Specialty Cruises

What could be more romantic and fun than cruising on the vast Pacific Ocean under a brilliant full moon and enjoying drinks, appetizers and desserts? 

Join us for whale photography workshop at sea. Whether you are a novice or an experienced photographer, this unique hands-on adventure will help you learn and practice expert techniques for photographing whales and other wildlife. Bring your own digital camera and learn to get the best results from whatever model you currently own. During your three hour cruise, you’ll discover the most effective camera settings for our local conditions at sea. You’ll also learn about and have the opportunity to use proven digital photo techniques to maximize each opportunity presented by the whales that you encounter. We'll also take a break from photography to drop an underwater hydrophone into the water to listen to live whale songs.

Our Whale Photo Safaris are offered on two days each week:

Sunday morning from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, departing from Lahaina Harbor on our new raft, Ocean Freedom, to offer fantastic water-level views of whales. This cruise is led by a Pacific Whale Foundation naturalist and professional wildlife photographer David Fleetham. His photographs have been published around the globe, with over one hundred magazine covers to date. In 1991 his photograph of a sandbar shark appeared on the cover of LIFE. It is the only underwater photograph to ever be selected for the cover. His award-winning work has been published by National Geographic, The Cousteau Society and every North American diving publication. The Smithsonian Museum, The North Carolina Museum of Natural History, The London Zoo, Hong Kong Museum, The Waikiki, Vancouver, Monterey Bay, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Maui Ocean Center and the Aquarium of the Americas all display his work. 

Through February, this cruise will be offered on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm, departing from Ma'alaea Harbor on our small group catamaran Ocean Explorer, a favorite of many photographers. In March, it will be offered on Tuesdays, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This cruise is timed to include the golden light of sunset, and is led by Pacific Whale Foundation naturalist and photographer Dai Mar Tamarack. Dai Mar grew up on the barrier islands of Georgia and received a B.S. in Marine Science from University of GA. He became passionate about underwater wildlife photography while teaching Marine Biology at Catalina Island Marine Institute in California. He has spent time photographing blue whales and gray whales in California, southern right whales in Africa, and humpback whales during the last three whale seasons here in Maui. Dai Mar has helped lead photo safari eco tours in Africa. He says, "Working as a humpback whale naturalist and captaining boats here in Maui has given me an intimate understanding of humpback behavior. The better you know the animal you are trying to photograph, the more likely you are to capture the perfect photo."

• Sunday morning: Tropical-style continental breakfast with tropical fruit, fresh baked pastries, juices and local Maui coffee, served pre-departure at the dock.
  Wednesday evening: Array of hot and cold appetizers provided by Porto, our Mediterranean grill and flame-fired artisan pizza restaurant. 
• Soda and filtered water served throughout the cruise.
• Collection of digital photos taken by our team during your Whale Photo Safari and some favorite photos from Pacific Whale Foundation.
• Free whale poster and free color whalewatching guide.

• Affordable rentals of binoculars and point-and-shoot cameras

Ring in the New Year on Pacific Whale Foundation's festive New Year’s Eve late night dinner cruise. With live island-style entertainment throughout the cruise, a mouthwatering chef-prepared four-course dinner with drinks, plus a champagne toast at midnight, it's a fun and memorable way to greet the arrival of 2013!

Our dinner features locally grown, fresh produce from Maui farms; locally caught seafood; plus tantalizing steaks (of 100% grass fed beef) and teriyaki chicken, grilled fresh onboard. It's all served tableside by our attentive crew. And everyone is guaranteed outdoor seating, for the best views of the tropical night sky. 

Our dinner cruise menu features:

There’s no better way to celebrate a beautiful Christmas morning on Maui than on a Christmas Brunch Cruise on the beautiful Pacific. This two-hour cruise takes place on an ultra-smooth double-deck power catamaran; ittravels along the scenic West Maui coast. Bring along your camera for the spectacular views of the West Maui Mountains and neighbor islands. As a special bonus of the season, sightings of humpback whales are also very likely! 

Eat, drink and be merry aboard our festive Christmas Dinner Cruise. It’s where the Yuletide and the Maui tide meet! 

This holiday cruise offers a traditional Christmas dinner served in one of the world’s most beautiful settings: the Pacific Ocean at sunset, with spectacular views of the majestic Maui coastline and the neighbor islands. We’ll be watching for humpback whales, too, in a sea reflecting the golden hues of sunset. Sightings are likely at this very special time of year. 

A two-hour journey that will delight your senses and refresh your spirit, this cruise takes place on a smooth-riding double-deck catamaran. Our live island-style entertainment features holiday and Hawaiian music throughout the trip. 

Our dinner menu features:

Salad:
Upcountry Greens with Maui Onion Dressing

Entrees:
Oven Roasted Turkey with Gravy
Slow-Baked Island Baked Ham with Guava Jelly

Side Dishes:
Vegetable Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Creamy Russet Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
Haricot Vert Seasoned and Lightly Tossed in Butter
Medley of Grilled Fresh Island Vegetables
Fresh Baked Soft Rolls

Dessert:
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Mac Nut Brownies

Book early for this unforgettable cruise to enjoy a truly Maui-style Christmas. 

For a unique Maui-style way to celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy your holiday feast in a remarkable setting -- on the ocean at sunset -- on a relaxing Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation. Whether you choose the 2:00 pm or the 5:00 pm departure, this Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise offers you 360 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, the West Maui mountains and the neighbor islands (Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe). As a bonus, our 5:00 pm cruise offers this scenery, all drenched in the golden hues of sunset. With the possibility of guest appearances by wild dolphins or humpback whales, it's easy to use the word "magical" to describe the experience.

Avoid the hassle of parking and scramble for decent seats along the waterfront this 4th of July. Instead hop aboard one of our double-decker catamarans and get the best fireworks seats possible! With a fully stocked bar, great crew, good food, and great views, you are sure to remember this 4th of July celebration. This cruise includes all-American favorite appetizers, Hawaiian BBQ glazed Ribs and Marinated Chicken Breast, Grilled veggie medley, Mediterranean pasta salad, potato-macaroni salad, rolls, sliced watermelon and triple chocolate brownies and cocktails, and festive music. We include all you can drink juices, sodas and filtered water and each adult gets 3 cocktails of their choice of beer, wine, tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais (adults 21+, must have valid picture i.d.). Be sure to book this popular cruise early as these cruises sell out in advance every year!

Our Halloween Cocktail Cruise is a relaxing roundtrip sunset/starlit trip between Ma’alaea and Lahaina with cocktails and wickedly good appetizers – and a two hour stopover to enjoy Lahaina’s Halloween festivities.

Do something truly special on your Valentines Day; head out onto the ocean for a romantic evening with Pacific Whale Foundation’s Valentines Day Dinner Cruise!  Upgrade your Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise ticket and enjoy premium seating, with a guaranteed private table for your party. Your Premium Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise option also includes an upgraded menu of complimentary beverages, including up to three cocktails per adult, 21+, with valid picture i.d., including frozen, blended cocktails, premium Maui microbrewery beer (from Maui Brewing Co.), wine, Mai Tais and other tropical mixed drinks, and all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, and filtered water.  Premium seats aboard our Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise are limited, so please make your reservation early.  Our attentive staff will provide table side service of a delicious meal, with each plate prepared by our onboard chef.

The Valentine’s Day menu will include a choice of 

• Grilled Grass Fed Beef with Local Mushroom jus
• Boneless Teriyaki Chicken breast with pineapple and grilled onions
• Seared local caught fresh island fish with garlic soy cream sauce
• Sesame Cilantro Tofu with Mango sauce. 
• Entrees will be accompanied by baked spinach dip with fresh baked Focaccia Bread, fresh medley of Island grown Greens with Maui Onion dressing, Rice Pilaf, and Sautéed Carrots and Zucchini. 
• Special, decadent Valentine’s Day desserts

Includes: sparkling wine, Maui Brewing Co. beer, wine, Mai Tais and other tropical mixed drinks, plus unlimited soda, juices and filtered water.

Dress is casual. Guests may need a light jacket for the cool Maui evenings that occur at this time of year. Check in at 612 Front Street in Lahaina at our Pacific Whale Foundation Retail Store, just across from the famous Lahaina banyan tree.