Kailua-Kona Whale Watching on the Awesome Body Glove Hawaii Catamaran

Visiting Hawaii in the winter and spring means that you’re here during humpback whale season! Body Glove Hawaii in Kailua-Kona does one of the one whale watching tours from the Kona Coast, and it’s a great experience. They guarantee seeing whales (or you can go again on another day) and the boat itself is ideal for spending an afternoon on the water.

Have you done the Body Glove Hawaii whale watching trip? We saw so many whales and had a great naturalist sharing knowledge the whole time. It was a fantastic, family friendly boat experience. If you have any questions about going whale watching with Body Glove Hawaii or need some recommendations for getting out on the water on the Kona Coast, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan your Aloha trip!

Why do Kona Whale Watching on the Body Glove Catamaran?

There’s a boat tour for everyone and when it comes to whale watching, there are lots of ways it can happen. We’ve done a zodiac open sea safari on the Big Island, we’ve gone out with Pacific Whale Foundation on a large boat from Maui, we’ve done small ship sailing with UnCruise, but for easy, fun, SUCCESSFUL whale watching from Kailua-Kona, the Body Glove Hawaii catamaran is a solid choice.

Going from the Kailua-Kona pier downtown this whale watching tour is ideal for people that both want that whale guarantee AND need shade when they’re on the water. The Body Glove Hawaii whale watching catamaran has two decks, so one is fully shaded and the other is more open up top, but still with a significant amount of shade. I share this because many visitors to Hawaii during whale season (winter) are coming from cold places and they burn really quickly in the Hawaii sunshine. Sun protection is important!

Book the Body Glove Hawaii Whale Watching here!

Body Glove Hawaii’s Whale Watching Guarantee

As far as the “we’ll see whales!” guarantee… yep, there were a lot of whales. Visiting the Big Island or Maui in the winter months is a really special experience when it comes to wildlife watching. The humpback whales LOVE the area between the Big Island, Maui, Lanai and Molokai. The geology below the surface is perfect for creating the habitat they need for breeding and birthing, and that’s why thousands of whales come here. And that’s why Body Glove Hawaii whale watching tours are guaranteed to see these amazing creatures. **if you actually don’t see whales on your tour, talk to the crew to ensure you get another opportunity.

NOTE: if you happen to not have whale activity during your tour, you don’t get your money back but you get the chance to go out on the water with Body Glove Hawaii again.

Tips for a Great Kona Whale Watching Tour

Having traveled with all sorts of people, I can say that the thing that makes some boat adventures not amazing for some is when they get motion sickness on the boat. The Body Glove Hawaii whale watching catamaran is a great boat though, and it’s easy to find a good place on the ship to enjoy the experience with minimal impact from the motion. The best place to hang out if you’re concerned about motion sickness when you’re whale watching is on the bottom deck towards the back. This is the most stable place on the whole boat and is best if you’re sensitive.

Something else to keep in mind to make your Kona whale watching experience the best it can be is to actively be a part of the safari element. When you’re on board, yes, enjoying sailing along the coast and the beautiful scenery, but also take part in watching the horizon and surrounding waters for whales and dolphins. The captain and crew do a great job spotting wildlife, but it’s even better when the guests on board are also helping.

Food and Drinks on Body Glove Hawaii’s Whale Watching Tour

While the whale watching tour isn’t a full meal service tour (you’ve got to do the evening historic dinner cruise for that) snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on this boat trip. For our afternoon whale watching we had a light pasta salad and some charcuterie available, and then the bartenders were keeping everyone well hydrated. Bar service for alcoholic beverages was additional and guests can open a tab or pay as you go. It’s a great flexible system for any vibe of visitor.

Being Prepared for Kona Whale Watching

Anytime you’re on the water in the daytime in Hawaii you’ll want to wear proper sunblock. The sunlight reflects off the water something fierce, so even if you’re hanging out in the shade, you’ll get some sun. I also like to wear a brimmed hat to protect my ears. Usually it’s not very cold onboard, but if you’re heading out on a breezy or rainy day, a light jacket is a good idea.

For me the most important thing to bring along on a whale watching tour from Kailua-Kona is my good camera. While often humpback whales and dolphins will surface very near the boat, it’s good to have a telephoto lens for capturing the further away whale breeches and flukes. I love the challenge of whale photography, but the multiple levels of the Body Glove Hawaii catamaran make it so you have plenty of vantage points for getting great whale photos.

Parking for Body Glove Hawaii Whale Watching

You’ll catch the Body Glove Hawaii whale watching tour from the Kailua-Kona Pier, just next to the King Kamehameha Hotel. If you’re staying on Ali’i Drive or nearby, you can easily walk to the pier when it’s time for your tour. If you do need to drive, there is free parking at the Body Glove Hawaii office just up from the pier (address below). You can check in at the office and then walk the two blocks to your departure point. Free parking and a changing room at the office are both nice to have.