Overview
Eye-level whale watching (or summer time dolphin watching) onboard our low-to-water small group zodiac rafts.
Native Hawaiian owned and voted Trip Advisors Traveler's Choice, Hawaii Ocean Rafting has been Maui’s original ocean rafting experience for more than 30 years.
Our small group tours make for a fun, family style whale watch experience. Although whales are protected in Hawaii, they often approach our small boats for closer and eye level whale encounters. *Wildlife sighting's vary in the wild.
Search for dolphins (summer months) early season whales (Nov & May) and sightsee on this tour in the off season.
A low-to-water zodiac boat puts you close to the ocean’s surface for eye-level wildlife encounters and a eco-friendly adventure.
We are located in Lahaina, Maui, just a short drive from Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua and other West Maui accommodations. And a fun destination for visitors staying in Kihei or Wailea.
No pregnant persons or children under 3
Packages & Options
Popular Whale Watch RAFT
Duration: 2 hours Water onboard 2 Hour Raft Tour Popular Times: 2 Hour Eye-Level Whale Watch. Vessel: Raft - Guarantee whale sighting or go again for free!
4 Hour Snorkel + Whale Watch
Snorkel & Whale Watch: In addition to a snorkel stop, whale watching will be included in this snorkel tour by RAFT. Duration: 4 hours: Check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. The boat always departs on time and boarding is 15 minutes prior. Light Breakfast & Snacks: Sweet Pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water Small RAFT Vessel : Small group rafting tour. Raft is low to water, smooth ride, shade and bench style seating. Combo Snorkel + Whale Watch : This snorkel will include 1 snorkel stop and whale watching!
5 Hour Snorkel & Dolphin Watch
Snorkeling: This snorkel and dolphin search tour takes you from Maui to the neighbor island of Lanai to snorkel and search of dolphins. Duration: 5 hours: Includes snorkeling 2 stops, searching for dolphins, marine education, snorkel instruction, gear, breakfast and snacks! Breakfast and Snacks: Tour includes breakfast of pastries and fruit and snacks are Maui style potato chips and cookies. Soda, green tea, water. Hawaiian-owned local business: Mahalo for supporting our small Lahaina Hawaiian-owned eco-tour company!
90 Min. Whale Watch RAFT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes: Always check in 30 min-prior to your tour or you will miss boarding your boat. Water onboard 90 Min. Raft Tour : Whale activity & experience are the same, just a shorter duration of 90 Min. Vessel: RAFT Guarantee sighting or go again!
2HR Whale/Dolphin Search Tour
From: $97
Search for Dolphins & Whales: Search for dolphins and early/end of season whales (whale season is December 1 - April 15 . Sightings vary, not guaranteed. Duration: 2 hours: Always check in 30 min-prior to your tour or you will miss boarding your boat. 2 Hour Dolphin/Whale Search Sightsee Boat Tour Snacks & Beverages: Snacks and soda, green tea and water Early/End Season Whale Search : Search for dolphins (year-round) and early/end season whales (Nov/April/May). No in-water activity, sightsee from the boat!
Preferred Whale Watch RAFT
Duration: 2 hours: Always check in 30 min-prior to your tour or you will miss boarding your boat. Water onboard Preferred Time Raft: The time does not impact whale activity. It is a preferred time for guest's schedules. Guarantee whale sighting or go FREE!
5 Hour Snorkel + Whale Watch
Snorkel + Whale Watching: In addition to snorkeling 1-2 snorkel stops, this tour includes whale watching! Duration: 5 hours: 5 Hours typically includes 1-2 snorkel stops to Lanai and whale watching on our eco-raft Light Breakfast & Snacks: Sweet Pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water ECO-RAFT: 5HR Semi-Private Adventure Snorkel onboard our small group Raft Vessel. Small group, comfort ride, shade. Combo Snorkel + Whale Watch: This snorkel will include 1-2 snorkel stops and whale watching! VESSEL: Small Raft vessel.
2HR Dolphin (only) Watch Tour
Dolphin Watching Only: Seasonal (May-November) Dolphin watch & sightsee tour. Dolphin sighting vary, not guaranteed. Duration: 2 hours: Always check in 30 min-prior to your tour or you will miss boarding your boat. 2 Hour Dolphin Watch and Sightseeing Boat Tour Snacks and Beverages: Snacks and soda, green tea and water Summer Dolphin Watching Tour: Watch dolphins from our eco-raft during the summer months. No in-water or whales, sightsee from the comfort of the boat! 2HRS
Itinerary
Join Maui's only Hawaiian Owned eye-level Whale Watching and Dolphin Search Tours onboard our low-to-water small group eco-rafts.
Avoid the crowds and enjoy comfortable seating in a small group with spectacular views of Hawaii’s humpback whales or Maui's friendly dolphins.
December- April: The Humpback Whale returns to the warm Hawaiian waters every year during the winter months for their mating and calving season.
Although whales are protected in Hawaii and we do not approach them closer than federal regulations, they often approach our small rafts for those up close and eye-level whale encounters.
The type of encounters vary in the wild.
May-November: Dolphins are spotted year-round and our eco-rafts also provide eye-level encounters.
November we begin our search for early whales.
Your tour includes a full narration of interesting whale / dolphin and Maui facts by our naturalist, listening to whale songs on a hydrophone and lots of photo ops! *Our small locally native owned eco-company is excited to share Maui's wildlife with you!* Departures from Lahaina- arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time so you don't miss boarding your boat!
No pregnant person allowed
What's Included
Inclusions
- Plan to get wet! This is a low to water boat- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.
- Dolphin Tour includes snacks and beverages
- Hydrophone to listen to whale songs
- Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
- *Type of encounters vary in the wild- Up close sightings not guaranteed
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected)
- Tour Operator: Hawaii Ocean Rafting
- Available shade varies on boat. Please bring sun protection: hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen
- Marine Naturalist Narration
Exclusions
- 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 & Logistics
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.
Meeting Point
Hawaii
Special Instructions
See you soon for your eco-raft tour! Check-in: ARRIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE to ensure ample time for check-in and safety briefings. Boats leave promptly at their scheduled time. If you arrive later than 30 minutes prior to departure you will miss the escort to the boarding location. No refunds for late arrivals. Location: 1223 Front Street, next to Snorkel Bobs. Parking is available on Front Street or near Lahaina Cannery Mall.  Activity Inclusions: Please reference your booking for activity inclusions. Whale watching is offered during migration from December-April. Whale search in November and April/May. Dolphin Search Tours are May-November. What to Bring: Sunglasses, hat and reef safe (rub-on) sunscreen for sun protection. Wear footwear easy to take off for a barefoot cruise. Refillable water bottle to help us be more eco-conscious! (we have cups and purified water onboard too). Weather: Our tours often operate in light rain and wind. This is an adventure raft so plan to get wet! Please store items in waterproof bags. Restrictions: Due to style of vessel, tour does not permit pregnant persons, persons with back or neck injuries or children under 3 years. Guests are required to have the physical ability to board the raft unassisted. Cancellations: Tours are subject to change anytime by HIOCR due to weather, operations and capacity.
Photos
Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina Photos
View more images from this activity before choosing your date.
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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 Epi Pen). 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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
