Whale Watching · OAHU

15 Oahu Whale Watching Tours to Build a Morning Around

34 tours  ·  from $29 a head

The good Oahu whale watching tours fill up weeks ahead in season and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki - Diamond Head from a whale-watching boat
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2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

1.2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,929 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49Our pick

Join Captain Logan and the crew at Ala Wai Harbor for a two-hour whale watch from Waikiki. From December through May, you’ll scan for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish while learning about whale behavior through live narration and an onboard hydrophone.

“Captain and crew were great, very accommodating, knowledgeable and fun! We saw a sea turtle, and monk seal! No whales, but we did get a voucher to go back anytime! Will be back!”

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Waikiki, Oahu 2-Hour Whale Watching: Guaranteed Sightings - Searching for whales off Honolulu
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Waikiki, Oahu 2-Hour Whale Watching: Guaranteed Sightings

2.Waikiki, Oahu 2-Hour Whale Watching: Guaranteed Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,064 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Cruise from Pink Sails Waikiki between December and April for a two-hour search for humpback whales. Captain Jamie and crew members such as Alex, Peter, Ryan, and Tyler share facts about whale behavior while you watch for blows, tails, dolphins, and turtles. If no whale appears, you can return for another ride at no charge.

“We didn’t see a whale, but that’s nothing that can be humanly controlled. We did see a turtle. We do get another trip for free whenever we want. It was a nice boat riding nonetheless, and the crew were cool.”

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Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch - What the crew adds to the ride
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Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

3.Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Cruise from Kewalo Basin with Hawaii Nautical for about two hours of whale watching near Waikiki. Your captain and crew explain humpback migration while you watch for breaches, tail slaps, and spouts. Guides such as Chris, Joey, and Keoni may lead the trip, with drinks, snacks, restrooms, and a re-ride if no whales appear.

“When the guys show up just on time, don't worry, even tho you've been there 30 min. The whales did not cooperate, so didn't see anything. They guarantee you see whales so we were given a voucher for a future cruise. Staff was very nice and the drinks were good if a little sweet. Just be aware that the "guaranteed whales" isn't. This boat is also very rocky if there are any seas so don't go if you're prone to seasickness.”

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Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki - Breakfast and the first views of Oahu
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Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki

4.Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 202 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $68

Cruise from Aloha Tower aboard the Star of Honolulu for about two hours of humpback whale watching. A naturalist provides live narration while you use four walk-around decks, indoor seating, and steadying stabilizers. The trip includes pineapple banana bread plus Kona coffee or tea.

“Obviously it was magical seeing the whales, but in addition, the crew was professional and knowledgeable, the boat was clean and spacious, plenty of options to watch for whales, and I like that it is handicapped accessible, even though we didnt personally need that. Really glad we made the time to do it. Very well worth it!”

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Whale Watch Cruise Aboard The Majestic - Leaving Pier 6 with Diamond Head ahead
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Whale Watch Cruise Aboard The Majestic

5.Whale Watch Cruise Aboard The Majestic

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 193 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Cruise from Honolulu’s Pier 6 aboard the spacious Majestic for about 2.5 hours. A naturalist explains humpback behavior while you watch for whales, turtles, and spinner dolphins in Maunalua Bay. You get indoor air-conditioned seating, outdoor decks, food and drinks for purchase, and a free return cruise if no whale is sighted.

“Casey made us feel very good and welcome. The naturalist identifying the whales was extremely knowledgeable and so much fun. The whole experience was absolutely wonderful.”

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Honolulu, Oahu: Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise - What the 90-minute cruise feels like
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Honolulu, Oahu: Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise

6.Honolulu, Oahu: Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 166 reviews · 1h 30m · from $39

Join E Sea Diver aboard the 65-foot Ocean Intrigue for a 90-minute whale-watching cruise from Kewalo Basin. Between December and April, look for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish while enjoying open views from the double-decker catamaran. If no whales appear, you can book another trip free.

“The entire team was incredibly welcoming, and we were even lucky enough to spot a family of whales! This experience offers fantastic value for the price—I highly recommend it.”

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Whale Watching & Late Breakfast Cruise in Honolulu - Waikiki Beach from the water
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Whale Watching & Late Breakfast Cruise in Honolulu

7.Whale Watching & Late Breakfast Cruise in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 161 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Prince Kuhio Tours at 9 a.m. for a two-hour cruise from Honolulu. Enjoy Kona coffee and breakfast while looking for humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles, with views of Waikiki and Lēʻahi. Captain Phil and crew members such as Lily have earned praise for friendly service and sharp whale spotting.

“We would not recommend this tour. It said to check in 30 minutes prior for check in but no one was there to check us in. Tour started late. Captain and deckhand were very unprofessional in dress code and how they engaged with guests. We did not appreciate seeing the Captain's naked butt cheeks as she steered the ship. The same went for the deckhand when she she was pulling the ropes on and off the boat. Luckily my grandson was not with us, very inappropriate. We had to ask for water and cold drinks if we wanted any, deckhand never offered any to us. The breakfast was a bust…”

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2 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu - The upper deck, lower deck, and underwater room
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2 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu

8.2 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Cruise from Honolulu’s Ala Moana Harbor along Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Ala Moana Beach Park. You’ll watch for humpback whales from open-air upper and lower decks, with an underwater viewing room, snacks, drinks, restrooms, and a free rebooking option if no whales appear.

“If you have time, call ahead to see how many passengers will be on the trip and get a whale status update.”

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Sea Safari, Dolphins, Turtles and Waikiki Cruise - Kewalo Basin: arrive early and find Slip F21
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Sea Safari, Dolphins, Turtles and Waikiki Cruise

9.Sea Safari, Dolphins, Turtles and Waikiki Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 124 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $46

Cruise the South Shore aboard the 50-foot Haleiwa Queen, using underwater viewing ports to look for fish, turtles, dolphins, and seasonal whales. Captain Austin, Casey, Jason, and Ford have all led recent trips. Expect a relaxed, family-friendly hour, not a dedicated deep-water whale expedition.

“No dolphins or turtles on our trip. Hadn’t seen a dolphin in 4 days. Took us out where turtles sleep. Fed some fish. Saw more people in the water than wildlife.”

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Oahu: Waikiki Eco-Friendly Morning Whale Watching Cruise - What the Two-Hour Route Feels Like
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Oahu: Waikiki Eco-Friendly Morning Whale Watching Cruise

10.Oahu: Waikiki Eco-Friendly Morning Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 119 reviews · 2 hours · from $99

Spend two hours aboard the Honu Lani, a stable catamaran sailing from Kewalo Basin Harbor. Your English-speaking crew, including guides such as Joey, Sabrina, Flinn, or Julia on some departures, watches for humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles while you enjoy Diamond Head views and drinks from the premium bar.

“We got to go twice because the first time we went we didn’t get to see any whales up close, we did get to see a turtle and dolphins who were doing tricks, the second time we got to see dolphins and a whale and it’s baby, the staff were also great on both trips”

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1.5-Hour Guided Whale Watching Tour - Searching the North Shore for whales and more
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1.5-Hour Guided Whale Watching Tour

11.1.5-Hour Guided Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

From Hale‘iwa Boat Harbor, Ocean Outfitters Hawaii takes up to 18 people along Oahu’s North Shore for 90 minutes of whale watching and marine-life spotting. Captain Kevin and his crew use a fast Zodiac-style boat to reach Waimea Bay and nearby wildlife areas, with possible sightings of whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and seabirds.

“Tour guides were great. We really wanted to see the sharks and so they made an extra effort to find them for us. Overall great experience and would recommend”

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Sunset Whale Watch in Waikiki, Whales Guaranteed or Free Return - What this Waikiki whale watch is really like
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Sunset Whale Watch in Waikiki, Whales Guaranteed or Free Return

12.Sunset Whale Watch in Waikiki, Whales Guaranteed or Free Return

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Top rated

Set out from Honolulu Harbor on a 1.5 to 2-hour sunset cruise with Living Ocean Tours. Watch for humpback whales and spinner dolphins from a double-decker boat, enjoy soda, snacks, and water, and take in Diamond Head from offshore. If no whales appear, you can return on another tour.

“We did not see any whales and they refused to refund as they advertised they would if no whales were spotted.”

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1.5 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching with E Sea Diver (Shuttle Option) - What happens at Pier E
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1.5 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching with E Sea Diver (Shuttle Option)

13.1.5 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching with E Sea Diver (Shuttle Option)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 70 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $29Best value

Cruise from Honolulu on E Sea Diver’s multi-deck catamaran for about 90 minutes, watching for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. The crew, including captains Chad and Isaiah on some departures, shares whale facts, serves drinks and light snacks, and offers select Waikiki hotel pickup for an added fee.

“The earlier tour had reported there is no whale and at our tour at 10:am, we didn’t see any whale either. I had bought 4 tickets and I asked them to refund a money for 2 tickets and the woman in charge was very rude and very harshly refused my request. I’m travelling back to Canada and basically I have wasted my money. It wasn’t a good experience.”

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West Oahu Deluxe Whale Watching Sail - Two hours of scanning, surfacing, and waiting
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West Oahu Deluxe Whale Watching Sail

14.West Oahu Deluxe Whale Watching Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Set out from Waiʻanae Small Boat Harbor on a spacious catamaran with guides such as Jesse, Quin, and Sienna. You’ll scan for humpback whales along the Waianae coast, hear about whale behavior, enjoy shaded or open-air seating, and return to the harbor after about two hours.

“We saw a whale and got a tail shot!! It was AWESOME! The boat ride was relaxing and enjoyable! Snacks were good and we appreciated the drinks! It was a great trip!”

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Sunset Cruise & Whale Watching from Oahu - Searching for whales and dolphins
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Sunset Cruise & Whale Watching from Oahu

15.Sunset Cruise & Whale Watching from Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · from $61

Sail from Pink Sails Waikiki for two hours of whale and dolphin watching, island views, and sunset color. Captains Jamie and Alexio help spot wildlife, while crew members such as Alex and Big Mike add humor, photos, and practical help. The ride can be windy and rough, so dress for changing weather.

“Weather wasn't the best it was a rocking ride but the captain has no control over that! He was able to get leads on whales and we saw 4!”

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New in Oahu Whale Watching Tours

★ 3.0Whale Watching and Sunrise Breakfast Cruise in HonoluluFrom $9113 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching Sail in Honolulu with Open BarFrom $499 reviews
★ 3.5Whale Watching Cruise in HonoluluFrom $4523 reviews
★ 5.0Private Whale Watching Safari from North Shore Oahu3 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watching Adventure -Speed Boat & Small GroupFrom $10520 reviews
★ 4.0Waikiki Whale Watching CruiseFrom $9416 reviews
★ 3.5Private Whale Watching and Dolphin ExcursionFrom $2654 reviews
★ 5.0Oahu Whale Watch Tour & Waikiki Sunset Boat TourFrom $809 reviews
★ 5.0Private Whale Watching Activity: 6 passengers max10 reviews
★ 5.0Private Whale Watching and Coastal Swimming Tour Honolulu3 reviews
★ 3.5Private Whale Watching Sailing Adventure2 reviews
★ 4.0Oahu: Seasonal Whale Watch CruiseFrom $8513 reviews
★ 4.9Oahu: Waikiki Whale Watching Tour-Donut and Coffee IncludedFrom $10013 reviews

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