Big Island of Hawaii

Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island

Name: Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island
Brand: Body Glove Cruises
SKU: 15509P3
Price: 118.92 USD
Rating: 4.5 (224 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

585

from $134.64

Likely to Sell Out

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

318

from $177.72

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Private Charter: Customizable Big Island Boat Adventure

from $1,882.00

Per group

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Get up close with humpback whales near the Big Island of Hawaii on this guided, whale watching excursion. During Hawaii's whale season, the ocean is full of activity from humpback whales migrating from the Pacific Northwest to breed and nurse their young. Hear the whales with a hydrophone and learn about their behavior patterns from the certified naturalist guide. Snacks and light refreshments are provided.

Experience a whale watching expedition in Hawaii
See whales migrating from the Pacific Northwest
Hear the whales through a hydrophone
Avoid the typical boat traffic associated with whale watching

What's Included

Live commentary on board
Professional guide
Snacks and light refreshments
Beverages (alcoholic drinks available for purchase)
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Free parking 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua Kona, HI 96740-about a one block walk away from the pier.

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Guests must provide their own transportation to the Kailua Kona Pier.
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
All cruises board 30 minutes prior to departure. 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua Kona, HI 96740 (Ilima Court Shopping Center) is the address for Body Glove Cruises main office where the closest free parking is located. Guests must walk one block to the Kailua Kona Pier for boarding.

Start time

01:00 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible via a customize boarding ramp with portable extensions that accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters. Please include in Special Requests at the time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
Boarding 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
This adventure is on Hawaii Island in Kailua Kona.
Liability waiver must be completed by all guests prior to boarding.
Hotel pick-up is not available.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 110 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.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Mark_G

The grandkids loved it. We saw at least 14 different whales. My experience was a bit different. I suffer from seasickness and hadn't properly prepared. The staff (including the Captain) went out of their way to see that I was doing okay. I very much appreciated that. A great cruise, and a great crew!

Reviews

4.5

224 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 224 reviews

A little disappointed

Virginia_C, Apr 2024

Had a great weather day & boat ride… unfortunately we didn’t see any wildlife but we’re offered a free rain check next time we return.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Virginia_C, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that you were disappointed not to spot any wildlife during your Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island. While we strive to provide memorable wildlife encounters, the presence of marine life can sometimes be unpredictable. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful weather and the boat ride despite not seeing any wildlife. As a gesture of our commitment to providing exceptional experiences, we offer a free rain check for your next visit. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back onboard for another chance to witness the amazing marine life that frequents our waters. Thank you for choosing Body Glove Cruises, and we look forward to the possibility of hosting you again in the future.

A whale breaching made our day

Andr_U, Mar 2024

This was a great whale watching tour - the crew were the first to spot any whales and the skipper then positioned the boat to get a good view. The highlight was watching a juvenile breach in front of us - awesome!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great whale watching tour with us. It's wonderful that our crew's expertise allowed you to spot whales quickly and that our Captain positioned the boat for the best possible view. Seeing a juvenile whale breach in front of you must have been absolutely breathtaking! We're delighted that you had such an awesome highlight during your excursion. Thank you for choosing our Whale Watch Excursion and for sharing your memorable experience. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more incredible adventures in the future!

Worth the $

LuAnn_F, Mar 2024

The guide was very knowledgeable and in the end we were able to see several whales. Overall we enjoyed it very much

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Mahalo for joining us and taking the time to leave a five star review! We are honored! We hope you're able to join us again someday soon! Best regards to you and yours!

Wonderful Whale Watch

Amy_A, Mar 2024

Our whale watching excursion with Body Glove was great! Our family enjoyed the wonderful snacks and drinks and were amazed at the beautiful whale we saw multiple times. The staff were very friendly and we would recommend this trip to anyone who has the opportunity to take it.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Amy, Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful whale watching excursion with Body Glove Cruises. It's great to know that your family enjoyed the delicious snacks and drinks provided onboard. Witnessing the beautiful whale multiple times must have been an incredible sight, and we're delighted that you had such a memorable experience. We truly appreciate your kind words about our friendly staff and are honored by your recommendation. Ensuring our guests have an enjoyable and memorable time on our excursions is always our top priority. Thank you for choosing Body Glove Cruises for your whale watching adventure, and we hope to welcome you and your family back on board again soon for more unforgettable experiences!

Whale watching Kona

Brenda_B, Mar 2024

Had a great time, crew very friendly. Got to see about three whales and they came close to the boat! Definitely worth it!!!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Brenda, Thank you for joining us on our whale watching excursion in Kona! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time and that our crew provided friendly service throughout your journey. It's always a remarkable experience to witness whales up close, and we're delighted that you had the opportunity to see about three of them during your trip. We strive to provide unforgettable experiences for our guests, and we're glad to hear that your whale watching adventure with us was worthwhile. Thank you for choosing Body Glove Cruises for your whale watching excursion, and we look forward to welcoming you back onboard for more unforgettable experiences in the future!

Guide wasn’t...

carl_b, Mar 2024

Guide wasn’t knowledgeable and her voice was the most high pitched voice that made it hard to focus. The captain didn’t seem at all interested in getting on the whales. We followed it from a half a mile away and seemed to think just seeing blowhole air was enough. All other boats went ahead and waited for whales to come to them. Body Glove is a better dinner cruise or snorkeling boat.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha carl_b, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We take pride in the expertise of our team, including our naturalists, who undergo rigorous training and hold advanced degrees in marine science, specializing in cetaceans. Regarding the approach to whale watching, we want to assure you that our captains adhere to NOAA standards, which dictate keeping a respectful distance from marine life. While it may seem that we are observing from a distance, this is done to minimize disturbance to the whales and ensure their well-being. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we continually strive to improve our services. We appreciate your honesty and hope that you will consider giving us another chance to provide you with a memorable and fulfilling experience in the future. If you have any further concerns or would like to discuss your experience in more detail, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Awesome experience whale watching

Cynthia_B, Mar 2024

We had a great time whale watching. We saw 5 whales in a group that hung around for quite awhile. A few of them surfaced right in front of the boat which was an awesome experience we will never forget!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Cynthia, Thank you for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had an awesome time whale watching with Body Glove Cruises. It's truly magical to witness these magnificent creatures up close, and we're delighted that you had the opportunity to see a group of 5 whales during your excursion. Having them surface right in front of the boat must have been an unforgettable moment, and we're thrilled to have been a part of it. Thank you for choosing Body Glove Cruises for your whale watching adventure, and we hope to welcome you back onboard for more unforgettable experiences in the future!

Great experience

Heidi_R, Mar 2024

Great experience. We got to see 3 whales which was awesome. The naturalist was very knowledgeable but her voice was like nails on a chalk board.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Heidi! We are so happy that you had a great experience! We are thrilled that you saw three whales! Yay you!

Amazing sighting!

Ruth_B, Mar 2024

We had amazing views of a whale mom and baby and "escort" whale. Informative commentary by naturalist.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Ruth! Wow, a mom and baby and an escort! That's incredible! Good for you! We are honored that you joined us and took the time to share a five star review! Mahalo! Best wishes to you and yours! We hope that you'll join us again someday soon!

Awesome day

Elizabeth_R, Mar 2024

We had a mom, babe and escort swim under the boat and a couple full breaches right next to the boat. It was pretty spectacular

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha! Thank you for the five-star rating and for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a spectacular time during your whale watch. It sounds absolutely breathtaking to witness a mom, babe, and escort swimming under the boat, as well as experiencing a couple of full breaches right next to the boat. Moments like these are truly unforgettable, and we're honored that you chose to spend this special time with us. Thank you for joining our whale watch, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us, and we appreciate your feedback!

Great whale watching

Roberta_R, Mar 2024

Very knowledge guide. The staff couldn't have been nicer. We had to go out quite far to see the whales and dolphins. It didn't disappoint. The spinner dolphins were as fun to watch as the whales!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. It's fantastic that you found our guide to be very knowledgeable, and we're glad to hear that our staff was friendly and accommodating. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the whale and dolphin watching experience, even though it required going out quite far. It's wonderful to know that it didn't disappoint and that both the spinner dolphins and the whales provided an exciting and memorable sightseeing experience. Thank you for choosing Body Glove Cruises, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!

Wonderful excursion and great crew!! Highly recommend!!

Roger_M, Mar 2024

Great experience!! Highlight of our day!! Great boat with a great crew!! Well worth the price of admission!!

Loved it all!

Mark_G, Feb 2024

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Mark, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us on the Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island! We are thrilled to hear that you and your grandkids loved it overall. It's fantastic that you were able to witness at least 14 different whales during the excursion. Observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is truly a memorable experience. We're sorry to hear that you experienced seasickness during the cruise. However, we're glad that our staff, including the Captain, went out of their way to ensure your comfort and well-being. Providing exceptional service and care to our guests is a top priority, and we're delighted that our crew's efforts were appreciated. For our valued readers: we recommend if you have been known to experience motion sickness to take an over the counter motion sickness remedy such as Bonine or Dramamine at least an hour before boarding. The good news is that the vast majority of our guests do not experience motion sickness. Thank you once again for choosing our cruise and for your kind words about our crew. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you onboard again for another great experience in the future!

Boat ride

mark_s, Feb 2024

Nice boat ride but you see more whales from the shoreline. Saw a whale from a distance not as close as the brochure (little misleading)

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Mark, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback about your recent whale watching cruise experience with us. We appreciate hearing about your perspective and want to address your concerns with the utmost sincerity. We take great care to ensure that our guests have an enjoyable and informative experience during our cruises, especially when it comes to wildlife encounters like whale sightings. We'd like to clarify that our cruises adhere to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) mandatory guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of marine life. While we understand your disappointment in not having a closer encounter with a whale, it's important to note that whale behavior is unpredictable, and sightings can vary from trip to trip. Additionally, as per NOAA guidelines, we maintain a respectful distance from marine mammals to minimize any potential disturbance to their natural behavior and habitat. Regarding the brochure, we apologize if it gave the impression of guaranteed close encounters with whales. We strive to accurately represent the experiences our guests may have, but we understand that nature can be unpredictable. We do offer a guarantee that you will see whales or you may join us again for free. We're glad to hear that you still enjoyed the boat ride.

Awesome!

Emily_S, Feb 2024

Totally awesome and fun snacks and bar ,saw lots of whales , staff was friendly and fun and there is a marine biologist on board who was supper informative

Whales, dolphins, and sunset!!!

Stephen_R, Feb 2024

Wonderful cruise with sunset, whales, and dolphins. Very attentive crew made this a great experience.

We’re happy we booked this tour

Christine_Z, Feb 2024

The majority of the whales that we seen were at the beginning of the tour, so by the last 45 minutes, I was ready to be done. We drove my a few dolphin pods and that was amazing to see. The refreshments were great and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.

None

Byron_C, Feb 2024

Confusing directions about parking. My wife was in their office. She was told one thing and I was told another. Left without us even though we were their 30 minutes early.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Byron, Clearly you are upset and that's unfortunate. After reviewing our team's notes from your reservation it is unfortunate that there seems to be a disparity between your experience and our notes. While it's true that parking is limited right next to the pier, we provide ample free parking at the address provided in our confirmation email and in the notes on Viator's website. This free parking is about a block away and can take some guests up to 10 minutes to walk to the boat. This is why we begin our boarding 30 minutes prior to our departure time. Additionally, it's important to note that our other 85 guests made it to the boat on-time. Our records show that our first contact with you was at 12:43 pm when we called. Your wife was upset and was raising her voice at you and our team member. There was time at 12:43 for you to come and park in our lot and walk down to the vessel. We even offered to hold the boat another five minutes and to depart at 1:05. We wish you all the best but will agree to disagree.

So many whales!

Jordan_S, Feb 2024

Our tour was amazing! We saw numerous whales (over 12), some of them extremely close to the boat. My husband and many other people on the boat saw a whale fully breach the water as well, I wasn’t so fortunate. The crew was wonderful and kind and we had a great experience.

Was amazing saw multiple...

Kim_J, Feb 2024

Was amazing saw multiple whales beaching and full body jumps. Crew was wonderful them to everyone. Loved the island

...