Kauai’s South Shore Whale & Dolphin Zodiac Adventure
Seasonal tour: Offered November through March
Get ready for an ocean experience that feels alive.
Our South Shore Whale & Dolphin Zodiac Adventure puts you on the water during peak humpback whale season, when these incredible animals return to Hawaii’s warm, shallow waters. From late November / early December through March, we head out along Kauai’s sunny southern coastline in fast, agile Zodiac-style boats for an up-close look at some of the most impressive wildlife on Earth.
This is more than a boat ride — it’s pure, natural spectacle.
Witness Hawaii’s Winter Visitors
Every winter, North Pacific humpback whales travel roughly 3,000 miles from the cold feeding grounds of Alaska to Hawaii’s breeding and calving areas. These whales can reach weights of 40 tons, yet they glide, breach, and slap the water with surprising grace.
Seeing them in their Hawaiian “nursery waters” is unforgettable — especially from a low-profile Zodiac where you’re close to the action (always within legal viewing distances to protect the animals).
What Makes This Whale Watching Tour Different
True open-ocean adventure
We explore up to 30 miles of Kauai’s south side, giving you a wide range of viewing opportunities. It’s active, exciting, and immersive — not a slow cruise.
Small-boat experience
Our Zodiac boats are built for maneuverability and performance, which lets us position safely and respectfully for great views. You feel the ocean. You feel the energy. You’re part of it.
Exclusive South Shore departure
We’re the only operator launching dedicated whale watching tours from Poipu, offering a South Side perspective you won’t get elsewhere.
Family memory material
Perfect for families with older kids, wildlife lovers, and anyone who wants a real story to take home.
Guided by experts
Our captains and crew know these waters. They’ll share local insight, whale behavior facts, and island history as we search for activity at the surface — blows, tail slaps, pectoral waves, even full-body breaches if you’re lucky.
Whale Watching vs. Whale Seeing
We call it whale watching for a reason.
The ocean is wild. These are free, migratory animals. No one can script what they’ll do or exactly where they’ll show up. Some trips are nonstop action. Others are quiet and patient. That unpredictability is part of the thrill.
Our team works hard on every tour to locate whales and dolphins, but sightings can never be guaranteed. What we can promise is an honest, respectful, and enthusiastic effort to give you the best possible encounter with Hawaii’s marine life.
Important Tour Details & Requirements
This is an adventure tour
Expect motion, wind, and ocean spray. This is not a calm sunset cruise or a luxury catamaran experience — it’s active.
Minimum age
All guests must be 5 years or older to participate.
Health & safety restrictions
For your safety, this tour is not suitable if you:
Are pregnant
Have serious back, neck, hip, or joint issues
Have a chronic condition that could be aggravated by bouncing on the open ocean
Have had recent surgery
Mobility
You must be physically able to board and ride on a Zodiac-style vessel.
No snorkeling on this tour
This is a dedicated whale and dolphin viewing trip. Snorkeling is not part of the experience.
Route
We explore Kauai’s southern coastline. This tour does not go to the Nā Pali Coast.
Transportation
Guests are responsible for getting themselves to the departure point. Exact meeting instructions, location, and check-in details are provided in the confirmation email.
Make This the Highlight of Your Winter Trip to Kauai
Whale season in Hawaii is short. Spots sell out fast because this experience only runs a few months a year.
Reserve your South Shore Whale & Dolphin Zodiac Adventure now and be ready for one of the most memorable ocean encounters of your vacation.
Already see your preferred day sold out?
We can also connect you with our sister company’s West Side tour out of Kekaha, which offers another excellent opportunity to watch humpbacks in their natural habitat.
