30 years of award-winning whale watching and snorkeling eco-raft tours from Lāhainā.
YOUR MAUI OCEAN ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Our Travelers' Choice Award–winning Maui whale watching and snorkeling tours are featured by National Geographic and trusted by thousands of travelers on TripAdvisor.
Semi-private 2-hour eco-raft sightseeing tour from Lahaina with a marine naturalist searching for dolphins year-round and whales seasonally.
Small-group, Hawaiian-owned eco-raft whale watch from Lahaina with a marine naturalist and hydrophone.
Small-group 5-hour snorkel and dolphin-watch eco-raft trip from Lahaina to Lanai with certified snorkel guides and a marine naturalist.
Award-winning 2-in-1 eco-raft tour combining humpback whale watching and beginner-friendly snorkeling from Lahaina.
Private, customizable hourly eco-raft charter along Maui’s coast for snorkeling, whale watching, dolphin encounters and celebrations.
Semi-private 2-hour eco-raft sightseeing tour from Lahaina with a marine naturalist searching for dolphins year-round and whales seasonally.
Small-group, Hawaiian-owned eco-raft whale watch from Lahaina with a marine naturalist and hydrophone.
Small-group 5-hour snorkel and dolphin-watch eco-raft trip from Lahaina to Lanai with certified snorkel guides and a marine naturalist.
Award-winning 2-in-1 eco-raft tour combining humpback whale watching and beginner-friendly snorkeling from Lahaina.
Private, customizable hourly eco-raft charter along Maui’s coast for snorkeling, whale watching, dolphin encounters and celebrations.
Book a private boat charter from Maui for your family and friends aboard a low-to-the-water eco-raft. Choose your activities, timing, duration, and menu — then let our local Lāhainā crew handle the rest.
Our eco-rafts sit low to the water — closer than any large boat tour. Our crew rotates across all three rafts each week, so your favorite captain and naturalist will be on the water no matter which vessel you board.
Length: 40 Feet
Shade: 80%
Capacity: Up to 26 guests
Best For: Smooth, eye-level whale watching tours with maximum shade
Seating: Bench Style
Length: 38 feet
Shade: 80%
Capacity: Up to 17 guests
Seating: Bench style
Best for: Offers a flat surface boarding step for a more confident boarding experience
Length: 27 feet
Shade: 30%
Capacity: Up to 14 guests
Seating: Saddle style
Best for: The most intimate small-group whale watching tours in Maui, Hawaii
The Kuokoa Kai is our spacious adventure raft, designed to showcase the beauty of Maui from the water. Cruise close to the water, exploring the coastline, and experience the unique marine life that makes Maui so special.
With room for up to 26 guests, there’s plenty of space to stretch out while still enjoying the friendly, welcoming boat ride that makes every trip feel like time with ohana.
Relax beneath the shade canopy or sit in the sunshine—either way, you’ll enjoy the cool ocean breeze, stunning island scenery, and unforgettable views of Maui’s coastline.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
For guests looking for a little more excitement, optional pontoon seating offers an up-close connection to the ocean, where every up close marine animal encounter becomes an eye-level adventure.
Relax beneath the shade canopy or sit in the sunshine—either way, you’ll enjoy the cool ocean breeze, stunning island scenery, and unforgettable views of Maui’s coastline.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
For guests looking for a little more excitement, optional pontoon seating offers an up-close connection to the ocean, where every up close marine animal encounter becomes an eye-level adventure.
Convenient onboard storage keeps your belongings safe and dry while you’re busy making memories with us on the ocean.
A refreshing rinse after snorkeling is the perfect way to end your time in the ocean before heading back to the harbor.
The Aloha Kauwela was built for exploring the waters of the Maui Nu Basin. Nimble and comfortable, this eco-raft lets us venture along the island’s breathtaking coastlines, discovering sea cliffs, tropical reefs, and all the beauty the ocean has to offer. As we explore, we strive to mālama kai—to care for and protect the ocean we love.
With space for just 17 guests, every trip feels relaxed and personal. It’s the perfect setting to talk story with our crew, connect with fellow adventurers, and experience Maui with the warmth of true aloha.
Enjoy the best of both worlds with plenty of shade when you want to cool off and open-air seating when you’re ready to soak in Maui’s sunshine, trade winds, and spectacular coastal views.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Keep your towels, cameras, and personal belongings dry and secure so you can relax and fully enjoy your time on the water.
Enjoy the best of both worlds with plenty of shade when you want to cool off and open-air seating when you’re ready to soak in Maui’s sunshine, trade winds, and spectacular coastal views.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Keep your towels, cameras, and personal belongings dry and secure so you can relax and fully enjoy your time on the water.
After snorkeling among tropical fish or taking a dip in Maui’s crystal-clear waters, rinse off with our freshwater shower before heading back to shore.
Our easy boarding platform makes stepping on and off the vessel comfortable for guests of all ages, so your adventure begins the moment you arrive.
Our smallest and most adventurous raft, the Naiʻa is a 27-foot hard-bottom inflatable Zodiac-style vessel modeled after Coast Guard rescue rafts. Fast, agile, and incredibly capable, she’s built to get you to Maui’s rugged coastline, and vibrant marine life for an unforgettable ocean adventure.
With seating for just 14 guests, every tour aboard Naiʻa is an intimate experience. Smaller groups mean more opportunities to talk story with our crew, and feel like family as we explore the ocean together.
Designed with adventure in mind, Naiʻa offers partial shade while leaving plenty of open space to soak in the warm Hawaiian sunshine, fresh trade winds, and panoramic views of Maui’s coastline.
Our secure saddle-style seating with supportive backrests provides a comfortable, stable ride while keeping you close to the action. It’s the perfect seat for guests who want to feel every splash, breeze, and turn as we cruise across the ‘Au ‘Au Channel.
Looking for an even bigger thrill? Take a seat on the pontoons for an exciting, up-close connection to the ocean. It’s a favorite for adventurous guests who want to feel fully immersed in the ride while keeping an eye out for honu, naiʻa, and other incredible marine life.
With seating for just 14 guests, every tour aboard Naiʻa is an intimate experience. Smaller groups mean more opportunities to talk story with our crew, and feel like family as we explore the ocean together.
Designed with adventure in mind, Naiʻa offers partial shade while leaving plenty of open space to soak in the warm Hawaiian sunshine, fresh trade winds, and panoramic views of Maui’s coastline.
Our secure saddle-style seating with supportive backrests provides a comfortable, stable ride while keeping you close to the action. It’s the perfect seat for guests who want to feel every splash, breeze, and turn as we cruise across the ‘Au ‘Au Channel.
Looking for an even biggerthrill? Take a seat on the pontoons for an exciting, up-close connection to the ocean. It’s a favorite for adventurous guests who want to feel fully immersed in the ride while keeping an eye out for honu, naiʻa, and other incredible marine life.
The Kuokoa Kai is our spacious adventure raft, designed to showcase the beauty of Maui from the water. Cruise close to the water, exploring the coastline, and experience the unique marine life that makes Maui so special.
With room for up to 26 guests, there’s plenty of space to stretch out while still enjoying the friendly, welcoming boat ride that makes every trip feel like time with ohana.
Relax beneath the shade canopy or sit in the sunshine—either way, you’ll enjoy the cool ocean breeze, stunning island scenery, and unforgettable views of Maui’s coastline.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
For guests looking for a little more excitement, optional pontoon seating offers an up-close connection to the ocean, where every up close marine animal encounter becomes an eye-level adventure.
Relax beneath the shade canopy or sit in the sunshine—either way, you’ll enjoy the cool ocean breeze, stunning island scenery, and unforgettable views of Maui’s coastline.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
Every seat is designed with the view in mind. Keep an eye out for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), playful naiʻa (spinner dolphins), and during the winter months, the unforgettable sight of migrating humpback whales.
For guests looking for a little more excitement, optional pontoon seating offers an up-close connection to the ocean, where every up close marine animal encounter becomes an eye-level adventure.
Convenient onboard storage keeps your belongings safe and dry while you’re busy making memories with us on the ocean.
A refreshing rinse after snorkeling is the perfect way to end your time in the ocean before heading back to the harbor.
The Aloha Kauwela was built for exploring the waters of the Maui Nu Basin. Nimble and comfortable, this eco-raft lets us venture along the island’s breathtaking coastlines, discovering sea cliffs, tropical reefs, and all the beauty the ocean has to offer. As we explore, we strive to mālama kai—to care for and protect the ocean we love.
With space for just 17 guests, every trip feels relaxed and personal. It’s the perfect setting to talk story with our crew, connect with fellow adventurers, and experience Maui with the warmth of true aloha.
Enjoy the best of both worlds with plenty of shade when you want to cool off and open-air seating when you’re ready to soak in Maui’s sunshine, trade winds, and spectacular coastal views.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Keep your towels, cameras, and personal belongings dry and secure so you can relax and fully enjoy your time on the water.
Enjoy the best of both worlds with plenty of shade when you want to cool off and open-air seating when you’re ready to soak in Maui’s sunshine, trade winds, and spectacular coastal views.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Comfortable inward-facing benches encourage conversation, laughter, and shared experiences, making every trip feel like an adventure with ʻohana.
Keep your towels, cameras, and personal belongings dry and secure so you can relax and fully enjoy your time on the water.
After snorkeling among tropical fish or taking a dip in Maui’s crystal-clear waters, rinse off with our freshwater shower before heading back to shore.
Our easy boarding platform makes stepping on and off the vessel comfortable for guests of all ages, so your adventure begins the moment you arrive.
Our smallest and most adventurous raft, the Naiʻa is a 27-foot hard-bottom inflatable Zodiac-style vessel modeled after Coast Guard rescue rafts. Fast, agile, and incredibly capable, she’s built to get you to Maui’s rugged coastline, and vibrant marine life for an unforgettable ocean adventure.
With seating for just 14 guests, every tour aboard Naiʻa is an intimate experience. Smaller groups mean more opportunities to talk story with our crew, and feel like family as we explore the ocean together.
Designed with adventure in mind, Naiʻa offers partial shade while leaving plenty of open space to soak in the warm Hawaiian sunshine, fresh trade winds, and panoramic views of Maui’s coastline.
Our secure saddle-style seating with supportive backrests provides a comfortable, stable ride while keeping you close to the action. It’s the perfect seat for guests who want to feel every splash, breeze, and turn as we cruise across the ‘Au ‘Au Channel.
Looking for an even bigger thrill? Take a seat on the pontoons for an exciting, up-close connection to the ocean. It’s a favorite for adventurous guests who want to feel fully immersed in the ride while keeping an eye out for honu, naiʻa, and other incredible marine life.
With seating for just 14 guests, every tour aboard Naiʻa is an intimate experience. Smaller groups mean more opportunities to talk story with our crew, and feel like family as we explore the ocean together.
Designed with adventure in mind, Naiʻa offers partial shade while leaving plenty of open space to soak in the warm Hawaiian sunshine, fresh trade winds, and panoramic views of Maui’s coastline.
Our secure saddle-style seating with supportive backrests provides a comfortable, stable ride while keeping you close to the action. It’s the perfect seat for guests who want to feel every splash, breeze, and turn as we cruise across the ‘Au ‘Au Channel.
Looking for an even biggerthrill? Take a seat on the pontoons for an exciting, up-close connection to the ocean. It’s a favorite for adventurous guests who want to feel fully immersed in the ride while keeping an eye out for honu, naiʻa, and other incredible marine life.
Our eco-rafts sit low to the water — closer than any large boat tour. That’s what makes Maui whale watching tours with us feel immersive. Our crew rotates across all three rafts each week, so your favorite captain and naturalist will be on the water no matter which vessel you board.
Our eco-rafts sit low to the water — closer than any large boat tour. That’s what makes Maui whale watching tours with us feel immersive. Our crew rotates across all three rafts each week, so your favorite captain and naturalist will be on the water no matter which vessel you board.
Our eco-rafts sit low to the water — closer than any large boat tour. That’s what makes Maui whale watching tours with us feel immersive. Our crew rotates across all three rafts each week, so your favorite captain and naturalist will be on the water no matter which vessel you board.
Real reviews from guests on our small-group Maui whale watching, snorkeling, and dolphin tours from Lāhainā.
Loved being on the raft versus a big boat as it created an amazing intimacy with the water and the whales… I can't recommend them enough!!
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Got to see a "nursery" of baby turtles, incredible fish, rays, and several pods of spinner dolphins. Would only book Hawaii Ocean Rafting mo…
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This was by far the best tour we have ever done. We saw hundreds of spinner dolphins, swam with turtles, snorkeled in beautiful waters.
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Our guides took us directly to a great spot, and within minutes we witnessed a full breach very close to the boat. So fun, fast boat, great…
Read MoreWildfire-Impacted Business
Mahalo for your support, especially as we rebuild after the 2023 Lāhainā fires. Booking with our Native Hawaiian-owned business helps our crew of Lāhainā and Maui locals get back to work — and back on the ocean to heal.
Your tour supports more than our own recovery. We’re grateful to partner with the Lāhainā Community Land Trust, which helps families affected by the 2023 wildfires keep their land instead of being forced to sell.
When you book a tour, you can add a donation to support Lāhainā’s ongoing rebuild. Mahalo for adventuring with us.
Whale Watching that Gives Back to Maui
Whale watching with us directly supports our community and conservation partners across Maui. We work with Maui Hero Project and Lāhainā Intermediate School on classroom education and ocean field trips for local keiki, and with, Whale Trust and with Keiki Kohola Projecton funding humpback whale research — including Maui’s mom-and-calf pairs. Our partnership with the Lāhainā Community Land Trust helps families keep their land and rebuild after the 2023 wildfires.
You can be more than a visitor to Maui. You can give back to our island.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Morning tours usually have the calmest seas and clearest visibility if you are whale watching anywhere else on Maui, but Lahaina offers consistent weather throughout the day. Humpbacks are active all day; you can encounter them anytime you’re on the ocean. See our breakdown of the best time of day for Maui whale watching.
A few things set us apart. Our low-to-the-water eco-rafts put guests eye-level with the ocean — no standing on a high deck watching from a distance. Our tours run with a maximum of 25 guests, so there’s no fighting for a view. Marine naturalists on board explain whale behavior, migration facts, and Hawaiian ocean history throughout the tour. And we guarantee whale sightings during whale season — if you don’t see one, you go again free. We’re also a Native Hawaiian-owned, locally operated business that has been running these tours from Lāhainā for over 30 years.
Swimming or snorkeling with humpback whales is not permitted under federal law in Hawaii. Humpbacks are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the approach regulations require vessels to maintain a safe distance. That said, our small eco-rafts create a very different experience from a large tour boat. Because we’re low and quiet on the water, whales will sometimes approach us on their own terms — an encounter called “mugging.” Close approaches happen when the whale chooses it. That’s what makes every tour different.
Dress in layers: sun protection plus a water-resistant windbreaker, since tropical weather conditions can shift quickly. We provide ponchos, and everyone boards barefoot. See our complete guide on what to wear whale watching in Maui.
Humpback whale season in Maui runs from December through April, peaking in January, February, and March. Read our full guide to the best months to go whale watching in Maui.
Northern Pacific humpback whales migrate back to Alaska in May, so summer whale watching in Maui isn’t typically possible from June through October. If you’re visiting in summer and want to experience ocean wildlife, our Dolphin Watching Tours run year-round from Lāhainā. Maui is home to several resident dolphin species — including spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins — and they’re on the water every season. Summer is also peak season for our Lānaʻi Snorkeling & Dolphin Watching Tours, with calm, clear conditions and excellent underwater visibility.
Often, yes. When conditions allow, our marine naturalists lower a hydrophone into the water so you can listen to humpback whale song right from the eco-raft. Male humpbacks are the singers, and their songs are one of the most remarkable parts of Maui’s whale season. Sound carries well underwater, so you may hear whales you can’t yet see. It’s a highlight of the educational, naturalist-led experience that sets a small-group eco-raft tour apart from a large boat.
Absolutely. Our snorkel tours are designed for all experience levels, including people who have never snorkeled before. We provide full equipment — masks, snorkels, and fins in all sizes — along with one-on-one instruction before you enter the water. Flotation devices like float belts are available for anyone who wants extra support. Our crew gets in the water with you, so you’re never snorkeling alone. If you have specific concerns, just ask when you book, and we’ll walk you through everything in advance.
We provide high-quality masks, snorkels, and fins in all sizes as part of your tour. Prescription masks are available upon request — let us know in advance so we can have the right one ready. We also carry flotation aids for guests who want them. All equipment is cleaned and inspected before each tour. You’re welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer it, just no full-faced mask due to safety hazards.
Why Whales Choose Maui Every Year
Purpose: Flirt, Talk, Teach
Fun Fact: Humpbacks have the longest pectoral fins of any whale or dolphin — up to a third of their body length.
Purpose: Deep Diving
Fun Fact: Every fluke is unique, like a fingerprint. Researchers use the patterns to identify individual whales.
Purpose: Curiosity
Fun Fact: The whale rises straight up to lift its eyes above the surface and look around above the water.
Purpose: Communication, Play
Fun Fact: A breaching humpback can launch most of its body — up to 40 tons — completely out of the water.
Purpose: Competition, Communication
Fun Fact: In a competitive pod, males head-lunge to challenge rivals, one of the most intense sights of mating season.
Purpose: Talk, Compete, Play
Fun Fact: The whale flips its tail and lower body out of the water, generating a force up to 40 tons. You’ll often hear it before you see it.
Purpose: Curiosity, to come near a boat
Fun Fact: Because whales are protected in Maui, the only upclose whale encounters occur when the animals chooses to come to the boat and this is called a "mugging",
MEMBERSHIP BY MERIT
As a small way to say mahalo, we created the Aliʻi Whale Watch Pass for our whale watching ʻohana — the regulars and returning guests who love Maui whale watching as much as we do and keep coming back to the water with us.
For every whale watch tour you take, you earn points toward free whale watching tours, pins, and exclusive merch. The more you watch, the more you earn.
Join the ʻohana.
MAUI DOLPHIN TOURS
When the humpbacks head north for the summer, Hawaii’s ocean doesn’t slow down. Maui’s spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins are here year-round, so when whale season ends, the wildlife doesn’t.
Join a small-group eco-raft tour to search for Maui’s dolphins along the west coast and experience the ocean the way locals do, any time of year.
