Whale Watch, Sunset Dinner Cruise, Dolphin Adventure Kona, Big Island, Hawaii Tours, Activites, Shore Excursions - Blue Sea Cruises | Whale - Whale watching on the Kona and Kohala coast

Cruises

Whale Watching and Dolphin Adventure

During this special time of year, December to Early April, Humpback Whales come to mate and give birth in the calm waters of Kona. There is no better way to see them than with Kona’s year round marine mammal excursion experts aboard the custom built 70' power catamaran "Spirit of Kona" or on our 46ft power catamaran “Makai”.

Delivered in fall of 2007, the Spirit of Kona was designed and built to enhance our Eco tour experience. Designed to allow maximum viewing of marine life above and below the surface of the ocean. It features 360-degree walk around viewing on both decks. The Spirit of Kona is a 150 passenger vessel weighing 78 gross tons. This wide heavy platform makes for a comfortable and stable ride. Its slower cruising speed not only saves on fuel consumption but allows for more safety for those marine animals that are subject to boat strikes. With mens and womens toilets, premium bar and buffet station, and hydrophone and speaker system, the Spirit is a fabulous boat for catching and learning about the incredible humpback whales during their seasonal visit to the Big Island.

The Makai offers a relaxing upper deck or a main deck in fully shaded comfort as you cruise the scenic Kona Coast. Shore spotters will guide the Makai to the best Whale viewing areas, our naturalist and crew will entertain you with historical facts and information on the many points of interest along the way and the animals encountered. Have your camera ready for your first whale encounter as you watch these amazing animals up close. Some of the activities you may see are breeching, spy hopping, pectoral fin slapping, tail slapping, mating behavior and mothers caring for their young. Listen to the whale songs produced by these majestic mammals through our underwater hydrophone.

Be sure to watch for the local spinner dolphins that are regular companions on most of our trips.

Guaranteed Humpback Whale sightings or return again free.

Complimentary refreshments are available and a limited cash bar throughout the tour. Beer, Wine and Well drinks $5 each.

The Makai is a stable two-deck power catamaran built for small group comfort. The Makai features fully shaded decks, concession bar and his and her restrooms.

Blue Sea Cruises operates directly from the Kailua Pier across from the King Kamehameha Hotel. Use the hotel address for your gps device to find the pier.

75-5660 Palani Rd or Ali'i and Palani Road intersection see map

Cruise ship passengers who are in port in Kona are able to do the lunch cruise. This tour departs from the same pier where your cruise ship tender arrives.

Round trip transportation available

Times: Click here to see the online updated Schedule

              Sunday, Monday, and Saturday at 10:30am
              Wednesday at 11:30
            Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 pm
              Departing from the Kailua Kona Pier.

Pricing:* Adults (12 years and up) $79.00 plus tax Child (5-11 years) $59.00 plus tax Toddlers (0-4 years) Free

*Prices posted will increase effective July 1st, 2010.

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Great Whale Watching! 2/2010
I was on the afternoon cruise on 23 February 2010. It was terrific! The narrator told us what to look for, and we found it. There were males fighting in the distance, surfacing and breaching here and there, but the highlight was a mother teaching her calf to breach - she demonstrated 22 times. It was great! Captain Ray ran a parallel course that let us watch the fun without apparently bothering the whales. We also saw dolphins at the start and end of the cruise, which was a nice bonus. I highly recommend this cruise. Not too crowded, comfortable seating, nice crew, knowledgeable narrator, and they use bio-diesel. How cool is that?

It was fantastic
Attached a photo from last year - last day of the whale watching season. Unusual whale breach so late in the season. But 3?!!! It was fantastic - and I caught it with an everyday digital camera. Can't wait till I come back.
Diane Pane

WOAH MOMMA! 2009
So there I was on a double decker bright blue and yellow boat (Blue Sea Cruises Inc). Now, as usual I was not looking forward to the thought of hundreds of tourists crowding round the one inch of railing to catch a token glimpse of a distant whale tail. Thankfully these fellas knew what they were doing and kept the passenger manifest to a very comfortable number. Just as I was getting used to the space a massive humpback launched itself sky high mere meters from the boat. There was only one word: Woah! Unfortunately I missed the shot. It was a good job that another big fella kindly obliged, close enough for us to feel the spray. This time I was kind of ready. I then realized that keeping my SLR mounted did not make the most effective method to shoot a fast moving whale that can pop up anywhere from the big blue. Never the less, I may have missed the shot I wanted, but like Ahab, I¹ll be back. The boat had enough space for four times the number of people that actually boarded, ample shade, great commentary, and interactive staff, nice food, and the drinks were ab fab.

Cheers Blue Sea Cruises.
Moby

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