Maui to Lanai: Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Eco-Raft Tour

Pushing off from Lahaina toward Lanai's hidden reefs and dolphins

You board a low-slung raft in Lahaina, cross to Lanai's remote reefs where dolphins surface at arm's reach, and snorkel with certified lifeguards teaching you how to breathe underwater. Breakfast, gear, and marine education are included. You choose between five hours of snorkeling or two hours of dolphin watching only. Small groups mean you're not competing for space or the guide's attention.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lanai Eco-Raft Snorkel and Dolphin Tour

• Drive from Maui to Lahaina
• Board semi-private eco-raft vessel
• Enjoy breakfast with pastries and fruit
• Snorkel at remote Lanai spots
• Receive snorkel instruction from lifeguards
• Watch dolphins and marine life
• Enjoy snacks and beverages onboard
• Return to Maui departure point

The experience

The raft cuts across the channel between Maui and Lanai with the kind of speed that makes the spray feel purposeful. You're in one of Maui's only semi-private eco-rafts: small enough that it feels like a charter, but with three certified lifeguards onboard who know exactly where the dolphins congregate and which snorkel spots work for beginners. The boat itself sits low to the water, which is the whole point: dolphins surface at eye level, not as distant shapes on the horizon. Breakfast comes early (sweet pastries, fresh pineapple, watermelon) eaten while the crew points out the sea cliffs and explains what you're about to see.

Once you reach Lanai, the snorkel instruction starts before you get in the water. The lifeguards walk through mask fit, breathing, and what to do if you panic (spoiler: you won't, because they've done this for over thirty years). The snorkel spots are remote enough that you'll see tropical fish most tourists miss, and if you're lucky, turtles. The gear (snorkel, mask, fins, flotation device) is all there. You show up with a swimsuit and sunscreen. If snorkeling isn't your thing, there's a two-hour dolphin-watch-only option that skips the water entirely but keeps the marine education and the same close encounters. The tour runs year-round, though from December to April it shifts to a four-hour combo that adds whale watching when they migrate through.

Pickup is a short drive from Kaanapali or Kapalua if you're staying on the west side. If you're down in Kihei or Wailea, it's a longer but manageable drive to Lahaina where the boat launches. The whole thing (whether you choose the five-hour snorkel tour or the two-hour dolphin watch) includes food, water, green tea, and the kind of crew that actually knows the ocean they're taking you into. Native Hawaiian owned and voted the Traveler's Choice, it's the kind of outfit that doesn't need to oversell itself.

What’s included

• Your tour includes snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins, and flotation device on snorkel tours), snorkel instruction by certified lifeguards, breakfast of sweet pastries and fresh fruit, snacks of chips and homemade cookies, beverages of soda, green tea, and water, and marine naturalist narration throughout.
• The raft operates with three certified lifeguards onboard and uses eco-friendly paper cups.
• A two-hour dolphin-watch option includes breakfast, snacks, beverages, and marine education but excludes snorkel gear and instruction.

Options for this experience

5 options

2-Hour Dolphin and Sightseeing TourGuide in English · 08:30 and 11:00Sightseeing only, no snorkeling: enjoy an ocean adventure without getting wet. Sightsee and see marine life without snorkeling. 2-hour tour. Duration: 2 hours. This is a 2-hour dolphin watch and sightseeing tour with no in-water activities or snorkeling. Please check in 30 minutes before your tour. Snacks and beverages: fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water. 2-hour dolphin watch (no snorkel): 2 hours of sightseeing and marine encounters without getting wet. No snorkeling; dolphin sightings vary and are not guaranteed.

4-Hour Snorkel and Whale WatchGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 07:00Whale watching and snorkel: rather than a snorkel stop, this raft snorkel tour includes whale watching. Breakfast, snacks and beverages. Duration: 4 hours. Check in at least 30 minutes before departure. The boat always leaves on time, and boarding closes 15 minutes prior. Light breakfast and snacks: sweet pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water. Small raft vessel: small group rafting tour on a raft sitting low to the water, with a smooth ride, shade and bench seating. Combo tour snorkel and whale watch: this snorkel includes 1 snorkel stop and whale watching. VESSEL: small raft vessel.

5-Hour Lanai Snorkel and Whale WatchGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Snorkel and whale watch: this tour adds whale watching to 1-2 snorkel stops over a 5-hour outing on our eco-raft. Light breakfast and snacks: sweet pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water. ECO-RAFT: 5-hour semi-private snorkel adventure aboard our small group raft vessel, with a comfortable ride and shade. Combo snorkel and whale watch: this snorkel includes 1-2 snorkel stops plus whale watching. VESSEL: small raft vessel.

See 2 more options

5-Hour Lanai Snorkel and DolphinsGuide in English · 07:00Snorkel and dolphins: this tour features 2-3 snorkel stops and dolphin watching, with an extra hour for ocean exploring. Duration: 5 hours. Please check in 30 minutes before your tour, or you will miss boarding the boat. Breakfast and snacks: sweet pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, green tea and water. RAFT: 5-hour semi-private snorkel adventure to Lanai aboard our small group raft vessel, with a comfortable ride and shade.

5-Hour Lanai Snorkel with LunchGuide in English · 07:00Snorkel and dolphins with lunch: this tour features 2-3 snorkel stops and dolphin watching, with an extra hour for ocean exploring, plus lunch wraps. Duration: 5 hours. Please check in 30 minutes before your tour, or you will miss boarding the boat. Lunch wrap add-on: sweet pastries, fresh fruit, cookies, chips and soda, and a choice of Chicken Caesar, Ham with BLT, or Vegetarian Falafel wrap. RAFT: 5-hour semi-private snorkel adventure to Lanai aboard our small group raft vessel, with a comfortable ride and shade. Lunch addition: lunch wrap orders must be placed at least 24 hours before the tour start time. Bookings made within 24 hours will not include lunch.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 07:00, 08:30 and 11:00, from US$ 96.52 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Saturday: 07:00, 08:30 and 11:00Sunday: 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 151 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hawaii Ocean Rafting

Is this one for you?Right for families and first-time snorkelers who want dolphins without the hassle of renting gear or learning on their own: the lifeguards handle instruction and safety. Plan for a full morning or afternoon out. The five-hour snorkel tour and the four-hour winter combo are what let you reach Lanai's remote spots and see dolphins at eye level.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need snorkel experience to join?

No. Certified lifeguards provide instruction before you enter the water, and the snorkel spots are beginner-friendly. Flotation devices are included.

How often do you see dolphins?

The tour encounters dolphins on almost every trip. From December to April, whales migrate through the channel and are often visible as well.

What's included in the price?

Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins, flotation device), snorkel instruction, breakfast (pastry and fresh fruit), snacks (chips and cookies), and beverages (soda, green tea, water). A two-hour dolphin-watch option includes breakfast, snacks, beverages, and marine education but no snorkel gear.

How long is the drive from my hotel?

From Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, or Kapalua, it's a short drive to Lahaina where the boat launches. From Kihei or Wailea, expect a longer drive but it's still manageable for a morning departure.

Can I do this if I don't want to snorkel?

Yes. The two-hour dolphin-watch tour is snorkel-free. You stay on the raft and watch dolphins and whales (Dec-April) with marine education from the crew.

What's the physical requirement to join?

You must be able to board the raft unassisted and climb a swim ladder. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. Children must be at least 4 years old.

What if I have a food allergy?

Notify the tour operator in advance and bring any required medication. Food is prepared onboard and may contain or contact gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, soy, eggs, dairy, and wheat. Consult a physician if you have severe allergies.

Can I wear a full-face snorkel mask?

No. Full-face masks are not permitted per Coast Guard safety regulations.