Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Whale watching and dolphin tours › Oahu: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki
Oahu: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki
★ #1 of 14 in our list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” Picked from the 46 whale watching and dolphin tours in the Oahu catalog, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated price re-read every day; listing, times and pickup notes reviewed with it
Hawaii Ocean Project takes you whale watching off Waikiki aboard Lahaina Princess. The cruise lasts 2 hours and costs from $49.95 per adult. You meet at Ala Wai Harbor's slip 497 for morning or midday departures on select dates of the whale season, November to May. There's no swim stop. A hydrophone lets you listen underwater while the shaded cabin offers shelter between sightings from the decks.
Our check
Oahu: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki at a glance
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price | from $49.95 per adult |
| Departures | 7:30 or 9:45 a.m. / 12:15 p.m., select dates in the November to May whale season |
| Meeting point | Ala Wai Harbor, slip 497 |
| Boat | Lahaina Princess, multilevel vessel with an 80 passenger limit |
| Water time | Whale watching from aboard, no swimming |
| Ages | Adult tickets from age 13, infants on laps |
| Main trade-off | Independent transport to Ala Wai Harbor |
| Guide languages | English |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on . Children pay less.
What's included
- Underwater hydrophone to hear the whales under the boat
- Shaded main cabin with window viewing
- Marine bathroom on board.
- Multilevel vessel with open panoramic viewing
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hotel Pick-up/ Drop-off.
Options
Which option to book
One whale watch runs on select dates at 7:30 or 9:45 a.m. The 12:15 p.m. sailing gives you a midday choice.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Oahu Whale Watch 2-Hour Tour | 7:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. |
The catch: Boarding closes 5 minutes before departure, so a late arrival can cost you the trip.
Route
How does the day work?
Lahaina Princess searches for whales off Waikiki with views of the beachfront and Diamond Head along the way.
- pass by
1. Waikiki Beach
You see Waikiki's beachfront from the water. The crew explains whale behavior during the search offshore.
- pass by
2. Diamond Head
Diamond Head is a view from the boat. There isn't a landing or time on the summit trail.
The cruise takes 2 hours and returns to slip 497 at Ala Wai Harbor. Weather and sea conditions can change your route. The shoreline views aren't separate shore stops.
Pickup and meeting point
- Dock: The welcome station is in front of Lahaina Princess at slip 497. Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon is nearby. You make your own way to Ala Wai Harbor.
- Arrival: Arrive at the dock at least 30 minutes early. Boarding begins then and ends 5 minutes before sailing.
- Identification: Every guest needs valid ID for requests from vessel staff. Photo ID is also required if you're bringing alcoholic drinks.
- Before boarding: Everyone in your group must acknowledge the liability waiver at check-in. The boat runs in most weather, so clothing needs to suit the conditions.
Before you book
- Bring your own snacks and drinks. You don't need to buy food aboard.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
A 2-hour whale watch suits a Waikiki stay with limited time. You're paying for boat viewing. The shaded cabin helps if you want shelter between sightings. Your own snacks can come along.
For a smaller whale group, Three Tiki takes up to 35 guests from $79 per adult. For water time and hotel pickup, Dolphins and You combines dolphin watching with a turtle snorkel from $183 per adult.
Who it's not for
- Travelers who need hotel pickup
- Anyone wanting a swim stop
- Guests needing guaranteed wheelchair access
Good to know
Know before you go
Children ages 2 to 12 use the child ticket band. Infants under 2 sit on an adult's lap. You can bring a stroller, though the boat generally isn't wheelchair accessible.
Bring valid ID for each guest. Photo ID is required if you're bringing alcoholic drinks aboard. Every member of your party must also acknowledge the liability waiver at check-in.
The cruise runs in most weather, so your clothing needs to suit the conditions. The crew can change the vessel or route without notice. Poor weather can also cancel the departure.
You need to reach the Lahaina Princess welcome station at least 30 minutes early. It's in front of slip 497 near Hilton's lagoon. Your ticket doesn't include a hotel transfer.
One reservation takes 1 to 15 travelers and must include an adult. Your ticket is mobile. Keep it accessible on your phone while your group completes the dock check-in.
A full refund requires cancellation at least 24 hours before your sailing. After that deadline, the standard policy gives no refund. Boarding ends 5 minutes before departure, so check-in time matters.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A smaller whale boat
Waikiki Best Whale Watching in Honolulu: Whales GuaranteedThree Tiki costs from $79 per adult on a trimaran capped at 35 guests. Naturalists join you aboard.
★ 4.6 · 251 reviews · from $79 per adult
A whale watch with young children
Waikiki 2-Hour Whale Watching with Guaranteed SightingsPink Sails costs from $53.31 per person for a 2-hour whale watch. Children under 4 don't pay.
★ 4.6 · 1,336 reviews · from $53.31 per person
A swim and hotel ride
Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup and LunchDolphins and You costs from $183 per adult with selected hotel pickup and a separate turtle snorkel. Lunch is part of the trip.
★ 4.5 · 1,792 reviews · from $183 per adult
All 14 tours in the list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- How much is Hawaii Ocean Project's Waikiki whale watch?
The cruise costs from $49.95 per adult for 2 hours aboard Lahaina Princess. You get access to the shaded cabin and the hydrophone for listening underwater. Your hotel journey is separate, and snacks and drinks are yours to bring.
- Where do you board Lahaina Princess at Ala Wai Harbor?
You board at slip 497 beside the Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon. Arrive at the welcome station 30 minutes before your chosen departure. That leaves time for your group's waiver and ID checks before boarding closes.
- Can you bring food and alcohol on Lahaina Princess?
Yes, you can bring your own snacks and beverages for the 2-hour cruise. Alcohol is allowed with photo ID. There's a bathroom aboard, and the shaded cabin gives you somewhere to sit away from the open decks.
- Is Hawaii Ocean Project's whale watch wheelchair accessible?
The boat generally isn't wheelchair accessible, and exceptions need an individual discussion before booking. Strollers are allowed, while infants must stay on an adult's lap during the trip.
- Can you swim with whales on the Waikiki whale watch?
No, you watch from the boat throughout this 2-hour trip. Federal law prohibits approaching humpback whales within 100 yards in Hawaii. The hydrophone lets you listen below the surface without entering the water or requiring a close approach.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Booking happens on the booking page, at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.