Maui Whale Watch

Morning or Sunset Eco-Rafting Tour

5/5 (184 Reviews)

Watch the giants of the deep, humpback whales, leap up and crash 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.

Starting At
$69 USD
Age
3 yrs+
Duration
1.5-hour
Location
Lāhainā, Maui, Hawaiʻi
Starting At
$84 USD
Age
3 yrs+
Duration
2-hour
Location
Lāhainā, Maui, Hawaiʻi

What's Included
- Small group family-style tour (20 guests or fewer)
- Smooth-ride ocean monohull powerboat vessel
- Marine Naturalist onboard aboard sharing whale and island facts
- Hydrophone for listening to whale songs
- Water included
What's Included
- Small group family-style tour (20 guests or fewer)
- Smooth-ride ocean monohull powerboat vessel
- Marine Naturalist onboard aboard sharing whale and island facts
- Hydrophone for listening to whale songs
- Water included
- When choosing 9:05 am, the pricing of adults and children will be added 10$ per person

From: $69^.00

BOOK YOUR TOUR

Choose Your Tour Style

1.5-Hour Afternoon Raft Whale Watching From Lahaina Harbor (Dec-April)

Starting at
$69^.00
per adult
2-Hour Morning Or Sunset Raft Whale Watching From Lahaina Harbor (Dec-April)

Starting at
$84^.00
per adult

Adults Ages 13 yrs+

$ 69^.00

Children Ages 3-12 yrs

$ 62^.00

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Additional Information

I confirm no one in my party has back or neck injuries, is pregnant or under the age of 3 years old and everyone has the physical ability to board the raft unassisted. $

I understand the time of day does not impact type or number of whale sightings on my tour and sightings vary in their natural habitat. $

I understand I must check-in at least 30 minutes prior to my tour departure time to participant in the tour. $

I understand the following Weather Policies: $

Weather determination for tours will be made on the morning of the tour at Captains discretion.
Due to Maui's tropical climate, tours will often be conducted in light rain and wind.
Individuals are responsible to dress for all weather including sun, rain and wind.
Reschedule or refund options will be provided if tours is cancelled due to weather.

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I understand the following cancellation policies: $

I cannot cancel or reschedule my booking less than 72 hours prior. For parties of 5 or more there is a 72 hour cancellation policy and for private charters a 7 day notice is required .

A valid Doctor's note is required for any cancellations within the policy window.

Tours are subject to change anytime by HIOCR due to weather, operations and availability.

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Having your accommodation information helps us provide directions, travel tips and can more easily contact you if there is a change in plans last minute.

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Starting At: $0 USD
With taxes & fees: $78.63

Maui Whale Watch Features

hior whale watch tourists close up whale

hior whale watch tourists on boat taking pictures

hior whale watch tourists watching whale

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 Hawaiʻi every winter and while you are watching them breach and slap their fins you will have a full narration from your guide about interesting whale and Maui facts. A marine naturalist, your guide is an expert in all things whale! Enjoy listening to whale songs on a hydrophone and lots of photo ops!

hior whale watch tourists watching and taking picture

hior whale watch tourists taking picture whale

The Best Way to View Whales

Traveling in a small vessel creates an intimate whale watching experience not found on the larger ships commonly used on whale watching tours. The raft travels quickly, letting you spend more time whale watching and less time in transit, but still gives you the grand views of the coast and the whales that you would expect. This all comes together to create the perfect environment for a trip on the water to go whale watching.

Maui Whale Watch Details

Highlights

Guaranteed whale sightings
Multiple departure times – 1.5 - 2-hour tours
Drinking water included
Hydrophone for listening to whale songs

Marine Naturalist aboard sharing whale and island facts
Small group family style tour
A Fast And Charming Vessel
Watch The Whales Breach

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 Hawaiʻian 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 Hawaiʻian 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.

Prepare to have a ton 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+	$69^.00
ChildrenAges 3-12 yrs	$62^.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

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.

Weather Policies

During Maui's winter months, tours will often be conducted in light rain and wind at the discretion of the tour's Captain.
Individuals are responsible to dress for all weather including sun, rain and wind.
Reschedule or refund options will be provided if the tour is cancelled due to weather.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes whale watching on a raft the best whale watching tour?

The number one reason rafts are the best way to whale watch is the low-to -water style of the vessel. When humpback whales choose to approach a boat, instead of looking over a railing 4-8 feet above the whale, you are eye-level with the whale, getting splashed on or putting your waterproof camera in the water for epic video captures of underwater activity.
Are these tours available year-round?

Whale watching season is December through April when the humpbacks are migrating.
Is there an age requirement?

This tour is for ages 3 years and older.
Is this tour good for families?

Yes. Our small group tours of 20 guests or less make for a fun, family-style experience.
What kind of whales do we see whale watching?

Although we may see dolphins or other rare toothed whales like pseudo orcas, Northern Pacific Humpback whales are our primary focus for our Maui whale watching tours. Because they migrate here seasonally, we can only whale watch for a few months a year, making it even more special! Humpback whales are mammals and a species of baleen whales found in all oceans in the world!
When is the Best Time of Day for Whale Watching?

The short answer is that any time of day is great for Whale Watching off Lāhainā's coast! Because Humpback whales migrate to West Maui to mate and give birth but are not feeding, they go through cycles of rest and activity 24 hours a day! Our Captains do their best to seek out the whales who appear to be active for the best whale watching experience