2-Hour Whale Watch from Lahaina Harbor, Maui: 30 years of trusted expertise

Breaches, tail slaps and whale songs through an underwater microphone

A 2-hour whale watching tour from Lahaina Harbor on Maui's west coast, where you board a spacious multi-level vessel to watch humpback whales in the Au'au Channel. The captain and crew explain what you're seeing (breaches, fluking, tail slaps), and an onboard hydrophone lets you hear the whales' songs underwater. Check in 30 minutes before departure at the lighthouse.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching tour from Lahaina Harbor

• Depart from Lahaina Harbor
• Explore Au'au Channel waters
• Observe humpback whales breaching
• Hear whale songs via hydrophone
• Return to Lahaina Harbor

The experience

The tour departs from Lahaina Harbor, the oldest and most iconic harbor in the Hawaiian islands, located on Maui's sunny west coast. You'll board a multi-level vessel designed to give every passenger uninterrupted panoramic viewing, with a shaded main cabin featuring oceanic windows and outdoor viewing decks where whale activity is often clearest. The boat carries a maximum of 80 passengers, which means more space to move around than on larger vessels.

Once in the Au'au Channel (one of the world's premier humpback whale watching locations), the expert captain and experienced crew point out the whales' behavior: breaches, tail slaps, fluking and more. A unique feature of this tour is the underwater hydrophone mounted on the boat, which lets you hear the whales' bellowing songs in real time as they move beneath the surface. The crew shares local knowledge about humpback migration and whale behavior throughout the two hours on the water.

Bring your own snacks and beverages if you prefer, or purchase them onboard along with gifts and retail items. The vessel is equipped with a marine bathroom and is wheelchair accessible. Dress for breezy on-the-water conditions and wear sunscreen. A hat with a secure strap is practical. Arrive at least 30 minutes early and look for crew members in blue Hawaii Ocean Project shirts at the lighthouse. Boarding closes five minutes before departure, and the boat leaves promptly to keep return times on schedule.

What’s included

• Two-hour tour on a multi-level vessel with panoramic viewing.
• shaded main cabin with oceanic windows and outdoor viewing decks.
• expert captain and experienced crew.
• underwater hydrophone to hear whale songs.
• local knowledge about humpback whale behavior.
• marine bathroom onboard.
• your own snacks and beverages welcome, or purchase them aboard.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:15 and 12:15Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 80

Live guideEnglish

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

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 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lahaina Cruise Company / Hawaii Ocean Project

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon on Maui during humpback whale season and want to see them from a smaller vessel with more elbow room than the standard tour boats. The hydrophone and the crew's real-time explanation of what you're watching make the difference between spotting whales and understanding what you're seeing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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.

When is the best time to see humpback whales on a Maui tour?

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters seasonally, and this tour is a must-do when they're present. Tours book up quickly during migration season, so advance booking is essential if you're visiting Maui during that window.

What will I actually hear through the underwater hydrophone?

The hydrophone picks up the humpback whales' bellowing songs as they move beneath the boat. You'll hear these vocalizations in real time, which is one of the distinctive features of this particular tour.

Can I bring my own food and drinks on the whale watch?

Yes, Hawaii Ocean Project is one of the few whale watching vessels that allow you to bring your own snacks and beverages. The boat also sells snacks, beverages and retail items if you prefer to purchase onboard.

How much space will I have on the boat?

The vessel is capped at 80 passengers, even though it's Coast Guard certified for 145. The reduced capacity means more room to move around and better sightlines from both the shaded cabin and the outdoor viewing decks.

What do I need to bring or wear for the tour?

Wear sunscreen and dress for breezy on-the-water conditions. Bring a hat with a secure strap and secure any loose belongings. Check in at the lighthouse 30 minutes before departure with a valid ID, which you'll need to provide to crew members.