Whale Watching Cruise

Cruises in Maui

In a nutshell

A boat trip to see humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter.

Rating & popularity

#4 of 5

in our Maui guide

Visit duration

2 h

Usually no booking needed

Tourist load through the year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

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Nov

Dec

Best months: Apr, May, Oct

A boat trip to see humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter.

Know before you go

Season is about December to April; peak in February.

What to book

A whale-watching cruise.

What to check before you pay

Check the departure pier, not just the city.
Look at whether a commentary is live or recorded.
For dinner cruises, check the menu and drinks before you pay.

Whale Watching Cruise tours & tickets

Related tours, tickets & activities

Maui Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver From Maalaea (opens in a new tab)

1,669 2 h

Enjoy this 2-hour guided adventure on a double-deck power catamaran to watch the whales in their natural habitat. Depending on the whales’ behavior during your whale watching trip, you may see the whales slapping the surface with pectoral fins (their very long side fins), flukes (the tail), the peduncle (the strong muscles attaching the tail to the rest of the body) and the breach, this is when the whale rises completely out of the water and crashes down again.

from$59.95Details & Booking

Maui Whale Watching: 2-Hour Small Group Raft Tour from Lahaina (opens in a new tab)

735 2 h

Our small group, 2-hour whale watching tours offer an intimate experience that larger boats can’t match. Departing from Mala Ramp in Lahaina, we visit the Maui Nui Whale Sanctuary, where humpbacks gather every winter to mate and give birth. With guaranteed whale sightings from December to April, or your next trip is free, you’ll witness these majestic whales up close. What makes us unique is our focus on an immersive, educational experience. Enjoy front-row seats on our custom-built raft, guided by our marine naturalist, and listen to the whales’ songs using our onboard hydrophone. As a family-owned business since 1992, we’re passionate about offering eco-friendly whale watching tours that foster a love for the ocean. We believe people protect what they love, and our mission is to inspire guests to appreciate and conserve Maui’s marine life through meaningful encounters with nature.

from$80.60Details & Booking

Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina (opens in a new tab)

2,859 2 h

Eye-level whale watching (or summer time dolphin watching) onboard our low-to-water small group zodiac rafts. Native Hawaiian owned and voted TripAdvisors Traveler's Choice, Hawaii Ocean Rafting has been Maui’s original ocean rafting experience for more than 30 years. Our small group tours make for a fun, family style whale watch experience. Although whales are protected in Hawaii, they often approach our small boats for closer and eye level whale encounters. *Wildlife sighting's vary in the wild. Search for dolphins (summer months) early season whales (Nov & May) and sightsee on this tour in the off season. A low-to-water zodiac boat puts you close to the ocean’s surface for eye-level wildlife encounters and a eco-friendly adventure. We are located in Lahaina, Maui, just a short drive from Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua and other West Maui accommodations. And a fun destination for visitors staying in Kihei or Wailea. No pregnant persons or children under 3

from$85.16Details & Booking

Kihei, Maui: Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft (opens in a new tab)

696 1 h 30 min

Enjoy a prime opportunity to see humpback whales as they migrate through Hawaiian waters from Alaska between December and May. Setting out from Kihei, cruise to an area off the southern end of Maui with one of Hawaii's highest whale populations. You’ll travel in a large, sturdy raft that provides a speedy ride so you can maximize your viewing time. Learn about the whales from informative commentary provided by an onboard naturalist on this tour limited to 20, a smaller group size than most whale tours.

from$99.64Details & Booking

Maui: Whale Watching Cruise with Open Bar from Ka'anapali Beach (opens in a new tab)

855 2 h

The BEST possible way to experience the majestic Pacific Humpback Whales up close and personal. The waters off shore of Ka'anapali Maui are host to the largest population of Humpback Whales on the planet. Our trained naturalists will educate and answer questions as we head to view the most active pods we can find. Relax with a mimosa, Bloody Mary or other island cocktails! Open bar is included!

from$103Details & Booking

Prices and availability are confirmed with our booking partner when you book.

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