Small Group Cruises

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Dolphin Watch Raft
Lanai Wild Side Eco-Tour
Molokini Wild Side
Whalewatch Lahaina Raft

Dolphins! If the word brings a smile to your face, you owe it to yourself to join us on our Pacific Whale Foundation Raft Dolphin Watch. This small group tour, based on Pacific Whale Foundation's 17 years of wild dolphin research in Hawaii, focuses exclusively on introducing you to the wild dolphin species that are found in our island waters. You'll visit astoundingly beautiful areas where wild dolphins are found and enjoy expert interpretation of the dolphins' interactions and behaviors provided by our knowledgeable marine naturalists.

Our most commonly sighted dolphins are the social, gregarious Hawaiian spinner dolphins, typically found in large groups that can include 40 or more animals. You'll love their acrobatic leaps and the mid-air spins that gave these dolphins their name.

Bottlenose dolphins are seen regularly on our cruises. We also have occasional sightings of other members of the oceanic dolphin family -- including spotted dolphins and false killer whales, which are also found in large groups.

The excitement and thrills of ocean rafting are part of the fun of this cruise. Wind in your hair as you zip across the wide open ocean, you are certain to feel like a kid again! The ride is comfortable on our high-tech, modern rigid-bottomed raft, with its special anti-slamming design created especially for our ocean conditions here in Hawaii. When dolphins are sighted, our raft has you right there at water level, for some especially memorable viewing.

Dolphin sightings are guaranteed. if we fail to see dolphins during your cruise, you'll receive a FREE ticket to go again free on our Classic Dolphin Watch, offered every Sunday on our double-deck catamaran Ocean Discovery. If you prefer, we will offer you a 50% off ticket for another Raft Dolphin Watch.

Please note: We abide by National Marine Fisheries Service regulations and do not put our passengers in the water to swim with wild dolphins.

Includes:

* Filtered water and chilled soda or juices.

* Free marine wildlife poster

* Free downloadable Hawaii Wildlife Guides:

- Hawaii's Coral Reefs

- Hawaiian Monk Seals

- Hawaii's Sea Turtles

- Hawaii's Humpback Whales

- Hawaii's Wild Dolphins

Available:

* Affordable rentals of cameras and binoculars.

* Duration: Approximately 3 hours

* Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at 612 Front Street, Lahaina.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Molokini Wild Side

Pacific Whale Foundation has been offering quality ocean eco-adventures to Molokini for more than 30 years. We are pleased to offer a new small group Molokini eco-adventure that travels off the beaten path. It includes an opportunity to visit one or more reefs where sea turtles are plentiful and learn about these fascinating marine reptiles. There's no trip like it on Maui.

As with all of our Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures, this new trip is led by our team of knowledgeable Certified Marine Naturalists and a professional U.S. Coast Guard certified captain. It's based on our decades of marine research, including an extensive study of Molokini's fish, corals and wildlife.

We depart in the morning from Ma'alaea Harbor and head for Molokini. After snorkeling this remarkable mid-ocean reef, we'll cruise around Molokini's rugged red rock back wall. Birdwatchers be ready: we often sight seabirds such as Wedge-tailed shearwaters and Great frigatebirds that roost here!

And then we'll set off to explore, stopping to view wildlife at sea turtle and dolphin habitats. We'll also choose a reef that offers the clearest and calmest conditions for our second snorkel site. Explore on your own or take part in a guided reef tour led by our knowledgeable naturalist.

Our Molokini Wild Side Eco-Adventure is offered on our 54-foot single deck catamaran, Ocean Explorer. With comfortable armchair seats arranged grandstand style on the bow, plus a shaded back deck, shower and onboard bathrooms, Ocean Explorer combines comfort with the thrill of being closer to the water and ocean wildlife. It's U.S. Coast Guard certified for just 49 passengers, but we'll carry just 40 people, so there's plenty of room for everyone.

Includes:
* Expert narration by our Certified Marine Naturalists
* Opportunity to learn about sea turtle research
* Snorkeling at Molokini and a second site
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Wetsuit tops available for rental
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program.
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (coffee, juices, fruits and pastries)
* Barbeque lunch: chicken tenders (marinated in teriyaki sauce), hot dogs, veggie burgers, marinated Kula cucumber salad, three bean salad (with kidney, black and garbanzo beans), Kaiser rolls
* Homemade double chocolate chip cookies (made with organic flour)
* Refreshments: sodas, tropical juices and filtered water. (After snorkeling, adults age 21 and over with valid picture i.d. may enjoy one complimentary alcoholic beverage, including local micro-brew beer or wine or Mai Tai. Refills available for sale at a reasonable price.)
* Free marine wildlife poster.
* Free downloadable Hawaii Wildlife Guides:
- Hawaii's Coral Reefs
- Hawaiian Monk Seals
- Hawaii's Sea Turtles
- Hawaii's Humpback Whales
- Hawaii's Wild Dolphins

Available:
* Affordable rentals of underwater cameras and binoculars
* Rental of wetsuit tops
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the
week for a small additional fee.

Duration: Approximately 6 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at Ma'alaea Harbor Shops (next to Maui Ocean Center)

For ages 8 and over only. This eco-adventure is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with back problems.

Destinations subject to change due to sea or weather conditions.

As reviewed on Trip Advisor:

“Molikini wildside tour”

Reviewed April 21, 2013

"Awesome tour with PWF, I've been on two previous, whale watch/Molikini trips with PWF but this far outdid the others, smaller boat (34 people) frankly I was hesitant to do Molikini again because most tours are the cattle boat 100 + people all splashing around like lunitics, but this tour took us to a turtle cleaning station first which was awesome, tons of turtles. On the way we watched bottle-nosed dolphins which were a rare sighting and a few whales but for April most had left for Alaska, at Molikini the visiblity was 100 ft + and all the boats that were there earlier had already left so we pretty much had it all to ourselves. My wife saw a small octopus and I saw a small (3 ft.) white tip shark which was beyond cool, at first I was hesitant to tell our tour thinking someone might freak out, but what the heck , suck it up its just a beautiful little shark, so i told them it was right below them, no one freaked and they'll probably never forget seeing a shark in the wild. Staff was very friendly and pro, highly recomend this tour if you don't want to be packed in like sardines."

Read additional Trip Advisor reviews.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Lanai Wild Side Eco-Tour

If yours is the spirit of an explorer, join us on this exhilarating small group raft adventure that brings you up close to the secluded coastline of the exclusive island of Lana'i.

Lana'i's coast, largely undeveloped, feels unspoiled and remote even though it's just 7 miles from Maui. Riding on our ultra-smooth raft, you'll view unforgettable sights: blowholes, red rock sea cliffs, caves, untouched shorelines and stretches of nearly empty sandy beaches.

Amazing wildlife encounters await you, too. Lana'i is famous for its large populations of wild dolphins, plus toothed whales, sea turtles and the occasional Hawaiian monk seal. The snorkeling is world-class with warm clear waters and vibrant reefs teeming with marine life.

This is no ordinary raft adventure. It's brought to you by the experts at Pacific Whale Foundation, with 33 years' experience in leading award-winning ocean ecotours.

Ocean Adventurer is the newest raft in Pacific Whale Foundation's carefully maintained, high-performance fleet. It is a high-tech vessel with a rigid, channeled fiberglass hull that cuts through the waves for a remarkably smooth ride.

An overhead canopy provides shade. You can choose from forward facing padded seats or pontoon seats. This is one of the few Maui rafts with an onboard bathroom. There's a rear swim platform for easy access in and out of the water. There's also an onboard freshwater shower to rinse off after snorkeling!

There's no pre-determined route for this cruise. We'll explore and travel anywhere along Lana'i's coast where the weather, wind and wildlife offer fun and adventure. We'll stop at least twice for snorkeling, to jump in and explore at remote spots selected by our experienced captain to provide a customized experience that is designed just for you, your fellow adventurers and the unique conditions of the day.

We outfit you with quality snorkeling gear and our expert naturalists will help you perfect your snorkeling skills. And they'll also give you a lesson so you can identify the fish you see, and provide a guided tour of the reef.

As with all ocean rafting adventures, this trip is not recommended for pregnant women and anyone with neck or back problems. Children ages 6 and under not permitted. Otherwise, c'mon aboard -- and join the ultimate adventure of your vacation, departing from Lahaina Harbor.

Includes:

* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)

* Flotation devices

* Free snorkel skills improvement lesson

* Free fish i.d. class

* Free guided reef tour

* Continental breakfast

* Boxed lunch with a sandwich, fruit, chips and a little something sweet.

* Snacks and Ice-cold sodas, juices and filtered drinking water are available throughout the day.

* Free marine wildlife poster.

* Free downloadable Hawaii Wildlife Guides:

- Hawaii's Coral Reefs

- Hawaiian Monk Seals

- Hawaii's Sea Turtles

- Hawaii's Humpback Whales

- Hawaii's Wild Dolphins

Available:

* Affordable rentals of wet suit shirts, underwater cameras and binoculars.

* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the week for a small additional fee.

Departs: Daily from Lahaina Harbor

Duration: Approximately 6 hours

Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at 612 Front Street, Lahiana

As reviewed on Trip Advisor:

“Lana'i on the Wildside”

Reviewed May 12, 2013

Imagine, circumventing the Island of Lana'i (about 70 miles) in a raft complete with an overhead canopy, an onboard bathroom and a fresh water shower. Not to mention breakfast, lunch and chocolate chip cookies. The best seven hours on the best snorkeling trip ever! Captain Craig brough us to THREE fantastic snorkeling sites and naturalist Sergio was in the water with us to explain all about the wonders we were seeing in the crystal clear Pacific. The best snorkeling site was Shark Fin, not because we saw any sharks, but because it was like swimming in an aquarium! We observed blowholes, caves, lava tubes and ancient Hawaiian burial sites. Both Captain Craig and Sergio were extremely knowlegable about Hawaiian history, culture, the aquatic environment and the Pacific Whale Foundation. I would highly recommend this trip to any adult who loves the water, history, fish and great adventures.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Whalewatch Lahaina Raft

Experience the combined thrill of whalewatching and ocean rafting, on a brand new ecotour offered by Pacific Whale Foundation. Cruise from Lahaina Harbor on Pacific Whale Foundation's high-tech raft for exciting water-level encounters with Maui's humpback whales. You'll cruise on a sleek rigid hull inflatable raft with a unique anti-slamming design for a smoother ride than ordinary rafts.

Each trip includes expert interpretation of the whales' fascinating behaviors by Pacific Whale Foundation's certified marine naturalists. Sightings are guaranteed, or you get a free ticket for a regular Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatch.

Our 2-hour ocean rafting whalewatch cruises depart 4 times daily. First trip is 6:45 am.

Your ticket includes filtered water plus free whalewatch guide and whale poster. (Helpful hint: wear a swimsuit or quick drying clothing; getting wet is half the fun!) We provide complimentary use of dry bags for your valuables during your cruise.

Children must be 6 and over. Not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with neck or back concerns.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.