Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

480 Reviews 4.89 out of 5 stars Based on 480 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 98% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Big Island of Hawaii, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (14) days in advance.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

The experience of watching 40 foot (12 meter) whales from a 24 foot (7 meter) Zodiac raft is something you'll never forget! Following Hawaiian Marine Park laws of stopping at least 100 yards (90 meters) away from these magnificent animals, you get a close up look at the migrating humpback whales. It is not uncommon for them to be curious about the raft and come right under the boat!

What's Included

  • Beverages (sodas, fruit juices and bottled water) and snacks
  • Rafting expedition
  • Local taxes
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
See 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

74-425 Kealakehe Parkway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Join us for an adventure to see our seasonal Humpback whales as they come home to Hawaii to calf and mate during the winter months. Our twin powered Zodiac boats can cover lots of ground as we leave the harbor and venture out to find these majestic beauties. Scanning the horizon for any blows, splashes, or flukes as your captain will engage all guests with an informative narrative about the Humpback whales. Bring along any camera you have to take breath taking photographs from 100 yards away. Relax for a short snack break when you have a chance to because the whales always seem to know when the cameras are down. Its a three hour tour but packed full of action from start to finish.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age is 4 years
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(9)

Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?

A: As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat. Read more Dec 2022

Cancellation Policy

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

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-3196WHALE

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.89
480 reviews

Average 4.89 out of 5 stars based on 480 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
443
4 stars
28
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
1 star
3

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (14) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

See two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on a small group tour that features the natural wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National...

5 hours 30 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
5 hours 30 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
5 hours 30 minutes • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (280)
from
$187.95
Whale Watching in Kona

We are a small Hawaiian ʻohana-owned and operated business. A family of five—Kaleo, Leila, and their three sons Kaeo, Hauʻoli, and Makana—shares their love for...

3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (6)
from
$125
Private Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkeling

There is no better way to explore Hawaii’s #1 snorkel destination than with an affordable private charter from HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS. Vessel Designed for...

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (46)
from
$1,541.11
All Hawaiian Islands Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle

Ready for a trip through paradise? This bundle includes tours of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands: O’ahu, Kauai, and Maui. Experience Honolulu’s rich culture, explore jungles...

15 to 20 hoursFree Cancellation
15 to 20 hoursFree Cancellation
15 to 20 hours • Free Cancellation
3.7 (7)
from
$39.99

Travelers Who Bought This Activity Also Bought

Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Hawai‘i Island’s only working salt farm, featured on Guy Fieri’s “Guy Hawaiian Style,” is located on a scenic 7-acre oceanfront site in the Hawai‘i Ocean...

1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hour • Free Cancellation
4.9 (888)
from
$27
Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free

Why Choose Us for Your Manta Ray Night Snorkel? The strongest light power out of any operator…! Choose us if you want the most manta...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (2,409)
from
$95
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

A must do while in Hawaii! It's a lifetime opportunity to see up close manta rays feeding and interacting with other ocean creatures under the...

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (6,072)
from
$94
Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Our tours depart from the Kailua-Kona pier on the Big Island of Hawaii. Discover the beauty of Kona's underwater world aboard Marian, a 36-foot (10-meter), custom-designed glass-bottom boat....

50 minutesFree Cancellation
50 minutesFree Cancellation
50 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.7 (524)
from
$72

What's Included

Activity name

  • Beverages (sodas, fruit juices and bottled water) and snacks
  • Rafting expedition
  • Local taxes
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age is 4 years
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).
  • This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Hawaii wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Hawaii over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.