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Whale Watching in Big Island Hawaii: 20+ Best Spots for Sightings
We’ve got lots of great info about whale watching in Big Island Hawaii, so read along if you want to see whales during your tropical vacation!
Our team at Hawaii Aloha Travel has been planning custom vacations for more than 20 years. Best of all? We live here, so we’re able to bring a local expertise to every vacation. We focus on details most travel sites skip, like real-world flight issues and travel pitfalls that can affect your trip before you even land. And once you’re here, you’ll love the way we bring your vacation vision to life.
And if your vision includes whale watching, we’ve got you covered. Today we’re sharing everything you need to know about whale watching in Hawaii’s Big Island (AKA Hawaii Island). Whether you want to do some free whale watching or join a boat excursion, there are lots of options so you can see these gigantic and intriguing creatures in person.
And stick around to the end, because we’ve also got the ultimate list of whale watching spots on the Big Island (including Kona, Hilo, & more spots throughout Hawaii Island).
Big Island Hawaii: Know Before You Go
Before we talk about whale watching, let’s take a second to discuss the Big Island of Hawaii. This large island is also called Hawaii Island or the Big Island, and it’s the easternmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
The Big Island is home to the towns of Hilo, Kona, and Waiakaloa. This is where you’ll find Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and the iconic Merrie Monarch Festival.
[The Big Island is NOT home to Waikiki and Honolulu — that’s a common confusion for first-time visitors. Those cities are on the island of Oahu. Check out how to whale watch on Oahu here.]
You can fly directly into Kona from many mainland and international cities. There is also an airport in Hilo that offers interisland flights. Most people who vacation on Hawaii Island will stay in the Kailua-Kona area but explore the entire island during their vacation.
Hawaii Whale Watching: The Basics
From DIY adventures to luxury excursions (and everything in between), whale watching in Hawaii takes a bit of planning. Here are things you need to know:
- Whale season in Hawaii runs from November through March and peaks in January and February.
- When we talk about whale watching in Hawaii, we’re talking about Humpback Whales. However, there are other types of whales in Hawaii too.
- Whales travel to Hawaii to breed and raise their young in warm waters.
- Whales can be seen from shore or from onboard boats.
- Humpback whales aren’t dangerous or aggressive to humans. But we do have to keep our distance to protect the whales and people from collisions and other accidents.
Whale Watching in Big Island Hawaii
Now that we’re all on the same island, we can start talking about whale watching! When I was first planning whale watching excursions, I wasn’t sure if it was worth trying to see whales on the Big Island. Again and again, I heard that Maui’s Au‘au Channel is the ultimate spot for whale watching, and if seeing whales is a big priority during your travels, you should visit Maui.
But then I researched more and learned that the Big Island is actually excellent for whale watching. In fact, the Kohala coast in northwest Hawaii Island is a prime spot for whale viewing. And during the official 2026 whale count, Hawaii’s Big Island came in third place with 355 whale sightings (Maui won with 694 sightings).
Let’s check out some of the many ways you can see whales during your vacation.
Booking a Whale Watching Trip
Here’s a question we get a lot: is it worth paying to go on a whale watching excursion?
Our answer: yes. This is typically worth the splurge if you’re at all interested in whales. Boat tours offer a closer view of whales. Plus, you get to spend time on the water and see Hawaii Island from a different vantage.
During any whale watching trip I’ve been on, the various boats stay in communication to report on any whale sightings. Even competing companies will announce whale sightings over the airwaves.
While the boats can only get so close to whales, the whales often move closer to the boats, granting you an up-close view of these larger-than-life creatures. But even if they don’t come bumping on the hull of your boat, it is fascinating to see them from your own spot on the water.
Types of Excursions
Most Big Island Whale Watching Tours leave from Kona and will travel up the Kohala Coast.
You can contact Hawaii Aloha Travel if you need help choosing the right kind of whale watching excursion for you.
Zodiac boats move faster through the water and get you up-close to anything on the ocean’s surface. But you do have a lower viewing point, preventing you from seeing far into the distance. These inflatable rafts also hold fewer people, and remember you won’t have space to move around. It feels adventurous, so this is great if you don’t mind a wild ride.
Larger catamarans will offer smoother sailing and room to walk around. You can look out over the water from your higher spot on the boat, which holds more people.
Some catamarans also have trips that include whale watching and other activities. For example, a sunset sail with food and live music. Or a snorkeling trip that may offer some whale sightings. So if several hours of only whale watching seem a little slow to you, you might want to book an excursion that offers a little something extra.
DIY Whale Watching for Free in Hawaii Big Island
You don’t have to pay to see whales in Hawaii. Sure, a shoreline spot won’t offer you a close up view, but that’s nothing a pair of binoculars can’t fix. And stopping at an overlook is easy — no need to spend a day out at sea when you’d rather be relaxing at the pool.
Here are places where you can see whales for free on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Spencer Beach Park & Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Spencer Beach Park in Waimea is a prime spot for whale watching, and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site nearby offers a free weekly humpback whale program that includes live viewing and an optional film.
Kapa’a Beach Park
It’s easy to get to Kapa’a Beach Park near the northern point of Big Island, and once here you may see whales come pretty close to shore! This is also a great place for having a picnic or watching the sunset.
Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park
Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park is always a great place to stretch your legs, take some photos, and enjoy Hawaii’s natural beauty. And during the winter months, it’s a great place to look for whales.
This post is off of Māmalahoa Highway / Hawaii Belt Road.
Your Hotel or Condo
If your Big Island hotel is tall enough, you may be able to see whales from the comfort of your own balcony. The farther out you can see, the more likely you are to spot a whale!
From the Beach
You don’t have to be actively whale watching to look for whales! If you’re enjoying a beach day from November through March, you may just see a whale in the water!
Don’t worry, whales don’t come up to the beach or pose a threat while you’re swimming near shore. But if you look out at the distance, you can marvel at the creatures sharing the vast ocean with you.
Bonus tip: want to hear whales? Listen under the water for whale songs while you’re swimming in the Pacific Ocean during whale season!
The Ultimate List of Whale Watching Spots on the Big Island
Ready for a true insider tip for whale watching in Hawaii? We’ve got all the spots used for the official whale count each year. This is the ultimate list for places that are highly regarded for frequent whale sightings. Here are all the spots used throughout the Big Island:
Lapakahi State Historical Park
Waipio Valley Lookout (along the Hamakua Coast)
Onekahakaha Beach Park (Hilo Bay)
Kaena Point (Chain of Craters Road)
Planning a Whale Watching Trip in Big Island Hawaii
Now you know a few things: Hawaii Island is great for whale watching (during the winter), you can do it for free (but paid trips are typically worth it), and you can get expert help planning your trip to the islands.
Because whale watching is just part of your Hawaii vacation. You also need a great hotel, budget-friendly activities, memorable moments, unique food, and an itinerary that allows memories to unfold naturally.
What are you prioritizing during your Hawaii vacation? Let our team of local Hawaii travel agents know, and we can help it all come to life.