Giants of Puako: Humpback Whale Expedition

This two-hour expedition captures one of Hawai‘i’s most powerful encounters – the annual return of the North Pacific humpbacks. In the calm waters off Puako and the Kohala Coast, these 40-ton travelers gather to breed, give birth, and rest before the long journey north.

From the comfort of our six-passenger vessel, you’ll witness breaches that shake the horizon, tail slaps that echo across the bay, and gentle giants gliding within arm’s reach of the boat. Sometimes a mother and calf will linger, curious and unhurried – a moment that feels both ancient and intimate.

Unlike Kona’s crowded channels, Puako’s open water offers space and silence, where whales outnumber boats and every encounter feels personal. Respect for these creatures comes first, wonder follows naturally, and the memory of seeing them so close will stay with you long after the last spout fades into the sea spray.