Big Island of Hawaii

Wake Up With the Whales Cruise

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

From $125.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Go in search of humpback whales as they pass through the waters off Hawaii on their annual migration. Cruise out in a comfortable and stable catamaran along the Kohala Coast. Enjoy expert commentary from an onboard naturalist, and the change to listen to whale songs with the underwater hydrophones. Snacks and beverages, including alcohol, are all included. Humpback whale sightings are guaranteed, or you can cruise again.

Humpback whale watching morning cruise off the Kohala Coast
Less travel time with departures within Whale Sanctuary waters
Morning cruise usually offers the calmest waters
Snacks, soft drinks, beers and wines included
Guaranteed to see a humpback whale or you can take the trip again for free

What's Included

Light refreshments
Beers, Wines and Soft Drinks
Live commentary on board

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach, 69-275 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Check in at the Ocean Sports Beach Hut at Anaeho'omalu Bay.. We'll send directions via Viator,

Start time

08:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Infant seats available
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Allison

This was the highlight of our trip to Hawai’i! We saw 15-20 whales, some 10-20 feet from boat. The crew was INCREDIBLE- friendly, personable, and just overall great people. We had such a wonderful time and would definitely do it again in a heartbeat!!!!

Reviews

5.0

134 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 134 reviews

A wonderful experience!

ALICE_D, Mar 2024

Seeing the whales in the group. I would just recommend better instructions for getting to your location.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip. We agree that our check-in location at Anaeho'omalu Bay is a bit difficult to find. The bay doesn't have a recognized physical address so we can't map it on Google or any of the other mapping sites -- but we do provide detailed instructions to the closest parking lot on our confirmation email, and we're always a phone call away in case folks get confused trying to find us! We know there are a lot of ways to spend a morning when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of yours with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Enjoyed waking up with the whales!

Adrienne_Z, Mar 2024

Wonderful crew with great whale spotting talent! Had a lot of sightings and learned so much about humpback whales from Kai and Dave! Goid refreshments. Very comfortable boat and trip. Highly recommend their tour! The tour office staff were very helpful when my plans changed thanks to a power outage at my hotel, thanks to her, I did not miss an amazing experience!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and the service and information provided by our boat crew and land staff. We know there are a lot of ways to spend the morning while you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to wake up early and spend part of yours with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Great experience, highly recommend

FrankFellows, Mar 2024

Great tour, boat was nice and it was easy to find a good vantage point to see the whales. And see the whales we did. They did a great job of getting us to the area where the whales were. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and got to see so many Humpbacks. We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for part of your day and that we've earned your recommendation. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Superbly Bad Ass

David_H, Mar 2024

The Baby Whales coming up for air right by us, we saw many Whales for the First Time. Our Experience is something that is now Checked off of our Bucket List. I would definitely recommend going out to Waking up with The Whales 1st thing in the morning.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Wake up with the Whales Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and got to see so many Humpbacks! We know there are a lot of ways to spend a morning in Hawaii, and we're honored you chose to spend one of yours with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

AMAZING WHALE SIGHTINGS

Jessica_B, Mar 2024

Our tour guide DJ was Amazing, he was fun and very informative. Caption Will was awesome & friendly, he was fun to visit with about island life. We saw so many whales this trip we were entertained the entire time. Mia Tia’s we’re awesome too. I highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the information provided by Captain Sam and DJ, the onboard amenities, and most of all...the Humpbacks! We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Super cool experience!

Seth_W, Mar 2024

Super cool experience! Got to see over 2 dozen whales, full breaches, Mom and calf, tail slaps, pectoral slaps... it was really incredible!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and got to see so many active Humpbacks. We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Amazing excursion….. from...

Anurag_K, Mar 2024

Amazing excursion….. from instructions to the staff to seeing an incredible amount of whales to safety and drinks.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the information provided by the crew, and most of all, got to see so many Humpbacks. We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Great tour

Jessie_F, Mar 2024

Attentive and friendly crew, easy boarding process. Tons of whales! Very convenient if you are staying in Waikoloa Beach.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watching Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, your interactions with our crew, and most importantly, got a chance to see the Humpbacks! We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your morning with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Excellent

William_W, Mar 2024

We saw dozens of whales and the captain and crew were informative and helpful. The juice and drinks offered were very tasty

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the onboard amenities, the service and information provided by our crew, and most importantly, got to see so many Humpbacks! We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Lots of whales and staff was awesome

Greg_C, Feb 2024

The crew was amazing. They kept us informed and stayed longer as we saw some more whales. The check in was simple and had breakfast as Lava Lava right next door.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the service and information provided by our crew, and most importantly, got to see the Humpbacks! We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island, and we're honored you chose to spend part of your morning with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

A Whale of a Good Time

Steve_K, Feb 2024

We enjoyed a smooth cruise where we saw competitive whales, numbering 4-6 challenging each other. The crew was very informative and service was responsive. A beautiful experience was held by all.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the service and information provided by the crew, and most importantly, got an opportunity to watch that big pod of Humpbacks competing (it's always so exciting to witness that kind of interaction)! We know there are a lot of Activity Providers to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your morning with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Whale Watching

Cindy_H, Feb 2024

Fun Experience! Highly recommend this company. We saw several whales. Crew was amazing! It was also very educational. Thank you!!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and your interactions with our crew. Most importantly, we're happy you got a chance to see those Humpbacks. We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for part of your day and that we've earned your recommendation. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Excellent Tour!

Dorian_M, Feb 2024

Great tour, saw plenty of whales, some very close to the boat. The 1.5 hours was a perfect time frame. Would 100% do it again!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and got an opportunity to see the Humpbacks (those close encounters don't happen every day -- we follow the federal guidelines requiring us to stay at least 100 yards from the whales, so it's totally up to them if they choose to come closer)! We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your morning with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Whale of a time

KThomas_I, Feb 2024

The crew was very professional and attentive. It was a positive experience. I enjoyed learning about the history of the catamaran.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, the service provided by the crew, and our flagship's origin story. We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the Big Island and we're honored you chose to spend part of your day with us. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Lots of whales to be seen in January

Kathleen_R, Jan 2024

We saw quite a few whales, close up and off in the distance. We really like the smaller catamaran. There were about 25 guest onboard. We were provided with juice and granola bars which was sufficient. The captain put a hydrophone in the water and we could hear the whales talking. Goosebumps! The checkin kiosk on the beach is a little hard to find so get good directions and start out early. Wear water shoe because you enter the boat in ankle deep water. The highlight of the trip was when a mother, baby and guardian whale got within 30 ft of our boat. It was thrilling. Good value for the money. We recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that despite your slight difficulty in finding our location, you enjoyed the trip, the onboard amenities, and most importantly, got to see so many Humpbacks! Just in case other potential guests are reading this reply, we do offer a Mid-Morning Whale Watch Cruise that departs from a dock so you won't need to get your feet wet when boarding...and we monitor the phone lines beginning at 7AM so in case you get lost getting to our location, you can call us and we'll provide real-time directions from where ever you are at the time. We know there are a lot activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for part of your day and that we've earned your recommendation. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

The best Hawai’i experience!

Allison, Jan 2024

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, your interactions with our crew, and most importantly, got to see so many Humpbacks (and that the whales chose to approach the boat -- that doesn't always happen)! We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us and that you'd choose to join us again. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Great day with the whales

Padavieh_A, Jan 2024

All the things we can't control were wonderful - good weather and some sedate whale activity. The naturalist filled us with information and that was really nice to learn. The catamaran was completely full so we couldn't move around for views (our only complaint, but makes sense to fill it up). However, we did see a lot and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The food provided was nice and the staff on board were a lot of fun and did a great job with us.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, your interactions with our crew, and the onboard amenities. We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for your Whale Watch Cruise. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Breaching

Julie_F, Jan 2024

Wonderful display of breaching whales. Staff were professional and informative. Perfect duration for the excursion.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, your interactions with our crew, and most importantly, got to see the Humpbacks breaching. We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for part of your day. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Fabulous Excursion

Janet_S, Jan 2024

Outstanding excursion, the staff was very friendly and extremely informative. We had beautiful, SMOOTH sailing conditions and the whales put on quite a show. I would HIGHLY recommend this for anyone

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and your interactions with our crew. Most importantly, we're happy you got to see so many active Humpback Whales! We know there are a lot of activities to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us and that we've earned your recommendation. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

Great whale watching experience

alainaclewis, Jan 2024

We had a great tour and got really lucky to witness a heat run up close. Great captain and great crew, all in all the best whale watching experience we've had to date! Thanks!

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Aloha, Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Whale Watch Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip, your interactions with our crew, and most importantly, got to see those competitive Humpbacks. We know there are a lot of activity providers to choose from when you're on the island and we're honored you chose to join us for your Whale Watching experience. Mahalo and A Hui Hou

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