Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina
Recommended by 97% of travelers
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Maui, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get an up-close look at marine life on this tour, which trades in a typical sightseeing boat for a low-to-the-water Zodiac raft that offers superior views. Keep an eye out for dolphins in the summer or whales in November and May, or simply take in the scenery while listening to live narration from a naturalist guide.
- xperience eye-level whale watching from a zodiac raft
- Snacks and beverages are included on dolphin tours
- Learn about marine life from an onboard naturalist guide
- Listen to whale song through an onboard hydrophone
What's Included
- Marine Naturalist Narration
- Hydrophone to listen to whale songs
- Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
- Plan to get wet! This is a low to water boat- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.
- SnacksDolphin Tour includes snacks and beverages
- Available shade varies on boat. Please bring sun protection: hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected)
- *Type of encounters vary in the wild- Up close sightings not guaranteed
- Tour Operator: Hawaii Ocean Rafting
- Not suitable for pregnant persons or those with back/neck injuries.
- Tour leaves promptly. Must arrive 30 minutes prior to board or will miss the tour.
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- BYOB (Plastic or Cans Only)
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected at check out)
- Gratuities
- Upclose wildlife encounters are not guaranteed as animals are in the wild.
- No Spray Sunscreen Permitted - Reef Safe Rub-on Sunscreen Only
- Physical Mobility Required for Boarding due to boarding location
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1223 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
MANDATORY CHECK-IN 30 minutes prior to start time at tour operator Hawaii Ocean Rafting location. Park on near Lahaina Cannery and check-in at 1223 Front St., Dive Maui Shop, located next to Snorkel Bobs. No refunds for late arrivals. Due to closed roads & traffic, plan additional travel time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Meet for this seasonal Maui whale-watching raft tour at the designated meeting location on Front Street in Lahaina. Keep in mind when booking, guests must be three years of age or older—no babies are allowed on the raft. For safety reasons, this tour is not suited for pregnant individuals.
Once you check in and get on your low-water raft, it’s time to search for migrating humpback whales, dolphins, or other sea life. The raft provides an eye-level view of the water so you can spot whales easily as you cruise. Your marine-naturalist guide tells you about the whales and the Hawaiian ecosystem, and a hydrophone is available onboard for listening to whale songs.
This Maui whale-watching raft tour ends at your Lahaina starting point.
Once you check in and get on your low-water raft, it’s time to search for migrating humpback whales, dolphins, or other sea life. The raft provides an eye-level view of the water so you can spot whales easily as you cruise. Your marine-naturalist guide tells you about the whales and the Hawaiian ecosystem, and a hydrophone is available onboard for listening to whale songs.
This Maui whale-watching raft tour ends at your Lahaina starting point.
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Lahaina
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Maui
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- No Infants
- No Pregnant Persons or children under 3 permitted
- Mobility is required to board the vessel unassisted due to the boarding location and safety protocol.
- Food Allergen Warning (Required Disclosure): Due to the nature of onboard food preparation and handling, we cannot guarantee that any menu item will be free from allergens. All meals or snacks served on this vessel may contain or come into contact with gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, soy, eggs, dairy, and wheat. If you have a known food allergy, please notify our team in advance and bring any required allergy medication (such as an EpiPen). We strongly recommend guests with severe allergies consult a physician prior to participating in the charter. We are not responsible for allergic reactions due to undeclared or cross-contact allergens.
- No children under 3
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Tamara_H
This was an absolutely amazing experience! There are so many places to choose from, but we were told this one was highly recommended and we now see why. Small group, in a boat low to the water so we could easily maneuver to be safely near where the whales went — obviously keeping a distance to not interfere with them. The tour was fun, safe and informative. Truly a highlight of our visit to Maui. Captain Darryll was awesome! We also had an opportunity to meet one of the owners the day before, and were very impressed with her knowledge.
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,759 reviews
Y_i, Jun 2026
We loved the tour and the captain and crew were really great! Highly recommend this as part of your Hawaii experience!
Claudia_N, Jun 2026
We saw hundreds of dolphins but even if we hadn’t seen any—the boat ride alone was worth the cost! Beautiful scenery and a fast, fun boat ride!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
So glad you had a beautiful dolphin watch excursion. Maui's coastlines are breathtaking and the dolphins are pretty cool too! Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Denise_T, Jun 2026
Had a wonderful time on this whale watching tour and even saw a whale breach! Went with our family and everyone enjoyed this tour. Boat was easy to find. Would take this tour again!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
So glad you had a great time on our whale watch. Mahalo for supporting our locally-owned Maui business.
Yucheng_Y, Jun 2026
Great experience with Jack and the crew, and we enjoyed the trip! We joined the Dolphan watch on 6/19, and we've seen so many!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Glad you had a great experience on our Dolphin watch! Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Meegan_M, Jun 2026
My daughter and I had a great time! We saw LOTS of dolphins! The only reason this isn’t a five star review is because of the ride back. We went very fast and the raft was like a rollercoaster. My back is now aching from being thrown around. I suggested that they mention the possibility of this before booking. Otherwise, the tour was great!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Glad you had an awesome time and the dolphins made an appearance! Being on the ocean is the best!
Yes we state on Viator and our website that the eco rafts do not allow persons with back or neck injuries or pregnant on the tours, it is also an agreement everyone has to check when they fill out the waivers- we do our best to communicate that the eco rafts are adventure style and not suitable for everyone. A slower style sailing catamaran may be a great fit for your next ocean adventure!
Cathy_G, Jun 2026
Best whale your ever! We’ve been on quite a few whale watching adventures over the years but this one was amazing. The eye-level view from the made this tour unique. The guides were knowledgeable and engaging. Do yourself a favor and book this tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Awesome! So glad your adventure was amazing. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business
Purushotham_M, Jun 2026
We saw bunch of whales, I have experienced so much sighting in the past. Guides were very Informative they kind of knew where the action is happening and were very knowledgeable on marine eco system.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
So glad you had an amazing time on our whale watch! Our team loves to share their knowledge and passion for Maui's wildlife. Mahalo!
Rochelle_P, Jun 2026
This was fun and beautiful. The hosts were kind and very hospitable. They gave us snacks and sodas which was appreciated
It was past whale season, which was unfortunate. Lots of dolphins, however. I wouldn’t give this 5 stars bc it wasn’t something extraordinary compared to some of my other activities, but it was 4 stars worthy.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Glad you had a good time on our dolphin watch. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Susan_A, May 2026
If you are a senior, raft may be a challenge to get in and out of. Staff is very helpful and they do warn you on their website. Wear only slip on shoes because they prefer you remove your shoes before boarding. Loved seeing the dolphins and hearing the whales. The scenery is so beautiful and the guides were very knowledgeable. I would definitely go on this tour again!
Response from Host, May 2026
Stoked you had a great time seeing dolphins and hearing whales on our tour. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Andrea_A, May 2026
Whale season ends May 15, it’ll be unlikely you see any after April. We unfortunately saw no whales, but there were two dolphins and the boat ride was a nice time.
Response from Host, May 2026
So glad you had a nice time on the dolphintour and that the bottlenose dolphins were entertaining. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Cynthia_L, May 2026
Our eco-raft tour was truly one of the most amazing experiences we’ve ever had. Seeing a humpback whale with her baby so close was absolutely breathtaking and something we will never forget. The crew was extremely professional, friendly, and knowledgeable, and they made the entire experience feel safe, exciting, and special. You could really tell how much they care about the ocean and the animals. We are so grateful for this incredible memory and would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Maui!
Response from Host, May 2026
So glad that you an amazing experience on our whale watch! Our staff love to share their passion and knowledge for Maui's wildlife with our guests and leave you with great memories. Mahalo for supporting our small local business.
Lavanya_V, May 2026
We did the 8 AM tour on May 11th, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Captain Henore and the guide were incredibly patient, informative, and made sure everyone had a great view of the whales and dolphins while explaining everything along the way.
Even though it wasn’t peak whale season, we were lucky enough to spot a whale and so many dolphins! We got to sail alongside them for quite a while, giving us plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy seeing them up close, it was truly unforgettable.
As an added bonus, we even spotted a turtle while nearing the shore. The entire experience felt very well organized and definitely worth the money. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Maui! A big thank you to Captain Henore and the team for such a memorable experience.
Response from Host, May 2026
Stoked that you had such an amazing experience seeing whales, dolphins, and turtles with us! Not every tour gets to see all those animals. Mahalo for joining our Maui ohana.
Karleen_C, May 2026
The crew was very friendly and informative. We enjoyed the tour snd will do again on our next trip. Captain Jack D and Nicole made the trip feel safe, and provided lots of whale facts. Along with some island history culture. I just wish I remembered which whale tracking app Nicole said she was using.
Response from Host, May 2026
Stoked you had a great time on the dolphin and whale tour. Our staff love sharing their knowledge and passion for Maui's wildlife. We use the Happywhale app for tracking/IDing whales. Mahalo for supporting our small business.
jennifer_s, May 2026
I had a ton of fun. Loved the boat ride. Didn't get to see any whales or dolphins so bummed about that.
Response from Host, May 2026
Sorry that we weren't able to find any whales or dolphins for you on our tour. They are wild animals and sometimes prove to be elusive. And at this time of the year most of the whales have departed Maui's waters. Thank you for supporting our small business.
Mary_P, May 2026
Wear slip on shoes as they ask you to take them off before getting on raft. Captain Jack was very entertaining and Brea was very knowledgeable about the whales and dolphins. Well worth the cost.
Response from Host, May 2026
Happy that you had a great adventure with us and that both whales and dolphins showed up for you. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Debra_M, May 2026
Captain Jack and our oceanographer who I can’t remember her name were excellent. They did a great job and both were very informative and entertaining. My disappointment was the size of the boat and the number of people onboard. People will be people and jump in front of you when taking pictures and there is always those that think they are a bit more special than others and can make the experience unpleasant. With 27 people on such a small boat, this happened every time we saw anything. If available, I would opt for a ship with less people and more opportunities to see the marine life as opposed to the heads and arms of other guests.
Response from Host, May 2026
Glad you had such an awesome whale search with the crew and so much fun!
We did have an extra party last minute and accommodated them so the boat had an additional passenger than normal and was sold out, but all the pontoon seating is available to sit on an spread out as an option as well!
A private charter is a great option if you are looking for a tour experience that doesn't require navigating the other guests so much!
Mahalo for joining us!
Kimberly_M, May 2026
The trip was great, got to see the whales Momma, baby and escort! I came solo, but the crew was very inclusive. Had a great time!!! Thanks so much for the experience and the great snacks! I would certainly recommend to anyone interested in this type of adventure! It was special and definitely worth the value.
Response from Host, May 2026
So glad you had a great time seeing whales on our boat. Our staff love to share their passion about Maui's gentle giants. Mahalo for joining our Ohana.
Mary_V, May 2026
Excellent and a marine biologist was on board and provided wonderful knowledge and information about the whales.
Response from Host, May 2026
Glad you had an excellent whale watch! Our staff love to share their knowledge of Maui's gentle giants. Mahalo for joining us.
Adam_V, May 2026
My family and I had a great time! Beautiful, scenic views, great hosts/guides, and the boat ride itself was very enjoyable. It's fun being that close to the water.
Response from Host, May 2026
So happy your family had a wonderful dolphin/whale tour with us. It's our pleasure to make amazing memories. Mahalo for joining our Maui ohana.
margaret_g, Apr 2026
What a great way to spend a couple of hours on the water! Love being on a Zodiac & so close to the water. We had multiple dolphin sightings - including a baby. Si cute. Captain Jack & Jess were great. We would do this again!
Response from Host, May 2026
We are so happy you had an amazing anniversary and got to see some dolphins, including a baby! We hope to see you again when you are back on Maui! Aloha!
susanruhde, Apr 2026
Couldn’t be better. Close to the water, small passenger numbers. Super knowledgeable. Even snacks and drinks. Jack and Jess were great.
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo for joining us! We are glad you had a good time on our small eco raft wth Jack and Jess!
Emmah_C, Apr 2026
Captain Jack and Bree were so lovely. Very knowledgeable about the whales and the area and had so much reverence and respect for these animals. They happily answer questions, help take photos, and offered snacks. Would recommend for a wonderful morning whale watching tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for sharing your special experience with Jack and Bree! We are happy you learned a lot about the Humpback whales while onboard our eco-raft!
Toby_D, Apr 2026
I picked this tour ibecause we would be low and close to the water and the group size would be small. There were times I felt like I could reach out and touch the dolphins! Our tour guides were very skilled at spotting whales and dolphins so we had an awesome experience!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo for joining us on our small rafting experience. We are happy you had a unique encounter.
Kraig_M, Apr 2026
Great trip. Captain and First Mate were exceptional. Got trifecta: breaches, tail slaps and "sumo wrestling" between male suitors. Up close and passively personal. Got to listen to whale song. Bonus turtle and dolphin encounters! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo for joining us for your whale watching experience in Maui. We are do happy to hear you saw some dolphins and turtles as well!
Anonymous, Apr 2026
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! We went the final day of whale season and you would never know because the whales were so active! We also got to hear them sing which was such a unique and rare experience! The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate! I have told everyone I know about this company and that it is a MUST when you come to Maui!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for recommending our Maui small business. It means so much to us! We are so happy to hear you had an epic whale watch at the end of whale season!
Sharon_G, Apr 2026
We went on the last whale watch of the season and the folks running it were very up front about there not being as many whales in the area as earlier in the season. We still saw whales though. It was also just a beautiful day out on the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are so happy you had the opportunity to see whales this late in the season! Thank you for coming out with our small rafting business!
Harley_W, Apr 2026
Wonderful experience. Best whale watch we have been on. Very knowledgeable crew and comfortable boat. We enjoyed being closer to the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for joining us for your whale watching tour on Maui! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your eye-level experience on our raft!
Kerstin_L, Apr 2026
Amazing whale watching experience from start to finish! The staff was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing insights throughout the trip that made it even more meaningful. The highlight was witnessing a whale breach which was an unforgettable, bucket list moment that made the whole excursion worth it. You can tell the crew genuinely cares about both the wildlife and the guests’ experience.
One small suggestion: consider offering ginger candy to passengers as they board. It would be helpful to have it on hand early for those who may need it, and unused pieces could always be returned. Overall, a fantastic experience I’d highly recommend!
Response from Host, May 2026
Stoked that you had a fantastic whale watch experience. Mahalo for supporting our small Maui business.
Ashley_B, Apr 2026
Wonderful experience! Saw so many whales! We were really lucky! Can’t wait to do it again! 10 out of 10
Response from Host, Apr 2026
So happy you got to see a ton of whales on your eco raft whale-watching experience! We can't wait to welcome you back the next time you are in Maui!
sherry_r, Apr 2026
We had an amazing time on the raft whale watching. We went in april towards the end of the whale season so we were not sure we would be able to see many if any whales but we were lucky enough to see many and had an incredible experience. Our crew was Zack and Bri and they were great! Very informative and we will definitely do this again if we come back
Response from Host, May 2026
Stoked you had an amazing whale watch, even late in the season. Mahalo for joining us on your trip to Maui.
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