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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina
Overview
Eye-level whale watching (or summer time dolphin watching) onboard our low-to-water small group zodiac rafts.
Native Hawaiian owned and voted Cool Hawaiis Traveler's Choice, Hawaii Ocean Rafting has been Maui’s original ocean rafting experience for more than 30 years.
Our small group tours make for a fun, family style whale watch experience. Although whales are protected in Hawaii, they often approach our small boats for closer and eye level whale encounters. *Wildlife sighting's vary in the wild.
Search for dolphins (summer months) early season whales (Nov & May) and sightsee on this tour in the off season.
A low-to-water zodiac boat puts you close to the ocean’s surface for eye-level wildlife encounters and a eco-friendly adventure.
We are located in Lahaina, Maui, just a short drive from Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua and other West Maui accommodations. And a fun destination for visitors staying in Kihei or Wailea.
No pregnant persons or children under 3
What's Included
- Snacks Dolphin Tour includes snacks and beverages
- Plan to get wet! This is a low to water boat- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.
- Hydrophone to listen to whale songs
- Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
- *Type of encounters vary in the wild- Up close sightings not guaranteed
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected)
- Tour Operator: Hawaii Ocean Rafting
- Available shade varies on boat. Please bring sun protection: hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen
- Marine Naturalist Narration
- Not suitable for pregnant persons or those with back/neck injuries.
- Tour leaves promptly. Must arrive 30 minutes prior to board or will miss the tour.
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- BYOB (Plastic or Cans Only)
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected at check out)
- Gratuities
- Upclose wildlife encounters are not guaranteed as animals are in the wild.
- No Spray Sunscreen Permitted - Reef Safe Rub-on Sunscreen Only
- Physical Mobility Required for Boarding due to boarding location
Meeting Location
1223 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Join Maui's only Hawaiian Owned eye-level Whale Watching and Dolphin Search Tours onboard our low-to-water small group eco-rafts.
Avoid the crowds and enjoy comfortable seating in a small group with spectacular views of Hawaii’s humpback whales or Maui's friendly dolphins.
December- April: The Humpback Whale returns to the warm Hawaiian waters every year during the winter months for their mating and calving season. Although whales are protected in Hawaii and we do not approach them closer than federal regulations, they often approach our small rafts for those up close and eye-level whale encounters. The type of encounters vary in the wild.
May-November: Dolphins are spotted year-round and our eco-rafts also provide eye-level encounters. November we begin our search for early whales.
Your tour includes a full narration of interesting whale / dolphin and Maui facts by our naturalist, listening to whale songs on a hydrophone and lots of photo ops!
*Our small locally native owned eco-company is excited to share Maui's wildlife with you!*
Departures from Lahaina- arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time so you don't miss boarding your boat!
No pregnant person allowed
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No children under 3
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No Infants
- No Pregnant Persons or children under 3 permitted
- Mobility is required to board the vessel unassisted due to the boarding location and safety protocol.
- Food Allergen Warning (Required Disclosure): Due to the nature of onboard food preparation and handling, we cannot guarantee that any menu item will be free from allergens. All meals or snacks served on this vessel may contain or come into contact with gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, soy, eggs, dairy, and wheat. If you have a known food allergy, please notify our team in advance and bring any required allergy medication (such as an EpiPen). We strongly recommend guests with severe allergies consult a physician prior to participating in the charter. We are not responsible for allergic reactions due to undeclared or cross-contact allergens.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-104420P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 2,744 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).
- This activity requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Snacks. Dolphin Tour includes snacks and beverages.
- Plan to get wet! This is a low to water boat- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.
- Hydrophone to listen to whale songs.
- Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
- *Type of encounters vary in the wild- Up close sightings not guaranteed.
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected).
- Tour Operator: Hawaii Ocean Rafting.
- Available shade varies on boat. Please bring sun protection: hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen.
- Marine Naturalist Narration.
- Not suitable for pregnant persons or those with back/neck injuries.
- Tour leaves promptly. Must arrive 30 minutes prior to board or will miss the tour.
- Hotel pick-up and drop off.
- BYOB (Plastic or Cans Only).
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected at check out).
- Gratuities.
- Upclose wildlife encounters are not guaranteed as animals are in the wild.
- No Spray Sunscreen Permitted - Reef Safe Rub-on Sunscreen Only.
- Physical Mobility Required for Boarding due to boarding location.
This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 3. This activity requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No children under 3
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Hawaii. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- SnacksDolphin Tour includes snacks and beverages
- Plan to get wet! This is a low to water boat- ocean spray and light rain can occur during tour.
- Hydrophone to listen to whale songs
- Life jackets are provided for emergencies but are not required to be worn during the tour.
- *Type of encounters vary in the wild- Up close sightings not guaranteed
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected)
- Tour Operator: Hawaii Ocean Rafting
- Available shade varies on boat. Please bring sun protection: hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen
- Marine Naturalist Narration
- Not suitable for pregnant persons or those with back/neck injuries.
- Tour leaves promptly. Must arrive 30 minutes prior to board or will miss the tour.
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- BYOB (Plastic or Cans Only)
- Whales or Dolphins (Based on option selected at check out)
- Gratuities
- Upclose wildlife encounters are not guaranteed as animals are in the wild.
- No Spray Sunscreen Permitted - Reef Safe Rub-on Sunscreen Only
- Physical Mobility Required for Boarding due to boarding location
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No children under 3
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No Infants
- No Pregnant Persons or children under 3 permitted
- Mobility is required to board the vessel unassisted due to the boarding location and safety protocol.
- Food Allergen Warning (Required Disclosure): Due to the nature of onboard food preparation and handling, we cannot guarantee that any menu item will be free from allergens. All meals or snacks served on this vessel may contain or come into contact with gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, soy, eggs, dairy, and wheat. If you have a known food allergy, please notify our team in advance and bring any required allergy medication (such as an EpiPen). We strongly recommend guests with severe allergies consult a physician prior to participating in the charter. We are not responsible for allergic reactions due to undeclared or cross-contact allergens.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
