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Ultimate 3.5 hour Whale Watch & Snorkel

Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Maui, USA
  • 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Join a locally owned small-group snorkeling and seasonal whale watching tour from Lahaina Harbor and explore the vibrant marine life around Maui and Lanai. Enjoy snorkeling at pristine reefs, encounter dolphins, turtles, and tropical fish, and even whale watch during migration season (December-April). With expert guides, eco-friendly practices, and a focus on marine conservation, this adventure offers an unforgettable and intimate experience on Maui’s waters.
  • Embark on a small-group snorkeling tour to the island of Lanai
  • See secret coves, sea cliffs, tropical reefs, and marine life
  • Spot wild dolphins and go whale watching during migration season
  • Support active marine research and whale rescue with every ticket purchased

What's Included

  • Bottled water
    Because we are eco-friendly, purified water is available in an igloo style dispenser, not plastic water bottles.
  • Use of Snorkeling equipment
    Use of Snorkelling equipment

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • 1229 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA

      CHECK IN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR TIME at MALA BOAT YARD. LOOK FOR BLACK AND YELLOW "ULTIMATE WHALE WATCH" SIGNS. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE WATER. Please INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL IN YOUR BOOKING so we can CONTACT YOU IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR TOUR!

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Operating hours
    .9:00 am

    Itinerary

    1

    Lahaina Harbor

    3 hours Admission Ticket Free

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travelers can participate
    • No children under 4 years old, and no one who is pregnant may come
    • We are unable to take guests who are Pregnant.
    • Not permitted for pregnant travelers
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    Gemma_B
    We missed our boat (our own fault) and were heading back to our car. Another boat said we could join them. It was informative, breathtaking, peaceful and incredibly fun. Best thing we've done on trip in 4 days. Highly recommend. BTW, I was scared because of the small boat. There was no need to be scared.

    Reviews

    4.9
    based on 89 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Wow wow wow amazing trip

    Vikki_E, Mar 2025
    Wow what can I say the best trip ever you need to book this trip . We went to Mala just down the road from where we were staying in Kaanapali the lovely lady (sorry I didn’t get your name) checked us in and gave us lots of information we then went to our boat we had booked the VIP trip so only 7 on our boat , Our captains Jill and Casey amazing gave us so much info on the whales as soon as we left we saw spinner dolphins. I was hoping to see a couple of whales up close but wow we saw loads a female with males behind her and on the way back a baby whale! This as really made our trip 100 percent book this also Mala is up and running was shut down for a bit due to fire damage but is now back to normal. Whatever you do whilst in Maui book this it truly was an amazing experience.

    Worth every penny!

    Julie_W, Feb 2025
    This was an incredible experience that brought us up close and personal with humpback whales in a way we never expected. The boat does not sit high off of the water so every single guest had a direct view of the whales. We visited in February and got to see baby humpback whales, whale tails emerging as they dove deep, pectoral fin slaps whales use to communicate, and endless spouts. We were even lucky enough to see a full breach! It was beautiful to see these massive animals all around us while surrounded by the gorgeous Maui skyline. At one point, we could hear a whale song through the boat and the captain pulled out a hydrophone to magnify it for us. This was an experience that we'll never forget and already plan on returning to do again!

    Free Wilma

    Michael_F, Jan 2025
    Jill and Kacey helped to make this an amazing trip. We saw dozens of whales up close and personal. They had us surrounded by active whales. We even became involved in a rescue mission with a crew coming out in an attempt to free a female entangled with some type of netting. An added bonus.

    Awesome whale watch

    Jessica_W, Jan 2025
    Amy and Lilly were awesome tour guides! Friendy, personable and knowledgeable. Excellent tour and would go again if visiting Maui in the future. Highly recommend!

    very professional

    David_N, Feb 2024
    Tough water/wind conditions but the captain/owner & biologist made the best of it, and got us out safely. Had fun

    Lots of whale sightings

    Debbie_A, Jan 2024
    We had an amazing time! We were able to see a baby whale with its mama and they were being followed by several males. Our captions Lacy and Lilly were great! They had great information about what the whales were doing. I would definitely recommend this company!! Job well done!

    Awesome time!

    Micheal_R, Mar 2023
    Emma and Pat were very informative and made the trip so much fun! Both very professional and interactive. Thank you!

    Response from Host, Mar 2023

    Thank you!

    What fun

    Patricia_C, Mar 2023
    The best thing was the absolute delight on my grandson's face! We saw many whales, mamas and their babies. The escort were fighting for their place with the females. It was quite spectacular! The captain and his first mate were well informed and seemed passionate about the whales.

    Response from Host, Mar 2023

    Thanks!

    First time whale watching...

    Rajesh_C, Mar 2023
    First time whale watching snd what an experience. Got lot of close encounters to a group of 5-6 whales.

    Response from Host, Mar 2023

    Mahalo!

    It was the ultimate whale watching experience.

    Jeff_V, Mar 2023
    Sunrise Whale watching was amazing . Sarah and Emma were great very knowledgeable and made this a great trip seen lots of whales . 8 year old Granddaughter had a blast . Thank you ultimate whale watching. Would highly recommend this trip/ company. Jeff

    Response from Host, Apr 2023

    Mahalo!

    This was so much fun....

    Jake_D, Mar 2022
    This was so much fun. Emma was a great captain. The crew was very entertaining and informative. It was a very memorable experience.

    Response from Host, Mar 2022

    Mahalo! We're so happy to hear you had a MEMORABLE experience with us :)

    We missed our boat (our...

    Gemma_B, Feb 2022
    We missed our boat (our own fault) and were heading back to our car. Another boat said we could join them. It was informative, breathtaking, peaceful and incredibly fun. Best thing we've done on trip in 4 days. Highly recommend. BTW, I was scared because of the small boat. There was no need to be scared.

    Response from Host, Feb 2022

    We're so happy you made it out on the water and got to see some whales! Hope you had a great rest of your trip :)

    Great morning off the Island of Maui with the whales

    Robert_T, Jan 2022
    Great morning seeing and hearing about whales. The Captain was very knowledgeable and friendly as well as her whale expert. They both were happy to answer all of our questions. They showed best respect for the whales and also for safety of all on board.

    Response from Host, Jan 2022

    Safety for our guests and the marine life is a priority for us, and having FUN of course- we're so happy to hear you had a great morning exploring with us! Hope to see you again soon :) Mahalo

    Whale watching fun!

    Terra_T, Jan 2022
    We appreciated that we were in a smaller boat so we could get around quickly & catch up to the whales. Our guides were great & we saw many dolphins & whales 🐳 🐋 🐬🤩

    Response from Host, Jan 2022

    Small Groups & BIG FUN! Mahalo Terra for exploring with us!

    Guaranteed whale sightings

    Ashley_K, Dec 2021
    Our hosts for the trip were great! I’ve been on 2 other whale watching tours and this was the first one I was able to see several. Shorter trip which was also nice to avoid getting seasick.

    Response from Host, Dec 2021

    Mahalo from Team Ultimate! We're so happy to hear you got to see several whales without getting seasick :)

    Amazing

    Debra_W, Dec 2021
    It was amazing. Saw juvenile whales playing, peeking whale heads, breaching, and six males following a female. After leaving the habor saw our first whales with 10 minutes and continued to see them to the very end…Amazing!!!

    Response from Host, Dec 2021

    Mahalo from Team Ultimate! We're so happy to hear you had an AMAZING TIME!

    Highly recommended! Great whale spotting

    Lynnea_G, Jan 2020
    Can’t rave enough about this experience. The captain and the crew. They were very knowledge and found plenty of whales. They followed the 100yard rule but amazingly the whales came closer to us. Saw some of them jump.

    Amazing whale watching

    Connector30072296597, Jan 2020
    I had prebooked two tours with Ultimate but after my first trip, I booked two more! With the dinghy you get closer to the whales and you speed between the ones sighted. The crew were amazing on all four of my trips - so informative about the whales and they made the trips even more special. I can’t wait to return next January for more adventures, although being “mugged” by a mum and baby whale the other day takes some beating. Mahalo Ultimate!!
    Likely to Sell Out

    From $195.00

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 44 days in advance.

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