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Whale Watching In Kona: What First-Time Guests Are Most Surprised By

Whale fin breaking the ocean’s surface at sunset, silhouetted against warm golden and orange hues reflecting across calm water.

Whale watching in Kona, Hawaii, is truly an experience you will never forget. Not only will you get to experience phenomenal views of one of Hawaii’s most beautiful coastlines, but you’ll also get up close and personal with one of the largest animals on Earth! At Kona Ocean Adventures, we’ve been providing travelers and locals alike with top-rated Big Island snorkel cruises, sunset cruises, and, of course, whale watching tours. Here’s a detailed guide on what to expect on your Kona whale watching cruise and what you might find yourself most surprised by:

Why Are There So Many Whales in Kona, HI?

There’s a reason why Kona is such a hotspot for whales! The region’s unique geography creates what is essentially a safe haven for mother whales and their babies. Kona is located on the leeward, meaning western, side of the island, which helps protect it from harsh trade winds and strong currents. The waters around Kona are safe, shallow, and sheltered, making them the ideal habitat for the humpback whales. Thanks to conservation efforts, Hawaii’s humpback whale population has seen a great increase in recent decades! Many of our first-time guests are surprised by how many whales they see on their whale-watching tour! Although the numbers can fluctuate, it’s estimated that around 12,000 whales visit Hawaii during their breeding season.

All About Whale Migration

You may be wondering why so many humpback whales migrate to Kona each year! Well, there are a few reasons. From November to May, these incredible animals make their annual journey from Alaska to Hawaii to mate, give birth, and raise their babies. On a Kona whale watching tour, you’ll be surprised to learn that the whales travel around 3,000 miles over 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes up to 100 miles per day! They swim about 3 to 4 miles an hour, and it’s believed they do so without stopping! The mothers and their calves often arrive first, followed by juvenile whales, then males, then pregnant females. During their migration and their stay in Hawaii, the whales rarely feed. Instead, they rely exclusively on their blubber reserves, stored up while in Alaska.

How Big are Humpback Whales?

You can learn about how big these animals are, but seeing them in person is another story entirely. Many of our first-time guests on our Kona whale watching tours are absolutely blown away by the sheer size of the whales! Humpbacks are a type of baleen whale, and typically grow between 45 and 56 feet long. They can weigh 30 to 40 tons… that’s the weight of two to three school buses! Here at Kona Ocean Adventures, we carefully follow all federal guidelines to help keep these gentle giants safe. We stay at least 100 feet away from the whales at all times. However, despite the distance, when you’re sharing the water with a massive animal like the humpback whale, you’ll find yourself absolutely astounded by their impressive size!

Unique Whale Behaviors

One of the most surprising things about a Big Island whale watching tour is the types of whale behaviors you can see! On board our boat, we amplify the whales’ songs so you can hear them communicating with each other under the water. Many guests are surprised by just how curious and gentle these animals are, who may come closer to investigate our boats. You’ll also be able to observe the humpbacks as they breach, tail slap, and spyhop from the waves. Here’s a breakdown of what you might see the whales doing while on your whale watching tour in Kona:

  • Breaching: This is when the humpbacks leap out of the water! Scientists theorize this may be a way to communicate with other whales or to remove parasites from their skin.
  • Tail Slapping: Whales sometimes will slap the water with their tail flukes as a form of communication.
  • Spyhopping: This is when a whale rises vertically above the water to “spy” on its surroundings.
  • Tail Sailing: Often seen with calves, you may see the whales holding their tail flukes above the water, seemingly sailing along the waves.
  • Pectoral Slap: This is like a whale “hello” or signal! Watch for humpbacks as they slap their long fins on the surface of the water. 

Go Whale Watching in Kona, HI

Experience a whale watching cruise that is memorable, exciting, and full of surprises! Whether you’re traveling with family, on a honeymoon or romantic getaway, or you’re with friends, our whale watching tours in Kona are a great option. Learn about what makes Kona such a prime location for whale watching and why these amazing animals migrate here each year alongside an expert guide. You’ll be able to hear the whales singing under the water’s surface and observe their incredible behaviors up close and personal. Book today!

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