What to do and see in Lahaina, Hawaii (HI): The Best Dolphin & Whale Watching

September 22, 2021 Alice Mieles

Lahaina, the former Hawaiian capital, was the center of the global whaling trade, and its Historic District is a National Historic Landmark. Traditional Hawaiian luaus, surf lessons and tours on horseback are fun, but let’s be realistic—you wouldn’t be in Hawaii if you didn’t want to go to the beach. Try Ka’anapali Beach, one of Maui’s best.
Restaurants in Lahaina

1. Sail Maui

Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,750 reviews

Sail Maui

Paragon Sailing Charters is a premier catamaran company on the island of Maui. We offer performance sailing, Molokini Snorkeling, Lana’i beach picnic sails, Coral Gardens, Lahaina Sunset excursions and private charters. We pride ourselves on our commitment to customer service, catering to the visitors of Maui for over 20 years. Green Sea Turtles, Manta Rays, dolphins and exotic tropical fish are just a few of the wonderful creatures you will see on our Maui activities. We depart daily from Lahaina Harbor and Maalaea Harbor on our exceptional sailing catamarans; Paragon, Paragon II & 'Alihilani.

2. Sea Maui

Excellent
89%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 654 reviews

Sea Maui

Sea Maui operates 2 sailing catamarans directly from Ka'anapali Beach. Offering world class snorkeling, sunset sailing, whale watching, private charters and more! Voted "Maui's Best Boat Tour" 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2020!

3. Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel

Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,265 reviews

Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel

We're honored to be TripAdvisors Travelers' Choice Award Winners for small group ocean eco-rafting tours in Maui since 1982! Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel invites you to share encounters with whales, dolphins and turtles and snorkel the island of Lanai! Our rafting vessels host 6-26 guests per trip and includes marine naturalist guides, creating a fun, educational and uncrowded experience! The low to water style vessel offers eye-level encounters and a fun boating adventure! We're stoked to have been featured on National Geographic, the Travel Channel, HGTV, Hawaii Magazine and ABC’s Good Morning America and thanks to our ohana’s feedback we have been recognized for Tripadvisor Hall of Fame for the past 5 years! Every ticket supports our volunteer efforts as NOAA first responders to entangled whales as well as our research partners at U.H. Cascadia, SCRIPPS, HAMER, Whale Trust, Keiki Kohola, NOAA, CETOS, NASA and many others. We can't wait to share Maui's ocean with you!

4. Hawaii Ocean Rafting

Excellent
91%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,201 reviews

Hawaii Ocean Rafting

This trip will be the highlight of your vacation! See dolphins, coral reefs, sea turtles, tropical fish, and more on this eco snorkel adventure. Departing daily from Lahaina. Intimate snorkeling and whale watching tours. Climb aboard our ocean rafts and spend the day snorkeling the crystal clear waters surrounding the islands of Maui and Lana’i. We encounter the Spinner Dolphins quite often on our excursions. We’ll spend time interacting with them as they frolic in the water. Skip the over-crowded snorkeling tours that can only take you to the well-known spots. Instead, opt for an ocean rafting adventure where we go to the hidden spots so you can snorkel Maui's pristine waters. Continental breakfast, snack and cold drinks served throughout the day. Snorkel gear provided. Departs daily from slip #8 Lahaina Harbor. Whale Watching tours from December through April from Maui, Hawaii.

5. Captain Woody's

Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 277 reviews

Captain Woody's

Aloha!! Come see the beauty of Maui from the water with Captain Woody's, the Original Private Charter boat in Maui!! Captain Woody has been in business in Maui for over 20+ years and would love for you to join him on what will be the highlight of your vacation!!! Captain Woody offers private charters for up to 6 passengers, so beat the crowds and make it a special day for your group!! On your private charter Captain Woody caters to your every need and lets you decide what you would like to do for the day, whether it be snorkeling with hundreds of tropical fish, ancient green sea turtles, eels, and other sea creatures, fishing, looking for dolphins, whale watching, or just enjoying the natural beauty of Maui from the water.

6. Kaha Loa Charters

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 95 reviews

Kaha Loa Charters

Maui's Premier Private charter operation. Maximum of 6 passengers. We depart from Mala Wharf, Lahaina. We specialize in exclusive private charters onboard the luxurious 26' Glacier Bay power catamaran, "Kaha Loa". Snorkel Maui's and Lanai's finest reefs in privacy and solitude. We go where the others aren't. Every trip is designed by you the client. Snorkeling, whale watching, fishing and diving.

7. Makai Adventures

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,272 reviews

Makai Adventures

Makai Adventures provides ocean day trips and tours in Lahaina, Maui. Experience small group or private tours such as Maui whale watching, snorkeling, dolphin tours, bottom fishing, and exclusive private charters with the best local guides. Unlike large whale watching and boat tour agencies that are big and impersonal, we are your local guide and only take small groups to our favorite places. As a result, our guests enjoy fun, authentic, memorable, and unique Maui adventures. ​ Experience the difference with Makai Adventures!

8. Jayhawk Charters

Excellent
100%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Jayhawk Charters

Marvel at Maui’s aquatic paradise on a narrated reef tour with our state-of-the-art underwater communication gear. Enjoy a one or two-tank SCUBA dive, search for dolphins and humpback whales, troll for fish, pilot a stand-up paddleboard, capture a glorious Maui sunset. Or combine multiple activities on this luxurious 50-foot Cabo power boat to create the ultimate ocean adventure.

9. Sea Monkey Private Charters

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 69 reviews

Sea Monkey Private Charters

Aloha and Welcome to Sea Monkey Private Charters in beautiful Maui, Hawaii, where paradise beckons you to indulge and step aboard. Our brand new, 2018 32’ 320DC World Cat Catamaran, hailed throughout the world as a premier day cruiser yacht, is the only vessel of its kind found in Historic Lahaina Harbor. Truly an exclusive way to spend time on the water with your family and friends (accommodating up to 6 passengers), we offer the experience of luxury, comfort, first-class service, and five star attention to detail. Whatever your desires: snorkeling, exploring marine life and the beauty of the Hawaiian waters and coastlines, whale watching in season, sunset on the water, celebrating a momentous occasion or simply life itself, we invite you to escape the crowds with us. No lines, no stress, no guidelines. We only have one question – When will you join us?

10. Kona Makani Sailing Charters

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 50 reviews

Kona Makani Sailing Charters

Break away from the crowds and experience Maui and Lani’i aboard Three Sheets. Maui’s only freestyle private charter boat. We cater to private parties up to 6 passengers ranging from 2 hours to 2 day trips. Get your hands on the wheel as captain will teach you the basics of sailing on some of the most challenging waters in the world as we sail off to secluded beaches, surf breaks, and follow the whales. Kona Makani charters encourage you to make your own plans, dining times, and hour by hour activities ranging from deep sea fishing, snorkeling, cliff jumping, private dining, or just relaxing in a hammock drinking mai tai’s. Enjoy breath taking views of whales while your captain will educate you about their migration patterns. So what are you waiting for? Call us today and lets sail away together on an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Aloha

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