Tour Reviews
Maui Whale Watching Tour Reviews: Every Cruise Compared
Our review of every Maui whale watching cruise on the site, with its departure point, boat type, season window, price and the platform that sells it.
SUNSET SAILLahaina Maui: Sunset Sail aboard Alihilani
Sail Maui's 2.5-hour sail on the catamaran ʻAlihilani, capped at 49 guests, with appetizers, an open bar and whales on the program from December through March. Sail Maui lists it from Lahaina Harbor; confirm the departure time and dock on your voucher. From $127 per person on GetYourGuide.
LUXURY CATAMARANMaui Premier Whale Watching Cruise - Luxury Catamaran Experience
Alii Nui's two-hour whale watch from Māʻalaea Harbor on a 65-foot catamaran, with an open bar, light bites, naturalist narration and a photographer on board. From $139 per person, 1 December 2026 to 15 April 2027.
MOLOKINI CATAMARANMaui Snorkeling Adventure From Ma'alaea Harbor to Molokini
Calypso's 5.5-hour snorkel day from Māʻalaea Harbor to Molokini and Turtle Town on a triple-deck catamaran with slides, a jump platform, breakfast and lunch. From $189 per person on Viator; the same trip is $190 on GetYourGuide.
HYDROPHONE RAFTMaui Whale Watching: 2-Hour Small Group Raft Tour from Lahaina
Dive Maui's family-run, naturalist-led raft whale watch, meeting at its Front Street shop in Lahaina and launching from Māla Ramp. Two hours, from $81 per person ($97 on most options), with a December–April promise of whales or a free next trip or refund, your choice.
GLASS-BOTTOM SAILFour Winds Molokini Snorkeling Tour from Maalaea Harbor
Maui Classic Charters' five-hour Molokini snorkel on the Four Winds sailing catamaran from Māʻalaea, with breakfast, lunch, beer and wine, and flotation for non-swimmers. From $213 per person; Molokini is weather permitting.
MAX 6 GUESTSMaui: 2-Hour Ma'alaea Whale Watching Cruise for up to 6 Guests
A two-hour whale watch from Māʻalaea Harbor on Amore, a 42-foot Boston Whaler capped at six guests, with a captain, a marine naturalist, binoculars and snacks. $279 per person, sold 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027.
2,859 REVIEWSMaui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina
Hawaii Ocean Rafting's low-to-water zodiac trip from Lahaina, sold as a whale watch in winter and a dolphin watch in summer. Two hours, $85–$111 per person on the standard options, check-in at the Dive Maui shop, 1223 Front St; with 2,859 reviews it is the most-reviewed whale-watch listing we track.
LAHAINA HARBORMaui: 2-Hour Whale Watch from Lahaina Harbor
Hawaii Ocean Project's 2-hour whale watch aboard the multi-level Kaulana, boarding at Lahaina Harbor's main loading dock by the lighthouse. $70 per person, 15 December 2026 to 15 May 2027, capped at 80 guests, with a shaded cabin, marine bathroom, hydrophone and wheelchair access.
SUNRISE DEPARTUREMaui: 2 hour Lahaina Sunrise Whale Watch
Maui Ocean Adventures' early-morning whale watch on its pink boat from Māla Boat Ramp in Lahaina. Two hours, $70 per person, sold 15 December 2026 to 20 April 2027, with a hydrophone and a 5.0 rating from 77 reviews; there is no restroom on board.
WHALES GUARANTEEDMaui Whale Watching: WHALES GUARANTEED with Makai Adventures
Makai Adventures' 2-hour whale watch from Māla Boat Ramp in Lahaina, on a fast canopied boat with a cushioned seat for everyone, an onboard bathroom and plenty of shade. $109–$128 per person, sold 13 November 2026 to 25 April 2027, with whale sightings guaranteed in the listing title.
AFTERNOON BUDGETMaui: Whale Watch Cruise Aboard the Malolo From Ma'alaea Harbor
A two-hour whale watch from Māʻalaea Harbor on the Malolo, a high-speed catamaran with hydrophones, two restrooms and a shaded cabin. From $60 per person, sold 15 December 2026 to 30 April 2027.
BY AIRMaui Whale Watching -PRIVATE- Air Tour: (2-5 People): SEE WHALES!
A one-hour private flight for your own party of 2 to 5 with Maui Plane Rides, flown 15 December to 15 April. Viator prices it per person, from $420, and federal rules keep aircraft at least 1,000 feet from humpbacks.
DINNER & WHALESMaui Sunset Dinner Cruise & Whale Watch
Pacific Whale Foundation's three-hour evening cruise from Māʻalaea Harbor, pairing a four-course dinner and included drinks with naturalist-led whale watching. From $189 per person, 15 November 2026 to 15 April 2027.
NATURALIST-LEDMaui: Whale Watching from Ma'alaea Harbor
Pacific Whale Foundation's two-hour whale watch from Māʻalaea Harbor, narrated by certified marine naturalists with a hydrophone for whale song. From $100 per person on Viator, with a go-again-free promise if no whales are seen.
WHALES + SNORKELMaui: Whale Watch and Turtles Snorkel
A 3.5-hour trip from Māʻalaea Harbor on the Pride of Maui that combines a whale watch with a reef snorkel stop, lunch and drinks including alcohol. $147 per person, bookable 1 January to 1 April 2027.
LOWEST PRICEMaui Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver From Maalaea
A two-hour whale watch from Māʻalaea Harbor on Quicksilver, a double-deck power catamaran with a shaded cabin, two restrooms and a hydrophone. From $50 on Viator, about $60 on many departures.
SOUTH MAUI RAFTKihei, Maui: Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft
Redline Rafting's 90-minute winter whale watch on a large raft from Kīhei Boat Ramp, with a naturalist, a hydrophone and no more than 20 guests. From $100 per person, for ages 8 to 65, bookable 13 December to 31 March.
MOLOKINI BY RAFTMolokini Crater + South Maui Coast Adventure from Kihei, Maui
A five-hour, year-round snorkel trip by raft from Kīhei Boat Ramp to Molokini and the South Maui coast, with breakfast, a deli lunch and gear. From $232 per person; ages 8 to 65, moderate fitness, and you must climb a ladder back aboard.
KĀʻANAPALI BEACHMaui: Whale Watching Cruise with Open Bar from Ka'anapali Beach
Sea Maui's two-hour whale watch boards from the sand at Kāʻanapali Beach, with an open bar, snacks and naturalist commentary. From $103 per person on Viator or GetYourGuide, 15 December to 14 April; not recommended for travelers with mobility issues.
PREMIUM DINNERMaui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach
Sea Maui's dinner cruise boards from the sand at Kāʻanapali Beach for about 2.5 hours of buffet dinner, drinks and sunset on the 65-ft catamaran Sea Maui III, with whale watching only from 15 December to 15 April. From $180 per person on Viator.
SUNSET COCKTAILSMaui: Ka'anapali Luxury Sunset Cocktail Sail with Open Bar
Teralani's 2-hour sunset cocktail sail from Kāʻanapali Beach, with chef-made appetizers and an open bar. From 1 November to 15 April it sails in whale season, but it is not an official whale watch. From $135 per person on GetYourGuide; the same sail is on Viator from $142.
SUNSET DINNER SAILMaui: Ka'anapali Luxury Sunset Dinner Sail
Teralani's 2.5-hour sunset dinner sail from Kāʻanapali Beach, boarding near the Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort, with an assisted buffet of island dishes and an open bar. From $169 per person on GetYourGuide.
WHALE WATCH UNDER SAILMaui: Ka'anapali Whale Watching Cruise on Luxury Sailboat
Teralani's 2-hour whale watch sail from Kāʻanapali Beach, with a marine naturalist, a hydrophone, breakfast snacks, Kona coffee and pogmosas, and a promise of whales or a free second trip. From $113 per person on GetYourGuide.
TURTLE TOWN KAYAKMaui: Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour
South Pacific Kayaks' 3-hour guided kayak and snorkel in Mākena Bay, the reef area known as Turtle Town, from Mākena Landing Park. Ages 5 and up, about 1.5 miles of paddling and up to 10 guests. From $120 per person on GetYourGuide.
MAX 12 GUESTSMaui: VIP (12 Guests ONLY) Ultimate Whale Watch
The small-group version of Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel's raft trip: never more than 12 guests, 2 hours, $125 per person, checking in at Māla Boat Yard, 1237 Front St. Same December–April go-again-free sighting promise as the company's standard trip.
SMALL-GROUP RAFTMaui: Ultimate Whale Watch from Lahaina
Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel's standard inflatable-raft whale watch, checking in at the boat yard at 1223 Front St and launching from Māla Boat Ramp, not Lahaina Harbor. About 2 hours, $77–$88 per person, with a go-again-free sighting promise on December–April trips.
Still deciding? Start with the naturalist-led cruise from Māʻalaea.
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