Maui: Whale Watch and Turtles Snorkel

About This Experience

Pride of Maui’s whale watch and snorkel trip packs two outings into 3.5 hours on the water from Māʻalaea Harbor: time looking for humpbacks and a snorkel stop on a coral reef, with lunch and drinks including alcohol served on board. It costs $147 per person, and you check in once for both.

The boat is large and built for this kind of day. The listing describes nearly 3,000 square feet of deck, two restrooms, a water slide, submerged boarding ladders for getting back on board from the water, warm showers and a hardwood bar. Snorkel gear, flotation devices and optical masks are provided, so there is nothing to rent.

The listing does not name the snorkel site. It describes a coral reef, and the trip’s title points to turtles, but the crew picks the spot on the day according to conditions, so treat any particular site as a possibility, not a booking. If you meet a green sea turtle, Hawaiʻi guidance is to stay at least 10 feet away and never touch, chase or feed it. Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens to be sold, so pack one with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Viator only sells this combination from 1 January to 1 April 2027, which keeps it inside the January to March peak. Check in at the North Loading Dock, to the left of the Coast Guard Station at Māʻalaea. Harbor parking is across from Carl’s Jr., before the Maui Ocean Center, about a 5 to 6 minute walk from the dock; it is paid and the listing says credit card only. From Kāʻanapali allow 30 to 45 minutes, more at rush hour.

On Viator the trip holds a 4.8 rating from 131 reviews. Reviewers mention the open bar and cookies on the way back, dolphins, plus eels and an octopus on the reef, and one heard whale song underwater while snorkeling. The listing makes no sighting promise, and whale time is shorter than on a dedicated whale watch because the snorkel stop shares the day. It suits families and confident swimmers who want whales and reef in a single outing. If whales are the only goal, a two-hour trip such as the one in our review is cheaper and gives them the whole time.

Highlights

• Whale watch and reef snorkel stop in one 3.5-hour trip
• Large catamaran with nearly 3,000 square feet of deck for whale spotting
• Water slide and submerged boarding ladders for the snorkel stop
• Warm showers on board after snorkeling
• Sold only 1 January to 1 April 2027, inside the peak whale months

What's Included

• ✓ 3.5-hour whale watch and snorkel trip from Māʻalaea Harbor
• ✓ Snorkel equipment, flotation devices and optical masks
• ✓ Lunch
• ✓ Alcoholic drinks and sodas
• ✓ Two onboard restrooms

Not Included

• Parking at Māʻalaea Harbor (paid, credit card only)
• Transportation to and from the harbor
• Tips for the crew, which are customary but optional

What to Bring

• Swimsuit and towel for the snorkel stop
• Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), a hat and sunglasses
• A dry layer for the ride back after swimming
• A credit card for harbor parking
• Motion-sickness medicine if you need it, taken well before boarding after asking a doctor or pharmacist

Good to Know & Caveats

• Whale sightings vary and the listing makes no sighting guarantee. Turtles are not guaranteed either.
• Season: Viator sells this combination only from 1 January to 1 April 2027, inside the January to March peak.
• The listing does not name the snorkel site; the crew chooses a reef on the day according to conditions.
• Check in at the North Loading Dock, left of the Coast Guard Station. Parking across from Carl's Jr. is paid by credit card, a 5 to 6 minute walk away.
• All boats must stay at least 100 yards from humpbacks. Give green sea turtles at least 10 feet in the water.
• Strollers are allowed on board. The listing gives no minimum age or swimming requirement, so ask if you have young children or weak swimmers.
• No twin listing on GetYourGuide. Free cancellation on Viator up to 24 hours before departure.

Meeting Point

Check in at the Māʻalaea Harbor North Loading Dock, to the left of the Coast Guard Station; harbor parking is across from Carl's Jr., about a 5 to 6 minute walk away.