The blow
A column of mist when a whale exhales, visible from miles away. Adults surface about every 5–10 minutes and can stay down as long as 45; calves come up every 3–5 minutes.
Whales guaranteed
Season: November 25 – April 25
Maui whale watching from Lahaina.
Two hours with humpback whales in some of Maui’s calmest water, aboard a boat we designed for exactly this.
From $79.99 per adult, plus tax and fees
4.9 on Google from 1,279 reviews (Oct 2026)
4.9 on TripAdvisor from 2,437 reviews (Oct 2026)
Tour at a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Season
- Nov 25 – Apr 25
- Departs
- Mala Boat RampLahaina, Maui
- Ages
- All agesBabies need a child or infant ticket
- Daily departures
- 6:45 AM9:00 AM11:15 AM1:45 PM4:00 PM
$79.99adult
$59.99child
$49.99infant
Book direct for our best price. Coming back? Returning guests get 15% off all group tours within a year; mention it when you book.
Onboard MAKAI
Not too big, not too small.
Just right.
Fast to the whales, easy to position for photos, and comfortable for guests of all ages: a spacious ride without the crowds of a large vessel.
- Onboard restroom
- Shaded seating
- Cushioned seats with backrests
- Hydrophone
- Onboard naturalists
- 360° views
- Group or private tours
- No age restrictions
Whales guaranteed
Money back or go again free.
We guarantee whale sightings on all of our small-group whale watching trips. If no whales are sighted on your trip, you get your money back or go again free.
Why winter on Maui
They come here to mate, give birth and raise their calves.
Every year, over 10,000 humpback whales migrate from cold Alaskan waters to spend the winter in Hawai‘i, and because Hawai‘i is their destination, they spend much of their time at the surface. Maui Nui is part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. In Hawaiian, they’re koholā.
What to watch for
The breach
Humpbacks are the most surface-active of all whales, and a breach is often followed by an encore. Keep your camera ready.
Pectoral slap
Whales roll onto their sides and wave their pectoral fins, sometimes slapping them on the surface again and again. It’s believed to be a form of non-verbal communication.
Competition pod
Several males competing to become a female’s primary mate: head lunges, tail throws and breaches that can go on for hours.
Curious calf
Calves are born 13–16 feet long and around 3,000 pounds, then gain about 100 pounds a day on their mother’s milk. Sometimes one swims over for a closer look.
Getting “mugged”
Sanctuary rules keep us 100 yards from whales, but curious whales don’t always follow them. When one comes to us, we go to neutral or shut the engines off and enjoy it.
Did you know humpbacks sing? We use the hydrophone on every trip when possible. Quiet days happen, but we always try to let you listen in.
Tail fluke photo by Bob Watkins.
Plan your trip
Everything you need to know.
What to bring
- A reusable water bottle (we carry a water jug with ice and cups)
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A windbreaker or light jacket
- Snacks and drinks if you like. BYOB is OK for 21+, no glass.
- Gratuity for your captain and crew (cash or Venmo)
What to wear
Shorts and a t-shirt are perfect. We won’t be swimming, though sea spray happens. Wear flip-flops or sandals, or anything easy to slip off. We ask guests to remove shoes if possible because it helps us keep the boat cleaner throughout the day. If someone is unable to remove their shoes for medical reasons, no problem.
Prone to motion sickness? Sit anywhere in the back half of the boat.
Check-in & parking
Meet us at Mala Boat Ramp in Lahaina. Check in half an hour before departure under the tree closest to Mala Wharf, and look for crew in a Makai Adventures or Chasin’ Tail shirt.
We board in the order guests check in; priority boarding tickets let up to 4 groups board first. The boat leaves on time, so don’t miss the boat!
Parking is limited: park along Front Street or near the Cannery Mall and walk over. There’s a restroom in the lot where you check in.
FAQ
Whale watching questions.
Anything else? Text us for the fastest answer at (808) 495-1001, email us, or see all our FAQs.
What happens if it rains?
Passing showers don’t stop us; bring a jacket or poncho if rain looks possible. Our captains watch the forecast constantly, and if a tour is deemed unsafe for any reason, it’s cancelled.
Can I swim with the whales?
No. It’s against federal law to swim with humpback whales in Maui County, and we operate within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
What’s the best time of day to go?
Any time. Whales are wild animals: no single trip or time is guaranteed to have the most activity, and we always do our best to find the most active whales. The more you get out, the more you’re going to see, so pick the time that suits your schedule.
How many whales will we see?
You never know. We guarantee whale sightings on all of our small-group whale watching trips: if no whales are sighted on your trip, you get your money back or go again free.
Do you have life jackets? I can’t swim.
We don’t go in the water on whale watches, so you won’t need to wear one, but we carry everything the Coast Guard requires, including life jackets for everyone. Just ask if you’d feel more comfortable wearing one.
Are there age restrictions? Can I bring my baby?
There are no age restrictions, and newborns are welcome. Every baby counts as a passenger and needs a child or infant ticket. A carrier keeps your hands free.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Every guest needs to be able to walk the length of the dock, which has no railings, and board the boat on their own; our captain and crew are there to lend a hand. Because of that, we’re usually unable to take guests who use wheelchairs. Strollers and car seats can’t come aboard because we can’t secure them. Questions? Text or call us before you book.
Is there a bathroom onboard?
Yes. There’s also a restroom in the parking lot where you check in.
Will I get seasick?
Everyone is different. If you’re prone to it, take an anti-nausea medicine in advance or ask your doctor about the patch; wrist bands and ginger help some people. Sit in the back half of the boat, and tell the crew if you start to feel off so we can help.
Can I bring a GoPro or a drone?
GoPros are welcome. Drones aren’t allowed on our vessels.
There’s a small craft advisory. Is my tour cancelled?
Not necessarily. Advisories can cover different parts of the island, and it can be windy in Mā‘alaea while Lahaina is calm. The captain makes the call.
Do you offer a deal for going more than once?
Yes. Returning guests get 15% off all group tours within a year. Let us know when you book.
Policies
Cancellations and weather.
Cancelling or rescheduling
Group tours: cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund, or 72 hours for groups of 8 or more. Private charters: 7 days. Call (808) 495-1001.
Trip protection (+15%) can be added when you book online: it lets you cancel or reschedule up to 6 hours before a group tour or 24 hours before a private charter, with a full refund minus the cost of trip protection and processing fees.
No refunds or rescheduling for no-shows, and none on promotional pricing or gift certificates.
If we cancel
You’ll get a full refund if we cancel for weather, a mechanical issue or any other unforeseen circumstance. Safety of our guests, crew and vessel comes first.
Weather calls
Weather is always the captain’s call. We don’t run in thunderstorms but do run in passing showers. Maui has microclimates, so we may not confirm or cancel until 15 minutes before departure. Call before you leave your hotel to check.
Small-group tours
Save your seat for whale season.
Five departures a day from Mala Boat Ramp, November 25 to April 25. Private whale watching charters too: just call.