How To Choose a Whale-Watching Tour in Hawaii

There are quite a few eco-friendly whale-watching tours in Hawaii, where the safety of these marine mammals stays top of mind. This whale-watching tour in Maui, which departs from Lahaina, uses a small boat with marine naturalists as guides. Even better, the rafting vessel is equipped with hydrophones—specialized underwater microphones that allow you to hear whale songs even from a distance. If you'd rather see dolphins, you can book a dolphin-watching tour instead between May and November.

If you’re searching for private whale watching in Hawaii, there are tour operators that allow you to take out an entire boat for just you and your group, such as this customizable adventure off the coast of Oahu. Select a morning or afternoon cruise, conveniently departing from Waikiki in Honolulu. With the whole raft to yourselves (up to six passengers) and your captain, you’ll be able to get the best views of the whales, no matter where they pop up.

While it’s illegal to purposefully get within 300 feet (100 yards) of whales according to Hawaii law, the whales can come to you. And historically, the smaller the boat, the more likely they are to approach. So, if you’re hoping for an up-close look at these majestic mammals, ditch the luxurious catamaran and opt for a raft-based Hawaii whale-watching tour. This small-group excursion out of West Maui offers guaranteed whale sightings, and a closer look than you'll get on many other tours.

As a whole, whale-watching tours in Hawaii can be expensive. Most options cost more than $100 per person, with a few even reaching into the thousands. Luckily, there are some whale-watching tours aimed at budget travelers, such as this popular sunset cruise that sails out of Waikiki. In addition to seeing whales and dolphins, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Diamond Head from the double-decker boat. Sightings are guaranteed—you can take a second tour at no additional cost if you don't catch a glimpse—so you're sure to get your money's worth.

While most whale-watching tour operators in Hawaii are all about the whales, this whale-watching cruise on Maui also has an open bar, so you can watch the whales breach, spray water from their spouts, and tail slap—all with your favorite drink in hand. The spacious sailing catamaran, which departs from Ka'anapali Beach, also includes bean bags on open nets, so you can relax while you listen to onboard narration from a naturalist guide and keep an eye out for the whales.

There’s a good chance that you’ll see both dolphins and whales on whale-watching tours in Hawaii, but this marine wildlife tour in Kona makes it a priority to spot both of these majestic mammals. Departing year-round from the Big Island of Hawaii, this tour includes a comfortable boat and guides who can point out more than a dozen species that you might see on your tour, including humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, and spinner dolphins, depending on the season.

The vast majority of whale-watching excursions in Hawaii are laid back: You just board the catamaran or raft and keep an eye on the ocean. But this whale-watching tour by sea kayak will get your blood pumping. Paddle your way around Kauai's southern coast, taking in the island views on one side and watching for whales, dolphins, and green sea turtles on the other. Tours start bright and early at 7am (which just so happens to be the best time for whale watching in Hawaii thanks to calmer ocean conditions).

To really appreciate the many humpback whale sightings that Hawaii offers, it’s best to learn as much as possible about these peaceful ocean giants. On this Oahu-based, biologist-led experience, you’ll get to do just that. Board a power catamaran with your private party (up to 10 passengers) and participate in a bit of citizen science. You’ll learn about whale migration patterns and behaviors, and discover how we can all do our part to ensure they continue to live healthy lives, even after your tour has concluded.

While most whale- and dolphin-watching experiences allow you to see these animals from afar, aboard a ship's deck, this small-group snorkel and dolphin-watching tour from Maui brings you closer to the wildlife. The snorkeling experience puts you at eye level with whales and dolphins, depending on the season, allowing you to get closer to the whales and dolphins, and see more of the marine life than you would on a traditional whale-watching tour. Once you're done snorkeling, relax onboard your tour boat with snacks and drinks provided.