Ultimate Whale Watch Tours on a Small Power Raft – Save 10%!
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE, SEE UPDATE PAGE BELOW. Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel has been rated Maui’s #1 whale-watching tour and we agree! Their small power rafts are our favorite way to go whale watching. Save 10% with promo code HVG at checkout on their most popular tour! Whale tours are available from December to early-April.
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Activity Overview
Lahaina fire: according to Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel’s Facebook, their crew is accounted for and safe, and most of their boats made it out of the harbor. No tours are currently running out of West Maui, but hopefully Ultimate Whale Watch will be back up and running when they can.
Maui Travel Update following Lahaina Fire
Due to the devastating fire in Lahaina, travel to West Maui is closed. We will be providing updates to travel as well as outlets for community support on our Maui Travel Update page.
Our Experience
Our family has been going out with the Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel Ohana for years. We have made a lot of videos sharing our experiences with them and whale watching on Maui. Check out one of our whale-watching videos below to see what to expect with Ultimate.
Reasons to Go Whale Watching With Ultimate
Want to ditch the crowds? Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel offers small group tours aboard their raft (26 or fewer guests). They provide a range of tours at different prices. Pick what is best for your family!
Choose from one of these three great tours below:
Or, you can book their standard (and most popular!) two hour tour and get a 10% discount by using promo code HVG.
We enjoy whale watching on a power raft because you can see so much on a 2-hour whale-watching tour. Speed along in a high-speed raft to find the humpback whales (they don’t chase!) all over the channel.
Whale Watching Tip! Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel guarantees sightings. Book your whale-watching tour early in your vacation. In case you don’t see whales, they will rebook you for free. Don’t get me wrong, you will most likely see whales as you leave the Lahaina Harbor in January and February!
Onboard Naturalist
A marine naturalist onboard to answer all your questions
Listen to Whale Songs
They will dip the hydrophone in the water so you can listen to whale songs
Bring Your Camera
Bring your phone or professional camera for pictures. We like to bring our GoPro (underwater camera) on a selfie stick to get underwater shots.
1.5 or 4-Hour Duration Tours
Tours start at 1.5 hours. The most popular tour is 2 hours. Ages 4 and older are welcome.
Departs from West Maui
The departure location is Lahaina Harbor (click for directions), just south of Ka’anapali in West Maui
Whale Watch + Snorkel
What this team is famous for, combine whale watching with a snorkel tour to the best spots on Maui. Click the Book Here button to learn more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please note this trip does not permit participation for guests with back injuries, neck injuries, or pregnant ladies. Children must be 4+ years old. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for all group charters.
Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel tours depart from Lahaina Harbor, Slip 17! Meet them there 20 minutes prior to your Ultimate Whale Watch Maui tour departure time!
What does the marine naturalist do onboard?
Ultimate Whale Watch has a wonderful team of marine naturalists. Their marine naturalist guides will be onboard sharing marine educational info.
Can I bring a good camera?
Absolutely! Bring a GoPro or another suitable water camera to get underwater shots. You can also bring your fancy camera but there may be light spray so make sure you can keep it dry.
Does Ultimate Whale Watch provide transport from my hotel or condo?
While staying on the island, you will probably find it cheaper and more convenient to rent a car. Otherwise, there are a number of taxi companies that can assist you. If you are coming from Ka’anapali Resorts then there is a free shuttle or you can hop in a taxi or Uber. Parking can be challenging in Lahaina so Uber or Lyft may be your best option!
What do I bring on the snorkeling trip?
Bring a hat, sunglasses, and a camera! There is dry storage onboard for backpacks and purses. Will I get seasick?
Will I get seasick?
These small, fast-moving boats have a tendency to cause less seasickness than other types of boats. However, as a precaution, motion sickness medicine should be taken the night before the tour to solve all worries.
Are the boats covered?
Yes, there is a shade canopy on all the rafts. You can choose to sit in the shade on benches or on the raft edges at the front!
About
We have never been disappointed with a whale watching or snorkel tour from the Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel Team. Henry loves going out on their rafts during whale season. They have seasoned captains, who volunteer their time and money to rescue whales in Maui’s waters, and have the best naturalists on board.
We are affiliate partners with Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel and Viator which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!