Maui Whale Watching

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No, you don’t have to go on a boat to see whales if you are here during the right time of the year. It is common to see people standing on a hillside overlooking the ocean and watching the signs of distant whale activity through binoculars.

You can often SEE whales from shore … but you can’t EXPERIENCE them from that distance. There is a tremendous difference between watching a whale splashing in the water two miles away and experiencing the thrill of looking over the edge of the boat and having one of these gentle giants swim directly underneath you. If you are here during peak season from December 15th to April 15th, do yourself a favor and go on a Maui whale watching tour.

Whale Explorer

Our favorite whale watch … it’s F-A-S-T which means you spend more time watching whales and less time looking for them. The Explorer is a hard-shelled boat with an inflatable edge (like a large zodiac) which gives a fast, smooth ride and a front row seat for every passenger. The speed of these boats adds another 15-30 minutes of actual whale watching during a two hour whale watch compared to larger boats. Please note that the size of this vessel means that the ride is more adventurous than larger boats.

Whale Explorer is offering a WHALE of a combo deal … go on one of their morning snorkel trips to Lanai and save $15 per adult off the list price of a whale watch. For more information on this special combo, see our Lanai dolphin page.

Schedule: Daily during whale season (mid-December through mid-April) at 7:45am, 10am,12:30pm and 2pm

Check in: Slip #11 in Lahaina Harbor

GPS: 675 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761 Click to view map

Duration: 2 hours

Vessel: Twin engine Explorer Super Raft with an on-board Marine Head

Capacity: 36

Restrictions: Minimum age is 5. No one with neck or back injuries or pregnant women allowed.

Note: 8am and 2:30pm tours are operated during the peak whale watch season. They will conclude whale watches approximately April 15th.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Makai Adventures

Witness the beauty of the majestic humpback whales on board a fast, fun and comfortable powerboat! Makai Adventures creates a personal and intimate experience by limiting their tours to 24 passengers. Their crew love getting to know their guests and sharing their knowledge of the islands and whales. They bring you to the most active whales quickly, allowing for the most viewing time. Makai Adventures boasts perimeter seating which ensures 360 degree views and no one gets stuck with a center seat. The seating is half shade and half sun, so you can choose your desired seating. Other amenities on the boat include onboard bathroom, dry storage space for your things, and swim step with easy ocean access stairs. Makai Adventures guarantees whale sightings or your next trip is free!

Schedule: Daily at 9am and 11:15am.

Duration: 2 hours

Check in: Lahaina Harbor Slip #16

GPS: 675 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761 Click to view map

What to Bring and What to Wear:  Hat, sunglasses, camera, and a light jacket or sweater.

Tour Includes: To help reduce plastic from our landfills and oceans, they provide a jug of ice water, and you can refill your reusable water bottles or provided paper cups. Soft drinks and juices are also included.

Vessel: 37 foot Premium Custom powerboat

Capacity: 24

Restrictions: No one with neck or back injuries or pregnant women allowed. All ages welcome but infants 3 and under are not free on this vessel … they are the same rate as older children.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Teralani – 10am Whale Watch with Breakfast

The Teralani offers a two-hour whale watch. 10am is considered to be “prime time” for whale watching and is the time slot most likely to sell out the furthest in advance.

Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (subject to change)

Check in: 9Kaanapali Beach, directly in front of Leilani’s Restaurant in the Whalers Village Shopping Center

GPS: 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761 Click to view map

Tour includes: Continental breakfast, kona coffee, tropical juices, and Teralani “Pogmosas”.

Duration: 2 hours

Vessel: 65 foot Sailing Catamaran

Capacity: 49

Note: Teralani charges a $5pp fuel surcharge on all tours.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Teralani – 12:30pm Whale Watch

The Teralani also offers a two-hour early afternoon whale watch.

Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday

Check in: Kaanapali Beach, directly in front of Leilani’s Restaurant in the Whalers Village Shopping Center

GPS: 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761 Click to view map

Tour includes: Dry snacks, beer, wine, tropical juices and  soda

Duration: 2 hours

Vessel: 65 foot Sailing Catamaran

Capacity: 49

Note: Teralani charges a $5pp fuel surcharge on all tours.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Blue Water Rafting Whale Watch

Blue Water Rafting offers 90 minute tours on their high-speed RHIBs. (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat). The speed of these rafts gets you to the whales quickly, and the waters off Kihei are shallow and many whale calves are born in this area. This is a great option for those who don’t want to drive to the west side of the island.

Schedule: Daily at 8am, 10am, and 12pm from mid-December through mid-March. (They also offer a whale watch / Molokini Express combo)

Check in: Kihei Boat Ramp

GPS: 2970 South Kihei Rd., Kihei, HI 96753 Click to view map

Duration: 1.5 hours

Vessel: 27′ and 30′  Rigid hulled, inflatable rafts

Capacity: 24

Restrictions: No one with neck or back injuries, no one pregnant, and minimum age is 5.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Note: Whale sighting guarantee doesn’t start until 1/15.

Aqua Adventures – Private Whale Watch

Aqua Adventures operates a morning snorkel tour to Molokini, but is available for exclusive private charters for whale watching and sightseeing in the afternoons. Aqua Adventures can accommodate groups of up to 40 guests on an afternoon whale watch, or offers an affordable way for a larger family to have an exclusive whale watching experience. Please note that Aqua Adventures does not sell individual seats … they only operate whale watches as exclusive private charters.

Schedule: Departing at 1pm

Reservations: Please include the approximate number of guests when making your reservation.

Check in: Maalaea Harbor slip #51

GPS: 101 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793 Click to view map

Tour length: 2.5 hours

Tour includes: Cold beverages

Vessel: High speed boat with Twin engine  350 horse Cummins

Capacity: 40

Note: The rate includes a crew gratuity of 15%.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made before the charge is made. We charge your credit card 5 days before your arrival to Hawaii.

Ultimate 2 Hour Whale Watch

Ultimate Whale Watch tours have fast and safe rafting vessels that are low to the water and perfect for close encounters. The small groups make every seat a front fow seat! They guarantee whale encounters and tickets support marine life research. You will learn more about whales from the marine naturalist guides, and even get to hear whales through a hydrophone.

The 2 hour Whale Watch  holds between 18-26 passengers on either the Wahine Kai, Wiki Wahine, or Wahine Hana Vessel.

Schedule: Daily at 9:30am, 12pm, and 2:15pm

Check in: Lahaina Harbor, Slip #17

GPS: 675 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761 Click to view map

Tour length: 2 hours

Tour includes: Purified water and reef safe sunscreen

Restrictions: Minimum age is 3 years and no one with back or neck injuries or pregnant women.

Vessels: Their vessels Wiki Wahine & Wahine Hana are 27ft long. Coast guard approved for 24 guests, and they only allow 18 guests on boat. There are some seats and some pontoon seating. These vessels do not have a bathroom. The Wahine Kai vessel is 42ft long. The coast guard approved for 32 guests, and they only allow 26 guests on boat. It has most regular seating and some pontoon seating. Wahine Kai also has a bathroom and freshwater shower onboard. All of their vessels are low to water with 70% shade.

Capacity: 18 or 26

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made before the charge is made. We charge your credit card 5 days before your arrival to Hawaii.

Cruise Ship Passengers

NCL cruise ship passengers in Kahului are able to do a whale watch on either day they are in port in Kahului. Lahaina whale watches (which we prefer) are an hour drive by rental car. We can arrange a rental car with shuttle pick-up at the harbor.

 

Lahaina cruise ship passengers can do whale watching while in port since the Whale Express and Spirit of Lahaina both leave from the same harbor where your cruise ship tender arrives. You can book either the midmorning, noon, or early afternoon time slots.