An Adventure You Can’t Miss
Watch these giants of the deep leap up and slam back to the water. Listen to their songs and learn from an expert. On this tour, you will have an unforgettable experience and lots of photo opportunities. Every year, humpback whales make the trip from cold northern seas to the warm waters off Maui to breed and calve. They communicate in many ways: with songs, fin-slapping, and breaching – and you can witness this up close. Our 35ft hard-bottom ocean rafts only seat 20 passengers, so you every spot is a front-row seat for eye-level encounters with these amazing animals.
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$74 USD
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3 yrs+
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1.5-hour
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Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
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$84 USD
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3 yrs+
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2-hour
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Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
Maui Whale Watch Features
Respectful of Nature
You will have many opportunities to take pictures and videos. To protect the whales, we do not approach closer than 100 yards, but since these marine mammals are curious creatures, we often find ourselves up close and personal as they approach the vessel.
Amazing Photo and Learning Opportunities
Humpback whales that migrate to Hawaii every winter and while you are watching them breach and slap their fins, you will have a full narration of interesting whale and Maui facts by our marine naturalist. Enjoy listening to whale songs on a hydrophone and lots of photo ops!
The Best Way to View Whales
Traveling in a small raft creates an intimate whale watching experience not found on the larger vessels commonly used on whale watching tours. Plus, the raft travels quickly, letting you spend more time whale watching and less time in transit.
Maui Whale Watch Details
Highlights
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Guaranteed whale sightings
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Multiple departure times – 1.5 - 2-hour tours
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Drinking water included
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Hydrophone for listening to whale songs
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Marine Naturalist aboard sharing whale and island facts
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Small group family style tour
Description
Join us aboard our 35ft hard-bottom ocean raft for eye-level Whale Watching! The humpback whale returns to the warm Hawaiian waters every year during the winter months of December through April for their mating and calving season. Although whales are protected in Hawaii and we do not approach them closer than federal regulations, they often approach our small rafts for those up-close and eye-level whale encounters.
The migration of whales to and around the Hawaiian Islands is an annual winter event that has been documented by Hawaiians over the centuries. Naturalists believe that over 50% of the North Pacific humpback whale population comes to Hawaii in the winter. During the peak of humpback whale season in February, it is estimated that “somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000 (whales) or so come to the Hawaiian islands each year!
Your tour includes a full narration of interesting whale facts by our marine naturalist and listening to whale songs on a hydrophone. Humpback whale songs were first recorded in the early 1950s right here in Hawaii. The songs last somewhere between 7-to-30 minutes and can be repeated for hours.
You’ll have lots of photo ops watching these magnificent animals leap out of the water. Humpback whales use their powerful fluke (tail fin) to launch themselves almost completely out of the water and this incredible spectacle is called breaching. While many other whale species breach, humpback whales seem to breach more frequently.
You will truly enjoy watching these gentle giants playing in the pristine waters. Every seat is a front-row seat!
Price & Availability
1.5-Hour Afternoon Raft Whale Watching From Lahaina Harbor (Dec-April)
AdultsAges 13 yrs+ | $74.00 |
ChildrenAges 3-12 yrs | $67.00 |
2-Hour Morning Or Sunset Raft Whale Watching From Lahaina Harbor (Dec-April)
AdultsAges 13 yrs+ | $84.00 |
ChildrenAges 3-12 yrs | $76.00 |
Included
- Small group family style tour (25 guests or less)
- Smooth-ride ocean monohull powerboat vessel or adventure style low-to-water raft
- Marine Naturalist onboard aboard sharing whale and island facts
- Hydrophone for listening to whale songs
- Water included
Departure & Return
- Departure time:
- 1.5-Hour Whale Watching Raft: 1:55 pm
- 2-Hour Whale Watching Raft: 6:45am, 9:05am, 11:25am, 3:45pm
- Check-in: At least 30 minutes prior to the tour.
- Location: DIVE MAUI Shop, 1223 Front St, Lahaina, HI.
- Departure: MALA Boat Ramp.
Instructions
- We will take all guests to the departure location approximately 15 minutes prior to departure time.
- If guests do not arrive 30 minutes prior to check-in guests will miss the boat, departure times are not flexible due to boat ramp restrictions.
- Due to safety concerns, no pregnant women or people with back or neck injuries or children under the age of 3.
- Due to the temporary boarding location, guests will need to have mobility to walk on their own in order to safely board the boat.
- Hat, sunglasses, light jacket and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Guests will likely get wet from ocean spray, waterproof bags for phones and personal belongings are recommended.
- Tour is subject to cancellation or reschedule due to weather or capacity.
Parking: Please do not park at Mala Ramp. For your convenience, we recommend parking near the Lahaina Cannery Mall or Longs Drugs. After parking, check in at DIVE Maui Shop, 1223 Front St., Lahaina, HI. It's a short walk from there – just head left on Front Street, over the bridge, next to Snorkel Bobs. Remember, parking incorrectly may cause delays to your trip.
Cancellation
Any request for a refund 72 hours or more prior to the start of the tour or activity is honored with a full refund.
No refunds are issued for any cancellations inside the 72-hour period, prior to the start of your tour. There is no refund for no-shows. There is no charge for date change or tour change based on tour availability outside of the 72-hour cancellation period.