Quick Details
Guest
Priced per person
$ 139
Tour Rating
Moderate
This tour leaves the bay and runs the open coast. Expect swell, wind, and spray. You stay on the boat, but you need to be steady while it moves. Our captain reads conditions every morning and makes the call before we leave the harbor.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Tour
Every winter, North Pacific humpbacks (koholā) swim about 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaiʻi. They come to mate, give birth, and raise their calves. From December through April, we head out to find them.
We leave Wailoa Small Boat Harbor, run past the breakwall, and work the coast toward Onomea, then back along the shoreline toward Richardson Ocean Park. The crew scans for blows, breaches, tail slaps, and spyhops the whole way.
Along the way you hear what koholā mean in Hawaiian tradition, how the migration works, and what protects them today. Hilo sees far fewer boats than Kona, so you are rarely sharing a whale with a crowd.
Price & What’s Included
Guest
$139
Included
- Captain and crew
- Safety briefing
- Water and light snacks
- Stories of koholā and the Hilo coast
Our No Whale Promise
Whales are wild, so we cannot guarantee them. If we do not spot one, you get free rentals that day and a free rental on a future day.
Early and late in the season, we also run up the coast to the waterfalls.
Ready to find some whales?
Pick your date and lock in your seat. Six guests max.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Ages 8 and up. Minors ride with a parent or guardian.
- Steady on your feet on a moving boat.
- Prone to seasickness? Take medication before the trip, not on the boat.
What to Bring
- Light jacket or rain layer
- Hat and sunglasses
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or phone, with a waterproof case
- Seasickness medication, if you need it
Tour Details
- Meet: Wailoa Small Boat Harbor. Directions come in your confirmation email.
- Duration: About 1.5 hours.
- Group size: Up to 6 guests.
- Season: December through April. February is usually the most consistent month.
- Weather: Light rain is common in Hilo. We go in it.
What You’ll See
Here is what guests commonly see on this tour.
- Blows, breaches, tail slaps, fin slaps, and spyhops.
- Mother and calf pairs resting near the surface.
- Spinner dolphins, honu, and seabirds along the coast.
- Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hilo Bay, and Coconut Island from the water.
We give them room.
Federal law requires boats to stay at least 100 yards from humpbacks in Hawaiʻi. We follow it every trip. When whales choose to come closer, we cut the engine and let them.
FAQs
Will we see whales?
They are wild animals, so we cannot promise it. Mid season, most trips find them. If we do not, you get free rentals that day and a free rental on a future day.
When is the best time to go?
February is usually the most consistent. January and March are strong too. December and April are the edges of the season.
Will I get seasick?
This is open ocean, so it is possible. If you are prone to it, take medication before the trip. It does not help once you are already sick.
Can kids come?
Yes, ages 8 and up with a parent or guardian.
Will I get wet?
Probably. Spray and light rain are part of a winter day on Hilo’s coast. Bring a layer and a case for your phone.
What if the weather is bad?
Our captain makes the call before we leave the harbor. If it is not safe, we do not go, and we will work with you to reschedule.