Our PacWhale Eco-Adventures cruises and ecotours have resumed with an abbreviated schedule and safety protocols in place that strictly adhere to state- and CDC-mandated guidelines to ensure the health and well-being of all guests and vessels staff. Both our Lahaina and Ma’alaea retail stores are now open in a limited capacity that allows us to enforce safety protocols and physical distancing between customers as well as staff. Due to COVID-19, we are currently not accepting cash payments at our retail locations.
You can support us by booking a trip or purchasing a gift card directly from our website, adopting a marine animal, or donating.
As a social enterprise, PacWhale Eco-Adventures primary purpose is to fund and support Pacific Whale Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship. Your tax-deductible donation to PWF allows this important work to continue. Make a donation and/or learn more about PWF’s programs and mission at pacificwhale.org.
Absolutely! Now that we have reopened in accordance with state and local laws and orders and are working closely with governmental agencies to provide a safe venue for our guests, we would love to provide an intimate excursion for you and your guests. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the state-mandated COVID-19 guidelines and protocols by visiting www.hawaiicovid19.com. To take advantage of this unique opportunity, book a private charter or our new Private Tour Shared Experience by calling 808-650-7223.
For the comfort of our passengers in these unprecedented times, we ask that if you are experiencing a persistent cough or sneezing for any reason (beyond a quick cough to clear your throat) that you DO NOT join any group setting, including our tours and cruises. We understand that it is allergy season, but given the heightened sensitivity to common allergy symptoms, we ask that you consider booking when pollen is not so prevalent or consider booking a private charter.
While our primary concern is keeping our passengers, captains and crew as safe as possible, we realize a person can be a coronavirus carrier without an elevated temperature. We strongly advise conducting at-home health and temperature checks in the days leading up to the trip and if you think you could possibly have COVID-19 or another transmittable illness, please call us to reschedule or cancel your trip.
Are you kidding? It’ll be even more fun, given the past several months. Imagine breathing in fresh ocean air, snorkeling in pristine waters or relaxing on a sunset cruise. Plus, it’s an opportunity to enjoy our spacious, comfortable boats and expert crew with a smaller number of people onboard as our naturalists intimately share their passion for ocean conservation. As we all adjust to a new way of doing things, it’s even more important to find joy where you can. And we’re confident you’ll find that with us. It’s also a chance to feel good about your purchase, which keeps our crew employed during this difficult time and funds Pacific Whale Foundation through the social enterprise. With your continued support, we’ll be ready and here for you as things return to normal.
Learn more about how COVID-19 affects whales and dolphins HERE.
Rest assured that we are working closely with state, county and CDC safety requirements to ensure that our guests enjoy only the safest environment and experience possible as we collectively navigate the pandemic. All travelers to the Islands should follow the state’s and CDC’s guidelines for individuals. You can familiarize yourself with these guidelines by visiting www.hawaiicovid19.com.
On Oct. 15, 2020, the state of Hawaii introduced the Safe Travels testing program. Domestic arrivals and arrivals from Japan (effective Nov. 6, 2020) who present a negative COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS, within 72 hours prior to departing onthe final leg of their trip to Hawaii, will have enhanced entry. All others will be required to quarantine for 14days. Travelers are encouraged to register on the Safe Travels website. Visit www.hawaiicovid19.com for more information.
You can check for the most up-to-date information HERE.
Normally, we accept cancellations 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of your trip. Due to the current health crisis, we will consider late cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. quarantine, isolation or flu-like symptoms. As we do this in good faith, we deeply appreciate the earliest cancellationnotice possible.
Normally, we accept cancellations 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of your trip. Due to the current health crisis, we will consider late cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. quarantine, isolation or flu-like symptoms. As we do this in good faith, we deeply appreciate the earliest cancellation notice possible.
Call us and let’s chat. Keeping our passengers, captains and crew safe is our No. 1 priority, without compromise. Due to current extenuating circumstances, we are extremely flexible when considering refund requests.
We ask our guests to conduct their own health and temperature checks prior to arriving, however, if you are running a temperature, even as late as the morning of the trip, please call us for a full refund. Again, we ask that you keep very close tabs on your own health and DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE SICK.
Yes. Our office is currently open by appointment only. We’re also available via email or phone if you’d like to make a reservation or if you have any questions. Our email is [email protected] and our number is 808-650-7223.
Our Lahaina and Ma‘alaea Ocean Stores are open to the public. In order to maintain required physical distancing and keep everyone safe, we may limit the number of guests in our retail stores. We appreciate your patience if you’re asked to wait until other shoppers have completed their shopping experience before entering the store. Please remember that you can also shop remotely via our newly designed e-commerce site at store.pacificwhale.org.
The new e-waiver will replace the previous physical check-in procedure. Per USCG carriage requirements and State contact tracing requirements, we are required to keep a manifest of all guests on our vessel(s) and to allow contact tracing in the event of possible COVID-19 exposure while on board. For this purpose, we now require contact information on our waivers. In addition, your confirmation email will also include our policies regarding COVID-19 and identify possible risks should you choose to join us on an Eco-tour. Upon booking, we will send an email link for the e-waiver to the email address on file. The person who booked the reservation is responsible to forward a waiver for each adult in their party to complete. As this is a new system, we thank you in advance for your patience.
To avoid large gatherings in our retail locations, we are asking guests to help by signing our required waivers using our new e-waivers prior to arriving. At the time of your booking, we’ll send you a link where you can access and sign the waiver, followed by a reminder 24 hours prior to your tour if the waiver hasn’t been signed. Once we receive the waiver, we’ll send instructions on where to meet the crew. Please be easily accessible by phone the day of the excursion in the event we need to contact you.
The number of people allowed onboard varies with each boat and trip type. Our current policy requires a minimum separation of six feet between groups. Most of our vessels are 65-foot double deck catamarans, which easily accommodates physical distancing while our guests enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride. Generally, our tours will be operating at 50% capacity or less.
The number of people allowed onboard varies with each boat and trip type. Our current policy requires a minimum separation of six feet between groups. Most of our vessels are 65-foot double deck catamarans, which easily accommodates physical distancing while our guests enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride. Generally, our tours will be operating at 75% capacity or less.
Our operation has three options for your convenience: Bring, Borrow or Buy gear. We are confident in our sanitization practices onboard and will continue to offer our gear free of charge to use while onboard. Of course, you’re always welcome to bring your own gear. We also sell our industry-leading silicone masks and purge snorkels in our store and offer a 25% discount with every excursion purchase.
Following strict adherence to the manufacturer’s specifications, we submerge all masks and snorkels in commercial-grade sanitization solution. Staff members wearing gloves remove the equipment, let it dry, then safely store it. Gloves are used throughout the entire process of the guest receiving the equipment.
Due to physical distancing requirements, we are asking all passengers not seated in the main cabin to use this area sparingly, primarily when/if you need to use the head (restroom). Our crew members will be assisting you with any needed bar and food service to help maintain physical distancing.
We no longer require masks onboard our vessels but invite guest to wear their masks if they are more comfortable. Masks do still need to be worn inside our retail stores.
In accordance with current CDC regulations, county, state and federal mandate, deckhands and captains are no longer required to wear masks on board.
There will be a jar on each boat if you’d like to tip your crew. If you prefer to leave a tip by card, you can do this on the tour or inform the office – we can help. Be sure to remember the tour and boat name so we get this to the appropriate crew.
In 2006, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed sweeping laws under HRS328J expanding the scope of smoke-free prohibitions in various enclosed and partially enclosed areas. Effective January 1, 2016 the prohibition now includes electronic smoking devices also known as e-cigarettes. Furthermore, Maui County parks and beaches are also smoke free. [Maui County Code 13.040.20 amended by Ord 4120]. To learn more about Hawai`i’s Smoke Free Environment click HERE (include: https://health.hawaii.gov/tobacco/home/laws/)
For guests who prefer a no-touch tour, we have modified our policies to allow outside food and sealed non-alcoholic canned drinks on board. Guests may also bring their own snorkeling equipment, cups and floatation devices. Per Maui County Liquor Commission rules, we will check all coolers prior to boarding for alcohol to prevent outside alcohol from being consumed on the premises and any container that is used for alcohol may not leave the premises.
Yes, our retail stores are ready to serve you and, as always, have a free gift (our way of saying “mahalo” to our guests) and will be providing these to you with gloved hands.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 808-650-7223.
