Star of Honolulu Morning Whale Watching Tour - Special Deals [Jan-Mar] reviews, Oahu tours & activities, fun things to do in Oahu | HawaiiActivities.com

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Star of Honolulu Morning Whale Watching Tour - Special Deals [Jan-Mar]

Overall Rating

4.49 4.49 / 5

Reviews

141 reviews
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My experience with the whale watching activity was truly unforgettable.

Reviewed by: Kara, 2024/03/21

My experience with the whale watching activity was truly unforgettable. From the moment we boarded the boat, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. The crew was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about marine life, which enhanced the overall experience.

As we ventured into the open waters, the captain skillfully navigated us to prime whale sighting spots. The vastness of the ocean combined with the breathtaking scenery created a serene atmosphere, perfect for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Witnessing the sheer size and grace of the whales as they surfaced and dove back into the depths left me in awe. It was mesmerizing to see them glide effortlessly through the water, showcasing their majestic beauty.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/03/21
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Amazing whale tour

Reviewed by: Mayumi, 2024/03/19

We had a great time joining Star of Honolulu Whale Watch Cruise. The crews were very professional and friendly. They were informative, so we could learn a lot about whales and dolphins of Hawaii. We could see a mother and baby whales, and dolphins too. We highly recommend this tour, and we are also highly recommend transportation option if you are staying at Wikiki area.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2024/03/13
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とても良かったです!!!

Reviewed by: Waikiki boy, 2024/03/02

今回初めての参加でした。早朝からのコースで行きました。船はとても広く屋上等も上がることができ、海が一望できました。清潔でトイレなども付いておりとても良かったです。ツアーの前にスタッフからクジラについての説明やクジラが見えた際の方向の指示の説明等があったため助かりました。出航後は何回もクジラを見ることができ、Tail Slap(テールスラップ)も見ることができました。帰りも船の中でゲームのような形でスタッフの方からクイズがありとても楽しめました。スタッフの方は皆さん親切な方ばかりで、クジラが出た方向の指示を聞き逃してしまった時もクジラの出た方向に連れて行ってくれたりしました。とても楽しかったです。また行きたいと思います。

  • Tail Slap

  • Blow

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/02/26
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Awesome way to spend a morning in Oahu

Reviewed by: Z_Morgenstern, 2024/02/18

As the title says, it's an awesome way to spend a morning in Oahu! (Feb 2024)

We arrived early to self park and upon boarding we're guided to the main lower deck for a brief introduction and instructions. The Star of Honolulu was spacious with several decks, allowing options for guests as to how they want to go about the whale watching experience. Our group stayed on the second deck, not too many people went there (we think, as compared to the top deck).

Kaitlyn, our naturalist, was entertaining - lots of dad jokes* - and information about the wildlife in the area (whales, dolphins, etc).

Finally the highlight of the tour, the whale sighting! We were very lucky to be able to witness a mama whale teaching her baby whale how to breach! It was so fun and amazing to watch them play around in the water. That's sure to be an unforgettable experience. It was good timing too that we visited Hawaii during peak whale watching season.

Other points I'd like to mention:
- The restroom was clean and had a lot of stalls, so you wouldn't have to worry.
- The crew also mentioned that they had ginger chews to help if you're feeling a bit seasick.
- Food & drinks are available to purchase onboard.
- I was rather a bit worried that the life vests were only available inside the benches on the main deck (iirc). I think it might be good to make sure there are life vests in other areas of the boat as well in case of emergency. Not everyone on the upper decks might be able to come down the stairs. Or maybe I'm just being a worrywart, don't mind me.

*KRILL-ed cheese was my favorite joke. :D

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/02/05
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Great Time!

Reviewed by: Anna, 2024/02/17

We had a great time on the boat! Unfortunately, we did not see a whale but was offered a rain check to return. We would love to come back and do it again! The staff was excellent and very informing.

Maholo!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/01/24
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First time whale watching experience!

Reviewed by: Daysi, 2024/02/06

This was my husband and I's first time whale watching and first time in Hawaii. We were welcomed aboard the Star of Honolulu by friendly crew members. The boat experience alone was great. The education we obtained from the tour was helpful because although, we didn't see a whale breach that day, we were able to spot one the next couple of days with the information that we obtained from the tour. Definitely would recommend this tour to family and friends!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/01/30
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Whale Watch

Reviewed by: Deb, 2024/02/06

Enjoyed our whale Watch. Staff are very knowledgeable! Always enjoy this tour! We take this trip every year we are on Oahu. Saw dolphins and whales! The drinks are reasonably priced and delicious! We love getting out on this boat because it is so peaceful in the water is so beautiful and blue. Every time we have taken this cruise we have seen whales! The check-in process was very easy as they were waiting right outside the boat. Parking was easy and it was $10 for the duration we were parked. We used hawaii activities.com to book this trip. They were very easy to deal with and enjoyable. We have been on the star of Honolulu for several different types of excursions. The boat is very safe and we have always enjoyed our time on them.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/02/01
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Best Morning of our Trip

Reviewed by: JGonzales, 2024/01/28

Although the day was grey and windy....the day at sea was excellent. Whales were not seen, but everything from the crew and staff members were excellent. The naturalist on board was so informative and wandered the ship answering all our questions. she was so easy to talk to and answered all our questions even the silly ones. Since we did and early morning cruise. we had coffees and snacks...dont forget to get the Mac nut cookies.....they are the best! We will do it again and hopefully have better luck in viewing....

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/01/24
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Saw a humpback breach!

Reviewed by: Jason , 2024/01/21

My wife and I took this tour while staying at Waikiki in January. It was an ideal day for whale spotting conditions. The naturalist was very knowledgeable, and the boat had plenty of room for all the passengers to see the surroundings. We watched one whale surface nearer to the shore, then went out deeper by Diamondhead. Just as we were approaching a possible sighting, we saw a humpback breach and jump out of the water. It was spectacular! Highly recommend this tour! Guaranteed sightings!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/01/13
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We had a whale of a time!

Reviewed by: Nosh & Momo, 2024/01/17

The morning whale watching cruise was excellent! The weather was perfect and the crew were friendly and informative. Before taking off we learned a few facts about whales and were able to purchase a snack from the snack bar. The cruise itself was magnificent and we saw several whales. It was such a a delight! I'd also like to mention that the restrooms on board the boat were extremely clean (When on a tour this isn't something you always encounter). My friend and I had a splendid time. We would not hesitate to take this cruise again. The one thing everyone should be aware of though is the parking fee. The boat does not valid and parking in the adjacent lot was a bit pricey.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2024/01/06
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Awesome Activity

Reviewed by: Runnel, 2023/04/06

Lots of fun! Went at the end of March and saw some whale activity which was exciting. Service was FANTASTIC!! Everybody was really warm, friendly and engaging. 10/10 would recommend.

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2023/03/30
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Best Day!

Reviewed by: Michelle and Tom, 2023/03/23

The friendliest staff and best boat ride around! Best day ever!!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/03/21
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Great experience!!

Reviewed by: nagueyari, 2023/01/12

It was very first time to join cruise for us. Unfortunately we could not find whales but we could meet a lot of dolphins swimming. Luckily it was really nice fine day, we had a great experience on the big ship. Hopefully we meet whales at next time. Thank you so much.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/01/02
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Fantastic tour

Reviewed by: Sam, 2022/03/19

Fantastic ride - great whale sightings. Convenient shuttle.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2022/03/17
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Whale watching

Reviewed by: Rbj, 2022/03/14

Very informative. Enjoyed our trip. Great weather.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/03/12
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The WONDROUS Waters of Waikiki comes ALIVE!!

Reviewed by: M & A Tomlinson , 2022/02/26

There are many breathtaking attractions and stunning tours on Waikiki. NOTHING is better than experiencing the beauty of Hawaii and it's wildlife than from the water - and the Star of Honolulu does it, like no other! Of course, the hope and draw of seeing whales is what brought us to this tour; however, truly, what makes this journey unforgettable is, in fact, the journey!

The boat ride, itself, is nothing short of magical. From the enchantment of rolling out of peer to the unreal experience of being on the ocean, looking towards our hotel from the perception of the sea is nothing we will soon forget! The crew were exceptional at being clear on instructions and protocols, which is appreciated - but truly what dazzled us impressed was how genuinely friendly and eager to help the crew was! I am disabled; the crew did an incredible job helping me and making sure I was alright!

The naturalist on board was great too! He was personable, knowledgeable, and open to questions, without being pushy. He enhanced the trip so much, and ticked our funny bone with his hilarious whale dad jokes!

Finally, seeing whales and dolphins in their own world took everyone's breath away! This was, without a doubt, the icing on the cake! We can honestly say, going on this adventure with the Star of Honolulu was the best and most memorable part of our honeymoon! Four of our biggest thumbs up for this amazing life experience; our biggest thanks to the Star of Honolulu!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/02/24
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Don't hesitate

Reviewed by: Stanley T., 2022/02/21

Can't wait to do this again next year!! This was an amazing experience for my family and I.

  • Just one of the many great images there is to see.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2022/02/19
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Love Star of Honolulu!

Reviewed by: Deb, 2022/02/19

We went on a morning whale watching cruise! Enjoyed our morning mai tai! We have gone on this several times… Always enjoy the Star of Honolulu whale watching cruise! The staff is very informative! Would recommend to anyone!

  • Saw several whales!

  • Diamond Head from the boat!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/01/25
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Great experience

Reviewed by: Don M, 2022/02/19

Loved the dialogue on whales throughout the trip. Saw lots of whale activity. Crew very attentive to our needs.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/01/25
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Awesome Experience

Reviewed by: Lin, 2022/02/14

We had such a great time on the whale watching cruise and saw two whales multiple times! The crew was great and very informative! This was an awesome experience and we highly recommend it!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/02/12
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Whales

Reviewed by: Cassie Benisch, 2022/02/09

We were able to see quite a few whales, and that was very neat and interesting to see. The staff was very knowmedable about the whales. All of the staff were very kind and helpful with asking if we needed anything to snack on or drink, and with helping us get to our bus after the whale watching.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/02/07
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Highly recommend!

Reviewed by: Jordan, 2022/01/26

This little adventure is something you won't want to miss out on. I'm really glad we made it part of our Oahu vacation! Knowing ahead that if there were no sightings you would be able to use your ticket again later is awesome. We loved the pineapple drinks on board and the staff was top notch! It's great for all ages! I only wish they had more options for food or snacks, though that could be covid related, I'm not sure. Do this!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2022/01/24
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Whale watching fun!

Reviewed by: Cori, 2020/03/08

Boat was nice and lots of room. Found a mom and baby whale and the captain did a good job of keeping us jn the right spot.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2020/02/16
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Best Tour we have done!!!!

Reviewed by: Swan1427, 2020/02/15

We did the EarlyBird Breakfast Cruise on Jan. 22, 2020. It was wonderful. Easy to arrive and enjoy some breakfast before leaving. Food and drinks were well worth the price.
Shortly after leaving we saw the whale breaching amd we were all amazed.
Capt. Mike and crew did an amazing job.
Highly recommend!!!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2020/01/22
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Great for families or if you would like to see whales from above on the top-deck of a boat

Reviewed by: Jacky Daniels, 2020/01/29

I really liked how this whale watch cruise kept you entertained the whole time. Unfortunately we didn't spot too many whales on the day I went, but the cruise experience itself was still really nice. The lunch buffet was good and fresh. Then they offered activities to do while on board, like hula lessons, lei making, and ukulele lessons, which makes this the perfect cruise for families with little ones. These activities weren't just for kids though, many of the adults were participating too. It was great to be able to roam around the entire boat and getting to see the whales from the top deck, which is a lot higher than any of the other whale watch cruises!

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Attended as:Friends
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Very Entertaining from Beginning to End

Reviewed by: a-chan, 2020/01/29

When I got onto the boat the weather didn't seem so nice and I thought it was going to be gloomy but as the boat departed the weather started to clear up and it was blue skies! The view from the boat was amazing. The island looked so beautiful from a far. I've been living here my whole life and I never realized how beautiful it was. The food they provided on the boat was very delicious. If I wasn't so full I would have definitely gone back for more. Sadly, I was not lucky enough to have spotted any whales, however, I did get to see spout a couple of times. Even though I wasn't lucky enough to spot any whales I was still very entertained. The music and activities they provided on the boat was so much fun. I got out of my comfort zone to participate in hula dancing. I was super embarrassed but I still had a lot of fun. I would definitely want to go back again and bring my family on this tour.

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Attended as:Friends
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Great Whale Watching Experience

Reviewed by: Chief, 2020/01/05

We had the perfect day to Watch Whales and go to see several in the bay. Great Cruise and Crew and the Buffet Lunch was pretty tasty.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2020/01/02
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wonderful day

Reviewed by: Carrie, 2019/03/21

I had a wonderful time on the cruise ship. Crab and steak are my favorite foods, but my most memorable experience was with my tour bus driver, Lola Tripp. She was an amazing woman, and her lively personality and insight into oahu made my trip worthwhile. I definitely recommend anyone who wants a good experience to apply for the Lola bus! Give five stars.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2019/02/22
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Great Trip

Reviewed by: Keb, 2019/03/20

Very nice time on the ship. Plenty of room to move around to see whales. Saw 8 whales on our trip. Lots of blows and flukes. I recommend this trip to anyone looking for a whale sighting. The boat was professionally staffed and the buffet was good.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2019/03/16
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Great time whale watching!

Reviewed by: Mike, 2019/02/22

Great choice for a whale watch especially if you have children or people in your group who are more sensitive to motion sickness. The thing that sets this whale watch apart from all the others is size and stability of the boat and all of the activities available on board while heading out to look for whales. This could almost be described as a fun Hawaiian tropical lunch cruise with whales. In addition to a delicious lunch buffet and frequent whale sightings there is also hula lessons, lei making and ukulele lessons. The captain and crew are always on the look out for whales, so while you are doing the activities the captain will announce which side of the boat the whales are on so you do not miss any of the whale action while eating or participating in the activities. With whales being wild animals and not always predictable in where they will be, having activities to keep the kids occupied makes this a great option for families

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Attended as:Friends
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