Listen for humpback songs on an intimate sanctuary cruise
1 hour & 45 minutes
Up to 6 people
Hydrophone, drinks, snacks
Explore the humpback sanctuary aboard a six-passenger vessel with seating designed for viewing. Hear cetacean insights and Big Island history from Captain Kelsey, Captain Steve, or Captain Gerald and the crew as you cruise.
Full refund with 48 hours' notice, or 72 hours when booking all seats or a private charter. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are charged the full price.
Product ID: H5NDAG
Dress for the beach in light, comfortable clothing that can get ocean spray. Wear flip-flops or sandals, and remove your footwear before boarding. Bring a light jacket for early-morning or sunset trips.
Pack light because storage space is limited. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle, a towel, and a camera or phone. Dry bags are available onboard for phones and cameras.
Da Whale Boat, Port South Basin, Kawaihae, HI 96743
Small group sizing (typically 6-10 people) is a defining feature here, and it shows in nearly every review. Captains like G, Steve, Brandon, and Kelsey consistently earn praise for being knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely engaged with guests. Multiple reviewers mention the live hydrophone experience, where the crew drops a microphone into the water so passengers can hear whale songs in real time, as a standout moment. Homemade macadamia nut cookies and Hawaiian snacks get more shoutouts than you might expect. Whale sightings tend to be plentiful, with most guests spotting multiple humpbacks, and some lucky groups catching breaches and tail slaps up close. The boat also offers manta ray snorkeling tours that have earned equally strong reactions. One reviewer noted that early season trips in December may yield fewer sightings, so timing your visit during peak whale season is worth considering. The ride can also be bumpy, so those prone to seasickness should come prepared.
Discover Hawaiian sea salt at an oceanfront working farm
Explore lava landscapes, crater roads, and a lava tube with a geologist guide
Float above an illuminated manta viewing site on a Kona night snorkel
Explore Kona’s reefs and lava formations on two guided morning dives
Snorkel near the Captain Cook Monument and discover endemic fish
Dive two Kona sites in one morning with certified local guides