VIP (12 Guests ONLY) Ultimate Whale Watch
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Maui, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get a front-row spot on a whale watching tour by booking this small-group excursion off the coast of Lahaina. While larger whale watching boats are crowded and can make it difficult to get photos of whales, this inflatable raft-style boat gets all passengers close to the water’s surface for a prime vantage point. This makes the trip ideal for photographers and families with kids.
- Discover whales on a small-group boat tour from Lahaina Harbor
- Enjoy educational talks from an onboard marine naturalist
- Coast guard style-rafts are a fun, safe, and efficient whale-watching vessel
- Whale sightings guaranteed December–April (If not, go again for free)
What's Included
- Bottled waterBecause we are eco-friendly, purified water is available in an igloo style dispenser, not plastic water bottles.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1229 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
CHECK IN 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR TIME at Mala Boat Yard 1237 Front St. in Lahaina, Maui! 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.Itinerary
Lahaina (Pass By)
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 the age of 3 years.
- We are unable to take guests who are Pregnant.
- We are unable to take guests who are Pregnant.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 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
Laura_B
Wow what an excellent trip. Chris and Casey were amazing, friendly and so knowledgable. This was the second trip we took in Maui and would definitely recommend this company and the smaller boat. Our previous trip was a bigger boat and full of selfish people who stayed in the same place the whole trip and you had to try and look through them. So
this small 15 people boat max was amazing. The smaller boat is more
Manoeuvrable so was able to see much more. We must have seen over 20 breaches from the whales. A once in a lifetime trip. Thank you Chris and Casey and loved the song choices.
Reviews
4.9
based on 225 reviews
Anonymous, Apr 2026
This was the most wonderful experience. We went early March and saw so many momma and baby whales. The babies really gave us a show. We really enjoyed having less people on the boat and Capt Mark and Casey were great. 10/10 highly recommend during whale season.
Frank_M, Apr 2026
Top experience of my life. Personal. Unique. Kid friendly. Absolutely fabulous. Without a doubt do it.
Elaine_H, Apr 2026
Incredible trip, saw loads of whales including a mum and baby ♥️. The crew were helpful, friendly and informed and that made the whole experience even better than we could’ve imagined!
Lisa_G, Mar 2026
The company cancelled last minute to do the tour. I wish I would have known earlier. Other tours were going out at that time.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We truly regret the short notice and understand how disappointing this can be when you’ve planned your day around the trip. We always aim to give as much advance notice as possible, but weather conditions can change quickly here on the water.
We appreciate your understanding and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you out with us under better conditions in the future.
Trevor_H, Mar 2026
Lacee and Casey were our guides and they were amazing. They put us in all the right spots to see the whales and shared tons of great information with us about the whales. They were fun and entertaining and great. We saw tons of whales and so much activity. I couldn't have asked for anything more out of this tour.
Tip: if you go in the morning, it can be a little cool and you will definitely get wet from the spray. Wear a rain jacket or something that can handle getting wet.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the review!
Wayne_P, Mar 2026
This was the second time we have gone out with this group and both times were amazing. This time we saw three males battling for a good period and then had 100+ spinner dolphins come around. Overall great and our grandkids loved it.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the review!
Jordan_T, Mar 2026
You will see whales , it’s a smaller boat perfect for offshore whale watching without a large crowd onboard
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the review!
Martha_T, Mar 2026
Our driver Shelley made the trip. Her knowledge , her driving skill and her personal connection to
The area made the trip wonderful.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the review!
Samuel_R, Mar 2026
It was a great experience. Lilly was very knowledgeable about the whales and the surround areas. We saw 8 different whale including a mother and her calf.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the review!
Michael_O, Feb 2026
What an amazing experience! These people do an amazing job of getting guests to the whales for a terrific time. The tour operators ooze with love of the animals and do a great job answering questions.
Robert_H, Feb 2026
Easy, zodiak boat is the way to go. Nimble, crew was fun and knowledgeable, and small group makes things much less crowded and hectic.
Kasey (sp?) and Kayleigh, our cre, were wonderful!!
J_S, Feb 2026
John and Casie were amazing. Best whale watching experience I have ever done. Would love to do again
June_G, Jan 2026
My buddy was with me and we both really enjoyed the boat ride and the whale watching and the staff were both fabulous
Mark_B, Jan 2026
He had an amazing time! The boat captain and his first mate were awesome! Saw lots of whales!! Highly recommended!
Mary_J, Jan 2026
Great afternoon! We spent time observing 3 male whales and their behavior. Guides were very knowledgeable and whales were close!
Highly recommend this whale watching experience!
Karmel_J, Jan 2026
Amazing experience. The crew were personable, knowledgeable and played great music on the way to and from the whales. We saw the whales up close and personal, and at one point they swam under our boat. Was incredible. Memorable and we would definitely do it again!
Barry_T, Apr 2025
Visited at the tail end of whale season so I wasn’t optimistic we would see many humpbacks. Boy was I wrong! Took about an hour of searching to find them but saw some amazing breaches from males, females, and calves nonstop for about 45 minutes. So much fun!!
Debra_C, Mar 2025
I’ve been on watches before with big boats and lots of people. This was not that! Only 8 people on our boat and captain John left everyone behind and went to the whales, closer than I’ve ever seen. We watched them breech over and over again. It was magnificent!!
MARIA_H, Mar 2025
Up close and personal with the whales. The captain and the naturalist went out of their way to find active whales. We had the experience of a lifetime! There was a pair of whales that spent about 20 minutes playfully going under our boat and another boat close by. They rolled over and floated on the surface, splashed us, and were within about 10 feet of the boat. Incredible time! Every seat is a good seat and you get as close as you can be. It is a raft so it is a bit of a bumpy ride. I would not recommend it for someone who gets seasick. For anyone else, it is the best way to experience the whales.
Nancy_L, Mar 2025
It was great not having a lot of boat structure blocking views. The raft is the way to go! Particularly with the knowledgeable crew, Kalli and Kayli
❤️❤️
Camille_N, Mar 2025
Awesome experience! Numerous whales surrounding our boat with one hanging out right underneath us for about 45min. Highly recommend this company! Very knowledgeable & professional employees!!
Robert_C, Feb 2025
I live on Maui. I only use The Ultimate Whale Watch Tour company when I want to impress my visitors. They are never disappointed. This family run operation runs circles around the other tour groups. If you want an authentic up close tour with well informed crew there is no better option. Breaches, mother and baby interactions and some serious battles between male whales. In your vace.
Tara_C, Apr 2024
Great two hour excursion. We saw a group of competition whales fighting for one female, then we saw a mama whale with her baby and later listened to the whales singing. The captain and naturalist on board provided great information and answered all our questions. We went on the earlier boat and it was smooth.
Donna_S, Apr 2024
We saw several groups of whales, mothers and calves, and escort whales. There were many breaches, and fin slaps. We may have witnessed whale hanky panky as well. We were comfortable and safe in the boat, it was a fun ride!
Renee_F, Mar 2024
Lacey and Emma were knowledgeable and fun. They created a memorable experience. We will be back during a future Maui vacation.
Connie_C, Mar 2024
Our guides Emma and Lizzie (?) were very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information on whale behaviors. They were able to find multiple spots of whale sitings where we could watch them breaching and also see babies with their mothers.
Wayne_P, Mar 2024
What an amazing trip!! We took the 1:30pm whale watch and saw some incredible whales breaching, saw blainsville beaked whales, and even a tiger shark. It was an epic trip and so glad we took our two oldest grandchildren with us. What a trip to remember!!!
Megan_D, Mar 2024
Fantastic experience with Jeremiah and Sarah. They answered all of our questions and found so many whales! Can’t recommend enough!
Donna_A, Mar 2024
We had an awesome tour with Jeremiah and Sara. It was very windy but we felt safe the entire time and we returned dry! We saw multiple whales and two sets of female whales with babies.
Jennifer_C, Mar 2024
Small group and crew was very friendly and knowledgeable. We departed from the Lahaina Mala harbor. We wanted to support a Lahaina business. This company has been through a-lot of tragedy w the fire last August. Book this tour! You wont regret it. Lahaina strong!
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From $125.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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VIP (12 Guests ONLY) Ultimate Whale Watch
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