Whale Watching from Kaanapali Beach: convenient and a lot of fun

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Whale Watching from Kaanapali Beach Highlights

• 2-hour duration
• 3 departures daily at 8:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm
• The tour operates from December 15th through April 15th
• Beach loading from Kaanapali Beach (click here for directions). The crew is there to help with the beach loading directly onto the catamaran.
• Comfortable catamaran with plenty of seating (net seating is available too!)
• This whale-watching tour includes parking validation for 4 hours, an open bar, and non-alcoholic drinks, all included in the ticket price.
• All ages are welcome! Children under 2 are free, and pregnant guests are welcome.

Whale Watching from Ka’anapali Beach Details

A tour is the absolute best way to see whales anywhere in Hawaii, and Maui is the best island for it! To be even more specific, the Au’au Channel that runs between West Maui and the island of Lana’i brings the most whales, making Ka’anapali an ideal place to set sail.

Not only is whale watching from Kaanapali Beach a great place to see whales, it’s also incredibly convenient if your staying on West Maui, especially if you’re staying at the Westin Maui Resort or The Whaler, which both sit right on Ka’anapali Beach, where this tour departs.

Leaving three times a day (we recommend doing the earliest tour) at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm, you’ll be treated to a smooth ride with an open bar and plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to sip on.

We recommend the early tour as it is cooler outside and has less chance of the trade winds. No tour is better than another in regard to seeing whales! We did the 2:00 PM tour as we didn’t book far enough in advance! Book three to four weeks in advance to get the time and date you want.

We enjoyed this tour for the quality of the sailboat, the ability to sit on the net with bean bags, and the convenient location on Ka’anapali Beach. We also liked the group size. The boat wasn’t crowded like other sailing tours that leave from Ka’anapali Beach.

The biggest drawback for us was that the naturalist on board didn’t have many facts and stories to share about the whales. While they gave some information, it wasn’t a dialogue on whale behavior. They also didn’t put the hydrophone in the water for us to listen to the whales’ songs. Perhaps it was just our tour without a hydrophone!

You won’t need your shoes on this beach-loading cruise, but due to the nature of beach-loading, those with mobility issues or who use wheelchairs will not be able to participate.

Video on Whale Watching from Ka’anapali Beach

Click to watch our experience on this tour. You will gain a better understanding of what to expect and have any questions answered. Plus, you can see some great whale and dolphin footage.

Whale Watching Ka’anapali Beach FAQ

What is the cancellation policy?

Sea Maui has a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel 24 hours or more before the departure time, you’ll receive a full refund. Any cancellations within the 24-hour window are not eligible for a refund.

Guests will be offered to reschedule or receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation.

What if I get seasick?

Sea sickness is uncommon on this tour, as the double-hulled vessel provides a smoother ride than a single-hulled vessel. If you’re prone to seasickness, be sure to take the appropriate medication as directed prior to the tour.

What should I bring?

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Sandals that can be easily removed for beach loading and while onboard
• A light jacket, depending on your tour time

Sea Maui also offers an incredible sunset cocktail cruise that you should check out! We have also done their sunset dinner cruise.

About Sea Maui

We like to give you a sense of the crew based on our experience and with all the whale tours in Hawaii it can be hard to provide a truly unique experience, but Sea Maui hits it out of the park. And honestly, to give you a true sense of the culture of Sea Maui and the crew, they say it best:

At Sea Maui, we like to do things just a little differently than the rest. For starters, we’re more like your extended family or new best friends once you’re on board. You’re here to have a good time, learn about the ocean, Maui, whales (seasonal) and all that good stuff. We’re not operated by the corporate suits; we’re a team of like-minded, fun-going, salty sailors that absolutely love our jobs and all the cool people we get to meet! When you come on a trip with us we promise to do everything in our power to make sure you have the time of your life out on the water.

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