An Absolute Must-Do in Maui! March 6, 2026 Our morning trip with Makai Adventures was easily the highlight of our vacation! If you are looking for an intimate, high-quality whale watching experience, look no further. The Boat The vessel is fantastic. It's an inflatable-style boat, but don't let that fool you--it was incredibly stable on the water. It seats about 20 people, so it feels personalized rather than crowded. Most of the seats are shaded, which was a huge plus for staying comfortable in the sun while we scanned the horizon. The Crew A massive shout-out to our captain and naturalist Levi & Travis! They were the perfect duo: Safety-First: We felt totally secure and well-cared for the entire time. Informative & Funny: We learned so much about whale behavior, and their humor kept the energy high and the vibes great. Genuine Kindness: You can tell they truly love what they do. The Whales The wildlife did not disappoint! Since we went out in the morning, the water was beautiful, and we saw so many whales. We spent the entire trip watching them breach and splash around. It was a non-stop show of tail flukes and massive splashes. Thank you, Makai Adventures, for such an awesome and unforgettable adventure. We will definitely be back! read more

Makai Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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We booked last minute, but are so glad we decided to do it! The crew (Levi and Allison) were fantastic - very knowledgeable, made it really fun and light with jokes, and were kind in letting us move around to see an up close encounter. We have recommended them to others and will book with them again if we come back during whale watching season. read more

Great trip except for the rain the first 20-30 minutes. We got soaked speeding towards Olawalu but it let up just in time for some phenomenal whale sightings. We probably saw about 15 whales up close and another 30 or more breaching in the distance. The crew was very informative, caring, and as excited about seeing whales as we were. With so many sightings 2 hours went by real quick and we were sad it was over. Would use Makai Adventures again the next time we come back. One minor thing should be added to their web/advertising: advise people to bring hats and a waterproof windbreaker just in case it's raining. read more

Thank you Dani and Levi for a wonderful whale watching experience! Small group ( less than 20) were aboard. I liked that there was a tarp like cover to sit under to avoid the direct sunlight. We saw several sightings of whales, Levi maneuvered the boat and seemed to know spots of where the whales were. First time whale watching, it was a blast!! Definitely recommend Makai adventures, met the owner Eva who checked us in. She was very attentive, even trying to rebook people since the next 2 days the weather is supposed to be wonky. Easy to find, plenty of parking , highly recommend Makai adventures!! read more

January 18, 2026 - we had such a good time on January 13 that we booked again, yes, twice within a week. This time we were with Kersten and Travis and they also were knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. Unbelievably, this time we saw groups of male whales, competing for eight female or females. There were no less than seven whales swimming in a huge circle around our boat. It was truly an amazing experience as they were within 10 feet and you could hear them exhale and smell them as well. The boat was unbelievably smooth and stable. read more

Wildlife viewing is never a guarantee. At peak season though, it's a fair chance. Makai gives guarantees meaning if you don't see a whale they will let you go on another trip free of charge We went on a day which was super windy. Our captain was very handy with the boat. Thank god! It's a fun ride :) Couple of things - They have boarding zones (by party) which eliminates rush and people who like to cut lines and be rash for no reason They only take 20 people which is a good thing. You don't want to fight with people on a moving boat for a view. The boat has shaded and open areas. Take your pick! Finally, it's small enough to have a good time but large enough to be sturdy. It goes very fast so you might feel the adrenaline :) Remember to not wear anything lose cos it will fly away. Only warning - the boat, if windy, will keep Moving and zooming in may lead to missing whales and getting the steel rails instead. Don't zoom; crop later We say 7 whales and three additional spouts (?) Finally, park at the Cannery and walk to the Mala boat ramp. Keep Some time for parking. Ok, last one I promise, after the experience there's a beach right next to it :) read more

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Loved our experience with Travis and Dani! We went on the sunrise whale watching tour and it was unforgettable. The boat is only 1 month old, super clean, and great for a small whale watching group (any seat is a great seat!). We saw several breaching whales and on the way back to the harbor at the end, a whale came up and greeted us. Would definitely do this again :) read more

Everything was phenomenal! Clear instructions, friendly and informative crew. New boat, we were surrounded by whales. Crew was exceptionally focused on our total experience. From the time we arrived to the time we left, they were well prepared and organized. read more

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Alison and Levi were great. The tour was fantastic and they worked hard to get us to whales

I decided to take a last minute excursion to see some whales and it was one of the best parts of my trip. On our 2 hour trip we got to see multiple breaching baby whales, listen to the whale songs, and learn about Hawaiian geography. There were other tour boats in the waters but ours always seemed to get to the action first. Our guides Keaou and Kerstin were full of whale puns, energy, and facts. The boat was very comfortable with plenty of room. Shaded seats were available in the back and unshaded spots with wide open views available in the front. read more

We had a great time on our whale watching trip this week! The crew was great and we saw a lot of breeches in the distance. Loved it and would go again! read more

Makai Adventures - Boat - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Makai Adventures is Maui's Ultimate Whale Watching Experience! It's whale watching season in Maui Nui, part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, where these gentle giants are protected in their natural paradise. Our expert captains, Noah & Allison, shared that over 10,000 humpback whales migrate from the icy Alaskan waters every year to spend winter in Hawai'i's warm embrace. And since this is their destination, they spend most of their time at the surface--giving us front-row seats to the magic! We also learned that in Hawaiian culture, these incredible creatures are called Kohola, and many are born right here in Hawai'i--returning throughout their lives to breed and give birth. And the absolute highlight? We got to hear them sing with the onboard hydrophone! A surreal, unforgettable experience! If you're in Maui, add this to your bucket list! #makaiAdventures #WhaleWatching #MauiNui #HumpbackMagic #KoholaLove #BucketListMoments read more

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Best Ever! Iwa and her team were top notch from start to finish. We got the best views of the whales and their culture in 50 years living on the beach in Hawaii. read more

Really nice experience. Travis and Micah were very informative. We saw a ton of whales read more

Wow wow wow!! What a spectacular experience! Beautiful boat with plenty of room to view the whales! Very impressed by Captain Allison and first mate Levi! I live on Maui and have done many boat tours. This one is top notch! read more

What an amazing trip with Makai Adventures! Eva, Travis, and Dani were wonderful and we all got to see whales! This was a bucketlist item for me and I sure picked the right company to use. Don't miss it, the smaller boats are the best and this boat is brand new and has it all. read more

Makai Adventures - The new boat, first voyage out. - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Amazing views and knowledgeable staff! Levi and Allison are the best. Beautiful afternoon in Maui!! Saw males, females, moms and babies!! read more

Amazing day whale watching with Makai Adventures. Travis and Levi our 2 guides on the boat were awesome - very informative and Travis led us to a Competition group of 5-6 males vying for the attention of the Female and it was a blast. Highly recommend Makai Adventures for Whale watching, snorkeling and any water activity they do. read more

Yes another review for my favourite whale watching company, Makai Adventures! Hubbs and I went out on their special Whale Tales tour and had a fantastic time. Levi was entertaining and kept the boat calm so I didn't feel sea sick, free cool water was available, and there are plastic tubs under the seats so your belongings don't get wet. Make sure you wear a rash shirt, hat and sunglasses, gaiter, and put sunscreen on your feet as you have to take your shoes off before going onboard. Have your camera ready and binoculars are helpful too. Then sit back and relax and enjoy sharing our Maui whale community, mums, calves and escorts :) So many calves this season, such a lovely sight to see a calf learning to breach! Do yourself a favour and book up with this company in Lahaina Harbor, slip 16, and park at the free parking lot on Prison Street. read more

Can I give more than 5 stars? Noah and Allison took a huge group of us (14 people) out to look for whales, and did not disappoint. We got to see competition pods, tail flips, and a baby! Allison lowered a mic into the water so we could hear the whales talking to each other and then told us the working theory about why the males are so chatty. We were able to get so close that we saw the barnacles on one male's nose. They answered our curious child's million questions and then solicited more, and took good care of a passenger who suffered from motion sickness. We had a phenomenal two hours and recommend Makai Adventures whole heartedly. The small group tour is the only way to go if you want to learn about the creatures you're seeing, and Noah and Allison are great guides. read more

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Another spectacular whale watching season with Makai Adventures! We have always had a great experience from the booking process to the excursion. The new boat is comfortable and everyone has a great view. They get to where the action is quickly. Captains Elijah, Kerstin, Levi, Travis, Keao and of course Noah were great as always. Crew Allison, Sylwia, and Tiffany were very helpful to all and super informative about the whales. They work hard to make it a great experience. Make sure to arrive early to give yourself time to park. Don't forget the sunscreen. Every tour is a new adventure where you can see so many different activities. If you want to see everything, take advantage of their return discount. So many great photos and videos, didn't have time to process. Thanks Iwa and Keao!! See you next year read more

Makai Adventures - Baby breeching - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

The boat is small enough that everyone can see the whales without moving around from side to side. The crew is dedicated to finding "active" whales. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. We saw mothers and babies, a competition pod, and heard the whale song underneath us. I only go whale watching with Makai. Year after year. read more

We completed the 9:00 am whale watching tour and loved it! We saw tons of whales doing all sort of different things! Would definitely recommend! Just some things I found difficult to find or not listed: there is some limited parking at Mala wharf or you can park at Cannary mall and walk, about an 8 minute walk. Both free. There is also restrooms located at mala wharf. Would definitely recommend applying sunscreen before as the shade on hot days is limited. Also, be sure to bring your own water on board as it is not provided. read more

We come here every year around the holidays and always go whale watching. Decided to try Makai versus other vendors in the area and glad we did. The boat was comfortable, the crew was personable and funny, and whales whales whales oh my. Highly recommend. read more

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All star crew, so knowledgeable about the whales and the islands. We had a great time and saw many whales in various stages. Can't wait to do this again! read more

Travis and Allison were amazing- very knowledgeable and made the 2 hours very enjoyable- I plan on signing up with them next time

We did the early morning whale watching tour and it was amazing! We seen lots of whales and seen one fully breach! Levi and Dani were amazing! They were knowledgeable and very attentive! We had the best time! read more

Kerstin and her crew were absolutely amazing! From helping us find the most amazing sea-life to treating us with so much ALOHA - I am not sure you could find a better way to spend an afternoon in Maui! read more

We had such a nice whale watch yesterday!! We saw the cutest little calf jumping around. The boat was really nice and the crew was great. My husband was super sea sick but the rest of us were fine! It was a special trip! read more

Had a wonderful time on Makai Adventures whale watching cruise. We saw multiple whales, both a calf and adults, and got to experience the awe of seeing them do tail slaps and breaching the surface. We loved being on a smaller boat rather than a huge tour, and the crew did a great job explaining the whale behavior and migration patterns. Highly recommended! read more

Fun fun fun. We got to see the whales as we were hoping to see even though it was end of season. The boat ride was fun. The vessel was just small enough to be fast to catch up to a whale and sturdy enough to feel safe. Capt Kevin and Jenna was very knowledgeable and experienced. We felt safe in their hands. We chased after the whales and saw quite a bit of them breaching! Great experience and would totally do it again! read more

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Sergio and Laney were our guides and they were fantastic! We saw lots of whales and had an EXCELLENT time. Definitely a must not miss for anyone in the are! read more

Makai Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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Great tour and guides! We saw a lot of whales and enjoyed the boat! highly recommend!

Fabulous time once again on Makai Adventures whale watching tour. Plenty of seating and they position the boat for the best possible views for all. We will book more whale tours with them before leaving the island! read more

Makai Adventures - Captured this one breach in front of the boat. It was a lucky shot and an amazing memory! - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Awesome crew and adventure. The BEST I have ever been on. Thank you Sylvia and Noah for an experience of a lifetime. Your narrative and information were excellent. You found the spot and boy did we see a beautiful, spectacular show of whales. read more

Sergio and Gina gave us a fantastic whale watching tour. Paid for parking a couple blocks away, easily found Slip #16 and got signed in and temperature checked. Waited a bit, boarded the boat, then headed out to open waters. Sergio and Gina easily found lots of whales for us to see. They had a long telescoping GoPro stick for us to use, allowing us to get some underwater shots. Just before pulling back into port, they put a mic in the water and we were able to hear the whales singing. Highly recommend Makai Adventures! Don't forget to tip! read more

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This was our second whale watching experience with Makai Adventures. Both were super fun! Allison and Paul took us out yesterday and we saw so many whales, a couple even swam right under the boat. It was absolutely spectacular! We highly recommend! read more

Makai Adventures - Makai Adventures - Mama & Baby - March 2023 - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Yay, they are open again! This is a company owned and operated by a young husband and wife who lost one of their two boats and their home in the Lahaina fire. Monday was their first day back in business as they acquired a new boat and what a wonderful time we had out in the ocean whale watching. This company really cares and needs everyone support. So if you're coming to Maui don't hesitate to plan an adventure with them. read more

Makai Adventures - Whale watching - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

What a great time. Saw several whales.... Mother, baby and big daddy whales. We also saw a handful of dolphins right by our boat. They were feeding and swimming all around us. The staff is awesome. Fun, smart and entertaining. I would definitely go again with Makai Adventures. read more

Makai Adventures - Chasing' the Tail! - Boat Charters Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Amazing snorkeling trip Patrick and Lainey were amazing guides Helped my autistic son out a little, he was blown away and still talking about the day. My ocean fearing wife actually was able to get in and see something she's never seen and got a little more confident in the ocean. This was the best adventure of our 10 day trip to Maui. Smaller boat, moves faster, get more time in the water, good lunch too. Great people amazing trip, so unbelievably beautiful and definitely recommend over the larger packed boats. Just do this, money well spent. Mahalo to the crew and the owners No Ka Oi read more