5-Hour Private Whale Watch & Snorkel Charter

An Exclusive Winter Excursion for You and Your Group

Welcome to our favorite time of year, Humpback Whale Season! Each winter, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) complete an incredible 3,000-mile migration from their icy feeding grounds in Alaska and the Bering Sea to Hawaiʻi’s warm, shallow, tropical waters to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves.

Excursion Overview

• Duration: 5 Hours (7:30 AM to 12:30 PM)

• Exclusivity: 100% Private Charter, reserved solely for your group (Up to 6 guests)

• Seasonality: Exclusively offered January, February, and March (Peak Season)

• Custom Scheduling: Looking for a shoulder-season booking in late fall or spring? Give us a call directly to discuss availability and conditions outside our primary window.

• Included: Onboard hydrophone, high-quality snorkel gear, wetsuits, cold brew, sparkling water, juice, pastries, snacks, and dips

Above & Below the Surface

1. Whale Watching & Active Marine Behaviors

During whale season, humpbacks display a wide variety of surface and social behaviors. Common behaviors observed include:

• Blows (Spouting): Seeing dramatic 12-foot plumes of water vapor as whales surface to exhale

• Breaching: A 30-ton whale launching part or all of its body out of the water

• Tail & Pec Slaps: Slapping massive 15-foot flippers or tail flukes against the ocean surface

• Fluking: Lifting tail flukes high into the air as they initiate a deep dive

• Spy-Hopping: Raising the head vertically above the surface to look around

• Logging: Floating peacefully at the surface to rest between dives

• Heat Runs: Groups of competitive males swimming dynamically alongside a female

2. Guided Coastal Snorkeling

When the sun comes up and warms the air, we pick up a mooring along protected reefs for a serene snorkel session. In winter, lack of south swell creates remarkably clear water hovering right around 75°F. Snorkelers frequently encounter:

• Sea Turtles: Green sea turtles and occasional rare hawksbill sea turtles

• Reef Inhabitants: Day octopus, spiny lobsters, moray eels, and slender trumpetfish

• Endemic Tropical Fish: Vibrant Hawaiian reef species found nowhere else on earth

3. Live Underwater Whale Songs

• From the Boat: Listen live through our onboard hydrophone speaker setup while relaxing dry on the vessel

• In the Water: Hear acoustic male humpback songs echoing directly through the ocean while you swim

Humpback Natural History, Diet & Habitat

• Size of a School Bus: Humpback whales live up to 90 years, reach lengths of 45 to 60 feet, and weigh around 66,000 pounds.

• The Hawaiʻi Distinct Population Segment: Humpbacks worldwide are grouped into 14 distinct populations. Hawaiʻi hosts its own genetically unique group (the Hawaiʻi DPS) that migrates thousands of miles annually.

• Fasting in Paradise: While in Alaska, humpbacks filter-feed on krill and small fish. In Hawaiʻi’s nutrient-low waters, adult whales do not eat at all; they survive entirely on stored fat reserves until returning north.

• Mating & Nursery Grounds: Hawaiʻi’s warm, shallow waters help newborn calves conserve energy, avoid apex predators like orcas, and build the critical blubber needed for Alaska’s icy seas. Females give birth every 1 to 3 years, staying side by side with their calves and nursing them on rich, fatty milk.

Tailored Private Itinerary

Because this is a private trip, your group controls the pace! You choose how to split your 5 hours between searching for whale pods and exploring coastal snorkel spots.

What’s Provided & What to Bring

• What We Provide:

  • Live hydrophone underwater sound system

  • High-quality masks, fins, snorkels, and wetsuits

  • Canned cold brew, sparkling water, juices, and chilled water

  • Fresh muffins, cookies, string cheese, potato chips, tortilla chips, and dip

  • Expert captain and marine mammal guidance

• What to Pack:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a hat

  • Warm jacket or sweatshirt for the morning transit

  • Swimsuit and towel

Location & Logistics

• Meeting Point: 7:30 AM at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha (returns around 12:30 PM).

• Transportation: Guests provide their own transportation to the harbor.

• Harbor Parking: Parking is located on the left-hand side as soon as you enter the harbor. Please note that harbor parking is paid and requires scanning a QR code on site to pay from your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many guests can we bring on our private charter?

  • Our vessel accommodates up to 6 guests maximum. Because this is a 100% private charter, the boat is exclusively yours to enjoy with your group!

• Are pregnant women or infants allowed on this tour?

  • For safety reasons associated with boat movements on open ocean waters, pregnant guests are not permitted. However, infants and young children are welcome to join your private party on board.

• Can we bring our own alcoholic beverages (BYOB)?

  • Yes! You are welcome to bring your own alcohol on board. However, for your safety, guests who choose to consume alcoholic beverages will not be permitted to participate in in-water snorkeling activities afterward.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  • We offer a full refund for cancellations made at least 7 days prior to your scheduled charter departure time.

• Do you provide prescription snorkel masks?

  • We provide standard high-quality masks, snorkels, fins, wetsuits, and flotation devices. If you require a prescription optical mask, we recommend renting one prior to your trip from Boss Frog’s Snorkel Shop.

• What if ocean conditions are rough?

  • We launch from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor on the protected leeward west side of Kauaʻi, which generally offers calmer surface conditions during winter months. However, safety is always our top priority. If we determine conditions are unsafe to run the trip, we will work with you to reschedule your charter. If rescheduling isn’t possible for your party, we will issue a full refund.

• Can we hear the whales sing if we don’t go in the water?

  • Absolutely! We carry an onboard hydrophone (underwater microphone) that we deploy directly into the water, so everyone on board can hear the complex songs of male humpback whales through our speaker setup without getting wet.

• Will we hear the whales sing while snorkeling?

  • Yes! Sound travels four times faster in water than in air. During your snorkel stop, you can often hear their acoustic songs echoing directly through the water.

• Why do you only run this tour January through March online?

  • Humpback whales start arriving in October and trickle out in late May, but they are here in full force during January, February, and March. We restrict online bookings to these peak months to give your group the absolute best chance for active encounters. If you are interested in booking a trip before January or after March, please call us directly to check conditions and availability!

• How close do we get to the whales?

  • Federal marine mammal protection regulations require vessels to maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from humpback whales. However, whales are curious creatures; it is not uncommon for them to voluntarily approach or “mug” a stationary boat on their own terms!

• Is this trip suitable for non-swimmers or kids?

  • Absolutely! Because this is a 100% private charter, non-swimmers can comfortably relax in the enclosed cabin, watch for breaches, listen to hydrophone audio, and enjoy cold brew, sparkling water, snacks, and drinks while others snorkel.