Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Whale watching and dolphin tours › Waikiki: 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu
Waikiki: 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu
★ #11 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
Go Hawaii Watersports takes you whale watching off Waikiki with an underwater viewing room aboard. The standard 2-hour trip costs from $54 per adult. You meet at Kewalo Harbor's slip F06 for 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. departures Tuesday to Sunday in the whale season, November to May. There isn't a swim stop. The boat has upper and lower decks for watching wildlife plus light snacks and refreshments.
Our check
Waikiki: 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu at a glance
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price | from $54 per adult |
| Departures | 8 a.m. or 2 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, November to May |
| Meeting point | Kewalo Harbor, slip F06 |
| Check-in | 30 minutes before departure |
| Boat | Two decks and an underwater viewing room, up to 70 guests |
| Water time | Whale watching aboard, no swimming |
| Food | Light snacks and refreshments |
| Main trade-off | Fuel surcharge and taxes beyond the ticket price |
| 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
- Complimentary refreshments and light snacks
- Underwater viewing room
- 2 Restrooms on board
- Upper and lower deck for optimal visibility
- Free for children ages 0-3
- Informative Tour Guide
- Guaranteed whale sighting or enjoy a complimentary rebooking within 5 days of your original tour.
What's not included
- All Fees and Taxes
- $9.00 fuel surcharge per person
Options
Which option to book
Standard and Kama'aina/Military tickets cover the same cruise. Both run at 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Kama'aina/Military Ticket | 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tue to Sun |
| Standard Ticket | 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tue to Sun |
The catch: The free repeat after a missed whale sighting must fall within 5 days of your original tour.
The day
How does the day work?
The Kewalo cruise searches for whales off Waikiki with views from the decks and an underwater viewing room.
- 1
Board at Kewalo
You meet at slip F06 for the cruise. Hawaii residents and military guests using the discounted ticket need their qualifying ID at check-in.
- 2
Watch from the decks
The boat heads out to look for humpbacks. You can watch from the upper or lower deck, with other wildlife possible along the way.
- 3
Underwater views
The viewing room gives you another view beneath the surface. It isn't a promise that a whale will pass its windows.
The cruise lasts 2 hours and brings you back to Kewalo Harbor's slip F06. The underwater room is part of the same boat trip. You don't enter the water.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting address: The boat meeting point is at 1025 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. You need slip F06 at Kewalo Harbor, with your own ride from the hotel.
- Boarding times: Arrive for check-in 30 minutes before your reservation time. Boarding takes place 5 minutes before departure.
- Late arrival: Missing the boat doesn't earn a refund. Your hotel departure needs to leave time for the harbor meeting, not just the sailing itself.
Before you book
- Bring a Hawaii state or military ID for the discounted ticket. That discount isn't available without the required ID.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The 2-hour Kewalo trip suits you if an underwater viewing room matters alongside deck views. You don't need to swim. Hawaii residents and military guests have a separate ticket option with qualifying ID. Fuel and taxes aren't in the price.
For a smaller whale group, Three Tiki takes up to 35 guests from $79 per adult. For a cabin and your own snacks, Lahaina Princess costs from $49.95 per adult at Ala Wai Harbor.
Who it's not for
- Pregnant travelers
- Travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health
- Guests expecting a swimming stop
Good to know
Know before you go
Children ages 0 to 3 ride free, with child tickets for ages 4 to 12. The trip isn't recommended during pregnancy. Travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health are also advised against it.
Bring a valid Hawaii state ID or military ID if you book the corresponding discounted option. You need to present it at check-in. The standard ticket is available without that discount qualification.
You check in 30 minutes before departure at Kewalo Harbor's slip F06. Boarding takes place 5 minutes before sailing. Missing the boat doesn't qualify for a refund, so your hotel departure needs a buffer.
The starting price doesn't include the fuel surcharge or taxes. Check the booking page's full charges before paying. Those extras matter even if you qualify for a resident or military ticket.
One booking accepts 1 to 15 travelers with an adult included, while the tour carries up to 70 guests. Your ticket is mobile. This is a shared cruise with upper and lower viewing decks.
You need at least 24 hours' notice for a full cancellation refund. Later cancellations are nonrefundable under the standard terms. The cruise depends on weather, and insufficient bookings can also cancel a departure.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Fewer guests for whale watching
Waikiki Best Whale Watching in Honolulu: Whales GuaranteedThree Tiki costs from $79 per adult on a trimaran with a 35-guest limit. Your own drinks and food are welcome.
★ 4.6 · 251 reviews · from $79 per adult
Ala Wai departure with a cabin
Oahu: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, WaikikiLahaina Princess costs from $49.95 per adult for whale watching with a shaded cabin. It leaves Ala Wai Harbor.
★ 4.6 · 2,000 reviews · from $49.95 per adult
A sunset option from Kewalo
Waikiki: Sunset Whale Watch, Whales Guaranteed or Free ReturnLiving Ocean adds a 5 p.m. sunset sailing from Kewalo. Its daytime trips cost from $54 per person.
★ 4.8 · 119 reviews · from $54 per person
All 14 tours in the list “Whale watching and dolphin tours” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What is the standard Go Hawaii Watersports whale-watch price?
The standard ticket costs from $54 per adult for a 2-hour cruise. You get light snacks and refreshments aboard. Fuel and taxes are extra, so your ticket's starting price doesn't represent every charge connected with the booking.
- Who qualifies for Go Hawaii Watersports' discounted whale watch?
Hawaii residents and military guests qualify with a valid Hawaii state ID or military ID. You show it when checking in for the 2-hour tour. Choose the matching option when booking, since the standard ticket has separate pricing.
- How long can you use Go Hawaii Watersports' free repeat?
Your free rebooking must fall within 5 days of the original tour if no whales appear. That short window matters if you're near the end of your stay. Plan the first cruise early enough to leave another possible sailing.
- Do you swim on Go Hawaii Watersports' whale watch?
No, you watch from the boat during the 2-hour cruise. You can use the upper or lower deck and the underwater viewing room. That room provides a view below the surface without requiring you to enter the ocean.
- Does Go Hawaii Watersports run whale watches on Mondays?
No, the listed departures run Tuesday to Sunday at 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. Both options leave Kewalo Harbor at slip F06. You arrange your own harbor transport and need to allow for the earlier check-in.
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.