Maui's Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel Tours!
Your Whale Watching and Snorkel Adventure on Maui Awaits!
LAHAINA MALA BOAT RAMP DEPARTURES
2 HOUR WHALE WATCH
$77
($88 with Taxes and Fees)
$49 Kids 4-12
(MALA RAMP DEPARTURE)
MOST POPULAR 2 hour Whale Watch
28 guests or less
Sunrise to Sunset Tours
Guaranteed Sightings
Marine Naturalist Guides & Hydrophone Onboard!
24HR Cancellation Policy. No children under 4 years
VIP TOUR
$110
($125 with Taxes and Fees)
All Ages
( MALA RAMP DEPARTURE )
VIP EXCLUSIVE
2 Hour Whale Watch
Small Group - Only 12 Guests
Sunrise to Sunset Tours
Guaranteed Sightings
Marine Naturalist Guides & Hydrophone Onboard!
24HR Cancellation Policy. No children under 4 years
ULTIMATE TOUR (2.5 HOUR)
$155
($177 with Taxes and Fees)
All Ages
( MALA RAMP DEPARTURE )
ULTIMATE TOUR
2.5 Hour Whale Watch
Small Group - Only 6 Guests
Sunrise to Sunset Tours
Guaranteed Sightings
Marine Naturalist Guides & Hydrophone Onboard!
24HR Cancellation Policy. No children under 4 years
COMBO TOUR
$170
($195 with Taxes and Fees)
$104 Kids 4-12
( MALA RAMP DEPARTURE )
ADVENTURE SNORKEL COMBO
3.5 Hour Whale Watch & Snorkel
Small Group - Only 16 Guests
1 Snorkel Stop / Whale & Dolphin Watch Tour
Snacks & Snorkel Gear Included!
Marine Naturalist Guides and Hydrophone Onboard!
24HR Cancellation Policy. No children under 4 years
Whales are protected in Hawaii so we do not approach humpback whales closer than federal regulations.
Swimming and/or touching whales is not permitted. Whales may choose to come to our vessels on their own.

Top Rated #1
Whale Watching Maui Tours with Smallest Groups!
Every seat is a front row seat on our whale watching tours! Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and personal with Maui’s whales, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish and other marine life! Since 1982 we strive for every whale watching tour to be unforgettable.
We can’t wait to share Maui’s ocean adventures with you!

We really love what we do.
We're Locally Owned and Operated.
Since 1982, we have been dedicated to sharing our knowledge and experience of Maui's ocean through ultimate whale watch and snorkel tours, snorkeling and supporting education and research. Our goal is to encourage eco-friendly decisions and appreciation of the Hawaii paradise we are a part of. We're proud to welcome visitors from Washington, California, and all over the world.

Support Our Whale and Marine Research.
We donate our vessels, time and resources to whale researchers that are working to better understand Maui’s marine environment and in turn protect and advocate for it. Check out our blog to learn more about our ongoing research projects and how to support them.
SEE IT IN ACTION

Be a Part of Our Ohana whale watching!
Our team of captains, naturalist and marine biologist are all about sharing their love and knowledge of the ocean and Lahaina and Lanai’s amazing creatures with you!
We can’t wait for you to become a part of our lahaina whale watching and Maui dolphin watching ohana!
Reviews
“One of the coolest experiences I have ever had. We got great encounters with whales.They crew was very knowledgeable, friendly, and very fun. If you want a great experience on the water choose Ultimate!!!!”
Steve B.
Afton, Minnesota
“We had a close encounter with a 30-ton Humpback Whale...We also saw
about a dozen breaches by whales, a giant school of spinner dolphins and a gigantic turtle all on the same 2 hour tour. I highly recommend these guys”
Marposp
Vancouver, Canada
“We have been on many whale watch trips, but have never experienced what we saw on this one. The large humpback male whale noticed us and came over to our boat to show off. He swam around and under our boat!
Rockcl
Denver, Colorado
Rated #1 Whale Watching Maui Tours with Smallest Groups.
Every seat is a front row seat in our whale watching tours! Our small group rafting vessels host small groups of guests so you get up close and personal with Maui’s whales, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish and other marine life! We want your whale watching tour to be unforgettable!
SEE HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT




PREP FOR NEXT SEASON
Ultimate Pro Tip:
Plan to bring a waterproof GoPro with a selfie stick for unforgettable underwater video of your trip!
The Closest Ultimate Whale Watching Tours Encounters in Maui.
We specialize in photographic, non-threatening close encounters with Dolphins, Whales & Turtles in Lahaina, Hawaii! During our Maui whale watching tours and private charters, we have hosted film crews from National Geographic, BBC Wild- life, and other elite marine life photographers!
Because humpback whales are protected in Maui, we do not approach humpback whales closer than 100 yards or swim with whales or dolphins, but we still find ourselves having unique close encounters as these marine mammals love approaching our small, low to the water, friendly rafting vessels! Join us for our seasonal Whale Watching on Maui tours from December to April and snorkel year-round, departing from Lahaina Harbor, Maui!
Private Boat Charters in Maui. Custom for You!
Book a private boat charter for any occasion for you and your family or friends! Whale watch, snorkel, dolphin watch, bachelor and bachelorette parties, wedding parties, memorials and special occasions, departing from Lahaina Harbor, Maui!
Maui’s Dolphins, Tropical Fish and Sea Turtles!
When we’re not whale watching, we’re Snorkeling Maui and Lanai and dolphin watching departing from Lahaina Harbor, Maui! We’re ranked #1 for Maui’s whale watching and dolphin watching be- cause of our low to water rafting vessels and marine naturalist crew know where to encounter marine mammals and turtles!
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answer: (December to mid April). Humpback whales migrate to Maui from Alaska every winter! We begin Maui whale watching tours December 1st, at the beginning of the humpbacks arrival to Maui. In December it is common to encounter the first mom and calves along with the very entertaining surface active juveniles (they don't know what there supposed to be doing so they exhibit many behaviors) . The humpback migration trickles into the Hawaiian islands peaking in February and March, then will begin to trickle out. Be advised the humpback whale population fluctuates in areas throughout the Hawaiian islands. Off the west coast of Maui (Lahaina) is protected water that is a hot spot of whale activity.
Maui’s humpback whales are active all day and even at night! There have been many studies on this but as of yet nothing conclusive. The Sanctuary is dynamic with activity and it changes day to day and hour to hour. The advice I give my friends is look at the weather, if winds are about the same all day go at the time that fits your day. If you can go more that increase your odds of getting that photo or memory your looking for but be warned the excitement of being around a 50 ton wild animal can be addicting.
The best weather to go whale watching is slightly more complicated than calm lake like conditions. Studies and our observations over the years have given us a solid belief that when there is noise on the surface (wind waves, rain) there is more surface activity. There has been speculation that they may need to be louder with bigger splashes or maybe environmental sounds excites them? Windier days will blow spouts down quicker making it more difficult to spot non-splashy whales and limit areas that are comfortable to hangout in on a boat. No matter what the conditions going out on a whale watch will be more memorable than watching your hotel T.V.
Technically, no snorkeling with humpback whales allowed in the U.S. How do we have all of those epic shots and videos on our socials? Our boat is super low to the water so you can stick your feet in or lean over the side with your head in the water while breathing out of a snorkel. The rule is no approach within a 100 yards. So if you make one arm stroke or kick towards a whale with in a 100 yards of a humpback, bam massive fine and your in jail with the worst why I am in jail story. If your boat is stopped not making any movement and a whale comes to you. No violation, your not protected the whale can mug you and go on its merry way. Which is awesome!
The most consistently best area to go whale watching is on the west side of Maui (Lahaina). The two main reasons are calmest sea conditions because of the 5,788 foot mountain behind Lahaina that blocks the wind for miles and the shallow waters off of Lahaina that are favorable to mom and calves ( the males go where the females are). Maalaea departure is good also there is usually good population density of whales in the area off of Kihei also. Lahaina has a quadruple sized area that humpbacks utilize. Lahaina waters are protected with most days calm wind conditions where Maalaea is most days are windy. Both areas are fantastic compared to other areas in the Hawaiian islands Maui has the most consistent and abundant areas to experience a humpback whale encounter.
Still have more questions? We’re happy to help!
We can’t wait to chat all things, Maui, Whale Watching and Snorkeling!