Island Divers Hawaii
Whale Watching
Whale Watching Season 2023
We are doing only private whale watching charters, and we are doing it for the very low rate of $500. Our online booking system will take a reservation for one person, but you may bring up to 30 in your group. There are a few group whale watching charters on the calendar during peak months that club members and guest can book individual seats.
How the whale watching tour works
You show up with your group approximately 30 mins before departure time to check in and fill out liability waivers. The boat will be returning from their afternoon scuba diving charters, and once they are cleared we will load up and go. You may bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol, and you may also use the cooler on board. We will be in Maunalua Bay, part of the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Everybody on board, not just the captain and crew, will keep a lookout for whale spouts. Then we will drive over to observe at the legal limit of 100 yards. This is the real advantage of being on a boat, a close up view.
Considerations
Normally we recommend against children under the age of 5, as if they get seasick it can be miserable for all. But with private charters only, this is really up to you. We do recommend over the counter sea sickness medication. And again, these are private charters. If the group ready, just tell the captain to head home.
See the video below for an example of our Humpback Whales Boat Tour!
- 1.5 hours minimum sunset cruise aboard the Sea Fox
- Boat departure time is scheduled for 5pm. That is the time we are sure the afternoon dive charter is clear of the Sea Fox. However, it almost always clear by 4:30pm, and if everyone is there and checked in at that time, we’ll go and spend extra time on the water (more is better and it is fun for the crew too).
Schedule
Any day not already reserved at 5pm, check AT 4:30pm at our $500 for a private boat
Check out our Whale Watching compilation video from 2012
Additional Information
Humpback whales are in Hawaii from Nov to May. However the peak of the whale season is Jan to March. Island Divers runs charters from December to April 15th. This limited schedule gives us the greatest chance to have every charter interact with humpback whales.
Other common sea life sightings on a whale watching are flying fish, green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, many varieties of sea birds, and rarely a Hawaiian monk seal.
Humpback whales are in Hawaii to mate and give birth. They migrate from Alaska and the Bering sea where they feed during the summer. The most common sighting for Island Divers Hawaii has been a mother with her calf and possible one other adult or juvenile whale. Large groups and single adults are also sighted.
We recommend that persons not acclimated to open sea conditions take a sea sickness preventative medicine approximately at least one hour before coming aboard. It is a small percentage of people that get ill, but a very high percentage of those are people who say “I’ve never been sea sick before!” An even higher percentage of those people who did get sea sick wish they had taken this advice. It’s only a recommendation, but it is a good one if you want to play it safe. Island Diver Hawaii is located next to a Long’s Drugs, so if you arrive a few minutes early you can make a shopping trip.
We do not recommend bringing children under 5 years of age aboard the vessel. If you chose to do so we recommend bringing a flotation device fitting for your child.
Below is a beautiful underwater picture of a Humpback Whale taken by Dive Instructor Nate while leading a scuba dive tour on 4/15/13. See his dive report here.
