Luxury Catamaran Whale Watch
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Maui, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The waters off the coast of Maui are often home to majestic humpback whales. Set sail from West Maui on this catamaran whale-watching tour as you attempt to catch a glimpse of the marine giants in their natural habitat. The onboard hydrophone will even let you listen to the whales’ song as you travel.
- Catamaran whale-watching tour from West Maui
- A marine naturalist will teach you about the majestic creatures as you travel
- Relax with a drink at the onboard bar, or grab a snack
- A chance to listen to whalesong as you sail the Maui waters
What's Included
- SnacksSeasonal food & beverage offerings featuring local favorites
- Alcoholic BeveragesFull premium open bar with Maui Brewing Co. beers, seltzers and sparkling wines
- Catamaran comfort: panoramic viewing decks, shaded cabin & large restrooms
- Marine naturalist narration of whale behavior & migration, hydrophone to hear real-time whale songs
- Professional photographer onboard for wildlife & scenic moments (photos available for purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Maalaea Harbor, Maalaea, HI 96793, USA
Check in location is Slip #56 at Ma'alaea Harbor on Oceanside Pier. Ali'i Nui Sailing Charters. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure for the check-in process.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- In order to access the vessel, you will need to walk down a pier and step across a gap onto the deck. Crew will be able to assist with the gap.
- Restrooms are accessible via steps down into the cabin and ladder into the restrooms.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 65 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
Sally_S
I booked the whale watch for my girl friends and I that were visiting Maui last week for a 60th birthday celebration. My crew of gal pals aren't always the easiest to please, but they all said what a great time they had. For them to say that, then you know it was good, since they are the kind that tell it like it is. The crew was super friendly and knowledgeable. We went out on the 8 a.m. tour hoping the ocean would be calm, but turned out to be windy, so I recommend bringing a light water resistant jacket, since we did get splashed some. We didn't see a full breach, but we did see lots of whale tales splashing and activity of male whales fighting over a female. The tour provided a light breakfast and plenty of drinks/cocktails. Would definitely recommend this tour group and crew!
Reviews
4.9
based on 82 reviews
Lori_A, Mar 2026
Crew is wonderful and boat is very nice. We found whales early and food was very good. Bar service was excellent
Whitney_B, Mar 2026
Great experience!! Would do again. Family of 5. We saw a ton of whales and baby ones. Really neat experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the stellar review and five stars, Whitney! We can't wait to welcome you and the whole family back aboard on your next visit to Maui!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Doug_T, Mar 2026
Excellent staff, clean boat, delicious food, and lots of marine life!
The staff was very informative and fun. The boat was not overly crowded which was great so we could move around. We will definitely book again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the staff, clean boat, delicious food, and all the marine life. We look forward to having you back on board!
Sally_S, Mar 2026
I booked the whale watch for my girl friends and I that were visiting Maui last week for a 60th birthday celebration. My crew of gal pals aren't always the easiest to please, but they all said what a great time they had. For them to say that, then you know it was good, since they are the kind that tell it like it is. The crew was super friendly and knowledgeable. We went out on the 8 a.m. tour hoping the ocean would be calm, but turned out to be windy, so I recommend bringing a light water resistant jacket, since we did get splashed some. We didn't see a full breach, but we did see lots of whale tales splashing and activity of male whales fighting over a female. The tour provided a light breakfast and plenty of drinks/cocktails. Would definitely recommend this tour group and crew!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled your group had a great time celebrating a 60th birthday and that the crew made the experience memorable. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you all back for another adventure!
Emily_G, Feb 2026
This was the best boat ride! Such great food and drink options! The service from the crew was pristine! We saw sooo many whales and had an amazing time! Highly recommend!!!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the awesome review! We're so glad you had a great time, enjoyed the food and drinks, and saw plenty of whales. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to have you back aboard soon!
Margaret_L, Feb 2026
Spent a lovely day on the water with this lovely crew. So hospitable and helpful.
Saw a few whales too. Most enjoyable
Thanks so much.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the lovely review! We're so glad you had a great time on the water and enjoyed the crew and whale sightings. Hope to see you again soon!
Dorian_B, Feb 2026
Amazing trip out on the water! It was wonderful to learn more about the humpbacks during our time on the boat and we got some really great shots of a mom and baby. Food was great, staff was amazing - outstanding experience overall!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the fantastic review! We're thrilled you enjoyed learning about the humpbacks and got some great shots. We're glad the food and staff made it even more memorable. Hope to see you again soon!
Joel_A, Feb 2026
Food and drinks are included! The crew was amazing and they would come and take our orders. We also got desert and so many whale sightings in February!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the great review! We're so glad you enjoyed the food, drinks, and incredible whale sightings. We hope to have you back for more amazing experiences!
Lisa_W, Feb 2026
Very friendly, knowledgeable accommodating crew!……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating crew. We’d love to welcome you back aboard soon!
MARCEL_V, Jan 2026
The crew (Ryan, Logan and Johanna) were organized and friendly. We saw a lot of whales and they moved the catamaran smoothly through the waters. The boat was clean and comfortable with room to move and follow the whales.
The food was nice and plentiful with excellent cocktails and drink options.
We appreciated the little kindnesses like cleaning our eyewear and the coconut macaroons. The only disappointment was Logan limited himself to one whale joke.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the crew, whales, food, and drinks. We’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to Logan, maybe next time he’ll bring out even more whale jokes!
Cheryl_D, Jan 2026
Excellent customer service, staff was very friendly. Did not see alot of whales or any quite close but the experience was delightful
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for choosing Ali'i Nui and sharing such kind words for our team, Cheryl! I'm sorry to hear that the local whales were feeling shy during your visit. We hope to welcome you back aboard for another chance to locate our marine friends!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Kady_T, Jan 2026
Worth it to be out on a catamaran eating breakfast on the Pacific Ocean. We saw whales and it was totally amazing.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahalo for the amazing review, Kady! Smooth sailing, good eats, and whales stopping by to say hello? Sounds like the perfect Maui morning and we're thrilled you agree!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
tburkart, Jan 2026
Staff on the ship were outstanding. Very service oriented and very attentive to every passenger. Food was good and the captain was able to find multiple areas where we saw whales. Overall, just an exceptional excursion!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience on our Catamaran Whale Watch! Our team takes great pride in showing guests the best of Maui out on the water and we love to hear about another job well done. We hope to see you sailing with Ali'i Nui again soon!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Jackie_T, Jan 2026
Crew was amazing. Boat was so smooth even in rough waters (from someone who deals with motion sickness). Would reccomend this to anyone who wants a whale watching trip. I would also take this trip again.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahalo for lovely review, Jackie! I'm thrilled to hear that our expert captain and top of the line vessel was able to make it a day of smooth sailing even with those pesky waves. We can't wait to welcome you back aboard!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Betsy_W, Jan 2026
This crew is the best at spotting whales, the boat was immaculate. They constantly worked to make our experience wonderful.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahalo for the lovely review, Betsy! We hope to see you sailing with Ali'i Nui again soon!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Shelly_A, Jan 2026
Fantastic. Great experience. Witnessed a lot of whales and a couple dolphins too. Knowledgeable crew
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahlo for choosing to sail with Ali'i Nui, Shelly! We hope to see you again on your next visit to Maui!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Abby_S, Apr 2025
We had a great experience whale watching, crew was attentive and fun and personable. Plenty of space on the boat and the views were gorgeous.
Response from Host, May 2025
Mahalo for sharing your experience on our Catamaran Whale Watch, Abby! I'm so happy to hear that we were able to end our whale season on a high note with wonderful guests and lots of breaches!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Christina_V, Apr 2025
Our experience on the Ali'i Nui luxury catamaran whale watch was truly unforgettable. From the moment we stepped aboard, everything felt top-notch and thoughtfully curated.
The light breakfast and drinks were fresh and delicious—just right for a morning on the water. The captain and his three crew members were outstanding: incredibly attentive, friendly, and eager to answer all of our questions. Their knowledge added so much to the experience.
We were lucky enough to see and hear a whale, which was absolutely thrilling. The crew gave us great insight into how whales travel throughout the Hawaiian Islands during mating season, which made it even more special.
The weather was sunny and clear, though it was quite windy—something we were prepared for. We were really glad we chose a morning tour, since the seas were calmer and it made spotting the whale spouts much easier.
Because we went toward the end of whale season, our group was small and the tour felt like a private charter. That intimate setting made the entire outing even more enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a luxurious, informative, and personal whale-watching experience, the Ali'i Nui tour is absolutely the way to go. We’d do it again in a heartbeat!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo nui loa for such kind words and taking the time to share this wonderful experience, Christina! Our Ali'i Nui team strives to provide a perfect experience on all of our sails and we truly could not ask for a better guest to appreciate their efforts. We're already looking forward to your next visit to Maui!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Cindy_M, Apr 2025
Beautiful boat and amazing service. We had a great day and the captain was determined to find whales - which he did!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo for sharing your experience on our Catamaran Whale Watch, Cindy! We hope to see you sailing with Ali'i Nui again soon!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Crystal_C, Apr 2025
We had a great time on the catamaran ride out to see whales! The crew was funny, knowledgeable, and hospitable. We had success seeing several whales and learning about them as we gazed. The food was delicious, too. I would recommend this trip to others!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo for sharing such a wonderful experience and the recommendation, Crystal! We truly appreciate you taking the time to appreciate our crew and their effort to create the perfect whale watching experience!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Larry_W, Apr 2025
We booked the Ali‘i Nui Luxury Catamaran Whale Watch for my wife, son, and daughter-in-law—and it was hands down one of the highlights of our time in Maui. From the moment we stepped aboard, we were met with exceptional courtesy, professionalism, and warm hospitality. The crew was attentive, informative, and clearly passionate about what they do.
The catamaran itself was pristine and luxurious, offering the perfect setting for whale watching. And yes—we saw whales! Multiple sightings, all breathtaking. The crew made sure everyone had a great view and shared knowledgeable commentary that made the experience even more enriching.
Thank you to the entire team for creating such a memorable outing for our family. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Mahalo for sharing such a wonderful experience, Larry! Viewing whales in their natural habitat is an absolute must-do when visiting Maui in the spring and we're glad you agree! We hope to see you again on your next visit for more amazing memories for the whole family!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Sarah_W, Feb 2025
It was a great adventure! We saw sooooo many whales!! The captain and crew were so awesome! Very friendly and knowledgeable. The food and drinks were ono!! Highly recommend!!!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Mahalo for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great adventure and got to see so many whales! It’s wonderful to know that the captain and crew made the experience even better with their friendly and knowledgeable service. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures soon! Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Charles_J, Feb 2025
Overall experience was very good! Crew was awesome! Enjoyed the hospitality. Would have liked to have gotten a little bit closer to the whales, but it was still a great experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Mahalo for your great review! We’re so glad to hear that you had a great experience with our crew and enjoyed the hospitality. We completely understand your wish to get a bit closer to the whales—it’s always such a thrill when they come close, and we’ll continue to do our best to get the best views possible. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure! Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Michael_K, Jan 2025
The parking situation was difficult to understand because: 1) the QR code was at the top of a 6-foot sign; 2) not everyone could reach up to the top to read/scan the QR code; and, 3) an image/map of the location of slip 56 would have been helpful.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Mahalo for sharing your feedback with us. We’re sorry to hear that the parking situation was confusing and difficult to navigate. We truly appreciate you pointing out the issue with the QR code placement and the lack of a clear map to slip 56. We’ll definitely take your suggestions into account as we look to improve the parking experience for future guests. We want every part of your visit to be as smooth as possible, and we value your input in helping us make that happen. Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Jack_A, Jan 2025
We took the Alli Nui catamaran in January for a 2 hour whale watching cruise. It started at 8:00 am out of Maalea Harbor. We had about 20 people but plenty of room for everybody. The captain and staff were first class. And plenty of whales were seen. Saw a couple of very nice breeches. Great experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience on our Catamaran Whale Watch, Jack! It truly is hard to find a better way to spend a day on Maui than out on the water with a drink in hand viewing our local marine friends and we're glad you agree!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Steven_F, Jan 2025
Food was excellent and service was top notch. All shipmates were extremely courteous. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for the kind words and 5 stars, Steven! We would love to have you back out on the water with the Ali'i Nui crew on your next visit to Maui!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Asha_A, Jan 2025
This is a super fun booze cruise style whale watching. The captian and crew are fantastic. The bartender mixes very tasty cocktails
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for choosing to sail with Ali'i Nui, Asha! Truly no better way to view our local whale pods than on Ali'i Kai with a drink in hand and we're glad you agree!
Mahalo nui loa & a hui hou kakou!
(Thank you very much & until we meet again!)
Sheree_S, Mar 2024
Whales were literally surrounding our boat and performing fluke slaps about 59 yards from us! Great cruise!!
Jeff_G, Jan 2024
The Captain and the crew were great. They were very informative and very attentive. They would bring you drinks and take your dishes. One guy even came around and cleaned our sun glasses. The food was delicious and afterwards they brought us a mint wet towel to clean up and cool off. Most importantly we saw a lot of whales, sometimes , they would pop up super close to the boat. The Captain was really careful to keep his distance and follow the laws of the whales.
From $119.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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