AdventureInHawaii.com | Oahu Whale Watching

In the winter, Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii.

The Honi Olani departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor

Hawaii Nautical guarantees whales sightings, or you come back again 1 more time for free!

While in Hawaii, the whales mate and give birth to their calves.

Witness a magnificent full breach!

COVID-19 AVAILABILITY UPDATE: Hawaii Nautical Whale Watches are operating now! Majestic Whale Watches will not operate until the 2022 season.

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Humpback whale enthusiasts have various options to choose from. If you prefer a larger vessel, you will enjoy cruising aboard the brand new 150′ vessel called the Majestic. The Seakeeper Technology provides a comfortable and stable ride. With its sleek design and engineering, Majestic can cruise further down the coast in search of humpback whales. Multi-level outdoor viewing decks and large windows in the air conditioned cabins provide for wonderful sighting opportunities and views. If you’re looking for a smaller and more intimate ride, Hawaii Nautical’s 53′ catamaran, Honi Olani, is perfect for you!

Both tours are truly dedicated to the Oahu whale watching experience, and expert naturalists share insightful information and educational commentary on the humpback whale’s behavior and biology. Plus, the Majestic & Hawaii Nautical offer a whale sighting guarantee! If no whales are sighted during your cruise guests can go out again for free. There are several boat and tour options to choose from.

Hawaii Nautical Whale Watches

Come along to witness these beautiful humpback whales in their natural environment on an exciting eco-friendly whale watching excursions. During the months of December through April, thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii to give birth. Hawaii Nautical guarantees whale sightings or you can come back again 1 more time for free! (Rerides only, no refunds). This tour is best for people staying close or in Waikiki who would like transportation.

Schedule: Available daily from December 1st thru April 30 at 8am and 3pm. The 8am whale watch is 2 hours long, and the 3pm whale watch is 90 minutes.

Check in: If you are not being picked up at your hotel, check-in time for all sails is 30 minutes prior to start time at the Kewalo Basin Harbor. Click to view map

Vessel: Honi Olani – 54′ catamaran

Capacity: 49 passengers

Reservations: Advanced reservations required … a credit card is required to reserve your space and this card is charged five days prior to your arrival in Hawaii (or on the day the reservation is made if you are already here in Hawaii).

Minimum Notice for Cancellation or Changes: 48 hours prior to the start of the event.

Reserve 8AM 2hr Whale Watch

Reserve 3PM 1.5hr Whale Watch

Majestic whale watches - daily from mid-December to mid-April

Majestic ... Multiple viewing decks offer excellent visibility

A whale tail is a spectacular site

Oahu Whale Watching Navatek whale breach

Humpback whale breaching near the Majestic

Oahu Whale Watching Navatek humpback whales

Humpback mother and calf just below the surface

Baby whales are curious and often pop up to look around

Oahu Whale Watching Navatek Waikiki view

Romantic views of the Waikiki skyline, downtown Honolulu and the Koolau mountains

Cruise to the Kahala Coastline - home to Hawaii’s rich and famous

11:30am Majestic Whale Watch Lunch Cruise

The Majestic whale watch lunch cruise is 2 1/2 hours long from 11:30am to 2:00pm.
Enjoy a make-your-own deli sandwich lunch with a selection of deli meats, cheeses, assorted breads, rolls, & condiments …as well as lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, pasta salad, potato chips, and fresh seasonal fruits. For dessert, indulge in cookies or brownies. (exact menu subject to change) Beverages (coffee, hot/ice tea, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages) are available for purchase and water is free. The cruise departs from Honolulu Harbor Pier 6 at the Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Schedule: Daily from 1/1/2022 to 3/31/2022

Check In: Dock 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu Harbor. The address is 155 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813. Click to view map

Transportation: Transportation is available from Waikiki area hotels for $14 per person. Be at your pick-up point 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time.

What to Bring & Wear: Comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Light jacket.

Duration: 2.5 hours

Vessel: 150′ motor yacht with “Seakeeper technology” (hi-tech gyroscopic stabilization)

Reservations: Advanced reservations required … Payment for Majestic reservations is required at the time this reservation is made. Atlantis Adventures will charge your credit card in full for your seats when your date and time is confirmed by their office.

Minimum Notice for Cancellation or Changes: 48 hours prior to the start of the event.

Reserve Afternoon Tour

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Witness the magnificent creatures play

The Majestic is fast and comfortable

Cruise Ship Passengers

It is recommended that cruise ship passengers do the Majestic Whale Watch Lunch Cruise because it leaves from the same port where cruise ships dock in downtown Honolulu and is available for cruise ship clients who are there for the day. If you’d like to do the Hawaii Nautical Whale Watch, it is about a 10 minute cab ride to Kewalo Basin Harbor.

Activity Tips

Kevin Ditamore – Owner / Manager

No, you don’t have to go on a boat to see whales. During the peak season (mid-December to mid-April) it is very common to be able to see whales from the shore. But these sightings are usually pretty far away … it is not a particularly impressive sight to watch a whale jump out of the water three miles away. And these creatures are SO impressive when you experience them close-up. There is a big difference between SEEING a whale and EXPERIENCING a whale. Do yourself a favor … go on a whale watching cruise.

The Humpback Whales begin to arrive in late November, and most of them have arrived by the beginning of January. Worried if you’ll actually see a whale? It’s GUARANTEED! At the end of your whale watch you’ll feel silly you ever worried about it. There are SO MANY whales here during peak season that locals refer to the ocean as “whale soup.”

How close will you get to the whales? That depends on the whales. By law, the boats must stop 100 yards away from a whale. They are incredibly curious animals though, and they OFTEN approach much closer than that. Sometimes they mug the boat and swim directly under it … you may even get the rare treat of smelling whale breath! The sound of a spouting whale is something you will not forget … it is like the powerful puff of a steam engine locomotive.

Majestic is a great choice for whale watching because of the boat’s spacious multi-level decks. The open air upper deck makes it easy to go from one side to the other for viewing active whales that swim under the boat (yes, they really do that … often!). On the second and first decks the windows are nearly floor to ceiling height so those who want to watch while staying out of the wind can also get a spectacular view. And there is an open-air bow platform on the second level and viewing at the stern.

If you are here during the right time of the year, GO ON A WHALE WATCH!