This tour departs from the historic Lahaina Harbor to find the majestic humpback whales that frequent the waters surrounding Maui in the winter months. Traveling in a small raft creates an intimate whale watching experience not found on the larger vessels commonly used on whale watching tours. Plus, the raft travels quickly, letting you spend more time whale watching and less time in transit.

Enjoy a small group whale watching tour off the coast of Maui
You can choose from a morning or afternoon tour so it doesn’t interfere with other plans
In the event of cancellation due to weather, you are offered an alternate outing or a full refund
Prepare for the chance to photograph whales in their natural habitat

What's Included

Marine Naturalist Narration
Hydrophone to listen to whale songs
Bottled water
Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
Plan to get wet! This is a raft- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.

BYOB ( Plastic or cans only)
No Spray Sunscreen Permitted - Reef Safe Sunscreen Only

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Hawaii Ocean Rafting Whale Watch and Snorkel
675 Wharf St Slip #8, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
CHECK IN 30 minutes prior to start time at Hawaii Ocean Rafting, Lahaina Harbor Slip 8, 675 Wharf Street, Lahaina. Paid parking lots are located off Dickenson Street in Lahaina Town. Free parking is for 3 hours or less. PARKING may take 20 minutes to find and walk to Harbor.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No Infants
Most travelers can participate
No children under 3
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

917 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 917 reviews

Highlight of our trip!!!

Brandon_J, Mar 2023

We got really close to the whales and had a more personal experience than that of the larger boat from the day before. At one point the whale was swimming upside down right under the raft, it was an experience that I don’t think my family will ever forget and it was the highlight of our trip.

Wow wow wow! Book with...

Lara_R, Mar 2023

Wow wow wow! Book with them! Don’t hesitate! Amazing and unforgettable experience! Highly recommend!

Best way to whale watch

Tami_S, Mar 2023

Best whale watching excursion! Boat ride is fun, Crew is super knowledgeable and informative. Thank you for a great time! A must do!!!

Do it.

Briana_L, Mar 2023

It was an incredible experience. We saw so many whales and the guides were very knowledgeable. The raft was awesome.

So many whales!

Jennifer_C, Mar 2023

Super fun! We saw so many whales! Tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Boat ride was safe, comfortable, and clean. We got close enough but not too close. Great experience!

Our whale watch was...

Cherie_G, Mar 2023

Our whale watch was great! Saw a mom and baby full breach AND a large grouping of males fighting! The crew was fun and informative. Highly recommend. Boat ride is a lot of fun too!

Excellent adventure whale watching

James_B, Mar 2023

This excursion was an excellent outing for us. The guides were very educated on the whales and their behavior. We were shown many spectacular views of whales breaching diving and displaying fin smacking behavior as well as males fighting. It was an awesome adventure and one we will treasure.

Awesome

john_m, Mar 2023

We had a awesome time. Saw at least 30 whales. Our boat crew were great. Got us on top of whales. Had whales under boat.

Up close and personal

Jennifer_S, Mar 2023

Excellent tour. Don’t bother looking anywhere else. You can’t go wrong with this experience. Sailed March 2023.

Great fun

Shawn_W, Mar 2023

We had a great time with Captain Calli and her crew member (sorry. I can’t remember her name). The boat ride itself was like a ride you would experience in a theme park. Fast and fun. We saw many whales and a dolphin friend as well. Highly recommended!

The only way to see the...

Stephen_G, Mar 2023

The only way to see the whales!! Really enjoyed the small group. Captain and 1st maté knowledgeable and friendly.loved it!

Great experience

Wren_H, Mar 2023

Wonderful staff. Great experience... learned a lot from Callee and Ala. First time whale watching. Would definitely come back...

Best whale watching in all of Maui!

Alfredo_F, Mar 2023

Capt Cali, and her first mate were awesome. They were extremely knowledgeable and great at engaging with all of us. I highly recommend this tour for a first class experience. These ladies were awesome!

This the only way to GO!!!!!!! Forget the Big Boats.. Fast, Nimble, upclose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clinton_O, Mar 2023

This was amazing ride. 5 Minutesout and we are 100 yards from the whales! The crew were knodledble and courtoeous and funny!!! The raft boat was ninmble and fast to get to the next sighting. Only way to to go whale watching, forget the big boats!!!

Amazing and I’d highly recommend!

Alicia_K, Mar 2023

We took the last tour of the day out and there was no shortage of whale sightings and we even got an amazing sunset! The captain knew exactly where to go and was sure to stay a safe distance away. The eco-raft was cool because you were so close to the water watching almost eye level. This was my first whale watching experience and was definitely a highlight of our trip!

Awesome

Anne_C, Mar 2023

Lots of whale sightings and even got to see babies. I would highly recommend! Our guides were very informative and great.

We had a great trip! It...

Amber_W, Mar 2023

We had a great trip! It was the peak of the season and our crew were great at seeing where to go. I would go again!

Whale Fight!!

Malini_B, Mar 2023

We saw a rare whale fight between 7 males who were all chasing a female! Also our guide was immensely knowledgeable about humpbacks. It was a really amazing whale watch tour. Would recommend this company anyday!!

Expectations exceeded

Benjamin_J, Mar 2023

Several whales seen during the tour. Overall, it was a great experience. The tour guide was very nice and told a lot of interesting details about the whales.

Whale watching to the max

Diana_M, Mar 2023

Amazing whale watching. Beautiful day, very informative and fun. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and even being on the boat was fun in and of itself! Kids loved it 😊

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