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Ultimate Rafting – Maui Whale Watch
Original price was: $77.00.$72.95Current price is: $72.95. BOOK NOW
Best Price GuaranteeMaui Whale Watching Tour by Raft
Ultimate Whale Watch on Maui is true to its name. Ultimate Whale Watch uses a zodiac raft for their Whale Watching tours, providing an eye-level Maui whale-watching experience. They get up close to the whales ensuring your whale-watching tour is personal, and fun, and creates memories to last a lifetime. Join a small group of fellow adventurers on their fast and safe ocean vessels for a smooth ride to the marine action. With several raft tour times throughout the day available to go whale watching in Maui, Ultimate Rafting has you covered. Plus, your ticket helps support ocean research!
The whale watching season on Maui is from December 15th through April 15th. There are no whale-watching tours during the summer.
Imagine, being so close to a pod of whales when one breaches out of the water, the entire raft gets wet, and everyone is thoroughly soaked. Dropping like a cannonball, the splashing water from the exuberant leaping whale soaks everything within its radius. This ocean activity on Maui is a favorite, so be sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible!
These types of whale watches, along with the educational background provided by the marine naturalist who will be on board, will inspire you to help save our planet with an understanding of how important the whales are to a healthy marine environment. Just like all other species in the sea, they are just one component that makes everything work.
Ultimate Whale Watch allows only small groups of 16 guests. This is what separates them from other rafting whale-watching companies as most carry 20 or more trying to fill every inch of space. You can count on Ultimate Whale Watch taking your comfort to heart by limiting the number of guests for each whale watch to 16 passengers.
Family-owned and operated the captain has over 20 years of experience in providing guests with a unique Maui whale watch. Ultimate Whale Watch has been whale-watching Maui longer than any other raft in Lahaina. They are the Ultimate Whale Watching experience. So join us today, for an adventure of a lifetime, whale watching in Maui.
Fun Whale-Watching Tour Fact
Ultimate Whale Watch first started providing tours on Maui back in 1982 and is locally owned and operated. Since then they have expanded their Maui water activities to include a rafting snorkel trip to Lanai.
What to Bring on the Day of Whale Watch
- Bring sunscreen
- Wear a hat
- Dress to get wet
- Camera or Phone for Photos (waterproof bag comes in handy)
Maui Boat Tour Food & Beverages
Sorry, no food on this tour. However, water is included with your tickets.
Whale Watch Tour Restrictions
- No children under 5 years old
- No pregnant women
- No people with bad backs
The Ultimate Whale Watch is just that, the Ultimate Whale Watch! For an up close and personal experience with these giants of the sea, come out on one of these hard-bottomed rafts and zoom out to see the whales.
With small groups of 18 guests, you will get to the whales faster, stay longer, and experience whale watching in Maui like no other.
Whale watching on Maui is seasonal from December 15th through April 15th. There is no whale-watching tours in the Summer.
Other Activity Options by Ultimate Rafting: Ultimate Rafting And Snorkel – Lanai Snorkeling, Ultimate Rafting – Maui Whale Watch
Booking
Ultimate Rafting – Maui Whale Watch
- Best Price Guarantee
- E-Ticket Delivery
- Free Cancellation
per Adult
$72.95
Meet in Lahaina at Mala Wharf
GPS Coordinates: 20°53’8″N 156°41’15″W
Days Available:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day
Times:
Whale watching times are 6:30am, 7:00am, 9:20am, 11:30am, 11:50am, 2:00pm, 4:20pm,
Check in 30 minutes prior to activity start time.
Total Duration: 2 hours
Maui Tickets For Less Cancelation Policy:
A 72 hours notice is required for a refund. Only exception is a note from a local doctor.
No-shows” will be charged full.
Based on 1124 reviews
Based on 464 reviews
Based on 660 reviews
Amazing and beautiful experience with Captain Amy and Lilly. We saw so many breaches and 2 mama and babes and it was so magical. Loved the raft style and...
Tanya K.
We took the morning tour with Levi and Lexi. Was HOPING to see at least one whale. WE SAW ALL DA WHALES!! Mamas, babies and even some "escorts". We saw...
Brett S.
Went out yesterday on the Aloha Kai with Derek and Alyssa and it is an experience I will always remember!Derek and Alyssa are great! They are both super...
Dana A.
Just had my first experience with them. Captain Jeremiah and Kasey were both amazing! Funny and lots of great information! Beautiful views even when...
David L.
We chose this company from The Hawaii Vacation Guide and to support Lahaina.We took the 2 hour rafting, and we're not disappointed at all. Our captain...
Kahley P.
Highly recommend this experience. We went this morning on a small boat with about 10 other passengers for a 2-hour outing 9-11am. The best was a baby...
Robin M.
ULTIMATE INDEED!! January 2025. These photos are from our 3rd whale watch 2025. We go out with these guys every time. Their captains and naturalist are...
Dawn DeSha C.
Holy Crap!!! What an amazing time!!! Sara and Marina were absolutely amazing! Could not have had a better time! They were so knowledgeable and at the same...
Jason V.
Friendly and knowledgeable crew, great to be lower and closer to whales than on larger boats. Captains John and Sarah took turns sharing some great Humpback...
Mark C.
Amazing whale watch and snorkel trip! Captain Derek was great. Highly recommend this company.
Renee S.
Amazing Amazing Amazing! We literally just got off the boat! Lacy and Kat were awesome. The whale we found put on quite a show and literally swam under our...
Michelle R.
Great whale watch tour led by a friendly and knowledgeable naturalist. Will gladly do it again next time I'm in Maui.
Jay H.
We went out today with Lacey and Lily, had the best time. They are amazing with tons of information to share. Watching was spectacular. Momma and baby, we...
Jennifer L.
We did the Lanai snorkel trip in November and it was the best snorkel tour I've ever done (and I've snorkeled a lot). We saw a whale on the way out before...
Jack R.
Awesome! Incredible! Amazing! Chad and Lexie were the best crew ever! Their knowledge about the ocean, Hawaii islands, animals is incredible. Lexie was so...
Frances S.
Loved the small group size. Both snorkel spots were breathtaking. The guides were hilarious and helpful. Highly recommend.
Lisa C.
We had an awesome 2nd experience with Ultimate Whale Watch & Snorkel. We chose the full day Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin excursion. I love going on the smaller...
Josie V.
I had an absolutely amazing experience on a six hr. Deluxe Snorkel boat tour of Lanai! CAPT Emma & Lexi were awesome, sharing tons of info on snorkel gear,...
Robert C.
Literally the best snorkeling trip I have ever taken! Our boat was captained by Emma with Lexi as her deck hand. We were near capacity, with 23 guests....
Mara Z.
Our family of seven had a wonderful experience! Emma, our captain, was the best. Lexi was great in the water with us with instruction. We would highly...
Heidi L.
Ultimate whale watch was very organized. I had a wonderful time. I got to see many humpback whales up close along with dolphins. The action just didn't stop.
Deborah D.
Emma and Kacey were absolutely awesome!!! They made our trip so much more fun by telling us lots of cool stuff about whales, and playing fun music while...
Regina B.
Amazing experience, I highly recommend it people very friendly. Best gift for my mom and aunt
Maria M.
WHALES WHALES WHALES!! Jeremiah and Hannah you guys were the BEST crew ever! I've been whale watching dozens of times all over the world and this company...
Sandi T.
Love going out in their vip tours with less people! Knowledgeable guides and drivers do a great job getting you close but staying the legal distance from...
Ron H.
This was the most incredible experience we have had so far on Maui. The staff were great and it so worth the trip. So much better than the big boats....
Jim G.
Captain Kristina and crewman Pat were outstanding for our small whale watch-only 2.5 hour tour on Wednesday. We saw many whales and were able to let them...
John S.
We had an awesome experience with Captain Jill and naturalist (can't remember her name).They were friendly, knowledgeable, professional and fun to be...
Ginny H.
Went out on Tuesday and had so many great whale interactions, saw two different baby whales breaching multiple times, some really interesting competition...
Brooke H.
Have reestablished themselves nicely after the Lahaina tragedy operating out of Mala Ramp. Can't say enough about the effort to make guests feel welcomed...
Peter B.
I booked the sunrise tour from Kaanapali beach and the conditions didn't allow departing there and had to move to the mail location. Late notification and...
Tom S.
We have gone on several whale watches with Ultimate. They have all been amazing! The captains and naturalists have been extremely knowledgeable and fun to...
B M.
Amazing experience, highly recommended!! We went out on the 1:30pm VIP 2 hour tour on 1/10/24 with Captain Emma and First Mate Casey. The water was a little...
Laura Q.
We had an excellent 2 hour tour. We saw whales for a large share of our time on the water. We were on the larger 26 person tour leaving from Whaler's...
CJ M.
Comfy boat. Saw multiple humpback whales breaching including a baby, juvenile, and a massive adult. Highlight of our trip!
Shem E.
We had such a great experience and enjoyed our trip thoroughly. The guides were knowledgeable and the whales were incredible. We saw a baby calf and her mom...
Jessica Z.
Outstanding whale watch! We saw groups of male whales and another set of baby and mom whales. We took the smaller boat tour with 6 people and had an amazing...
Tracy C.
We had an amazing whale watching experience with Captains Lacey and Sarah. Their enthusiasm and experience made our trip unforgettable. We saw so many...
Bobbi Jo C.
Phenomenal experience with wonderful guides, Jill and Casey. We were really fortunate to have whales breach right next to us. A juvenile even swam right...
Caley G.
Had a wonderful all female crew and they were amazing. Knowledgeable and friendly! They found a pod of dolphins for us to watch which was amazing!
Darcy H.
This was a great trip for us. We wanted a small boat with a knowledgeable crew and snorkeling spots with few people. We got way more than that. The crew...
Jason C.
SO FUN. My friends and I did this near the beginning of our vacation to Maui. Amy and Chrissy did an amazing job. I loved Amy's efficiency and wonderful,...
Ben K.
We did small group (6 people) snorkeling to Lanai with captain Lee and Chad. Everything was amazing from the first snorkeling stop out of Mala where we saw...
Marco R.
Best whale watch on the island.Period.I use these wahine every time.Small tours of less than 25 guests. Fun fast boat. Knowledgeable crew.
Chris L.
We went out this morning with Emma & Chris who were fantastic! They took us right to a pod of whales that we watched for a few hours. They were willing to...
Samantha M.
Our family went in two tours during our stay and both times were incredible. Abby and Megan on Tuesday were very knowledgeable and fun. Abby makes it a...
Kristy E.
I booked a last minute whale watching tour on their yellow speedboat for 4pm that day. The crew was friendly and started the tour on time. Tip: seating...
LA Sunshine X.
Captain Emma and Sarah were amazing.Throughout the whole trip, we were provided whale/ocean facts and they really knew how to create a playlist for the...
Park G.
This was THE BEST experience I've ever had in Maui...and I've been here a lot. Emma and Lacey were incredibly knowledgeable, professional and (best of all)...
Kristina C.
1st thing check in as soon as you get there. They call you to the boat in the order that you checked in. Only the 1st 4 or 5 groups to get on will get...
C R.
We had the ultimate experience on our Whale watch yesterday in a new beautiful yellow pontoon boat that is easy to get into, very comfortable, smooth ride,...
Scott R.
Casey and Emma were amazing! So knowledgeable and friendly! Came early in the whaleSeason and was still able to see two whales!
Sierra D.
WOW! Emma and Sarah were wonderful guides! We loved it so much we booked another whale watching tour with them. 10/10 would go again. Very knowledgeable and...
Heather D.
Got up early for the 7am whale watching tour and was lucky to get Emma and Casey as our captain/guide, they really made our experience so great! We learned...
Ashley G.
Better than I could imagine! I have Been on many whale watching trips on this island and in California the captain and guide made this trip the best I have...
Sydney R.
Great personnel and very informative with great detail on how the trip will set forth
Joseph E.
Loved this tour! Captain Chad and Captain Sarah were both great about giving us safety info before we snorkeled and before we left the dock. Captain Chad...
Joann L.
My rating of 3 stars is only based on the actual experience. The staff/captains were wonderful. I personally did not enjoy the 45 minute boat ride out to...
Kelsey D.
Awesome experience. Lexi and Troy were wonderful guides. They took us to clear snorkel spots and we also encountered a HUGE pod of dolphins. It was magical....
Brandee R.
Booked a session with Chad and Heather and we had a great time! Went out about 30 minutes out to some slightly choppy waters but overall we saw some awesome...
Jose G.
So glad we made the choice to go snorkeling with Ultimate! Sara and Chad were awesome and you can tell they love what they do. They were so knowledgeable...
Rachel D.
Swimming with the sea turtles was incredible! This trip was super fun with small group. Our hosts Captain Chad and Co-Captain Sara were fantastic! Both...
John B.
Emma and Pat were top notch!! The smaller boat and group made for a much better experience. Homemade banana bread was a nice touch as well. If you're...
Aaron M.
Everything from first arriving in to time of departure was the best. Such Aloha from Captain Emma and Troy. We swam with sea turtles first and then saw...
Net B.
This is the company you should pick to whale watch or snorkel. You can whale watch with any company in Maui, why not select a crew that makes your trip fun!...
Gretchen A.
Captain Gabe and Nixon were super amazing!!!! They were funny and made the trip exciting! They gave us some fun trivia and facts about the island and sea...
Kendra W.
Some facts I learned about whales. They actually are not mammals. They only weigh 10,000 pounds. The females chase after the males. They hate Mondays. The...
Jimi H.
This was the first time my wife & I have ever been whale watching. We'll probably go again. And if we do, it'll be with these guys. We got to go wit the...
Jack B.
Amy and Patrick provided an experience that was exceptional! Informative, entertaining, and safe. Highly recommend!
Julie B.
VIP Ultimate Whale Watching Tour was amazing! Being in a much smaller boat with only 12 guests made this a lot more comfortable and more accessible to...
Bri D.
Ok so this was hard to do but needed to be honest. We are return customers. Not just once but multiple times... Our experience with ultimate has always...
Wayne S.
An intimate experience with other folks who aren't interested in a fancy boat or full bar, but appreciating the majesty of whales! Our guides were extremely...
Anna D.
History of Present Experience:Finally made it to our dream honeymoon in Hawaii!! Found Ultimate through the recommendation of the Hawaii Vacation Guide...
Zhen C.
Love our experience with Ultimate! The smaller boat we preferred. Felt like a more up close and personal experience. We saw so many whales with one going...
Alissa W.
Excellent experience with safe Covid precautions and an overall enjoyable trip. Saw multiple whales while getting good information from the skipper who...
Eric S.
Hanna was very knowledgeable and made sure to mingle with all the guests. Gabe did not chase the whales down but gave them respect while still giving the...
Maryann F.
We arrived on Maui on Dec 6th, 2021.... a bit too early for what they call "whale season", so I had a hard time booking a raft/zodiac tour on the fly. In...
Caroline K.
Emma and Hannah were amazing captains/ host. We had a great time with them and saw so many whales. We also shared our love of dogs hahah! We did the sunset...
Lauren B.
This place is awesome! We went out with them on Friday but only saw a couple of whales at a distance. Even though we saw whales, and they could have said...
Greg D.
My husband and I had a great experience watching humpback whales just a few days ago, we saw 8 of them on our boat trip in Maui! Our captain was the best,...
Edina G.
I went 2 times with them. It was great. We saw a lot. Staff is very friendly. I would definitely go again
Jennifer M.
My wife and I went on the Lanai snorkel trip during our honeymoon. Cannot recommend it enough! Seeing Lanai from the boat is worth it in and of itself. But...
Andrew S.
What an amazing experience! I went with my husband, my mother and my aunt. Emma and Heather were truly amazing. They were super knowledgeable and friendly....
Steven F.
Emma and Hana are professional and water savvy,They really make us feel safe in the water, they are super friendly and fun to do this trip with. We went...
Tere D.
My wife and I loved this trip and although we did get a bit seasick, we loved seeing dolphins (a few dozen) breaching, flying fish, a sea turtle, a manta...
Andrew Z.
Chad and Heather were awesome guides. We got to see a pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins (with multiple baby dolphins), turtles, and sharks. The stop on Lanai...
Simone W.
We had an awesome time with Ultimate whale watch & snorkel on our trip from Lahaina to Lanai. Before we left the crew made sure everyone was properly geared...
K N.
Chris and Heather were great tour guides! They assisted when needed and we found some great spots to snorkel at and see a pod of spinner dolphins. My...
Kate W.
The most amazing experience in my life! Bottle nose Dolphins rarely breach so close to the boat but it seemed like they wanted to show off to us! Thank...
Deon T.
This was a fantastic experience and well worth the money. Our captains were Chris & Sarah. They couldn't have been kinder or more genuine. Even though Maui...
Mike S.
For those staying close to Lahaina, this is a popular Snorkeling company as they leave from the harbor at a reasonable hour in the morning. We also chose...
Jonathan C.
This company is great. I had a tour cancel last minute but Toni quickly figured out another tour that would accommodate us. We had the best time with Emma...
Lyndsey C.
This was hands down the best part of our trip to Maui. My husband and I actually booked the same excursion two days after our first whale watching trip...
Brittni F.
Must do! So glad we were able to book a spot. Great trip. Hannah and Joel were fantastic experts and hosts. They were very knowledgeable about Maui, the...
Lori W.
First of all, we were so incredibly lucky with the day and time we chose to go whale watching. Secondly, the crew made of Gabe and Heather were such a...
Jamie J.
The best Whale watching tour I've been on! Saw so many whales, learned a lot about their behavior, and everyone was super safe regarding COVID. Amy and...
Sheryl C.
What a great trip! We had a friend come visit us out here and this was a must do! From the initial checkin to the end, we felt safe (Covid-related). The...
Daphnne C.
I went on the 1:45pm tour with Joel and Hannah last Friday and it was Awesome. We saw lots of whales and had a fabulous trip. This is my fourth whale...
Laura C.
We enjoyed our experience so much at Ultimate Whale Watch that we went three times on our trip! We had a very up close encounter that left us speechless....
Curtis H.
We joined a handful of people in the world who have ever spent literally 1 hour up close and personal with a whale!! Even Our guides were emotional- it was...
Angela B.
Hannah & Captain Amy were so amazing, we had an INCREDIBLE experience out seeing whales. We will be returning customer for sure!!
Cea R.
Last night here on the island and this is who we went with for whale watching! OMG! Brittany and Emma took such good care of us! Emma was oh so informative...
Phillip M.
Had a great time Whale Watching and Snorkeling and captain Amy and Emma made the perfect guides. They are both so smart and made this trip a true learning...
Marisol D.
If you are wanting to whale watch while you are in Maui. STOP - this is the only company you should book with. The staff is truly family, they love what...
Ted J.
Such an incredible experience!!! Gabe and Clint were fantastic guides with an amazing balance of knowledge, patience and humor. Whale watching is one of my favorite things to do when visiting Maui and I will only be coming back to Ultimate Whale Watch. The boat was small so you felt like you were on a special quest. Can't wait to return!! Thanks for an incredible experience!
Michaela M.
This was a last minute add on to our Maui trip! The raft, I think, allowed the whales to feel less intimated, and ended up hanging out right at the raft! The staff members definitely made it fun by stealing another boats whale. Apparently, Whales love attention. Who knew! For the price, and what we got out of it, this is the BEST whale watching tour in Maui.
Sydnee S.
Amazing! One of the best experiences I've ever had!We encountered our first sighting within ten minutes and one breach! The whales are beautiful! We also...
Ana V.
My wife and I did the 3 hour whale watch with Brittany and Heather this morning. It was an amazing experience from start to finish. The three hours absolutely flew by. Brittany was a great captain and Heather did an amazing job sharing so much information about whales. We would highly recommend ultimate watch over the competitors. The smaller boat and crowd allow for such a great experience on the water. We might try to get another trip in this week!
Robert J.
Had a wonderful tour. Saw plenty of whales! It was a 7am trip and the water was calm, the weather was perfect. Thanks Ultimatw crew for a lovely morning ride.
Magda M.
Excellent excellent excellent. We saw multiple whales and two jump. The first mate (Hannah was her name?) was excellent at answering questions and...
Lynn H.
We chose Ultimate because it was affordable but we were blown away by the professionalism and our experience. We’ve been on the $$$ excursions and this trip matched in quality. The shorter 1.5 hour trip was perfect for our young boys and it we definitely got our money worth. The smaller boats also meant we got great photos and a personal experience. The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and fun! If you’re looking for a great whale watching experience this is it!
Jordan C.
This is the ONLY way to go whale watching. Been doing tours with this company for several years now. I would do it every day if able! The boats are great, the crew is great and very knowledgeable. Cannot recommend them more highly. No 2 whale watches are the same, no matter who you go with, but this company does a great job. Go early in the morning it's a great time to be out on the water with great views!
Steven C.
We went for a whale watch the first day they had available Dec 1st, since it was our last day in Maui. We were treated with quite a show from the young male whale! We saw a couple more whales as well, but we knew it was early in the season and were very pleased with what we saw! Our group liked being in the smaller boat. The crew of our boat was amazing, answering any and all questions we had about whales and anything else in the area. Super friendly and a true respect for the animals we were trying to view as well. Would highly recommend!
Robyn S.
Maybe it was bad luck. The current was too strong in the spots that our guides, Hanna and Peter, wanted to take us to, so we went to some alternate spots....
Anna C.
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