A Whale watching experience by Hawaiian Adventures. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: See whales in Hawaiʻi even after humpback season ends! Head far offshore to find rare open-ocean whales and other species.
Large photoThe Artemis is a state-of-the-art, 46 foot catamaran purpose built for year round whale watching.
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The Hawaiian population of false killer whales is the best-known population of the species on the planet.
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Cuvier’s beaked whales have the widest distribution of any beaked whale species in the world, with evidence of multiple populations in Hawaiian waters
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The largest living fish species, whale sharks are filter feeders who capture prey by holding their mouth open and funneling prey towards their filter pads.
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Spotted dolphins commonly socializes with Hawaiian spinner dolphins whose similar appearance can make them tricky to tell apart
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Find comfortable padded seating, onboard restrooms, and research grade hydrophone equipment, on board.
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Humpbacks are perhaps the most acrobatic of the baleen whales, aided by their long pectoral flippers and powerful tails.
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The Hawaiian Islands population of Melon-Headed whales is estimated at over 8,000 whales and spends most of their time in waters 1,000+ meters deep.
Tour Highlights:
- Experienced Naturalist Captains and Crew
- Set out to see pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more
Important: Minimum age is 10 y/o, and there is a strict weight limit of 275 lbs per passenger for safety. If anyone in the reservation is over the weight limit, please contact the office at (808) 339-3604.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $109 |
Tour Provider: Hawaiian Adventures
Activity: Whale watching
Tour start time: 08:30
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Departure from: Honokohau Harbor
Pick-up available? No
Included: There are complimentary cold beverages served on board
Cancellations: Reservations are cancelable up to 24 hours in advance for groups up to ten, and 48 hours in advance for groups of ten or more
Read more: about whale watching in our Big Island whale watching guide.
This is the tour for people wanting to see whales around Hawaii outside of humpback whale season.
From April through November, Hawaiian Adventures runs the only whale-watch tour on the Big Island designed specifically for the off-season. Instead of waiting near the coast, the boat heads far offshore into deep water—where open-ocean species live year-round.
It is a very different kind of experience: fewer boats, wider horizons, and the chance to see whales most visitors never know exist.
Why this tour is different
This is not a humpback cruise with a new label. It is a true pelagic (deep water) wildlife tour.
With US Coast Guard offshore certification, the vessel can safely reach the deep ocean beyond the near-shore shelf. These waters drop thousands of feet and attract species such as:
- Pilot whales
- Beaked whales
- Sperm whales
- Melon-headed whales
- False killer whales
- Spotted dolphins
- Whale sharks (seasonally)
Because these animals roam widely, every trip is a search. Some days you may cover large distances before the first sighting. Other days, the action finds you quickly. Either way, this is one of the few tours in Hawaiʻi that offers real access to the open ocean.
A year-round chance to see whales
During winter (December–March), the focus is on humpback whales close to shore. But once they migrate north, this pelagic tour becomes the only option for whale watching on the Big Island.
That makes it especially valuable for:
- Summer travelers
- Repeat visitors
- Wildlife lovers who want something beyond humpbacks
- Anyone visiting outside peak whale season
You are not limited to a narrow viewing zone. The route adjusts daily based on conditions, recent sightings, and marine activity reports.
About the boat and her crew
Hawaiian Adventures operates fast, comfortable vessels designed for offshore conditions. Onboard restrooms, shaded seating, and wide viewing decks make the long-range search more enjoyable.
Captains and naturalists are trained in marine wildlife identification and behavior. They use visual scanning and hydrophones to help locate animals, and they share context along the way—what you are seeing, why it matters, and how these species fit into Hawaiʻi’s ocean ecosystem.
The Artemis is a state-of-the-art, 46 foot catamaran purpose built for year round whale watching.
What to expect
This is an exploration-style tour, not a scripted cruise.
- Some days feature dramatic encounters
- Other days are quieter but still meaningful
- Wildlife sightings vary by season, ocean conditions, and luck
Whale Guarantee (or a steep discount on a follow-up tour)
This tour is run with a strong sighting policy, but it is still a wildlife experience—not a performance.
While Hawaiian Adventures reports very high success rates, the ocean is unpredictable, and no company can truly guarantee what wild animals will do. On the rare days when no whales or dolphins are seen, you will receive a return discount code for a future tour. It does not expire and can be used on any of their departures. Think of it as a second chance, not a promise of certainty.
We are affiliate partners with Hawaiian Adventures and any booking on this page you make is made directly with Hawaiian Adventures. We receive a percentage from the activity provider for each successful booking made through our website but this happens without any additional charge to you. (read more on the use of those links on our website here).
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