Sunset Whale Watch in Waikiki, Whales Guaranteed or Free Return
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Oahu, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Maximize your chances of seeing whales in the wild during your time in Hawaii. This sunset whale-watching tour departs from Honolulu and takes you out onto the ocean for 90 to 120 minutes to see the majestic mammals during their winter migration. If you don't see any whales, you can take a second tour at no additional cost.
- Get the best chances of seeing whales in Hawaii
- Enjoy complimentary soda/pop on board
- Double-decker boat offers ample viewing opportunities
- Free second tour if you don't see any whales
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Soda/Pop
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Living Ocean Tours1125 Ala Moana Blvd Slip B-01, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
Please meet us at our boat "Coral Kai" located in Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, Slip B-1. Complete your online waiver prior to arrival and arrive at the boat 30 minutes early as the boat departs at your scheduled time. Parking is limited so we suggest arriving extra early to find a spot or take a taxi.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Diamond Head Crater (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Erica_M
The best sunset cruise I have ever been on. Staff was extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They made sure we found whales and allowed us to admire them from afar. I can’t wait to do this again!
Reviews
4.8
based on 118 reviews
TuyetVan_B, Apr 2026
It was a great experience to cruise a long the coastline looking at the city and Diamond Head with beautiful sunset. We saw a few whales sightings and dolphins. Staff were very knowledgeable on whale migration. Great service and friendly talks of staff made the sailing so joyful. We loved the sailing.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sunset whale watching is a fun experience.
Viator review: Sunset Whale Watch in Waikiki, Whales Guaranteed or Free Return
It was a great experience to cruise a long the coastline looking at the city and Diamond Head with beautiful sunset. We saw a few whales sightings and dolphins. Staff were very knowledgeable on whale migration. Great service and friendly talks of staff made the sailing so joyful. We loved the sailing.
Marcus_S, Mar 2026
Have your waiver filled out ahead of time. Pop and light snacks are complimentary and adult drinks for purchase.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo for the helpful tips! 🌅🐋
Filling out the waiver ahead of time definitely makes boarding smoother, and it’s great to know our complimentary snacks and drinks add to the experience. Adult beverages are always available if you want to toast the sunset!
We hope you enjoyed your whale watching adventure and look forward to welcoming you back for more ocean fun soon! 💙
Meghan_M, Mar 2026
The crew was very personable and enthusiastic about the whales. We had a great experience with Captain Nick, Annabelle, Connor.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! 🌅🐋
We’re so glad you had a great experience enjoying the sunset and whales—those are the moments that make it so special! Captain Nick, Annabelle, and Connor will be stoked to hear your kind words. Their enthusiasm for the ocean and wildlife really shines through.
We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure on the water! 💙
Fariha_M, Mar 2026
My husband and I had a great experience. Although we didn’t see any whales, we saw a lot of dolphins and was able to take some great pictures.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience! 🌅🐬
We’re so happy you and your husband had a romantic and beautiful time on the water. While we’re sorry you didn’t see whales on this trip, it’s wonderful that you got to enjoy dolphins and capture some great photos—that’s always a special experience.
We hope to welcome you both back again for another sunset cruise and hopefully some whale sightings next time! 💙
Richelle_P, Mar 2026
Company needs to change their description for “guaranteed” whale sightings. We didn’t not see any whales. They offered us to rebook for another evening but we were leaving the next day. I asked if they would refund a partial amount at least and unfortunately they don’t.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for your feedback—we truly appreciate you sharing your experience. 🐋
We’re very sorry to hear you didn’t see whales on your trip, especially with limited time on the island. While sightings are never fully predictable since we’re observing wildlife in their natural habitat, we do our best to offer a return option so guests have another chance when conditions don’t line up.
We understand that rebooking isn’t always possible for travelers, and we appreciate your honest input regarding this. It’s something we’ll continue to take into consideration as we work to improve the overall guest experience. Thank you again for joining us. 💙
Rosa_K, Mar 2026
If the whale watching ends up to be best at the last minute, the boat will return for sunset. I feel that as beautiful as a sunset is, we get to see those all the time. Whales, we don't get to see. I think whale watching should had been the priority over sunset. During the ride, you could see the sunset no matter where. Whales, well you needed to be on a specific site.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for your thoughtful feedback—we really appreciate you sharing your perspective. 🐋🌅
You make a great point about how special whale sightings are compared to something we can enjoy more often like a sunset. Our goal is always to create a balanced experience that includes both, while also keeping timing, safety, and conditions in mind for everyone on board.
We’re glad you brought this up, as insights like yours help us continue improving how we plan and prioritize the experience. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back out on the water for another memorable trip! 💙
Erica_M, Mar 2026
The best sunset cruise I have ever been on. Staff was extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They made sure we found whales and allowed us to admire them from afar. I can’t wait to do this again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the incredible review! 🌅🐋
We’re thrilled this was the best sunset cruise you’ve ever been on! It’s wonderful to hear the crew’s helpfulness, friendliness, and knowledge made your experience so special, and that you were able to admire the whales safely from afar.
We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable sunset and whale watching adventure! 💙
Brooke_J, Mar 2026
The crew of Capt Hollis , Aaron and Kyle were great!! We had a fun tour and they were very informative. We saw 2 whales and a baby whale . We ended the night with a fantastic sunset !
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for joining us out on the water! It’s awesome to hear you had such a fun time with Capt. Hollis, Aaron, and Kyle—they really love sharing what they know and making each trip special.
Seeing two whales and a baby is such a magical experience, and there’s nothing better than wrapping it all up with a beautiful Waikiki sunset. We’re so glad you got to enjoy it all!
Hope to have you back out with us again soon 🌅🐋
Mariona_C, Mar 2026
The crew was super nice and the trip was fun and we could see a lot of whales and dolphins, who got near the boat without problem
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the amazing review! 🐋🐬🌅
We’re so happy you had a fun trip and got to see so many whales and dolphins up close — those moments are always unforgettable! It’s great to hear the crew made the experience even better with their friendly vibe.
We’d love to welcome you back for another incredible day on the water soon! 💙
Jenna_G, Mar 2026
Great experience! The crew was friendly and informative. Provided snacks and drinks. Saw multiple whales.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! 🐋🌅
We’re thrilled you had a great experience and enjoyed seeing multiple whales. It’s fantastic to hear the crew made the tour informative and friendly, and that the snacks and drinks added to your trip. We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable whale watching adventure soon!
Melanie_B, Mar 2026
Well organized and safety oriented. Staff is super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend the Sunset Whale Watching tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! 🐋🌅
We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and that our team’s focus on safety, organization, and friendly service stood out to you. Our crew loves sharing their knowledge and making sure everyone has a great time on the water.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another beautiful sunset and whale watching adventure soon! 💙
Tracey_H, Mar 2026
Excellent staff and amazing trip. The staff were so knowledgeable and kind! They took their time waiting for whales to do their thing and made it a relaxing and exciting experience!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the fantastic review! 🐋🌅
We’re so happy to hear this was your best tour yet! Our crew loves sharing their knowledge and making sure guests have both a relaxing and exciting time on the water. Waiting patiently and respectfully for the whales to do their thing is all part of the magic.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable whale watching adventure! 💙
MichelleJohnson, Mar 2026
The crew were nice and informative (Ava, Kevin, forgot the young man's name). I liked how Kevin continued to educate and train the young crew throughout the trip.
Sunset was gorgeous.
They could do better to allow a couple fewer guests to make the experience a bit more comfortable. We were packed in like sardines in the seats.
The thing is, all those close encounters photos and videos you see on the ads for any whale watching cruise are exceptions. Unless the animals come to you, the law keeps the boat from pursuing the whales.
But, we did see a mom and calf. And, the calf did a series of breaches. We were pretty far away but seeing it was nonetheless breathtaking. Just manage your expectations for whichever company you decide to use. The different boats help each other out by radioing sightings - so the community is cool.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for sharing your detailed review and thoughtful feedback! 🌅🐋
We’re glad you enjoyed the sunset and that our crew, including Ava and Kevin, helped make the trip educational and enjoyable. It’s wonderful to hear you got to witness the mom and calf, even from a distance — those breaches are truly breathtaking moments.
We appreciate your perspective on guest capacity and the realities of wildlife viewing — respecting the law and the whales’ natural behavior is always our top priority. Your notes will definitely help future guests manage expectations and enjoy the experience safely.
Thank you for joining us, and we’d love to welcome you back for another memorable whale watching adventure!
Lauren_E, Mar 2026
Great sunset whale watching tour! Saw lots of whales and the sunset was beautiful! Our crew was great! Would go again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! 🌅🐋
We’re thrilled you enjoyed both the whales and the beautiful sunset. It’s great to hear the crew helped make your tour memorable. We’d love to welcome you back for another amazing sunset whale watching adventure soon!
Sherry_S, Mar 2026
Sunny, smooth driver, mamma and baby whale breaching experience was amazing! Friendly staff and helpful spotting whales.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the beautiful review! 🐋💙
Seeing a mama and baby whale breaching is such a special and unforgettable sight — we’re so happy you got to experience that! It’s wonderful to hear the ocean was smooth, the crew was friendly, and that they helped make sure you didn’t miss a moment.
We’d love to have you back on board for another magical sunset and whale-filled adventure! 🌅
Anjie_B, Mar 2026
It was good, we saw whales. The water was super choppy and I did get sick. They had free snacks and soda on board. Word of advice, don't chug a soda right at the beginning if the waters are choppy.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience! We’re glad you were able to see whales and enjoy the snacks and drinks on board. 🐋
We’re sorry to hear the choppy water made you feel sick — that can definitely happen on windier days. And we appreciate you sharing that tip about going easy on the soda early on… especially when the ocean is a little bouncy!
We hope you’ll join us again on a calmer day for an even smoother (and just as whale-filled!) adventure. 🌅💙
Reneemccann80, Mar 2026
Excellent fun day. Saw many whales and a whale shark. So exciting. Crew was terrific. Highly recommend. Best whale watching ever.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the incredible review! 🐋🌅
Seeing many whales and a whale shark — what an unforgettable day on the water! That’s truly a rare and exciting experience. We’re so happy the crew helped make it fun and memorable for you.
Thank you so much for the high recommendation and for calling it your best whale watching ever — that means the world to us! We hope to welcome you back for another epic adventure soon! 💙
Fernando_E, Feb 2026
Great ride. Nice crew. They did a great job finding the whales for us to enjoy and we’ve got to see dolphins
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the ride and that the crew helped you spot whales and dolphins. It’s always special to see these amazing creatures up close, and we’re thrilled your experience was memorable. We’d love to welcome you back for another fantastic day on the water! 🐋🐬
Patricia_R, Feb 2026
Well organized. Very knowledgeable about whale behavior. They were able to follow the path of the whales to get the best possible sightings. A wonderful experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the crew’s knowledge of whale behavior. It’s great to hear that following the whales’ path gave you the best possible sightings. We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure on the water!
Jennifer_S, Feb 2026
Very casual super nice crew. Light snacks, juice, water. Bathroom is functional but not pretty. Great way to get out on the water and see whales!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed your time on the water and got to see the whales. It’s wonderful to hear the crew made the experience casual, friendly, and enjoyable, and that the snacks and drinks added to your trip. We hope to welcome you back for another fun adventure on the ocean soon!
Elizabeth_N, Feb 2026
People should sit in order for all in the boat whether in the front or back of the boat to catch a glimpse of a whale fluke or dive down.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for your helpful feedback! We appreciate your tip about seating arrangements—it’s a great way for everyone on board to get the best possible view of whales diving or showing their flukes. We’ll keep this in mind to help future guests have the most enjoyable and memorable experience on the water.
Samir_K, Feb 2026
Whale watching can be extremely tiring and frustrating experience as you have to constantly look out of any signs of the whale and even if you spot it is just for 1-2 seconds.
Combine that with rough and choppy waters and it almost is of no value. Instead we enjoyed watching the skyline and partly cloudy sunset for 20 out of the 90 mins ride. So if you are a big enthusiast and just want a boat ride then it might be worth it.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. Whale watching can absolutely require patience, and you’re right — sightings can sometimes be brief since humpback whales are wild animals surfacing on their own schedule. That unpredictability is part of the experience, but we understand it can feel frustrating if you’re hoping for longer, repeated displays.
Ocean conditions can also vary from day to day, and we’re sorry the water was rough during your trip. We always prioritize safety and do our best to position the boat for the most comfortable viewing possible, but Mother Nature ultimately sets the stage.
That said, we’re glad you were able to enjoy the skyline views and the partly cloudy sunset — those evenings on the water can be incredibly beautiful in their own way.
For guests who want a more immersive experience, we often recommend coming with the expectation that whale watching is about observing wildlife in its natural habitat — sometimes it’s explosive surface activity, and other times it’s more subtle signs like blows, tail slaps, or distant breaches. Either way, we appreciate you joining us and sharing your perspective.
Danelle_R, Feb 2026
The crew were friendly and knowledgeable. Weather was not great, not being able to stay out long enough to see whales for an extended time. Would only recommend they consider cancelling if the wind prohibits ability to enjoy.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We’re so glad to hear you found our crew friendly and knowledgeable — that truly means a lot to us.
We also appreciate your comments about the weather. Please know that we take weather conditions and cancellations very seriously. Safety is always our top priority, and we continuously monitor wind, swell, and overall ocean conditions before and during every trip. While we will always cancel if conditions are unsafe, there are days when the weather isn’t perfect but is still within safe operating limits and we believe guests can still have a good experience on the water.
That said, we understand that wind and rougher seas can impact overall enjoyment, especially when it limits how long we’re able to comfortably stay in certain areas with whales. We do our very best to balance safety, comfort, and wildlife viewing opportunities, but Mother Nature ultimately sets the conditions.
We truly appreciate you joining us and sharing your perspective — feedback like yours helps us continue refining our decision-making to ensure the best possible guest experience.
Rosa_F, Feb 2026
One of the best tours on our trip. The crew was amazing and made sure we all had the opportunity to see whales. Highly recommend this operator!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear your tour was one of the highlights of your trip and that the crew made sure everyone had a chance to see the whales. It means a lot to us that you’d recommend the tour, and we’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure on the water!
Gerald_F, Feb 2026
Our particular day was windy and the water was very choppy. Saw a few whales but overall did not enjoy the time
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that the conditions on your trip made the experience less enjoyable. Windy, choppy days can definitely impact comfort on the water, even when we’re still able to operate safely. While we’re glad you were able to see a few whales, we completely understand how rough ocean conditions can take away from the overall enjoyment of the tour.
We carefully evaluate weather and ocean conditions before every departure and will always cancel if it’s unsafe. However, there are days when conditions are within safe limits but still a bit more challenging from a comfort standpoint. We know that can make a difference in how the trip feels.
We truly appreciate you coming out with us and sharing your honest perspective. Feedback like yours helps us continue refining how we communicate expectations around ocean conditions so guests can make the best decision for their comfort.
Denise_A, Feb 2026
Had a great sail and saw a couple of whales! No breaching but a couple of tails. It was really choppy and the crew was great checking on everyone to make sure they were doing ok. Always nice to spend time on the water with knowledgeable people!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you were able to spot whales and catch a few tail sightings out there. Even on choppier days, our crew works hard to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable, so it’s wonderful to hear that stood out to you. There’s nothing quite like time on the water with great company—we hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable cruise!
Angela_N, Feb 2026
The crew was amazing!! Especially Jarett! We saw so many whales! Best experience ever! Would totally recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the amazing review! We’re thrilled you saw so many whales and had such a great experience. Jarett will be so happy to hear your shoutout—our crew loves making each tour unforgettable. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another incredible adventure on the water soon!
Westona_H, Feb 2026
We got to see a few whales! It was very exciting!!
They were able to handle our whole group so we could stay together
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for sharing about your family trip! We’re so happy you got to see whales and that the experience was exciting for everyone. Keeping groups together and making sure all ages can enjoy the tour is important to us, and we’re glad that came through. We’d love to welcome your family back for another unforgettable adventure on the water!
Halley_P, Feb 2026
The crew was great and kept everyone safe on a very windy / choppy day! We were fortunate enough to see a lot of whales and the crew provided great information on what we were seeing.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience! We’re so glad our crew helped keep everyone safe and informed despite the windy, choppy conditions. Seeing lots of whales is always a special treat, and it’s great to hear the team made the experience both educational and enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back again for another memorable day on the water!
harnish_p, Feb 2026
Awesome experience and very very friendly staff 🍾
We had ready great time and we saw lots of whales 🐳
Must recommend and worth money 💰
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the awesome review! We’re so glad you had such a great time and got to see lots of whales. It’s wonderful to hear our friendly crew helped make the experience even more memorable. Thank you for the recommendation—we hope to see you back on the water again soon!
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