Classic Whalewatch Special Ma'alaea

Our Classic Whalewatch Special is exactly the same as our Classic Whalewatches, except even more affordable. We offer these special cruises as part of our goal to make whalewatching accessible to all.

Each trip is led by a team of Pacific Whale Foundation's certified Marine Naturalists, who explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales. Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones, watch mothers and calves interact and see males compete for females.

Whale sightings are guaranteed on all Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatches (from November 26 – May 15) or you go again free. We are proud of our 97% sighting success rate.

Includes:
* Listening to whales on underwater hydrophones
* Educational talk by our team of certified Marine Naturalists
* Free Jr. Naturalist Program for kids
* Free whale poster and color whalewatch guide for your party
* Whale sightings guaranteed or you go again free

Available:
* Affordable rentals of binoculars and cameras
* Snacks and refreshments for purchase.

 Departs: Daily from November 26 – May 15. (Whale Search Cruises available in early and mid November.) Please check for availability.
 Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure:
- For  Ma’alea departures: Pacific Whale Foundation
Ocean Store at the Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea (next to Maui Ocean
Center).

For the ultimate in adventure, this exclusive Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventure offers a full day out on the water with two snorkel sites at two different islands.

Our first stop is world-famous Molokini crater. The snorkeling in this sheltered islet offers opportunities to view a wide array of wildlife. In fact, Molokini is home to more than 250 species of fish!

Next, we’ll cross the channel to snorkel off the scenic coast of Lana’i. The reefs surrounding Lana’i are known for their health and diversity, and the surrounding area is known for its populations of wild spinner, spotted and bottlenose dolphins.  Wild dolphin sightings are likely, and we often encounter a curious sea turtle or two. Whale sightings are an added bonus in winter.

Includes:  
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (locally grown fruits, Kula zucchini muffins, banana bread, coffee and juices). 
* Barbeque lunch: chicken tenders (marinated in teriyaki sauce), hot dogs, veggie burgers, marinated Kula cucumber salad, three bean salad (made with kidney, black and garbanzo beans), Kaiser rolls, plus 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, wine or Mai Tai. Additional alcoholic drinks, blended cocktails or 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 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 at 8:30 am from Ma’alaea Harbor
Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops (next to Maui Ocean Center). Parking is free.

Pacific Whale Foundation offers multiple whalewatch eco-adventures throughout the day from Ma’alaea Harbor.(In addition to morning and afternoon trips, we offer a sunset whalewatch -- the perfect way to kick back, relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful times of day on the water!)  Informative and fun, each of our two-hour whalewatches is led by a team of Pacific Whale Foundation's certified Marine Naturalists, who explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales for you. Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones, watch mothers and calves interact and see males compete for females. Every trip is different; you never know what you will experience!

Meet Our Vessels

Snorkel off the island of Lana’i and watch dolphins in the wild – all in one trip!

Discover why Lana’i has been rated as one of the top 10 snorkel and dive spots in the world as you snorkel a dazzling coral reef, home to abundant fish and sea turtles.

Wild dolphins are found off Lana'i, too, including spinner, spotted and bottlenose dolphins, and occasional toothed whales. Sightings of humpback whales are common in winter.

Includes:
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free  Jr. Naturalist program.
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (locally grown fruits, fresh-baked pastries, coffee and juices)
* Barbeque lunch: chicken, hot dogs and veggie burgers, plus pasta salad. 
* Chocolate chip cookies and pretzels
* 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, wine or Mai Tai. Additional alcoholic drinks, blended cocktails or 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 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.
 
* Duration: Approximately 5 hours
* Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at 612 Front Street, Lahaina.

 

The golden hours of dawn at sea offer some exceptional whalewatching! Join us for a sunrise whalewatch and capture the first whale sighting of the day as the sun rises over Haleakala.

The dawn light is a favorite for photographers and the ocean is typically at its calmest at this time of day. Don't forget your camera on this early, but incredible whalewatch!

Includes:
* Listening to whales on underwater hydrophones
* Educational talk by our team of certified Marine Naturalists.
* Free Jr. Naturalist Program for kids. Each party
* Free whale poster and color whalewatch guide for your party.

Available:
* Affordable rentals of binoculars and cameras
* Snacks and refreshments for purchase (soda, juice, Maui Brewing Co. beer, and wine)

Departs: Daily at 6:30 am
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation Booth at the Slip #1 at the Harbor


 

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