Whale Watching Hawaii - Maui Whale Boat Cruises
By Pacific Whale Foundation

Duration: 2 or 3 hours
Location: Departs from Lahaina Harbor
Days of Operation: 7 days a week
Children: One child 6 & under FREE with each paying adult. Kids 7-12 and additional children under 7 pay reduced rate.

WHALE WATCHES BEGIN DECEMBER 1st & RUN THROUGH MID-MAY

Whale Watches with a Leader in Maui Eco Tourism
Since 1980 nearly 2 million people have joined Maui’s Pacific Whale Foundation’s family of friendly experts on our unique Eco-Adventure Humpback Whale Watch Cruises. Travel with us on Maui's newest high-tech, ultra-smooth catamarans, powered with Biodiesel fuel produced on Maui. At Maui’s Pacific Whale Foundation, our mission is to promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans. We accomplish this by educating the public from a scientific perspective about the marine environment.

Maui Whale Watches from Historic Lahaina
Humpback whales migrate from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska to the warm waters of the Hawaiian Islands to give birth and mate each year between the months of November and May (arriving in Maui’s waters around the beginning of December).

Approximately 3,000 whales journey more than 3,500 miles in 39 days or less to the sheltered waters of Hawaii. Their arrivals and departures are staggered over several months with the most frequent sightings January-April. Whales can be seen from all islands with the most sightings off Maui, then Molokai and Lanai. The very best way to observe these magnificent creatures is to take a whale watching catamaran cruise. Humpback whales are intelligent and active mammals that can be observed in many interesting behaviors, commonly including the “Spout” or “Blow” which occurs when whales surface to breathe air through a blowhole on top of their heads.

They exhale at up to 300 mph and any water remaining on the skin flap over the blowhole is vaporized into the air and the “Breach”, which occurs when a whale propels itself out of the ocean, typically clearing 3/4 of its body, then turns over on its side and splashes down on top of the ocean's surface creating a huge splash. With certified Marine Naturalists on board all Pacific Whale Foundation Humpback Whale Watches, we enable our guests to learn about these and many other behaviors.

Lahaina Whale Watching Details Maui Style

Plan to participate in a Maui Humpback Whale Watch early in your trip so you will know what to look for the rest of the time you are here. Once you are taught to train your eyes to spot them, you will start to see them every time you look out at the sparkling cerulean blue Pacific waters!

While on Maui, join us in the historically rich and fun-loving town of Lahaina, where whaling ships once laid anchor. While Lahaina was once a major whaling port, a fleet of pleasure boats now bobs in the sun, waiting to take visitors on whale watching eco excursions. We’ve exchanged cameras for the harpoons of bygone days and you can still enjoy the thrill of spotting Maui’s most magnificent annual visitors.

Capture them on film for the most unique keepsake you will acquire while on your Hawaiian get away! Maui Pacific Whale Foundation Humpback Whale watches depart numerous times daily from Lahaina Harbor, offering something for everyone’s schedule. Join us on the Ocean Quest, our brand new high-tech, double-deck power catamaran built with SmoothCat technology for an ultra-smooth, comfortable ride or the Manutea, our graceful, stable 50-foot sailing catamaran that is a favorite of many Maui visitors. She features a spacious shaded cabin, sun decks and onboard bathrooms. Our cash bar of ice cold beer, wine, Mai Tais for $2. Sodas and local juices are $1. Hawaii State Law requires that all persons over 21 who are consuming alcohol have photo ID; NO EXCEPTIONS! If you wish to enjoy the bar, don’t forget your ID.

Assorted chips (including our local favorite, Maui Style Potato Chips) are also available for purchase.

One child 6 and younger per paying adult. Make a note in the “Comments” Section of your check out form letting our reservationists know how many children you have and how old they are so we may include them in your e-tickets.

If motion sickness is a possibility, you might wish to bring along candied ginger and/or take one of the numerous commercial products available at any drug or convenience store on Maui.

Whale Sightings Guaranteed! Our vessels are in constant radio contact to bring you to the sites of the most thrilling whale activity giving us a 99% sighting success rate on our Humpback Whale watch Cruises. In the unlikely event that you don't see whales, we will take you again at no cost. Be sure to wear PLENTY of sunscreen!

We support and conduct responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawaii and the Pacific. Through our educational Hawaiian ecotours, we model and promote sound ecotourism practices and responsible wildlife watching. With these ideals as the cornerstones of our organization, our Maui Pacific Whale Foundation has become a leader in addressing issues that shape the future of our oceans, our islands, and our planet.

Here's What MyHawaii Customers Say About This Activity"It was absolutely fantastic! We have done whale and or dolphin watches in Maine, Florida, and in numerous areas of the Carribean. We have never seen as many whales - nor have we had better guides."
- Catherine D., Walpole NH