredible marine migration then this is by far your absolute number one ticket to grab for the big island.
Big Island Whale Watching: Come See the Magnificent Hawaiian Humpbacks
Though they visit the entire Hawaiian island chain, watching whales off the western coast of the Big Island is particularly breathtaking.
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Protected Leeward Waters: Mother humpack whales visit these waters to nursery and nurse their young without concern or fear due to their leeward location-both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa block the formidable trades, keeping waters along Kona and Kohala calm and flat as glass.
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Rich Pelagic and Seamount Life: Attracted by the deep underwater shelves and large pelagic zones around the island, these creatures exist in record numbers off the coasts of Hawaii, offering exciting (and numerous) surface sightings from January through March.
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Historically-Rooted Traditions: Indeed, these creatures seem to be ingrained in Hawaiian natural and physical history: on the Kohala coast a historically protected religious site, Puʻukoholā Heiau, or “hill of the whale,” acts as a lookout where ancient Hawaiians viewed and observed, or watched for the arrival of the koholā.
Why the Big Island is a Premier Destination for Whale Watching
The "when" of planning your trip is very important to guarantee you have the optimal experience. Generally, "whale watching season" in Hawaii is December to April; the absolute height of excitement is January to March.
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Early Arrivals (November-December): The advance guard of the migration starts to arrive in late autumn, and while they may be few and far between in the early days, it takes just a bit of patience to see the first, highly energetic male scouting ahead of the swarm.
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Humpback Season (Jan- Mar): this is the BEST time to whale watch on the Big Island as there are more whales here now than any other time. During these months, it is HIGHLY probable that you'll also experience advanced whale behavior such as competitive pods and awesome breaches.
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Mother and Baby (March-April) By March most of the adults are on their way back north, but now it has got spring and the most moving displays can be seen when the young babies show off what they can do.
Understanding the Hawaii Humpback Whale Season
Part of the thrill of going on a professional whale watching charter is seeing what kind of movements and behavior of the humpback whales there is and being able to interpret them. You'll be taught by naturalist:
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The Breach: It is surely the most spectacular act in all of nature. A whale throws almost its whole huge body into the air, then crashes backwards back into the water. Is this how they talk, get rid of parasites, play or just plain fun? Researchers still don't know.
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Pec Slap & Tail Slapping: Whales lift their enormous 15-foot pectoral fins or huge tails up into the air and hit the water several times, releasing their fins or tails with a distinct smacking noise that can be heard throughout the bay.
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Spyhopping: a whale will rise perpendicular through the water, often up to its chin, to view the world above. It’s very curious about what is near and people out on boats watching it.
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Blow (Spout): The vertical plume of moist, warm air released from the humpbacks' lungs when it comes up for a breath that can be as tall as 15ft and is the signature given off for spotters several miles away that a whale has surfaced.
What Behaviors to Look For on Your Tour
To ensure your excursion searching for whales in Big Island is as comfortable and memorable as possible, keep these quick recommendations in mind:
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Book tour early in your trip: Morning ocean conditions off the Kona coast are typically the calmest, offering the smoothest boat ride and optimal lighting for photography and videography.
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Dress in layers: While the Hawaiian sun is warm, ocean winds can feel brisk when the boat is moving. Bring a light windbreaker or jacket.
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Responsible snorkeling: Select eco-conscious companies that strictly adhere to federal guidelines—keeping a safe and respectful distance of at least 100 yards from the humpback whales to ensure these magnificent animals remain protected and undisturbed.
What are you waiting for – book your spectacular whale watching today!
Tips for the Best Experience