FAQ

Directions

From Kona airport, Waikoloa Beach Resorts, Mauna Lani, Hapuna, Mauna Kea Resorts: Head North on Highway 19 until the stop sign. Turn left on Highway 270 (Kawaihae Road) towards Kawaihae. Go down the hill, and you will see a green chain link fence and a small homemade sign on your left at the bottom of the hill saying South Harbor, make a left there at Gate 1 (you will see a lot of shipment containers and tall fencing). Make your very next left at Gate 13. Go down the road for a half mile over several speed bumps and you will see Kawaihae South Boat Ramp near the restroom facility. If gate 13 is closed, please use GATE 12 which can be found as you head towards the ocean Park anywhere you see single cars parked – just avoid where the trucks with boat trailers park. Look for the white boat at the ramp that says Thresher on the side with a large whale decal on the side. If you don’t see the boat at the ramp, we should be in shortly, just coming in from a previous trip of whale watching.

From Waimea: Head down the hill (west) on Kawaihae Rd. Follow the directions above when you see the green chain link fence at the bottom of the hill.

From Hawi: Head south on highway 270. Make a left at the stop sign when you get to Kawaihae. Go past the shipping yards and big storage tanks on your right until you see Gate 1 before heading up the hill and make a right. Follow the directions above from Gate 1.

Why do you have weight restrictions?

We ask that your party be an average of 250 lbs per person. If the average in your party exceeds 250 lbs per person, then you will need to purchase another seat.  Don’t get us a wrong, we would love to have you. However, for the safety of our guests, our boat is bound by a total weight limit. Also, for your comfort, may we suggest a private charter for you and your people as long as the total weight does not exceed 1500 lbs.

Example: A person is booking a party of 3. One individual weighs 200 lbs, another 280 lbs, and another 250 lbs. Since the average is 243.33 that party can proceed with booking 3 seats total. However if that party of 3 weighs 250 lbs, 280 lbs, and 240 lbs. The average is 256 lbs and an additional seat needs to be purchased otherwise you will be held liable for the safety of the trip as we do ask you to check a box assuring us that your weight are within the safe limits.

How close can we get to a whale?

We cannot approach a whale within 300 ft. That is federal and state law. If you would like a close encounter, we would encourage you to ask us about our SWIM WITH WHALES trip to Tahiti

Is there a bathroom on board?

Yes, there is an emergency head that is under the center console. We do stress emergency and ask guests to consider using the toilets at the harbor before or after the trip. We do often give an opportunity to jump into the ocean to cool off at some point in the trip weather permitting.

Where are you located?

We are 10 minutes from Mauna Kea Beach and the Hapuna Beach. We are about 20 minutes from Mauna Lani, and 25 minutes from Waikoloa resorts. We are about a 45 minute drive from Four Seasons and about 55 minutes from the Kona airport. We are about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Hilo town. We are located in the South Kawaihae Harbor/Boat Ramp

What about parking?

Parking is easy and free at the harbor

What do I bring?

Towel, reef friendly sunscreen, waterbottle, hat, sunglasses, camera. Dress like you are going to the beach. There is a possibility of a deep water dip at some point in the trip

Cancellation policy

We have a 48 hour cancellation policy unless you have purchased Trip Insurance. With Trip Insurance our cancellation policy is 12 hours. If you are booking a private charter there is a 72 hour cancellation policy unless you have Trip Insurance, then it is 24 hour cancellation policy. We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance.

If the trip needs to be rescheduled on our end due to safety or visibility, we will rebook and/or refund

Memberships

Our membership program is a fundraiser for our 501C-3 For Children to Flourish. Please click on exclusive membership to learn about the annual membership perks for the current whale season. Memberships are not refundable as they are a fundraiser. It is up to the member to take advantage of the membership perks within the current whale season. We only have 50 memberships available. They are first come, first serve.

Tahiti, how do I join the trip?

Email us at oceanicodysseyshi@gmail.com. We will send you all the details