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Beyond Oahu

2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Oahu, USA
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.6
·
· Peggy_C ·
Apr 2026
Fun, friendly and knowledgeable Captain and crew. Almost immediately saw a large pod of dolphins, followed by a lovely boat ride. Then whales - Mama and baby with the zoomies. We were very pleased, a great value, strongly recommend.
· Tommy_B ·
Mar 2026
This tour was perfect for our family. We were able to easily see multiple humpback whales and dolphins. Our 8 year old loved the tour. Logan and their crew made it fun for adults and kids. The location was really easy to find and really close to Hilton Hawaiian Village. Once out of the harbor you are able to stand up and move around the boat.

Overview

Enhance your chances of spotting whales in Hawaii. Discover the lives of the magnificent mammals on this whale-watching boat tour departing from Waikiki. Enjoy stunning views and photo opportunities while traveling along Oahu's coastline and get insights into whale behavior, including their breaches, flukes, and tail slaps, from the crew.
  • Enjoy uninterrupted views of humpback whales from a multi-level vessel
  • Ask your naturalist guides for more details about humpbacks and their behavior
  • Choose to watch the action from the upper deck or the enclosed main cabin
  • Spacious vessel allows you to bring your own snacks and drinks

What's Included

  • Multi-Level vessel to give you uninterrupted panoramic viewing!
  • Marine bathroom on board.
  • Shaded main cabin with window viewing!
  • Underwater HYDROPHONE - used to hear the whales under the boat!
  • (2024) Newly renovated boat for maximum comfort!
  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic Beverages
    We allow BYOB (and your own snacks).
  • Hotel Pick-up/ Drop-off.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Hawaii Ocean Project - Waikiki, Oahu
    Ala Wai Harbor Slip #497, 1651 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

    Slip 497 at Ala Wai Boat Harbor ---- WHERE AT HARBOR: Slip 497 of Ala Wai Harbor; Check-in at the dock. Boat name: Lahaina Princess. Steps away from Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon, check-in station in front of the boat! ---- (See booking confirmation ticket voucher for more information.)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Hop aboard your vessel in Honolulu and settle in on the upper observation deck or the enclosed main cabin with large viewing windows. Every 2-hour trip includes live narration from one of our whale experts.

This tour operates during the whale migration period from December until May, when humpback whales come to Hawaii's warm waters to breed, a 3,500-mile (5635 km) departure from their feeding waters in Alaska. Keep your eyes peeled as your captain and crew help to point out any marine life that pops up, and soak up the stunning backdrop of the island’s coastline.

This tour has multiple departures times to fit your travel schedule, and concludes at its original departure point. This educational and informative adventure is great fun for the entire family and offers spectacular sightseeing and photo opportunities.

Waikiki Beach (Pass By)

Diamond Head State Monument (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour operates in most weather conditions, dress appropriately.
  • For comfort we max capacity at 80 passengers; Coast Guard Certified for 115 passengers.
  • Tour operator reserves the right to substitute vessels, routes and destinations based on vessel operations, weather and sea conditions without notice.
  • All passengers must be able to provide identification upon the request of vessel personnel as proof of his/her identity. Due to these changes it is imperative that each guest have a valid ID with them at all times.
  • Check-in minimum 30 minutes prior to departure of tour at the Lahaina Princess dock at slip 497 of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor.
  • Tour boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure and closes 5 minutes before departure.
  • Departures leave promptly at designated times to avoid delays on return times.
  • Full refunds are eligible with 24-hr notice. Less than 24-hr notice due to medical circumstances may require a doctor's note for a full refund.
  • Restrictions • Generally, this activity is not wheelchair accessible. Some restrictions may apply for Wheelchair accessibility - call us for further details before booking.
  • Near public transportation.
  • Release of Liability Waiver must be acknowledged for all members of group at check in.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers

Frequently Asked Question (1)

Q:Can I bring a cooler with my own drinks?

A:Due to space constraints, guests are not permitted to bring their own coolers onboard.

Jun 2023

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Brandie_W
This was a great experience. The crew were knowledgeable, professional and friendly! Captain Logan was hilarious and taught us a lot about Hawaii and its heritage along with may interesting facts about sea life. Corella went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and having a great time! I recommend this tour for EVERYONE!

Reviews

4.6
based on 1,999 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Saw a sea turtle

Anthony_P, May 2026
The whale watch was great. Unfortunately, we did not see any whales or dolphins, not the crew’s lack of trying. One issue that caused some confusion, our 12:15 trip was cancelled without our knowledge. We found out when we called for directions. Luckily we were close enough to the dock that we made the 09:15 trip. We were never advised of the 12:15 cancellation. Don’t know who should have told us. All and all a great day.

No whales but fun

Donna_H, Apr 2026
It was a wonderful experience seeing the island from the ocean. Logan was great and kept us entertained! We didn’t see any whales but he gave us tickets for the next day if we wanted to. Because it was the end of the season

It was very informative...

Leanne_V, Apr 2026
It was very informative and very helpful. Crew was wonderful. Even though we didn’t see any whales but grateful for the boat ride and the most beautiful view of Honolulu and diamond head. Thank you again to Logan Peter and the female attendant. .. sorry couldn’t remember her name but kudos to all of you.

No whales. Nice boat ride.

Shari_S, Apr 2026
No fault of their own, the whales were shy today. We were given passes that are good for another visit within the next three years.

Pleasant staff, clean...

Susan_S, Apr 2026
Pleasant staff, clean vessel, beautiful views. We did not get to see whales, but we saw a few sea turtles. We appreciate the free pass for a future trip, since the whales did not show up this time.

Great crew!

Kristin_R, Apr 2026
Seeing a whale is not guaranteed, but the crew was great. My husband can get motion sick easily and they took very good care of him making sure he was on the steadiest part of the boat with a ginger ale. Beautiful views of the island!

Had a great time on the...

Maddie_P, Apr 2026
Had a great time on the boat! The captain Logan was very knowledgeable and we were able to see whales/dolphins throughout the tour. Would definitely return

Whale of a value

Peggy_C, Apr 2026
Fun, friendly and knowledgeable Captain and crew. Almost immediately saw a large pod of dolphins, followed by a lovely boat ride. Then whales - Mama and baby with the zoomies. We were very pleased, a great value, strongly recommend.

Very caring people...

Deo_J, Apr 2026
Very caring people running this boat. We had great experience and recommend it to anyone visiting Oahu

Whale watch

Vickie_B, Apr 2026
Perfect trip Captain and helpers very nice and full of information. Saw both dolphins and whales. We'll worth the money.

Perfect getaway excursion!

Marie_D, Apr 2026
Crew is knowledgeable, welcoming and attentive. Great narration throughout the trip by Captain Logan & his crew. We saw dolphins & humpbacks putting on a show- great trip, awesome experience!

A must do when in Oahu

Lisa_k, Apr 2026
This was an incredible experience! The luau was entertaining and the food was delicious. It also offered a truly immersive look into Polynesian history and culture. Highly recommend, 10/10!!

Best experience I ever...

Qiuying_Y, Apr 2026
Best experience I ever had!! Lift memory for sure, we didn’t catch dolphin and whales today, but e saw 2 sea turtles!! And shout out too the crew members, super friendly, chill fun and thoughtful as well, great great experience and recommend to everyone!!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We are so happy you had an amazing experience. We really love what we do.

Excellent itinerary

Epifanio_G, Apr 2026
Highly recommended The crew was fantastic. We managed to see 10 breaches of the whales .. so we considered that a great sign

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for joining us. We are so happy you had a great experience. We work really hard to make this a great trip.

Awesome experience!

Mylan_M, Apr 2026
Great service, friendly, and funny! Well worth the cost for 2 hours of fun. Would definitely recommend! We saw dolphins, flying fish, huge sea turtles as well as whales. This was April 17th, so late in the season. But very lucky to have this experience!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We are so glad you had such a great experience. We really do love what we do.

Experienced and...

Giulia_M, Apr 2026
Experienced and knowledgeable crew. Boat was clean and well kept. A great experience. Saw several whales and dolphins.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We are so glad you had a great experience. We really love what we do and are always looking for ways to make this trip better.

Good Trip

Thomas_Q, Apr 2026
Saw plenty of whales. Staff was very informative and kind. Beverages were available for purchase and had bathrooms on the boat

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We work very hard to make this a great trip. Thank you for supporting a Lahaina family business.

Great experience!

Dani_K, Apr 2026
The Captain, his wife, and all the rest of the crew were fantastic! It took a bit for the whales to come out, but they were informative as we waited.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us and supporting a family business. We really love what we do.

Whale Sighting!

Emily_G, Apr 2026
We had a wonderful time on the whale watching tour! The crew was great and very informative, and they found us some whales. I had low expectations around what sealife we would find so was very pleasantly surprised to see a mom and baby whale. The boat was nice and had lots of seating. I would recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for coming out with us and supporting a family business. We really love what we do and work very hard to make this a great trip.

Great experience. We had fun and the Captain was knowledgeable about whales which he shared well. Awesome experience

Mae_M, Apr 2026
We got lucky to see the whales and they stayed to show off for almost an hour. Highly recommended!!!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for coming out with us. We really love what we do and work so hard to find, teach and take care of the customers.

Amazing experience for my family!

PattyE_K, Mar 2026
We had an amazing Whale Watching experience!! Saw multiple groups of Humpback Whales. Highly recommend this tour!

We did not get to see...

Kariel_L, Mar 2026
We did not get to see whales, but we did get to see dolphins and a sea turtle. Nice boat. Great staff!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We are sorry you did not see whales. We hope you take advantage of our sleepy whale pass and come again sometime. You may use it in Oahu or Lahaina. We are glad you had such a great experience.

Awesome tour!

Tommy_B, Mar 2026
This tour was perfect for our family. We were able to easily see multiple humpback whales and dolphins. Our 8 year old loved the tour. Logan and their crew made it fun for adults and kids. The location was really easy to find and really close to Hilton Hawaiian Village. Once out of the harbor you are able to stand up and move around the boat.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We are thrilled you had such a great experience with us. Thank you for supporting a family business from Lahaina. We really love what we do.

Reccomend to anyone who is looking to go whale watching!

Bryaunna_H, Mar 2026
Was amazing very informative and comedic! Great crew and very helpful! Helped take some pics and was helpful with rain and phone dilima!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We are thrilled you had such a great experience. We really love what we do. Thank you for supporting us.

Great!!

Maxie_C, Mar 2026
Wonderful tour we saw a lot of whales and learn about them, staff very friendly Highly recommend if you visit Oahu!!!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for supporting us and we are on Maui also. We are thrilled you had such an amazing experience. We really love what we do.

Whale of a good time!

Sandy_F, Mar 2026
This was the best day in Oahu for us so far. Logan, Peter, and Vanessa did a great job of spotting and pointing out the whales to us. We got to see several whales surface multiple times including a mom and her baby. 10/10 would recommend. Even if we hadn’t found any whales, would still have loved this tour just for the great views of the coastline. We loved every minute of it!!!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We really love what we do and try really hard to make this a great trip.

It was a great tour, very...

Kate_T, Mar 2026
It was a great tour, very reasonable price compared to others I looked it. It was awesome that it left just a few steps from our accommodation.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for supporting a family business from Lahaina. We love what we do and are always looking for ways to make our trip better.

Great experience. Saw...

Liam_M, Mar 2026
Great experience. Saw lots of whales & the captain/tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We are always looking for ways to make this a great memory. Thank you for supporting a family business from Lahaina.

Whale watch

Stacy_D, Mar 2026
Water was pretty rough, but overall was a good trip. We did get to see a mama and the baby in well which made it all worth it.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for coming out with us. We are glad you had a great experience. We really do love what we do and teaching about the whales is the best job!

Sea Sick!

Shawn_R, Mar 2026
Be ready to be sick! Half the boat puking! If you have a queasy stomach, you probably shouldn’t go! Definitely saw whales 🐳!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

This may have been a rougher week than usual. We are glad you saw and learned about the whales.

From $49.95

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 15 days in advance.

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