The 9 Best Whale Watching Tours on Maui (2026-27 Season)

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For most people, the best whale-watching tour on Maui is a small-group raft with Ultimate Whale Watch from Lahaina: you sit a few feet off the water, and the boat can quickly move to wherever the whales are. With kids, we book Sail Maui’s catamaran (10% off), where they can lie on the nets and watch for whales.

Whale season on Maui runs December through March, and below are the nine tours we have done and still book.

When we lived on Maui, my favorite season was whale season. I’d take long walks along the water just hoping to catch a glimpse of one. I’d head out on as many whale-watching tours as I could manage. Rafts, catamarans, and kayaks- I’ve done every type of whale tour available.

It’s jaw-dropping to see a huge humpback whale unexpectedly breach and crash back into the water. And really, it never gets old.

You can see whales from the shore, but for an up-close look at these gentle giants, a whale-watching tour is your best bet. And while Maui has plenty of tours to choose from, not all of them are worth your time (or money).

Have no regrets about Maui whale watching, you are choosing the best Hawaiian island for whale watching!

Maui Whale Watching Tours Compared (as of November 2026)

Here is a quick way to find the Maui whale-watching tour for you. Since this is a shortlist, book the tour closest to where you are staying.

All of these links are direct bookings with the local tour operator, at the best price, and we include our exclusive discounts.

Email Jordan and me at aloha@thehawaiivacationguide.com if you have problems with the code.

We enjoy smaller-group tours, so this list favors power rafts, sailing catamarans, and kayak tours.

For the best-priced Maui whale-watching tours, go on a larger vessel. For example, the Quicksilver is a double-deck vessel for $60 per person. It departs from Central Maui, in Ma’alaea Harbor.

The top deck offers better views, and it is easy for everyone to get a good shot!

How Much Does Whale Watching on Maui Cost?

A shared, two-hour whale watch on Maui costs about $60 to $110 per adult as of November 2026; small-group and premium tours run $110 to $150, and a private charter starts around $1,800 for the boat.

Rafts and big double-deck boats are the cheapest. Beach-loading, luxury catamarans with an open bar cost the most.

Our codes save 5-10% on four of the tours above.

9 Best Whale Watching Tours on Maui

Because we love whale watching, we’ve been on over 30 tours across the Hawaiian Islands. While all have been good, a few have stood out as excellent.

Here’s what we recommend from our experience. Choose the right tour for you!

Best West Maui Whale Watching Tours: Ka’anapali & Lahaina

1. Ultimate Whale Watch (power raft)

Calling us fans of Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel is an understatement. On our first small-group raft whale-watching trip, we were blown away by their friendly, passionate crew and the experience of sitting in a raft so close to the water (and the whales).

Utlimate is also an entanglement first responder. Almost ever year, they respond to a whale who needs a net, rope, or other debris removed.

Ultimate offers tours ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours. Each tour is on a power raft, offering a small-group experience. Depending on the tour you choose, your boat will carry 12 to 26 people, so you get a real front-row experience.

We’ve seen humpback whales, false killer whales, and dolphins on their tours (and yes, we’ve done them multiple times). 

Ultimate Whale Watch used to depart from Lahaina Harbor, but now departs from Mala Ramp in Lahaina.

Save 10% on their 2-Hour ($88) Whale Watching Tour with promo code HVG

Enter the code “HVG” when booking on their website. See the button below to book!

See our full review of Ultimate Whale Watch from Lahaina.

2. Sea Maui from Ka’anapali Beach (sailing catamaran)

One of the best things about staying in Ka’anapali is how walkable everything is: restaurants, shopping, and the beach are all within easy walking distance.

Make things easy for your whale-watching tour and head out on a beach-loading tour that departs centrally from Whaler’s Village in Ka’anapali.

We’ve had the best time on Sea Maui’s catamaran. You head out straight from the beach (yes, you will likely get a little wet while boarding), and then the fun starts immediately. Their crew is fantastic, and on the two-hour tour, you’ll learn about the whales from their onboard naturalist, plus enjoy the beanbag chairs they set out on the catamaran’s nets.

The tour also includes a full open bar, so you can relax however you’d like.

See our full review on Sea Maui: Whale Watching from Ka’anapali Beach

Are you staying in Ka’anapali, West Maui? Then check out our reviews on their beach-loading tours:

• All Kaanapali Snorkeling Tours Reviewed
• All Kaanapali Sunset Cruises Reviewed
• 19+ Kaanapali Things to Do

3. Maui Adventure Tours from Olowalu Beach (kayak)

For a more active way to get out on the water and search for whales, check out Maui Adventure Tours. Jordan did a kayaking whale watching experience with them, and it was memorable.

While you don’t get as close to the whales on a kayak and can’t cover as much ground to see multiple whales, you do get the serene enjoyment of being out on the water, plus a chance to snorkel (though you won’t be snorkeling with whales).

You may get lucky and get a close encounter. During Jordan’s tour, the whales were about 50 yards away, which was exhilarating. Plus, snorkeling at one of the world’s most pristine reefs, Olowalu Reef, is worth it every time. We have swum with sea turtles and monk seals here.

Read our full review and see their shoreline snorkel tour: Maui Adventure Tours

Best Central Maui Whale Watching Tours: Ma’alaea Harbor

Tours depart from Ma’alaea Harbor in Central Maui. Directions to Ma’alaea Harbor.

Ma’alaea Harbor is convenient for cruise ship passengers (a 15-minute Uber or taxi from Kahului) and for people staying in Kihei or Ka’anapali. Larger boats and catamarans depart from this harbor.

Parking is convenient at the harbor, on its pier, or at the shopping center. Your Maui whale-watching tour operator will provide parking details and your slip number. Before or after your tour, enjoy the restaurants, general store, and Maui Ocean Center at the harbor.

4. PacWhale Eco-Adventures (sailing or a large vessel)

Frequent Maui visitors are familiar with the Pacific Whale Foundation. It has a strong fan base thanks to 40 years of conservation work. Ticket profits go directly toward the foundation’s work protecting the oceans through science and advocacy.

Why we recommend going out with Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF):

• Certified Marine Naturalists trained by the nonprofit’s research team lead every tour, so you get accurate, up‑to‑date insights.
• Whale sightings are guaranteed (97% success rate). Or come again for free within one year if you don’t see whales.
• A leading eco-operator that educates guests and pioneers vessel whale-protection technology to reduce whale-strike risk.

Booking with us via the link below is unique to whale tours on Maui. You can choose from 6 tour variations. PWF has a tour for everyone!

Click below to choose from a large, comfortable boat or a smaller group tour that isn’t on a power raft. They also offer a catamaran sailboat with a sunset tour and a special Whale Songs tour, an immersive experience. Plus, so many more options, so click below!

P.S. The sunset sail includes a gourmet dinner spread: humpback whales, dinner, and sunset!

Molokini Crater snorkeling tours also leave from Ma’alaea Harbor. PacWhale and our next Maui whale-watching tour, Sail Maui, made our list of the best Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tours.

5. Sail Maui (sailing catamaran)

If a raft isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to have a relaxing experience aboard a sailboat, check out Sail Maui. They offer morning, midday, and sunset whale-watching tours departing from Ma’alaea Harbor in Central Maui and Lahaina Harbor.

You’ll be treated to a morning coffee as you take a relaxing sail out of the harbor. During the two-hour tour, the crew will motor to the best whale-watching spots. And if it’s windy enough, they’ll put up the sails for a little sailing time. 

This is our favorite trip to do with our kids. The Sail Maui catamaran is a fun experience for them, and our son loves hanging out on the nets and watching for whales underneath the boat (he still hasn’t seen any down there). We’ve had some amazing close encounters with Sail Maui.

10% off discount code with Sail Maui — enter the code below!

See our full review on Sail Maui: Sail with the Whales from Lahaina and Ma’alaea

6. Maui Custom Charters Whale Watching Tour (sailboat)

When we booked a private whale-watching and snorkeling tour, I didn’t expect to love it so much. We’ve done more group tours than I can count, but I wasn’t sure how different a private tour would be. 

Wow, I was wrong. Our family went out with Captain Anna on a 4+ hour tour, and we were immediately greeted by two whales as we left the harbor.

This was the closest I’ve ever come to a humpback whale, and while this experience isn’t guaranteed, we had several other great sightings on the way to the snorkeling spot. 

You can splurge with Maui Custom Charters, or save. Mention code HVG5 to get 5% off your booking when you call Captain Anna to book!

The private boat holds up to 13 passengers, and the tour is completely customizable to your liking. We could move around the boat freely, and it quickly became one of my favorite and most memorable experiences on the water.

Maui Custom Charters provides a light breakfast and lunch, the snorkeling equipment (if needed), and the route. You get to show up and have an incredible time. It is more expensive than a group tour, but I dare say it’s worth it. 

Check out this clip we got when a whale swam right next to our boat (yes, my heart was pounding so hard!)

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When you call Captain Anna to book, mention code HVG5 to get 5% off your booking. 

Read more about Maui Custom Charters and their private whale watching and other boating experiences here. 

Best South Maui Whale Watching Tours: Kihei and Wailea

7. Kai Kanani from Wailea (sailboat)

Kai Kanani is one of our favorite Maui tour operators. Locally owned, they offer an incredible experience on all of their tours (their Molokini sunrise snorkel is outstanding). And their whale watching tour is no different. 

What’s unique about Kai Kanani is that they do beach loading from beautiful Maluaka Beach in Wailea/Makena. That’s a huge time-saver if you’re staying in the Wailea area, since you don’t have to drive to Ma’alaea Harbor for your tour.

They offer a two-hour tour once per day on their spacious, comfortable sailboat. 

We’ve done several tours with Kai Kanani and have never been disappointed! 

Read our full review of Kai Kanani’s luxury whale-watching tour.

8. Redline Rafting from Kihei

Looking for a rafting experience in South Maui? Redline Rafting is the best pick. Their 1.5-hour whale-watching tour runs from January through the end of March, with 3 morning tours each day.

Their raft holds 24 people or fewer, so you won’t have to fight over the best seat. 

Like the rafting experience with Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel, the power raft lets you move quickly between spots to catch the best whale sightings. 

And if you’re staying in Kihei, their location couldn’t be more convenient. They leave from the Kihei small boat harbor. 

Save $10 when you book with them below! This is one of the best-priced whale-watching tours on Maui.

Find our full review and video with them here: Redline Rafting Whale Watch

9. South Pacific Kayak from Makena

If you’re eager to kayak, snorkel, and whale watch but don’t want to drive to West Maui, South Pacific Kayaks has you covered.

They conveniently depart from Makena Landing in South Maui and are a quick drive from resorts and vacation rentals in Wailea and Kihei. 

During whale season, their Turtle Reef Discovery Snorkeling Tour turns into a whale-watching tour. During the 3-hour kayaking tour, you will get to do both whale watching and snorkeling.

The tour focuses on whale watching, but you can sneak in a quick snorkeling session as well. This is one of Maui’s best snorkeling spots. So you’ll get to see whales and enjoy snorkeling.

Check out our complete list of the best snorkeling spots on Maui. 

The Right Maui Whale Watching Tour for You

Explore these Maui whale-watching tours to find the one you’re looking to book.

Best small group whale watching on Maui

If you’re looking for a small-group experience you’ll love, Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel offers a 12-person VIP experience. While their tours aren’t large, this puts you out on the water with just a handful of other people, so you can get a front-row seat to the action. 

Best snorkeling and whale watching tour combo

There aren’t many snorkeling and whale-watching combo trips, but this one is great!

During whale season, the Pacific Whale Foundation runs its annual trip to Molokini Crater, and it also allows ample time for whale watching on the way to and from the crater. You will cross a channel rich in humpback whales!

Learn more and book this combo tour: PWF Molokini Snorkel + Whale Watch

Best tours for everyone in your party

The Pacific Whale Foundation offers six tour variations on three different vessels. Choose a catamaran sailboat, a small-group power boat, or a double-decker boat.

But that is not all; they offer a sunset sail with dinner and whales, a unique Whale Songs experience, and more options. Click here to find the tour for your group!

Best private whale watching on Maui

If you want to book a private whale watching charter, look no further than Maui Custom Charter. Captain Anna and the team handle every detail to make sure your experience is incredible. It’s one of the most memorable trips we’ve taken on Maui. 

The entire trip is customizable to your preferences, so we chose a whale-watching and snorkeling combination. It was incredible! After seeing whales up close, we enjoyed pristine snorkeling. After our time in the water, we sailed back home while enjoying lunch onboard. 

Call Captain Anna and use code HVG5 when booking to get 5% off any custom boating experience. 

We have a video of our experience so you can see what it’s like before you book!

Snorkeling Tours vs Whale Watching Tours

We’re always asked whether it’s better to do a snorkeling tour during whale season rather than a dedicated whale-watching tour. I get it—doing a snorkeling tour during whale season feels like a two-for-one deal. But that’s not the case.

Snorkeling tours don’t go whale watching, unless they advertise it as a combination tour. They will not try to find the most optimal place to spot whales. You might get lucky and see whales during your trip, but a snorkeling tour focuses on getting you in the water for the best snorkeling possible, not the best whale sightings.

So if you want to do both, we recommend booking a snorkeling tour and a whale watching tour separately.

Exceptions are combo tours like we listed, where whale watching is the priority. These are the the kayaking tours we list, PacWhale Eco-Tours, and Ultimate Whale Watch offers a great snorkel-and-whale-watching tour, since that is their expertise!

If you want to snorkel, check out this list of the best snorkeling tours on Maui. We’ve done a lot and included only our absolute favorites on the list. 

Maui Whale Watching FAQs

Tips for Whale Watching on Maui

Whale watching on Maui is an exciting activity that pretty much anyone can enjoy. But there are some tips that will help you make the most of your experience:

1. Go whale watching at the beginning of your trip: Many Maui tour operators offer guaranteed whale sightings. That means that if you don’t see a whale on your trip, they’ll book you on another excursion. Unfortunately, if you wait until the last day to go on your tour, you won’t be able to take advantage of the guaranteed sightings.
2. Enjoy a morning trip: We highly recommend a morning trip for a few reasons. First, the tours are usually less crowded, especially if you book a sunrise tour. Second, you’ll stay out of the hot sun! Third, the trade winds can pick up in the afternoon and make your ride a little bumpier. Heading out in the morning is your best bet for smooth waters. 
3. Know your vessel: There is a big difference between heading out on a large boat with 50+ people and hopping aboard a smaller raft. Before you pick a tour, understand what the boat is like so you can get a better idea of what your experience will be like. When we go without kids, we love whale watching on a power raft. When we took our preschooler out, we loved heading out on a sailboat. And when we had an infant, a larger boat gave us more room to move around and find shade. 

Responsible Whale Watching

Federal law prohibits approaching a humpback whale closer than 100 yards by boat, kayak, paddleboard, or swimming, and 1,000 feet with a drone. Good operators cut the engine and let curious whales come to them, which is how we have had our closest encounters.

On a private tour with Captain Anna, a male escort passed under the sailbot a few times. That is when I was able to stick my camera in the water to get a close-up shot. Our YouTube audience thought I was swimming with the whale!

If you want to experience more than whale watching on your trip to Maui, be sure to check out our full Tours & Activities section. We’ve spent years curating a list of our favorite tours and experiences, and we share them all with you here.