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Maui Humpback Whale Watching Tours
Maui Whale Watching Tour Season Runs From December 16th To May 15th. You have to Watch the Humpback Whales.
 Aloha Blue Charters Price Range: (From: $36.90 - To: $36.90) |
 America II Price Range: (From: $23.90 - To: $720.00) |
 Captain Steve's Rafting Price Range: (From: $37.90 - To: $47.90) |
- Whales swim to Maui from Alaska, spend the whole winter here, then swim back and don't eat the whole time!
- Whales' lungs are the size of a Volkswagen!
- Whales' babies, born here on Maui, grow at a rate of 100 pounds a day!
- Watch Humpback Whales on a Maui tour!
- Whale Watching Tours in Maui, What an Experience!
Maui Whale Watching Tours - The waters around Maui are a legislated sanctuary for the Humpback whale and, since Humpbacks are treated with respect, they keep coming back in winter. Pods put on a spectacular show, playing, slapping their flukes, waving their tails and “breaching” - leaping high in the air. Morning is usually the best time for whalewatching when the water is calm. You can listen to underwater whale sounds on a hydrophone.
Many different types of large and small crafts will take you to watch whales for several hours, but they’re basically divided into two main categories. Many people would prefer a large and stable vessel often with an upper deck suitable to see whales in the distance and the more adventurous will prefer the extremely fast and maneuverable zodiac or rigid hull inflatables or even kayaks which provide an ocean surface vantage point to meet the whales “one on one”. Tours depart from Lahaina and Maalaea Harbors as well as Kaanapali, the Kihei Boat Ramp and from the Makena coast.
Also remember that children love whale watching tours! On Maui
whale watching tours the price for kids is usually half the adult price. A
two-hour Maui whale watching tour may not be enough to satisfy your
curiosity about these marine mammals. You may want to go on a couple
of different whale watching tours during your holidays.
Many types of boats offer whale watching tours. Large
whale watching tour boats provide stability on the ocean. Some whale
watching tour boats have upper decks for greater viewing capacity. Rafts,
or zodiacs, are more adventurous, more intimate and give more of a 'whale-eye'
view of the surroundings.Narration and interpretation of humpback whale
movements are provided on Maui whale watching tours. You'll find yourself
wanting to know more about these fascinating creatures.
Whale watching by kayak is the best way to get close and personal
with Maui's largest visitors. Morning is usually the best time
for whale watching on Maui. The ocean is flat, making the whales easier
to spot. Zodiac rafts are extremely exciting but not recommended for
pregnant women or those with bad backs.
Here are a few of the whale watch cruises you can take from the island of Maui:
Aloha Blue Charters - is a Molokini snorkel tour, wirth the added excitement of sport fishing along the way that adds extra excitement. They also offer fishing charters and are equipped with 5 custom Running Rods with International Gold Reels, a Gimbel Fighting Chair and top of the line Hawaii Made Lures. HOKUA a 40' power catamaran is an extremely fast boat that gets you to your destinations quickly and comfortably. She is a modern eco friendly jet drive propelled vessel, for smaller groups of no more than 30 passengers. MAALAEA HARBOR Slip 37.
Amerca II - Welcome aboard AMERICA II, the 1987 America's Cup Challenger. This prestigious yacht was custom designed and built, at the cost of $10 million, for the sole purpose of competing in world-class racing.
Blue Water Rafting - is one of the few Molokini snorkel companies that offers snorkel, rafting and whalewatching tours to the remote Kanaio coastline along Mauis southern shore as well as Molokini. Kanaio is the site of Mauis last volcanic eruption in the 1780s and the underwater lava flows, lava arches and sea caves built a seabed of clarity and visibility for some of the most beautiful snorkeling on the island.
Captain Steve's Rafting - is one of the oldest and most respected rafting companies on Mauis west side. Captain Steves takes clients from Lahaina to Lanais coastline daily to view the reef life and spectacular dolphin population as well as whales along Maui’s coast.. Experience a thrilling ride across either of Maui County's channels and find yourself in a snorkelers heaven. Whether it's the Island of Lanai, Molokai or even coastal Maui you will be hard pressed to find a more exquisite example of Paradise AND with Captain Steve's two Hard Botton Inflatable Vessels, getting there can be half the fun. CANEFIRE is a 30ft RAIV for 20 passengers CANEFIRE 2 is a 38ft RAIV for 30 passengers Driven by twin 200 horse power low noise, smokeless engines both vessels are coast guard certified and inspected with 50% of each boat covered for shade. Bench seats with backrests and a dual ladder system (one on each side of the boat) are additional, important examples of convenience. High quality masks, fins and snorkels are provided. Floatation devices, life jackets and wet suits are also available upon request. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, PEOPLE WITH BAD BACKS, RECENT SURGERY OR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. 48 HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY ON GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE. All trips depart from MALA WHARF.
Frogman and Quicksilver Charters - offer Molokini Snorkel Trips, Afternoon Snorkel Trips, Maui whalewatching and Sunset Cruises on two catamarans, the FROGMAN II a 55 ft Power Catamaran with 52 passenger capacity and QUICKSILVER a 55' Power Catamaran with 105 passenger capacity. DEPARTS FROM MAALAEA HARBOR.
Gemini - is a 64' Sea Runner Power Sailing Catamaran with underwater view ports in both hulls. Accommodates up to 49 passengers comfortably and offers Snorkel Tours, Champagne Sunset Sails and Whale Watching in season.
Hawaii Ocean Rafting - offers Full and Half Day Trips to Lanai aboard a 30 foot hard-bottom inflatable. Whale watching in season. Limited to small groups of 10-14 passengers.
Kai Kanani - is a 65' power sailing catamaran that offers whale watches andleaves from the Maui Prince Hotel in Makena - great for guest staying in South Maui and the Wailea area. They offer an early morning Molokini Express Tour and a later departure Deluxe Molokini snorkel sail excursion.
Kaulana - is a 65' Power Catamaran with enclosed cabin area and spacious upper deck can accommodate up to 100 passengers. The Kaulana offers an afternoon cruise for fun, sun and snorkeling The Kaulanas upper deck provides an excellent observation deck great for sun bathing. The Kaulana is also an excellent boat for Maui whalewatching.
Maui Adventure Cruises - offers snorkel and whalewatch tours to Lanai with or without a landing and exciting winter whale watches on Explore Super Rafts with a restroom on board. EXPLORER I and II - are both 49 foot rigid hull inflatable boats RHIBS for up to 36 passengers and EXPLORER III is a 34 foot RHIB for 20 passengers, each with a scarab racing designed V-hull for a comfortable ride they are powered by twin turbo-charged cummins diesels with over 630 h.p. Coupled with their lengths; this makes the Explorer Super Rafts very comfortable and fast. Departs from Lahaina Harbor Slip 11.
Maui Diamond II - specializes in scuba dives along the southern coast of Maui Hawaii including Molokini, Turtle Town/5 Caves, St. Anthonys Wreck and whalewatching. Dive tours aboard the Maui Diamond are available in both the mornings and afternoons (weather permitting). An extremely unusual feature about this Maui dive company is that they permit, and even encourage, snorkelers to come snorkel with their diving counterparts. Another nice option is that Maui Diamond 2 offers personalized and professional photo and/or videos of your dive. SCUBA DIVING Certified divers are led by certified instructors with no more than six divers in a group. The first dive ususally at Molokini is approx. 70'-80' for 30 minutes and the second dive along Maui's coast at Turtle Town or the Pali at 40' for 40 minutes. All dive and snorkel equipment is provided, including optical masks and flotation devices. MAUI DIAMOND II is a 38' Wilson Power Driven Vessel with Twin Engines she is Coast Guard Certified for 24 passengers, but limited to 18 for comfort.
Maui Eco Tours - Enviromentally friendly kayaking adventures which can include Maui whalewatching in season.. No kayaking experience necessary, one guide for every 8 people or less. Features two person, sit on top Malibu ocean kayaks with performance backrests & fibeglass paddles. Dry bags for small valuables (wallet, keys, etc), paddling life jackets and all snorkel gear are provided.
Prince Kuhio - Mauis largest Molokini Snorkel boat is 92 Gulf Craft Luxury Liner "Prince Kuhio." It has an air-conditioned main cabin with open viewing topside with a great sundeck The Prince Kuhio generally snorkels Molokini but also goes to a secondary location at Turtle Town. This is a great choice for those that want a very large and stable vessel and it is a wonderful boat for Maui whalewatching. The Prince Kuhio is also the only boat that provides free transportation from most major hotels and condos.
Pacific Whale Foundation - The Pacific Whale Foundation has been in operation since 1980. They offer many types of marine excursions which include, of course, whale watching, snorkeling tours to Molokini and Lanai, dolphin exc +ursions, dinner cruises and many forms of private charters. Their expressed mission over the years has dealt with a passion to preserve our ocean heritage and provide an environment in which it could flourish. Over the years the Pacific Whale Foundation's education and research programs have assisted over two-million people to experience a myriad of ocean going excursions and better understand the fragile nature of our ocean environment.
Safari Boat Excursions - enjoy water adventures on board this new 51 foot monohaul "Lanakila" offering the comfort of a catamaran and the adventure of a raft for whale watches and sunset safaris for up to 32 passengers. Now offering - Turtle and a Lanai Dolphin Safari and Whale Watching tours in season.
Scotch Mist - is 50' Santa Cruz Sailing Yacht that can accommodate up to 25 passengers on a Maui whale watch. She is the fastest boat of her class in the state. In 1984 she won the Victoria to Maui Yacht Race.
Seafire - One of the shortest trips and least expensive rafting and whale watch tours to Molokini is the Seafire, a 30 Aluminum Hull S.A.F.E (Secured Around Flotation Equipment) Raft. The Seafire leaves from the Kihei Boat Ramp which is just a 15 minute raft ride to Molokini and the morning raft tour includes a stop at "Turtle Town." The late morning and afternoon raft tours on Seafire just go to Molokini but an alternate site may be chosen as normal weather patterns permit.
South Pacific Kayaks - step out of the ordinary for some great adventures to experience kayaking, whalewatching and snorkeling or take surfing lessons. Recognized and trusted for over 15 years of quality service, south Pacific prides on being ocean and reef friendly, helping to keep our ocean resources healthy and safe.
Spirit of Lahaina - is part of the extended island fleet of Paradise Cruises which has been one of Hawaiis premier cruise destinations since 1957. Based in Honolulu, Paradise Cruises operates some of Hawaiis largest dinner cruise and whale watch vessels. The Spirit of Lahaina a double deck 65' Power Catamaran is Coast Guard Certified for 149 passengers, follows in that tradition by providing a premier Maui dinner cruise and sunset cocktail cruise on different levels of the same vessel each evening. The Spirit of Lahaina operates daily for a 2 1/2 hour cruise. They also offer a Lanai Snorkel Trip and Whale Watching in season.
Teralani 2 & 3 - are beautiful 65' Sailing, Power Catamarans offering snorkel trips, sunset sails and dinners and Whale Watching in season, with a continental breakfast. If you like the idea of a dinner cruise that is a bit more casual than the Terelani Dinner Cruise may be just right for you. You will board Teralani from the beach so dress in a way to allow your feet and legs to get wet.
Trilogy - Join Maui's First Family of Sailing for an unforgettable Maui whalewhatch ocean experience.
Ultimate Rafting - featuring a summer Lanai Wild Dolphin Snorkel and Whale Watches from December to May. WIKI WAHINE is a 30' Aluminum Hulled Inflatable Raft with 400 HP that gets you there quick, half the vessel is shaded and can accommodate up to 24 passengers but will take only 16 to 18 for comfort. 50% of vessel is shaded.
Wake Maui - is the only water ski or wake-board company on the island of Maui. Capt. Ryan Hickey is the founder, owner and operator. He hails from Montana but really seems to have made the transition to "island boy". His love of the outdoors and his entrepreneur spirit has placed him firmly on a wake board in an industry that just longed to be discovered on the island. If you like speed, jumps and excitement, you'll love this activity.
Wailea Boating Company - Enjoy the luxury of having your own private vessel and the safety of a USCG licensed captain familiar with local waters provided for you by the Wailea Boating Company. XIAN was constructed by a renowned Florida builder and will take you in comfort and style to the destination and tour of your choice. XIAN is a 36' Power Boat. Enjoy the luxury of boarding this vessel to fulfill your Maui fantasy! Complete with a U.S.C.G. captain, the vessel is yours for the day to do whatever you wish, from fishing to snorkeling to sightseeing. Travel everywhere from Lanai, to Molokini, to almost anywhere on the Maui coastline. Everything is up to you! Food, beverages, and snorkel/fishing gear provided.
This page contains information about: maui whale watching, maui whale, maui whale watch, whale watching in maui, maui whale watching tour, maui humpback whales, maui whale tours.
Hearing Impaired - Read the full transcript for this page's audio narrative.
Whale Watching Tours in Maui - Whale watching in Hawaii is not to be missed. The Humpback Whales come here, but only in the Winter months roughly between Christmas and Easter. Their main home is in the Arctic waters off the coast of Alaska and Canada but they make the mammoth swim here to Hawaii once a year to mate, bear their young and to generally cavort about and enjoy life. They are absolutely intriguing animals. They for the most part eat krill and plankton which is found in their home waters and is not found here so for their entire five month or so journey to Hawaii and back they do not eat. They literally lose tons of weight during this time and the babies they bear are nourished by their mothers milk and actually gain about 100 pounds a day. They cruise the waters surrounding Maui and the neighbor islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai but really don’t travel much once they reach here. Dozens of pods of whales can be found in the waters surrounding the islands during the Winter months and the pods often consist of three, four or more whales. The baby whales are beyond cute and are usually seen right next to the mothers. Whale sightings on our whale watches during these months are almost a given and during the peak season it is literally impossible not to find them. If you didn’t do anything else while you were here in the Winter you should do a whale watch. And by the way, don’t forget your camera.
