All Reviews for Whale Watch Tours in Maui

Our trip was amazing! Great food and drinks! The entire staff was very accommodating and served the best food and drinks! The catamaran was very safe and top of the line. Very fun atmosphere! Our cruise also turned into whale watching! We had so much fun we booked another trip a few days later. We would recommend this trip if you want to have a beautiful, fun evening!

The boat crew was amazing. You will take your shoes off prior to entering the boat and the crew assists with the facilitation of passengers onto the vessel. The main challenge is timing the waves with getting passengers on board. The crew did a great job with this and ensured everyone stayed dry (for the most part!) Once on the boat there are several different seating options: Bean bag chairs, bench seating down by the bar area, and seating on the front of the vessel. I would recommend sitting in the bean bags as they are comfortable and provide a great view (just be careful with your phone as there are slits it could possibly fall through into the ocean.)

Dinner was served on the boat and it was excellent. The brussel sprouts and chicken bites were delicious! Drinks were also served and the crew did a great job with serving everyone in a timely and frequent manner. The trip was extra special for me as my wonderful fiance (then boyfriend) proposed to me as the sun set over the mountains. My friends worked with the crew members to make the moment extra special as they deliberately turned the boat for us to see the sunset in our engagement pictures. During/after the proposal they provided us with a champagne shower and the rest of the bottle of champagne! Truly a moment we will never forget.

A++ experience!

We thoroughly enjoyed our sunset cocktail cruise. The staff on board was very accommodating. They aimed to please and they couldn’t have been more helpful. We would certainly recommend this cruise for those looking for a pleasant two hours of sailing.

I participated alone. I had some anxiety, but the check-in and boarding went smoothly. There were whales everywhere. Every time we spotted one, the captain and the other passengers would announce it and point it out, so we moved the boat left and right to take pictures! At the end of the tour, a whale came close to the boat, dove underneath, and popped up to play with us! Everyone was super excited! ☆ Since there was some wind and occasional rain (though not for long), I think it's a good idea to bring a windbreaker. It was a very valuable experience, and I was moved. Thank you very much!!

1人で参加をしました。
不安もありましたがチェックインから乗船、その後もスムーズでした。クジラはあちこちにいました。見えるたびにキャプテンや乗客の皆さんがアナウンスや指差しをして教えてくれたので船を右に左に飛び回って写真を撮りました！
ツアーの最後にはクジラが船に近づいてきて、船の下に潜り込み、顔を出して戯れてくれました！
みんな大興奮でした☆
風があったり、たまに雨が降ったり(長い時間ではありませんが)するので、ウインドブレーカーを持参しても良いと思います。
とても貴重な体験が出来感動しました。
ありがとうございました！！

I participated in February, and at first, I was worried about whether I would be able to enjoy it. However, I was engaged from start to finish. The price was reasonable, and the duration of about 2-3 hours was just right.

I attended wearing just a shirt, and it was comfortable enough. Please bring your own drinks. Be cautious about parking in Lahaina, as there aren't many options available. I parked at a place that cost about 1,500 yen for 8 hours. When I was in my early 20s, I would park far away for free and walk for 30 minutes, but...

2月に参加しましたが最初はみれるか不安でした。でも最初から最後まで飽きるほど見れました。それでいて値段も安く時間も2-3時間ほどとちょうどよいです。
シャツ一枚で参加しましたがほどよいものでした。
飲み物は持参してください。ラハイナは駐車場があまりないので来る時要注意です。私は8時間1,500円ほどのところにとめました。20代前半の時なら遠くの無料パーキングにとめて30分でも歩くのですが…

When we went out to sea on a large double-hulled boat, we saw many whales spouting, and shortly after, we encountered one swimming leisurely nearby, which was thrilling. I had heard that a lot of whales come during this season, but I was truly surprised. I would love to go see them again when I visit Maui.

大型双頭船で沖合いまで出ると、たくさんのクジラの潮吹きが見えて、そのあとすぐ近くを悠々と泳いでいるのに遭遇し、感激しました。この時期はクジラがかなりやって来るとは聞いていたのですが、本当にビックリしました。また、マウイにいくときはもう一度見に行きたいです。

By far the BEST excursion of our trip. We took the 7:30am whale watching tour. The Captain was fantastic... we had very close, and multiple, whale encounters. The water was calm, the boat was easy to navigate with a toddler and family members with some mobility challenges. There was so much to see; the two hours went by way too fast. Highly recommend this company and crew! Thanks for such a great adventure. What a trip to remember.

This excursion was beyond what I expected! The boat ride was smooth and there was plenty of space for my friends and I to enjoy the ride! We had cute bean bag chairs to sit on which added to our excitement. The crew members showed great service and were happy to get to know us a little when the time was right and everyone on board had been helped. Very easy going and fun guys to hang out with! The crew even made our friends proposal extra special by turning the boat around at the perfect time so we could have the best pictures of the event- and were more than happy to celebrate by bringing out champagne! I also feel like I need to comment on the food- the Brussels were the best I’ve ever had- and being from the south, I’ve tried them many ways. If you’re going on this excursion, be prepared to have a great evening, get your toes wet, and enjoy the views. 10/10 for a great time and great company!

The Japanese guide was very kind, and I had a great time. They informed us in advance about the best seats to see, and I was able to see the whales up close, which was amazing. I want to go again!

日本語ガイドさんがとても親切で楽しく過ごせました。
よく見れる席を事前に教えてくれて
かなり近くで鯨ちゃんも見れて、最高でした。
また　いきたいです！

It was unfortunately rainy, but we were able to see a lot of whales! We got as close as possible according to the regulations, turned off the engine, and it was lucky when the whales came closer on their own. The announcements were in English, and when a whale was spotted, they indicated the direction using the clock hands.

There were only two groups of Japanese participants, but having a Japanese guide was really helpful. They taught us a lot about the whales and pointed out good viewing spots, so I didn't have to feel uncomfortable as a Japanese person who eats whales. If you're not completely comfortable with English, I definitely recommend requesting a Japanese guide.

生憎の雨でしたが、鯨はたくさん見られました！
規則でギリギリ近づける場所まで近づいて、エンジンを止めて鯨が自分からもっと近づいてくるとラッキー♪
アナウンスは英語で、鯨を発見すると、時計の針の方向で教えてくれます

日本人の参加は二組だけでしたが、
やはり日本人のガイドさんがいてくれると、鯨のこともいろいろ教えてくれるし、見やすい場所等も教えていただき、鯨を食べる日本人という肩身の狭い思いもしないで済みました
英語で全然大丈夫！という人でなければ、日本語ガイドをぜひリクエストするといいと思います

This was my first time in Maui during this season, so I thought whale watching was a must and signed up for it. Initially, I had booked a tour departing from Kaanapali Beach, but it was changed to Lahaina at the last minute. I was a bit confused, but since we boarded from the pier instead of the beach, it was nice not to get wet while boarding. (I received several emails from Veltra regarding the change, which was helpful.)

The frequency of whale encounters was higher than I expected, so in that sense, I was satisfied. However, I think it would have been even better if we could have gotten a bit closer to see them. The explanations about the whales' ecology were in English, but they were detailed and easy to understand.

The meeting time was 7:45, with the tour starting at 8:00. Veltra advised us to arrive by 7:30, but in the end, there was no guidance until just before 8:00, and participants seemed to be gathering in the designated area looking a bit lost, which made me somewhat anxious. The light snack was a ham and cheese croissant sandwich (which tasted good). There was also fruit available, but it felt more like a self-service situation rather than being fully catered.

During this season, there are a considerable number of whales near the coast, and for those who are sensitive to being on boats, you can also see them at the scenic point in Maalaea Bay.

この時期のマウイは初めてでしたので、ホエール・ウオッチングは外せないと思い、申込みました。
当初カアナパリビーチ発を申し込んでいましたが直前にラハイナ発に変更となり、少し戸惑いましたが、ビーチからでなく桟橋からの乗船だったため乗船時に濡れることなく良かったです。（ベルトラさんからは変更につき事前に何度かメール連絡をいただき助かりました）
思ったよりもクジラに遭遇する頻度は高く、そういう意味では満足でした。
ただ、もう少し近づいて見ることが出来たら、なお良かったと思います。なおクジラの生態等について英語でしたが詳しくわかりやすい説明でした。
集合は７：４５、ツアースタート８：００で、ベルトラさんからは７：３０までには現地へとのアドバイスがあったのですが、結局８：００ぎりぎりまで
案内はなく、参加者らしき人たちが指定場所で所在なげに集まっていたので、やや不安ではありました。軽食はハム・チーズのクロワッサンサンド（味は良かったです）。果物もありましたが、必要な人は自分で取にいく感じで至れり尽くせりという感じではありませんでした。
この時期は沿岸近くに相当数のクジラがおり、船に弱い方はマアエラア湾のscenic poitでも見ることはできます。

As soon as the ship set sail, we started to see whale spouts here and there. I thought we might not see any whales up close and that the tour would end like this, but then one whale approached and kept surfacing around the boat, showing its face and fluke. We also got to see other whales breaching.

I am very satisfied!

船が出港してからすぐにあちこちでし鯨の潮を吹いていました。
近くで姿は見れず、このままツアー終了かなと思っていたら、一頭の鯨が近づいてきて、ずっと船のまわりで顔を出したりおびれを出したり。
さらに他の鯨のブリーチングも見れました。

大満足です！

This sunset cruise had an amazing staff who were very helpful! The drink and food were perfect! We were able to see whales which was a great addition to the already perfect view! Highly recommend!

We were able to see a lot on the 7:30 departure. I can only say we were lucky. A curious whale happened to come by and swam around the boat for over 15 minutes. The English-speaking tour had more than 90% American guests, and it was a big hit. To borrow the words of an American girl nearby, "Best $30 dollars than ever!"

7：30出港便でガッツリ見れました。
運が良かったとしか言いようがありません。
たまたま好奇心旺盛なクジラが来てくれたので、
15分以上も船の周りをぐるぐる回ってくれました。
英語ガイド便は9割以上がアメリカ人客で、大盛り上がり。
近くにいたアメリカ人の女の子の言葉を借りると、
Best $30 dollars than ever !

This cruise was the perfect way to end one of our days in Maui. The staff gave fun facts about the island during the cruise and would stop along the way to get the perfect view of any wildlife you saw. The staff interacted with everybody on the boat and attended to everybody well to make sure everyone who wanted a drink had one. I highly recommend this cruise if you are wanting a relaxing way end to your day with beautiful views.

Highly, highly recommend these guys! They have bean bags on the net lounge area to sit on which was very nice and made it more comfortable. The crew was so attentive and were constantly making rounds checking on everyone and even told us not to worry about getting drinks ourselves that they would be bringing them around, so we never even had to get up for a refill! They were also so helpful with a proposal that my friend was planning. They made sure that everything went smoothly for them and I can't thank them enough for making their night so special!

I participated in this tour, departing from the hotel where I stayed, and as others have shared in their experiences, boarding the boat that approaches the beach between the waves left me quite wet, making me wish I had worn my swimsuit. However, I was able to encounter more whales than I had imagined, see whales swimming right beneath the boat, and hear their songs, which created wonderful memories. The crew was also very pleasant, and I had a comfortable time.

宿泊したホテルの前からの出発ということで参加しましたが、波の合間を見計らいビーチに接岸するボートに乗り込むこのツアーは、他の方の体験談通りでしたので、水着にしておけばよかった・・・と思うほどの濡れ具合です。
ただ想像以上に沢山のクジラたちに遭えたこと、船の真下に泳ぐクジラを見ることが出来たこと、クジラの歌ごえを聴くことが出来たことは、素敵な思いでとなりました。
クルーの皆さんもとても感じが良く、心地よい時間を過ごすことが出来ました。

The check-in area at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel is very convenient, located by the seaside lawn. With the strong winds in Ka'anapali, we hurriedly boarded the catamaran, timing our entry just right. As soon as we set off, we were served mini cakes and drinks (including alcoholic options), and there was an all-you-can-eat dessert and drink service. The staff moved around among the passengers, engaging in friendly conversation while being attentive to our needs.

The two-hour cruise featuring dolphins, sea turtles, and whales flew by in no time. It seems that when the weather is bad, departures are from Lahaina, but we were fortunate to have good weather this time. The day before, the operator called to ask if we could push our reservation back by an hour, but they communicated clearly and patiently, so the time change was no problem at all. In the afternoon, we drove from Lahaina to the airport with our rental car, making for a fulfilling day. After spending three days in Maui, we left for Waikiki, where we spent another seven days. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Hawaii. I hope everyone has a great time!

宿泊先のカアナパリビーチホテルのシーサイド芝のエリアがチェックインなのでとっても楽です
風の強いカアナパリ　双胴船に乗り込むタイミングを計りながら急いで乗り込みます　動き出してすぐミニケーキ　ドリンク（アルコールもあり）　デザートは食べ放題　飲み放題　スタッフが気配りしながら乗客の間を動き回りながら楽しく話しかけてくれます
イルカの体現　海亀　クジラと２時間のクルーズはあっという間に終了です　天候が悪いときはラハイナからの出航になるようですが今回は天候に恵まれよかったです　前日運営外車から予約時間を１時間遅らせて欲しいと電話がありましたがゆっくり分かりやすく話してもらえたので時間変更も特に問題ありませんでした　午後からはレンタカーでラハイナ　→　エアポートへの移動でしたが充実した1日でした　３日間過ごしたマウイを離れ、ワイキキに戻り７日過ごしました。大いにハワイを満喫できました　皆さん楽しんでください　

The whales were fairly visible, and considering the price, it was worth it without being too long of a commitment. I was worried because the reception area was hard to find.

クジラはまあまあ見えてそこまで長い時間の拘束でもなくこの料金なら申し分なし。
受付場所がわかりづらく心配になった。

Absolutely wonderful whale watching tour!! The staff was knowledgeable and kind!! The boat was mellow and perfect! I had a great tine!! Thank you so much

The departure was at 14:15 on December 29. Before boarding, a Japanese guide came to find us and greeted us. There were only two groups of Japanese people. The guide kindly explained the positioning inside the ship. We were able to see spouts from a distance a few times, but there was only one jump in front and about two jumps to the right front. The one in front was relatively close, and we could see the stripes on the whale's belly, with the splash being incredibly large. I believe they mentioned that radar could not be used for whale protection, and we could only approach within 100 meters. During the port call, there was a spout rising in the right front, but there were no jumps. Even though the season has just started, I think it is possible to see whales during the approximately 2-hour cruise. However, I heard that around February 10 is when the number of whales peaks, so if you can choose the timing, that might be a good time to go. Since I couldn't see whales in either Ogasawara or Oahu, this was a very good experience.

12/29　14:15の出航でした。乗船前に日本語ガイドさんが我々を見つけに来てくれて、声をかけてくれました。日本人は2組だけでした。ガイドさんは、船内での位置取り等丁寧に教えてくれました。潮吹きは遠くで何回か見れましたが、ジャンプは前方で1回、右前方で２回くらいでした。前方のものは割と近くでクジラのおなかの縞が分かるくらいと水しぶきの余韻が半端なく大きかったです。クジラ保護のためレーダーが使えず、また100Mまでしか近づけないと言っていたと思います。寄港途中も右舷前方で潮が上がりましたがジャンプはありませんでした。シーズンが始まったばかりでも約2Hのクルーズでクジラを見ることは出来ると思います。ただ2/10位がクジラの数がピークになるとのことだったので、時期を選べるならその頃が良いのかなと思います。
小笠原でもオアフでもクジラを見ることができなかったので、とっても良い体験になりました。

It seems that the whales weren't around for about two months, but I was able to see them, and I also saw dolphins. Above all, our guide, Taka, had an incredible love for whales, and just listening to him was a lot of fun! I will definitely go again!

クジラは2月ほどではなかったらしいけど、見れたし、イルカもみれて、なんと言ってもガイドのタカさん、クジラ愛が凄くて話を聞いてるだけでも楽しかったです！また行きます！

We drove to the port from our accommodation, but if you're going by car, be careful about parking. In Lahaina, the parking lots in the city are almost full by noon, and street parking is not allowed. There are parking lots a bit further away, but I was a bit rushed since we didn't have much time before our meeting.

Due to the boat schedule, we had a bit of a wait, but while relaxing and looking at the sea at Lahaina Harbor, it didn't bother me at all. Right in front of us were Lanai and Molokai islands.

We were the only Japanese family there, and coincidentally, a Japanese guide joined us for the trip, providing us with a personal tour. It was super lucky! Before we headed out, we learned about whale behavior and Maui Island, and soon after, we received the news of a whale sighting. The guide pointed out directions like "10 o'clock" and "2 o'clock." At first, it was difficult to spot them, but as we got used to it, we began to recognize the spots where the whales were blowing water and moving through the waves. Some mother and calf pairs even came very close to the boat, creating a huge excitement on board with cheers all around. In less than an hour, there were over 20 photo opportunities. However, unless you have a telephoto lens, you won't be able to take postcard-like pictures. It seems there are laws regarding the distance from whales, so it might be better to see them with the naked eye.

The guide specialized in whale behavior at university, and since we learned a lot before heading out, I felt like a bit of a whale expert after the tour. I was moved by the affection of the whale mother.

The guide informed us that December, when we visited, was not yet peak season, and that February is the best time. If I can go during that period, I definitely want to join the tour again. During that time, it seems there are spouts of water everywhere.

Regarding seating on the boat, we were advised to sit near the front on the first floor, as that is the best spot for whale watching. Most of the participants went up to the second floor. I realized that having a Japanese guide on board greatly enhances the enjoyment of the tour, even if you're on the same tour. If possible, please inquire about it.

Lastly, a little mishap on my part. I boarded wearing a comfortable dress, but the wind was quite strong, which was a bit embarrassing. Pants would have been the right choice. The noon tour had intense sunlight, and since there was nothing to block it out on the sea, sunscreen is essential. I applied some, but I still got quite sunburned. I took off my hat because it might fly away.

滞在先から車で港へ向かいましたが、車で行く方は駐車場に要注意です。
ラハイナは街中の駐車場は昼にはほぼ満車。路駐は出来ません。ちょっと離れると駐車場はありますが、集合時間に余裕がなかったので少し焦りました。

船の関係で、少々待ち時間が長かったのですが、ラハイナ港でのんびりと海を眺めていると全く気になりません。目の前にはラナイ島とモロカイ島が見えます。

日本人が私たち家族だけで、しかも日本人ガイドさんがたまたま予定があって同乗してくれたため専属でガイドしてくれました。超ラッキーでした！！沖に出るまでに鯨の生態やマウイ島の説明を聞いていると、すぐに鯨発見の知らせが。ガイドさんが、10時、14時の方向・・・と次々と教えてくれます。はじめは見つけることが難しかったのですが、慣れてくると潮を吹いている場所や、波間に動いている鯨の親子がわかってきます。中には、船のすぐ近くまで来てくれる親子もいて、船上は大興奮。歓声があちこちで。1時間弱の間に、20回以上はシャッターチャンスがあったかと。ただし、カメラも望遠でなければ絵葉書のような写真は撮れません。法律でクジラとの距離が決まっているようで、肉眼で見る方がよいかも。

ガイドさんが鯨の生態を大学で専門に研究している方で、沖に出るまでに色々と教えてもらっていたので、ツアー参加後はちょっとしたクジラ博士になった気分。鯨の母親の愛情に感動しました。

ガイドさんからは私たちが訪問した12月はまだピークではなく2月が最高だと教えてもらいました。もし、その時期に行けるのであれば、是非、その時期に再びツアーに参加したいと思います。その時期は、あちこちで潮が吹き回っているのだとか。

船上の席については、先頭近くの1階の椅子を勧められました。こちらが一番、鯨を見るのが適しているのだとか。ツアーのほとんどの方は2階にあがっていましたが。何につけ、日本人ガイドさんに同乗してもらえると、同じツアー参加でも楽しさが倍増だなあ、と痛感した次第。可能であれば問い合わせてみてください。

最後に、私の失敗談。楽ちんワンピースを着て乗り込んだら、風がかなりキツくて参りました。恥ずかしいことですが。パンツが正解。正午のツアーはかなり日差しもきつく、遮るものもない海上のため日焼け止めも必須です。塗っていたのですが、それでもかなり焼けました。帽子は飛ぶかもしれずで脱いでいました。

I made a reservation the day before. It was very convenient since I could get immediate confirmation. I went to the counter at the time indicated on the voucher (30 minutes before the start), but there was no one else there, and people started gathering about 10 minutes before. There are no chairs to wait on, and it was hot, so I think arriving about 10 minutes early is sufficient. Once we boarded the boat, we quickly saw a whale spouting water after about 10 minutes. We spotted around 10 whales before reaching Lanai Island. One whale jumped, and I could see its entire belly, but unfortunately, I couldn't take a photo, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, it was a very satisfying tour with plenty of whale sightings.

前日に予約しました。即時確約出来るのでとても便利でした。当時バウチャーの通りの時間(開始の30分前)にカウンターに行きましたが他に誰もいなくて10分前くらいに人が集まってきました。待つところは椅子もないし暑いので10分前くらいに行くので十分だと思います。船に乗り込み10分ほどするとすぐにくじらが塩を吹くのが見えました。ラナイ島の近くに行くまでに10頭くらいのクジラが見えました。1回だけジャンプしてお腹も全部見えましたが写真には撮れずで残念でした笑笑　くじらたくさん見られて大満足のツアーでした。

We participated as a family of five. The children were even happier than we expected, and the Japanese guide was easy to understand and kind. I was worried about the location, but I found it right away.

家族5名で参加させていただきました　期待していた以上に子供達も喜んで日本語ガイドもわかりやすく親切でした　場所が心配でしたがすぐに解りました

I waited a long time for the whale to appear, and finally, it showed up. I was able to encounter it at the fountain. The weather was also perfect, and I had a great time.

なかなか現れてくれず、鯨をずーと待ってました。やっと現れてくれて。⛲と出会うこと出来ました。天気も最高☀️で満喫出来ました。

I was able to see the whales breaching and diving multiple times. However, this is a matter of luck, and since it was just before the season, I only saw one whale. Additionally, due to regulations, the boat has a set distance it must maintain from the whales, so we were at a certain distance away.

くじらが上に飛び出す姿と、ダイビングする姿が何度も見れました。
しかし、これは運ですが、時期もシーズン直前ということで、一匹しか見れませんでした。
また、船はルール上くじらに近づける距離が決まっているため、ある程度離れた位置になります。

I thought the boat tour hadn't started yet, but I found a tour here and contacted you right away. Thank you for your prompt response regarding the Japanese interpreter, even on such short notice. In the end, it was too early in the morning, so I couldn't make it, but it turned out to be a wonderful whale watching experience, and I was truly moved. I've been on boats many times, but it's been a while since I was able to capture a photo of a jump. The pictures I took with my smartphone are a bit blurry, but I'm so thrilled that I got to see and capture it. Thank you for your attentive support.

まだ船のツアーが始まっていないのかと思っていたのですが、こちらでのツアーをみつけ早速連絡させて頂きました。
急にもかかわらず、日本人通訳の事のお返事頂きありがとうございました。結局、朝早かったので、無理でしたが、とても素晴らしいホエールウォッチングになり感動しました。
何度も船に乗ってますが、ジャンプの写真が撮れたのは、久しぶりです。
スマホで撮ったのでボケてますが、見れたこと、撮れたことに感動です。
いろいろご丁寧な対応ありがとうございました

My husband and I had date night and had an amazing time! Great Sunset, food and drinks. Everyone who worked on board was also fantastic and very helpful. I highly recommend.

It was a great experience. First time on a sailboat ⛵️. Loved every aspect of the trip.