Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Whale watching and dolphin tours › Waikiki 2-Hour Whale Watching with Guaranteed Sightings
Waikiki 2-Hour Whale Watching with Guaranteed Sightings
★ #4 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
Pink Sails Waikiki takes you whale watching from Ala Wai Harbor on a power catamaran. The cruise lasts 2 hours and costs from $53.31 per person. You meet beside Prince Waikiki for departures from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on select dates between mid-December and mid-April. Children under 4 ride free. If whales don't appear during your outing, the offer gives you a free repeat cruise.
Our check
Waikiki 2-Hour Whale Watching with Guaranteed Sightings at a glance
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price | from $53.31 per person |
| Departures | 8 or 10:30 a.m. / 12:30, 1 or 2:30 p.m., select dates from mid-December to mid-April |
| Meeting point | 1 Holomoana Street, beside Prince Waikiki |
| Check-in | 45 minutes before departure |
| Boat | Power catamaran, up to 100 guests |
| Water time | Whale watching only, no swim stop |
| Ages | Free rides under age 4, infants on laps |
| Main trade-off | Parking and the trip to the harbor at your expense |
| 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 . Infants go free.
What's included
- Complimentary re-ride guarantee if whales are not spotted
- Professional captain and crew
- 2-hour seasonal whale watching cruise
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Parking Fees
Options
Which option to book
One whale watch has morning and afternoon sailings. Departures on select dates range from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| 2-Hour Whale Watching Oahu | 5 start times from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
The catch: Check-in is 45 minutes before sailing, and your parking costs extra.
The day
How does the day work?
You board near Prince Waikiki for a whale search that keeps the whole outing on the water.
- 1
Before arrival
Each guest's first and last name is needed for check-in. The waiver link arrives by text after booking.
- 2
Board at Ala Wai
You meet the boat on Holomoana Street beside Prince Waikiki. Infants ride on an adult's lap.
- 3
Search for whales
The cruise looks for humpbacks off Waikiki. Dolphins or sea turtles may also appear, though wildlife doesn't follow a fixed schedule.
The boat trip takes 2 hours and finishes at the Holomoana Street meeting point. Your 45-minute arrival window comes before that cruise time.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting address: Your destination is 1 Holomoana Street in Honolulu. Prince Waikiki is the landmark for a driver, and the boat is right next to the hotel.
- Arrival time: Arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of your departure. You need your own transport because hotel pickup isn't part of this trip.
- Parking: Harbor parking is paid. Yellow stalls are off limits and cars there can be towed. Paid valet parking at Prince Waikiki is another option.
- Waivers: Your advance waiver helps avoid delays at the dock. Missing guest names can slow check-in, so the booking needs everyone's full name.
Before you book
- Book early to leave time for a repeat. A free return can't help after you've left Oahu.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
A family with children under 4 can watch whales together without buying tickets for those children. You won't need to swim. It's a 2-hour outing for a Waikiki day if you can reach the harbor yourself. The boat can carry 100 guests.
For fewer people aboard, Three Tiki limits its whale watch to 35 guests from $79 per adult. For a shaded cabin, Lahaina Princess costs from $49.95 per adult and lets you bring your own snacks.
Who it's not for
- Pregnant travelers
- Guests looking for snorkeling
- Travelers who require hotel pickup
Good to know
Know before you go
Children under 4 ride free, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The cruise isn't recommended during pregnancy. You remain aboard for whale watching, with no swimming portion on this trip.
Bring sunscreen and a hat for time on deck. You can also bring a camera for distant sightings. Pink Sails doesn't allow outside alcohol, so leave your own alcoholic drinks behind.
Harbor parking is paid, and yellow stalls are off limits. A yellow space can lead to towing. Your tour ticket doesn't cover parking or the journey from your hotel to Ala Wai.
The whale tour voucher requires arrival 45 minutes before departure at 1 Holomoana Street. You need each guest's first and last name for the booking. The waiver arrives by text message.
A single reservation holds 1 to 15 travelers. The tour's passenger limit is 100, so your party may share the boat with a much larger group. Tickets are issued for mobile use.
Your cancellation qualifies for a full refund with at least 24 hours' notice. Later cancellations aren't refundable under the standard terms. If Pink Sails cancels for weather, you can reschedule or receive a refund.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A smaller whale watching group
Waikiki Best Whale Watching in Honolulu: Whales GuaranteedThree Tiki's trimaran takes up to 35 guests from $79 per adult. You can use shaded seating between deck views.
★ 4.6 · 251 reviews · from $79 per adult
A cabin between sightings
Oahu: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, WaikikiLahaina Princess costs from $49.95 per adult with a shaded cabin. The hydrophone adds a way to listen underwater.
★ 4.6 · 2,000 reviews · from $49.95 per adult
Water play for ages two and up
Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup and LunchDolphins and You costs from $183 per adult with dolphin watching and a turtle snorkel. Children can join from age 2.
★ 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 does Pink Sails Waikiki whale watching cost?
The tour starts from $53.31 per person for a 2-hour whale watch. Children under 4 ride free with you. The price includes a repeat cruise if no whales are spotted, while parking and hotel transport remain separate.
- Does Pink Sails guarantee whales on the Waikiki cruise?
Pink Sails offers a free repeat when no whales are spotted during the 2-hour outing. That gives you another opportunity to look for them. It doesn't make a wild animal appear on demand during your first sailing.
- How early should you arrive for Pink Sails whale watching?
Use the whale tour voucher's 45-minute arrival requirement. The meeting point is at 1 Holomoana Street beside Prince Waikiki. Allow your parking search to fit before that deadline, especially if you're driving from elsewhere on Oahu.
- When does Pink Sails run whale watches from Waikiki?
The seasonal whale watch runs from mid-December to mid-April. The cruise lasts 2 hours, with departures offered on select dates. Check your chosen day's options before planning lunch or another activity around a particular sailing.
- Is Pink Sails Waikiki whale watching a snorkeling trip?
No, this 2-hour option keeps you on the power catamaran to watch whales. You don't need to plan for a swim stop. The whale outing has its own child policy, with infants sitting on an adult's lap.
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.