Whale watching on the big island offers more than just humpback sightings, too. I did find a couple out of kona, but are there more such tours from maui due to better viewing. Whale watching tour island of hawaii forum tripadvisor. Big island whale watching whale watching tours on the. We will begin processing online booking requests after september 1st, 2020 so please wait until then to submit your booking forms. Should you find yourself on the island of hawaii, making an effort to go whale watching is an unforgettable experience, but youll need to do a bit of planning to make it happen. During the months of december to april, humpback whales come to hawaii to breed, making it an exciting time to whale watch. In addition to maui, the big island offers some of the best whale watching in hawaii. In fact, the agency which promotes island tourism once called itself the big island visitors bureau bivb before changing its name to the island of hawaii. Ocean sports wake up with the whales hawaii discount.
In the fourth and final video part of our hawaii travel itinerary challenge series, we explore hawaii, the big island, in 3 days and try our best to eat, see, and do as many things as possible. Waikoloa whale watching 8am whale watch hawaii ocean sports offers wake up with the whales a 90 minute morning whale watch on a sailing catamaran, casting off. Check out our list of mustdo water activities in island of hawaii. Our vessel, the wicked wahine, is a fast, comfortable ride that. You can listen to the whales under water, spot them from. We will not process charges until just before your vacation starts. Are you looking for the adventure of a lifetime on the big island of hawaii. At one point in time, the majority of folks youd ask including many who live there and most print and online publications would say that either the big island or the big island of hawaii is the name of hawaiis largest island. Forgotten in favor of adorable little brothers and sisters, her attributes are often glossed over.
Whale watching in hawaii hawaii whale watching tours. We are interested in doing a whale watch tour but do not know which one would be the best. On one side of the spectrum, you have your four season vacationers, and on the very opposite side, you have your kona hawaii guest house crew. The big island attracts different categories of people. Follow the paved road approximately 1 mile to the coast. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in island of hawaii, hawaii on tripadvisor. A good example of that mix can be found in its resident whale population. Some of the best hawaii whale watching can be found where lava flows protrude out into the ocean along the west coast. Whale cruises whale watching big island, waikoloa, kona hawaii. There are many onthewater whale watching tours available. Stay at a hotel along the areas of high humpback density. Ecologically diverse and sparsely populated, the big island of hawaii is larger than all the other betterknown hawaiian islands combined. Hawaiian islands humpback whale get involved sanctuary.
Weve seen whales from 5 different islands, and the end of january is a great. The most recent population estimate for the main hawaiian islands insular. Also, you will find good viewing along the east to north shores of kauai. Aloha and thank you for visiting adventure x boat tours. Humpback whales come to hawaii between november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to go see the whales. If you spot a whale while out on a boat, keep in mind that its illegal to approach a whale closer than 500 feet. A whalewatching trip sounds great, but most seem to be from maui. The first ever longterm 1 week resighting of a killer whale from hawaiian. The kohala coast of the big island is a marine mammal sanctuary and provides these animals a warm and safe environment to give birth and tend to their young. Snorkel and scuba gear, swim toys, and food are often provided.
Since long before whale watching gained the enormous popularity it boasts today, captain dan mcsweeneys passion and caring for whales defined the character of his whale watching business. Now, there is a possibility of seeing pilot whales in kailuakona on the big island hawaii island. Located near kawaihae and spencer beach north of waikoloa, the elevated view from puukohola makes this one of the best places to spot whales. In hawaii, the big island is like the sometimes awkward older sibling. Things to do on the big island of hawaii discover the top attractions, tours, and free activities so youre planning a trip to hawaii. Humpback whale breaches off of the big island of hawaii. Rental cars allow visitors to discover wonders from snowcapped mountains to rainforests to deserts. Site is located off highway 11 mamalahoa highway near punaluu, just after mile marker 56. Public restrooms, phones, drinking water, and shade are available. Spend a day in paradise on this day tour from oahu to the big island. Mauna loa, which is the secondtallest mountain on the big island, helps block trade winds that can more easily affect whale watching on the other hawaiian islands, especially in the afternoon. Whales, dolphins, and manta rays around kona, big island. Every year more than 2000 humpback whales travel to hawaiian waters in winter to mate and give birth to offspring and about 800 of these animals spend their time in hawaii around the shores of big island. But that doesnt mean, you cant spot a whale in the summer.
Well show you how to make best use of your time so you can see everything this island has to offer. Big island covid19 announcements, list of online resources and talk story about ways we can assist our communities. Just like us, the humpback whales like some parts of hawaii more than other parts, but there really isnt a whalefree part of hawaii. Whale watching on the big island of hawaii big island.
Unique in its encompassing 12 separate climate zones, visitors here will marvel at the dramatically different temperatures and scenic beauty that span. You wont see as many on the big island, but if youre on the shore you should still be able to see some. This is when thousands of pacific humpback whales make the journey from the waters off alaska to hawaiis warm waters to breed and give birth to their young. The people of hawaii would like to share their islands with you. Whale watching boat tours can offer a closer view of humpbacks. Theres plenty of whale watching tours or even snorkel tours to choose from.
Hawaii whale watching is definitely an activity you dont want to miss out on if youre visiting the islands during whale watching season. Kauai offers a range of whaleviewing opportunities, including poipu beach on the south shore, kilauea lighthouse on the north shore and kapaa overlook on the islands coconut coast. We recommend west or south maui and the kohala coast of the big island. Big island of hawaii whale watching tours one of the most popular and fun things to do on the big island in the winter months december through april is whale watching. There are special viewing opportunities at puukohola heiau from december through march, fridays between 9 and 11am. The best months to visit for peak hawaii whale watching.
The kona international airport at keahole located at 73200 kupipi st. See our wheretostay guides for maui and the big island for insights on accommodation selection. Every winter, our humpback whales in hawaii make the 3,000mile journey from alaska to hawaii to mate and give birth in our warm tranquil waters. One day tour to big island from oahu hawaii volcano adventure tour. We will be on the big island the first week of march.
Well, look no further because adventure x boat tours specializes in giving guests safe, quality, and fun ocean adventures that are respectful and. Hawaiis official tourism site travel info for your. Below you will find our top ten viewing locations by island. Captain zodiac ocean rafting kona whale watch tour from honokohau harbor set out on a search for humpback whales on a speedy 24ft zodiac raft, and get a front row seat to see these majestic mammals in the beautiful waters of kona. We are taking reservations for tours on or after 6152020. Other good islands to go whale watching are maui and kauai. On the island of hawaii, whales are often seen along the shores of the kohala. There is a mandatory 14day selfquarantine for all visitors and residents of the state of hawaii. The pdf files are very large and may require considerable. Hawaii big island whale watching tours hawaii discount. Whale and dolphin watching from shore on big island hawaii. Just make a break for the kona coast or the waikoloa area if you want to do some big island whale watching. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the.
The definite guide to hawaii island whale watching tours. You might also spot some of the other whale species that make their home in these waters yearround sperm whales, pilot whales, pygmy killer whales and rare beaked whales as well as dolphin pods and curious sea turtles. I would only suggest doing this if you happen to be staying there. Set sail on your destinations toprated boat tours and cruises.
From december to may, you may catch a glimpse of a majestic kohola humpback whale off the island of hawaii s shorelines. The humpback whales leave the icy waters of alaska and migrate 6000 miles to hawaii every year to give birth and care for their calves. Spend the day discovering the wonders of the big island of hawaii. Hawaiis best whale watch cruises and sailing trips. Hawaiian islands humpback whale marine life top 10.
Though the humpback whales play to crowds in the winter, theyre out of here come spring, hungry and ready to head back to their summer feeding grounds in alaska. Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the hawaiian islands, the shallow auau channel between maui, molokai and lanai is one of the best. Best spots to whale watch from shore island of hawaii forum. Big island whale watching tour venture out with wahine charters and witness one of the largest animals on the planet on the best whale watching charter in hawaii. Below you can see the results of an aerial survey that was held between 1993 and 2003 by dr. Incredible sailing experiences and ample deck space 58 feet long by 28 feet wide make the sea smoke a favorite choice for excursions of all types. This place is for the social, the curious, the independent and the nonluxurious crowd. Whale watching on the big island 2020 big island of hawaii. Kona is the westernmost district on the big island of hawaii and the shortened name for the city of kailuakona. Come see the humpback whales frolic in hawaiis warm waters. Whales can be seen quite easily from most shorelines around the hawaiian islands. Best known for hawaii volcanoes national park, home to the. And even then i dont know if there are whale watching tours specifically for them. When is the best time to see humpback whales in hawaii and.
Learn how to reserve a whale watching excursion to see humpback whales. Between november and april is peak whale watching season around the big island. As selfexplanatory as it is stunning, the big island boasts some of hawaii s most varying landscape. Take a trip to the beach or a scenic lookout and watch for the blows, pec slaps, flukeup dives, and breaches of hawaiis humpbacks. The count is held the last saturday of january, february, and march during peak whale season of each year from 8. These gentle giants come to the warm hawaiian waters every year to breed and give birth to new calves. Click on the chart number to download a portable document format pdf of the chart. During whale season, you can see whales from every coastline in hawaii. One day tour to oahu pearl harbor heroes adventure from kona hawaiian airlines. Of the major islands, im sure youve considered visiting oahu to see pearl harbor, honolulu, and the famous north shore. See the big islands coast as you venture to secluded snorkeling and swimming spots. Seeing one of these 40ton, 40foot long giants breach the water is an unforgettable sight.
The hawaii island, also known as the big island, is the largest of the island chain. December to april is an exciting time for the big island of hawaii because it marks whale watching season. Captain zodiac ocean rafting kona whale watch tour from. The whales do seem to prefer west maui, perhaps because of the shallow, warmer water. Hawaii whale watching guide for the big island big. The sea smoke has won several awards, including accolades for voyages across the pacific ocean. Here is a selection of big island whale watching tours or other cruises on which you are likely to see whales. Whale watching on the big island mauna lani sea adventures. We may be in kailuakona for a conference in late january. Has anyone had experience recently with whale watching tours. The hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary. The 15 best things to do in island of hawaii updated.
The sanctuary ocean count project offers the community a chance to monitor humpback whales from the shores of o. Sanctuary ocean count hawaiian islands humpback whale. Snowcapped mountains, lush tropical forest, crystal clear water and an active volcano. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. The humpbacks are an endangered species that travel to hawaii from the north pacific waters off alaska each winter to breed. Maui is known to have the largest transient whale population during humpback whale season. Unlike the other main hawaiian islands of maui, oahu, and kauai, the big island offers ideal whale watching conditions throughout the day. The big island is known for its geographic and ecologic diversity. In my experience, the very best spot to whale watch on the big island is from the top of puu kuili, a 342foot tall cindercone in the middle of the kekaha kai kona coast state park, located a few miles north of the kona airport. Whether its an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best island of hawaii cruises around.
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