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The best time to go whale watching is whatever time fits your schedule! Each and every whale watch is different and surprising no matter the time. The only thing we can guarantee is that you will see whales, the surprise is the behaviors we see! Interestingly, whales do not exhibit sleeping patterns aligned with any set time of day. So get out on the water whenever you can.
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Maui is within the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Within this sanctuary, and in all US waters, Humpbacks are protected. These animals travel 3,000 miles to come to Hawaii to give birth, and we don’t want to disturb or disrupt their behaviors. No vessel or person can approach whales closer than 100 yards, but sometimes a curious whale will approach us!
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No, it is highly illegal to swim with Humpback whales in the marine sanctuary.
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- Non-spray sunscreen
- Hat
- Windbreaker or jacket
- Water bottle – we provide filtered water on board.
- Sunglasses
- Snacks if you would like
- All of our trips are BYOB, but please NO GLASS on the boat
- Gratuity to show appreciation to your captain and crew for their hard work!
- All of your whale questions and a sense of wonder!
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We guarantee whale sightings, if you do not see whales on your trip, you get to go again for free!
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Luckily, the whales don’t mind getting wet! If there is adverse weather, your experienced captain will make the call on whether or not your trip is going. Your safety is our number 1 priority, and our captains will never put you in a dangerous situation. That being said, sometimes we get much-needed rain during the winter and it adds to the sense of adventure!
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Our boat is US Coast Guard Certified, and has all of the required safety equipment on board. This includes lifejackets, but we do not put these on during the trip. Our boat has very safe railings, and our captains are experts at keeping passengers safe. If you want a lifejacket for your own sense of security, you are encouraged to bring your own!
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They are all wonderful seats! Each seat has full viewing, and our captains maneuver the boat to make sure that everyone gets a turn being in the “front.” Some people enjoy the “sky deck” which is the upper deck of the boat, and can be excellent for photography as well as shade. Other people prefer the front or “bow” of the boat for the up close and personal views with the whales. Whichever seat you pick, you will not be disappointed!
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There is always a chance of salt! The seas and wind are always subject to change, so getting wet might happen! Conditions vary greatly throughout the winter, and even throughout the day. We say, prepare for the possibility of salt spray. We do have storage areas that can keep your belongings relatively dry, but if you have anything that absolutely cannot get wet, we recommend you leave it at home!
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We love having kids on the boat! For their safety, we do have an age minimum of 3 years old. This is for comfort and safety of you and your children.
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Unfortunately, we do not have a bathroom on the boat. We recommend you use the public restroom before boarding for your adventure!
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Maui is well-known for having multiple microclimates, and we may experience a couple of them on our tour! We recommend wearing something comfortable and light, if you have any UV or sunshirts, this is a great time to don those! A light jacket can be helpful for some, so feel free to bring that as well. As far as shoes, we recommend wearing sandals or flip flops for easy removal since this is a no-shoes cruise!
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GoPros are always encouraged! We even provide extendable selfie sticks for you to borrow to use with your GoPro for the duration of the trip. Many people will bring cameras, this is an experience you will definitely remember, but do be aware of the possibility of your equipment taking salt spray! We do not permit drones on our vessel.
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Unfortunately this is not a wheelchair accessible trip. You must be able to walk down the dock and board the vessel. Our crew is happy to lend a supportive and helpful hand, but there are mobility requirements to maintain safety of you and our staff.
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If you have a history of motion sickness, we encourage you to take anti-nausea medication in advance to mitigate any sick feelings. Bringing along ginger chews can also help in the moment, and remaining hydrated can help to avoid feeling the motion of the ocean! That being said, everyone is different, and our vessel is very stable and comfortable.
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Our cancellation policy requires that any cancellations be made 48 hours before your trip departure time. For any groups of 5 or more, we require a 72-hour notice for a full refund. Private charters require a 5-day notice for a full refund. We understand that things come up, and are happy to work together to find a solution if there is an emergency situation.
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Lahaina is located on the leeward side of Maui, meaning we benefit from the sheltering effect of the West Maui Mountains as well as Haleakala. Your safety, as well as that of our crew and vessel, is always our number one priority. Our captains will use their many years of experience to make the decision with your best interest in mind when choosing whether or not to run the trip when we have sporty weather. If you have any questions about why certain decisions are being made about the weather, please reach out and we are happy to answer. If there are cancellations due to weather, we will fully refund you or rebook you on a calmer day!
