All cruises board 30 minutes prior to departure. 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua Kona, HI 96740 (Ilima Court Shopping Center) is the address for Body Glove Cruises main office where the closest free parking is located. Guests must walk one block to the Kailua Kona Pier for boarding.
Description
This two-and-a-half hour whale watch tour with a certified naturalist departs from the Kailua-Kona pier during whale season (December to April). Hear singing males on the PA system through a hydrophone and take photos of whales up-close. Snacks and beverages are included (no-host bar also available). Whale sightings are guaranteed, or you can come again free!
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
Start times
1:00 PM
Adult (ages 18+)
$151
Child (ages 6–17)
$130
Infant (ages 0–5)
$54
In demand: 26 of the next 26 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Whale Watch Adventure
2.5-hr Whale Watch Adventure with snacks and beverages. This Whale Watching Excursion offers you a rare opportunity to view and experience the phenomenon of the humpback whale!
What's included
Included
Beverages (alcoholic drinks available for purchase)
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Professional guide
Snacks and light refreshments
Free parking 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua Kona, HI 96740-about a one block walk away from the pier.
Live commentary on board
Not included
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Guests must provide their own transportation to the Kailua Kona Pier.
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.4
264 reviews
5
184
4
31
3
24
2
11
1
14
How it compares in Big Island of Hawaii
Starting price $151 is 21% above the typical $125 for tours of similar length in Big Island of Hawaii
Excurgo comparison of 524 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible via a customize boarding ramp with portable extensions that accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters. Please include in Special Requests at the time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
Boarding 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
This adventure is on Hawaii Island in Kailua Kona.
Liability waiver must be completed by all guests prior to boarding.
Hotel pick-up is not available.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island take?
Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island lasts about 2h 30min.
How much does Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island cost?
Prices start at $151 per person for this Big Island of Hawaii experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 1:00 PM.
How much does Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island cost for children?
Children aged 6–17 pay from $130, adults from $151.
Does Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island sell out?
It can: 26 of the next 26 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is All cruises board 30 minutes prior to departure. 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua Kona, HI 96740 (Ilima Court Shopping Center) is the address for Body Glove Cruises main office where the closest free parking is located. Guests must walk one block to the Kailua Kona Pier for boarding. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Whale Watch Excursion from the Big Island offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 110 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Children must be accompanied by an adult
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(264)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
K
Kristin_T
February 14, 2026 · via Viator
Crew was very friendly...
Crew was very friendly and knowledgeable about whales. Learned a lot, saw dolphins and whales, and listened to whales do quite a while. My husband has mobility issues and walks with a cane and they were very accommodating and made it easy for him to get on and off the boat. Really appreciated them calling ahead of time since they knew he had a wheelchair to assess his needs and make sure he could safely board.
Operator response
Aloha Kristin,
Mahalo for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed seeing the whales and dolphins and that you were able to listen to the whales for an extended time — those moments are truly special.
It also means a great deal to us that you felt well cared for. Ensuring all of our guests feel safe and comfortable is incredibly important, and we’re glad our crew was able to assist your husband and communicate ahead of time to make boarding smooth and stress free.
We truly appreciate your kind words about our team and are grateful you chose to join us. We hope to welcome you both back out on the water again soon.
M
Mickey J
February 5, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Whale watching
We took the whale watch tour today
It was the best whale watching cruise I have ever had. We hade whales right next to the boat for at least 30 minutes. The naturalists commentary was great. Enjoyed it emensely. Saw lots of whales and some spinner dolphins.
Operator response
Aloha Mickey
Mahalo for taking the time to share your experience We’re thrilled to hear this was the best whale watch you’ve ever had and what an incredible compliment that is
Having whales right alongside the boat for that long is always a magical experience and we’re so glad you were able to enjoy it It’s wonderful to hear you appreciated the naturalists’ commentary as well as our crew loves sharing their knowledge and passion for these amazing animals
We’re so glad you were able to see lots of whales and spinner dolphins as well
Thank you for joining us and we hope to welcome you back out on the water again soon
J
jennylO1224NO
January 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
WOW, so many active whales. Bottlenose and spinner dolphins, flying fish!
This was amazing. We saw 3 very active whales who breached more times than you could count, mama and baby plus companion. Saw over 12 whales plus spinner dolphins putting on a show as well as bottle nose dolphins and flying fish. Boat was comfortable upper and lower deck, shade or sun options. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable, parking just a few blocks from pier, easy checkin!
Operator response
Aloha Jenny!
Thank you for the five star review and for choosing Body Glove Cruises.
We are thrilled you experienced such an active day on the water with humpback whales, spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and even flying fish. It is always special to witness a mama and calf with a companion, especially when the whales are breaching so often.
We are glad you enjoyed the comfort of the vessel, the deck options, and the ease of check in and parking.
Mahalo for the kind words about our crew and we hope to welcome you back aboard again soon.
D
Deleane_M
January 21, 2026 · via Viator
A great experience
It was amazing!!! The captain knew exactly where to go and was great about making sure all the passengers got their pictures. The crew’s knowledge about whales was impressive and we all left knowing so much about the whales ourselves from them.
Operator response
Aloha Deleane,
Mahalo for the wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience and that our captain and crew helped make it so memorable. Making sure guests have great viewing opportunities while sharing knowledge about whales is something our team truly loves to do.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back aboard again soon!
V
vickyfV2716CF
January 21, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Take this Body Glove whale watch cruise!
This whale watch excursion was awesome! We saw so many whales. Two whales really put on a show for us. The captain said it’s the 1st time in 13 years he has seen what we saw today. Caroline was super informative and sweet! The Farmer’s from Texas
Operator response
Aloha Vicky,
Mahalo for the wonderful review!
We’re so happy to hear your whale watch was such a memorable experience. We love that you witnessed such an amazing Whale Watch!
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Caroline!
Thank you for joining us! We hope to welcome you back aboard again someday!
M
MARIE E
January 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great time watching whales
Captain and crew did a great job of finding the whales and explaining their behavior. A fun time on the water. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Aloha Marie,
Mahalo for the great review! We’re so glad you had a fun time on the water and enjoyed watching the whales. Our captains and crew truly love sharing their knowledge and passion, and it’s wonderful to hear that it made your experience memorable.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to see you back aboard again soon!
B
brandergal
January 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Special day on the water
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour today. We were in the whales within five minutes of getting out to sea and had several close encounters. Caroline was an exceptional naturalist!
Operator response
Aloha!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a special day on the water and that the whales made an appearance so quickly — those moments never get old for us either.
We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Caroline; she truly loves what she does, and it shows.
Mahalo for choosing Body Glove Cruises, and we hope to welcome you back aboard again soon.
A
Ameya_B
December 28, 2025 · via Viator
Barely any marine life spotted , pretty boring
Barely a tiny part of a whale spotted far away, no other marine life spotted, pretty boring. It’s more like a boat ride for 2.5 hours. The boats are packed, arrive early to get in line so you can get a seat you want. Positive thing is the crew is really nice, snacks and drinks were good, the boat and toilets onboard were clean.
Operator response
Aloha,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your whale-watching experience didn’t meet your expectations. As wildlife sightings are unpredictable, there are days when whales and other marine life are less active or remain at a distance, and we understand how disappointing that can be—especially when guests are hoping for close encounters.
We appreciate you pointing out the positives as well. We’re glad to hear that our crew made a good impression, and that you enjoyed the snacks, drinks, and cleanliness of the vessel. Guest comfort and friendly service are very important to us.
9
94bevn
April 4, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Hawaii whale watch great
Very good company, from reservation folks to the boat crews, all quite helpful and nice.
Boat rides great, big enough to smooth some of the sea sickness smaller ones have.
Did not see whales on the first trip, but did have enough time to take a free second trip and saw a large pod of pilot whales.
Late March/early April iffy for whales there.
Enjoyed both rides and recommend this tour highly.
Operator response
Aloha 94bevn,
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed both of your whale watch cruises and that our team—from the reservation staff to the crew on board—helped make it a smooth and welcoming experience.
We're especially glad you were able to join us for a second trip and got to witness that incredible pod of pilot whales! Our larger vessel is designed for comfort, and it's great to hear it made the ride enjoyable for you.
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation. We’d love to welcome you back aboard next time you're in Hawai‘i!
R
roberthF3109TP
April 2, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing excursion
An amazing excursion! It was a beautiful day to see dolphins playing and end in the middle of a pod of whales. One whale came close enough we could hear it blowing out its air; that was exciting! The conservationist was very personable and informative. The crew was very attentive to the passengers. If we are ever back on the island we will take this excursion again!
Operator response
Aloha roberthF3109TP,
Mahalo for sharing your amazing experience with us! It sounds like you had an unforgettable day out on the ocean—dolphins playing, being surrounded by a pod of whales, and even hearing one exhale up close? That’s the kind of magic we live for out here!
We're so glad you enjoyed the insights from our onboard conservationist and felt well cared for by our crew. Creating meaningful and memorable moments for our guests is what we strive for, and your kind words mean the world to us.
We’d be absolutely honored to welcome you back aboard the next time you're on the Big Island!
Compare similar tours in Big Island of Hawaii
Lowest price: Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free — $15
Best rated: Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History — 4.9 (7,097 reviews)
Shortest: KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings — 1h 20min
