Whale Watching Maui
Join us for an unforgettable whale watching experience in Maui, Hawaii from December 15th 2023 to April 14th 2024
$65 for adults/$45 for children
Best whale watching tour on Maui
$65 for adults and $45 for children 2-12
Daily from December 15th to April 30
8.30am, 10.45am & 1.30pm
Sunset Whale Watch Mon – Sun at 3.45pm
Approx. 2 hours
1223 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
Guaranteed whale sightings or money back!
Intimate whale experience
Fun for your entire family
Rated 5 stars by our guests
Guaranteed whale sightings
Welcome to nature’s most spectacular gathering of whales
If you love wildlife, make sure you hop on a whale watching trip with us. You’ll admire one of the ocean’s most wondrous creatures and observe their natural behaviour only feet away from you.
Every year, from December to May, the ocean surrounding Maui becomes the theater for the most spectacular event mother nature has to offer when the North Pacific humpback whales come for their annual visit.
Humpback’s love Maui
Over 12,000 humpback whales migrate from the cold Alaskan waters to the warmer Hawaiian climate from December to May to mate, give birth, and nurture their calves, in what’s the single largest gathering of whales in the world.
When it comes to whale watching, Maui has no rivals!
Eco-conscious whale watching tour from Lahaina
We love the ocean, and we know you love it too!
We are a small nature-loving, family-run operation with years of experience and an infinite passion for the ocean and its inhabitants.
We adore humpbacks, and cannot wait for the whale watching season to start, to share with you all our knowledge of these majestic creatures. Join us on the most authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable whale watching trip leaving out of Lahaina, Maui!
Embark on our fast, stable boat for the smoothest possible ride
Glide atop the ocean on the fastest, most comfortable boat departing from Mala Ramp; a stable, safe vessel that sits low on the water for maximum comfort, allowing for close interaction with the humpback whales.
Be part of the team, as you search the water for breaching and spyhopping humpbacks right next to the captain and the crew, and prepare to get as close as 100 yards to the whales!
Days:
7 days a week
Monday – Sunday
When:
08:30am – 10:45am
10:45am – 13:00pm
13:30pm – 3:45pm
Sunset Whale Watch Mon – Sat 3:45pm – 18:00pm
Where:
1223 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
What is included in the whale watching tour
Up close whale sightings.
Information about Maui’s humpbacks from your marine naturalist captain and crew.
Hydrophone and speakers so you can hear the whale song.
Souvenir Dive Maui water bottle made from recycled plastic to keep you hydrated on the water.
Rain ponchos for inclement weather.
What makes our whale watching tour special
Our crew has a true passion for marine life and a major love for Maui’s humpbacks. Our enthusiam will bring your experience to life.
We are a family owned and operated business. Our goal is to make memorable experiences for family’s, friends, and small groups to share.
Our boat is fast, rides low to the water, and holds a maximum number of 20 guests. This means you will get to the whales quicker and feel closer to nature.
Our guests love our whale watching tours from Lahaina
Over the years, we’ve shared the passion for the ocean with countless adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts like you. And, thanks to all the feedback and reviews, the good and the bad, we can keep on the right track and provide you with the best
whale watching trip in Lahaina.
We had the most amazing adventure with Dive Maui. The hosts were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and the whale watching tour was the highlight of a 15-day vacation.
We had an incredible day whale watching. Randy and CJ were amazing. The whales came up close and personal. I would highly recommend them. The smaller boat and tour truly allowed everyone to see and experience the whales.
Great whale watching trip with Dive Maui! Captain Joe and CJ were great—Very knowledgeable!!
Saw a ton of whales and their calves today out in the middle- lots of action!!
Loved going out on this spacious, comfortable boat — lots of room with great viewing from all sides of the boat, smooth ride and not like a big noisy boat that’s over packed with people. Our captain and guide did a great job at making sure we saw whales throughout the entire tour.
Listen to the song of the humpback
Let our skilled team of professionals teach you the secrets and rules for approaching wildlife in a respectful way. Although we cherish close meetings with the humpbacks, we always respect and observe NOAA guidelines for marine mammal interaction.
Once close to the humpbacks, listen to their amazing whale songs thanks to our hydrophone and speakers.
Did you know?
Male humpbacks are capable of producing the most complex song of the entire natural world!
With us, you’ll learn to love and respect the Ocean even more
Conscious of human impact on wildlife, we’ve sworn to do everything we can to protect what we call our second home – the ocean – by implementing the best possible practices on all of our whale watching trips.
That’s why you won’t find any single-use plastic bottles on our boat. Instead, we’ll provide you with a reusable bottle made of recycled plastic, for you to use during our trip and keep as a souvenir after the excursion.
It’s guaranteed. With us, you’ll have the best whale watching on Maui while causing minimum disturbance to our gigantic friends.
What’s the best time of the day to see whales in Maui?
The secret to taking awesome videos and pictures of your whale watching trip
We believe humpback whales sleep by resting one hemisphere of their brain at a time. They likely rest for short stints, instead of several hours like us humans, which means humpbacks are active during the day and night. You have excellent chances of seeing humpbacks 24 hours a day, though dark nights can make them tricky to spot and photograph.
To see humpbacks best you’ll want to be on the water anytime between 7am and 4pm. For those of you interested in taking pictures and videos, the early morning or late afternoon light usually makes for the highest quality images. Our raft is steady in the water and has hosted professional photographers and film crews from the BBC so you’re sure to get the shot you are dreaming of!
Play all day!
Humpback whales love to play. They can be seen pectoral slapping, tail slapping, breaching, competing, and teaching their young around Maui County all winter. Researchers don’t know exactly why the humpbacks do what they do, but it is certainly a treat to see. You could be right there next to them, capturing every moment on your camera!
Whale season on Maui 2024
Maui’s humpback season goes from December to May. The first humpback whales are often spotted on Maui as early as October, but these guys are the early birds among humpbacks. You might be lucky, but there’s no guarantee you will see them in October.
December to Mid January:
The Whale season in Hawaii starts
In December, the sightings start to intensify as more and more humpbacks reach Hawaiian waters. December 15th marks the official beginning of whale watching season.
The first whales we see are often mothers with their yearling calves who have spent the summer growing strong and are ready to separate for the first time.
End of January, February, Beginning of March:
The whale season peaks
The end of January, entire month of February, and start of March is, without a doubt, the period with the highest number of humpbacks on Maui.
With close to 1,000 whales in the water at any given time, humpback sightings are a regular hourly occurrence, and travelers can admire these extraordinary creatures from the shore, hotels, or even better from a boat.
It is common to see gangs of juveniles stirring up the water, adult males vying for the attention of females in competition pods, and babies learning how to be a whale in “training sessions.”
End of March and April:
So long, time to eat!
In March and April, things slow down again as the humpback whales start their journey back to the colder waters up north to feed.
Encounters are however still possible, but the frequency of the sightings reduces compared to the peak months. During this time it is most common to see mothers with their newborn calves who are almost ready to start the migration to the feeding grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Whale Watching Maui
What to wear when whale watching on Maui?
It’s mostly sunny here on Maui, so you’ll want to wear adequate protection from the sun, such as a hat, sunglasses, and reef safe sunscreen. The wind can make it chilly so it’s smart to pack a light sweater or windbreaker jacket on colder days.
We’ll provide the raincoats if needed.
Don’t forget your camera and binoculars!
How important is it to book in advance?
Booking ahead of time is the best way to get the exact trip you want. Especially if you are traveling during the high season, make sure you book well in advance! The sooner, the better.
What side of Maui is best for whale watching?
Maui’s west coast is the best place to see humpback whales. Dive Maui sail out from Mala Ramp in Lahaina: it is right in front of the Maui Nui Basin otherwise known as the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale Sanctuary.
What are the chances of seeing a whale on a whale watching tour?
From December 15th to April 15th, the chances of seeing one or more humpback whales are 100%. We are so confident about our captain’s spotting capabilities that, should we not see whales, we’ll take you out at sea again, for free!
Can we swim with whales?
No. While humpbacks are gentle giants, it is illegal to swim with the whales in Hawaii. Swimming with whales is potentially dangerous for you and disruptive to the whales. Remember: We are guests in their home.
Where to catch the boat for whale watching on Maui?
Our lightning-fast boat departs from Mala Ramp, in the heart of Lahaina town.
How much is a whale watching tour on Maui?
Adults (14 and above) $65, Kids (2-13) $45
How long are whale watching trips?
Our whale watching trips last 2 hours. That’s plenty of whale watching time! But if you want more time on the water we offer multiple trip discounts.
What is the best place to see whales in Hawaii?
Talking about Hawaii whale watching, Maui is without a doubt the whale capital of Hawaii. More than 75% of the humpbacks that migrate to Hawaii each winter can be seen in Maui County.
Is it possible to watch whales from shore on Maui?
Absolutely! You can spot whales from many points along Maui’s coastline. You’ll want to use binoculars or a camera with optical zoom for the best results. However, nothing compares to being out at sea, right next to them.
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Contact
Dive Maui / Hawaiian Rafting Adventures
1223 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Tel: (808) 661-7333
dive@goscubadivemaui.com