Whale Watching on Oahu??

[mjkaplan]

Can anyone recommend a specific Whale Watch on Oahu? We will be at the Marriott Ko Olina January 4-11, 2009. There will be 5 of us, and we would prefer some on the lesser expensive side.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Mimi39]

We took Ocean Joy Cruises, which leaves from the Ko Olina marina. We saw whales, dolphins and sea turtles last March. I don't think any whale watch is inexpensive, but ours included transfers from Waikiki, so it would probably be less since you would already be at Ko Olina.

 

[mjkaplan]

Has anyone done the Star of Honolulu whale watch tour?

 

[Kauai Kid]

If anyone goes with an infant make sure the baby isn't between you and a railing. A couple years ago the baby was between the rail and the parents--a 80, 000 # whale rammed the side of the boat and the baby hit her head on the rail and was either severely injured or died. The whale actually weighed more than the boat.

Sterling

 

[Mimi39]

Has anyone done the Star of Honolulu whale watch tour?

We did a few years ago. The Star of Honolulu is a big ship, sort of like a small cruise ship and goes from the dock near the Aloha Tower. They go off of Waikiki where there are a lot of other boats competing for a good position to see the whales. We didn't see as many whales, dolphins, etc. as we did with Ocean Joy which is a small catamaran and much more manueverable. You also have an opportunity to snorkle off the Ocean Joy. The Star of Honolulu also had Hawaiian entertainment, crafts demonstration and a good buffet lunch, so it might be better if you have very young children or elderly people aboard who don't want to watch for sealife the whole time.