Best Places to Go Whale Watching on the Big Island of Hawaii

Whale watching season in Hawaii runs from December through April. I know that during this season as I stroll along the shoreline I cannot take my eyes off the water in hopes of catching site of these beautiful creatures. Whales come to Hawaii to mate and birth their young. Maui boasts about being the best island for whale watching, but the Big Island offers some stiff competition. The following are a list of the best places to go whale watching on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Out in Kona you will find Captain Dan McSweeney's Whale Watch, he is considered one of the best when it comes to whale watching on the Big Island. Captain Dan guarantees a whale sighting or your next trip is on him. He takes about 40 passengers on his 38 foot boat out to sea for about three to four hours. Captain Dan is a well known expert on whales with thousands of whale watching hours under his belt, making him the best whale watching guide on the Big Island. The boat tour costs about $60 and is open year round for whale watching, snacks are included.

Living Ocean Adventures, also in Kona, offers a more intimate whale watching excursion. You can charter a boat that holds six people for whale watching. Living Ocean Adventures is a little more expensive costing your group about $400. They offer whale watching tours year round. During whale watching season, you are more likely to see the magnificent humpback whales, and during the off season you might see sperm whales, false killer whales and pygmy killer whales. Living Ocean Adventures also offers fishing excursions, so you can catch fish and whale watch at the same time, increasing the value of your trip.

There are other ocean tours that offer whale watching seasonally. Sea Quest offers one of the best whale watching excursions on the Big Island. They take about 12 guests out on their inflatable boats with a rigid hull for a 3 to 4 hour tour. For about $55 you get a whale watching guide and snacks. They also guarantee a whale sighting or your next trip is free.

Departing from Honokohau Marina you will find Kamanu Charters. They offer seasonal whale watching for about 24 guests on their 36 foot catamaran. They charge about $70, but offer snacks and beverages, including beer and wine. The only down side of this tour is that they do not offer any shade, so make sure you wear your sun block! The duration of the tour is about 2 hours.

Whales are amazing creatures and if you are on the Big Island during peak season a whale watching tour must be on your to do list. The above includes the best places to go whale watching on the Big Island of Hawaii.