We had such an amazing experience with Maui Ocean Adventures from start to finish. We went this past week, and Captain Shannon and Alison were absolutely fantastic guides. Not only did we see 5+ whales, but we were also thrilled to spot a pod of 12+ dolphins--such an unforgettable surprise! Shannon and Alison made the trip extra special with their fun personalities, deep knowledge, and genuine passion for marine life. It was clear they truly care about the ocean and treat the animals with the utmost respect, which made the experience even more meaningful. I would highly recommend Maui Ocean Adventures to anyone looking for a memorable and responsible whale watching experience. Plus, it's a wonderful bonus to support a woman-owned business read more

Maui Ocean Adventure - Solid from Bow to Stern Maui Ocean Adventure came through big time. Captain James and First Hand Mindy ran that boat like true ocean pros steady hands, sharp eyes, knowing the water like family. Soon as we cleared the harbor, whales everywhere. Huge humpbacks breaching, tail-slaps rolling across the channel, blowholes firing like steam bursts. And the scenery? Unbeatable. Beautiful, scenic rainbows stretching over the ocean, mountains shining behind us, whole place looking like it was made just for that moment. We cruised through the swells like an old-school whaling crew, everyone along the gunwale waiting for the next giant to rise. Mindy calling out, "Port bow!" and boom another massive tail popping up to say aloha. For the price, the views, the whole vibe worth every cent. Met some good bradas and sistahs on board too, all sharing one awesome day. If you want a real-deal ocean adventure, this is the one. Mahalo read more

See all

This crew and boat are simply the best. Their kindness and attention to detail made our ride amazing. We brought 15 people on the boat Capt Shannon and Alison took such great care of us. Part 2. We took another whale watching Sunday with 16 people. This time Mindy and Capt James found the whales! We lost count! It was amazing. Both crews are professional, completely respect the whales and the ocean. You will be so glad if you book them! read more

See all

Absolutely amazing whale watching trip! I couldn't understand how a company could guarantee you'd see whales, but as soon as we got out on the water whales were everywhere. We took the tour mid January and seriously...whales everywhere!! The gals at Maui Ocean Adventure were super knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions, but honestly covered so much information about these amazing creatures I never even needed to ask a question. The boat is very nice and clean and pink! And also not huge so there's only about 20 people in total which was nice. We even had to reschedule because of horrible rain, winds and rough seas for the 0645 tour and they fit us in on another tour later that morning. It would've been nice to know about the cancelled early morning tour before we got up and Ubered from our hotel because the weather was pretty bad, but that's ok. I appreciate them being able to accommodate us the same day because that's the only availability we had. Definitely recommend this company! They're small, but definitely have a personal touch and I love the girl power! read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

This was an AMAZING whale watching excursion! Captain Emma and first mate Mindy made this fun AND educational! The knowledge these two shared about whale families, their behavior, and what the activities were being displayed made this unique experience. Being able to hear the whales was something I've never experienced on other excursions! We had a family of 12 that ranged in age from 70 to 2 years old, and everyone had a good time. Did I mention their music playlist was also fu energetic and fun to sing along with? The boat was very comfortable and good views were enjoyed by all. I would highly recommend this woman-owned and run business to everyone! read more

See all

This whale watching company is outstanding! The captain was very informational and made us all feel very welcome and safe. The actual experience, sunset whale watching, was phenomenal. We had the treat of following a very active pod in early January and boy were they active!! read more

See all

Absolutely book with Maui Ocean Adventures! We booked the sunrise whale watch and it did not disappoint. Many, active whales to see and a relaxed fun atmosphere. Captain Emma and 1st mate Lexi were great! So fun that they join in the excitement of a close encounter and shared interesting facts and stories for the whales. The boat was comfortable, super safe and had an easy going vibe. A memory maker for sure! read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Kid-friendly, safe, and SO much fun! - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

We had such a great time with Captain Emma and First Mate Reece! They were friendly, fun, and full of amazing knowledge about the sea life and the islands. The whole experience was unforgettable, highly recommend Maui Ocean Adventures! read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

Do not use this Company!! First things first they do not tell you it is a shoeless boat ( witch is fine if your prepared) but they also throw all your shoes together in a mesh bag yup there goes mine my wife's and best friends brand new whit shoes !!! with no remorse or regret! prior to boarding i was not feeling well and i was told "I have a bucket we're not gonna go back to Shor for one person"very bad vibe from the beginning did not make me feel safe upon boarding the ship I felt a little anxious and asked if they could take me back Captain Emma is extremely extremely rude. She immediately got an attitude and made a comment had a nearby boat take me back to the dock, which was fine the whole time she was complaining about having to take me back I apologize, but I had explained it would rather get off now then us being in the trip and not feel well. Upon picking up my wife from the dock after the trip, she explained to me that Captain Emma was extremely rude made a comment to everybody on the boat saying "I guess I'm talking to myself" super unprofessional and not Ohana at all. My brother has lived on this island for over 28 years and I've never experienced the worst Ohana ever please save yourself the rudeness and go with the different company. I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as well a refund is less of my worries being treated kindly is free just remember that Captain Emma it cost nothing to be kind especially if you want people to come and use your company. I hope that God graces you with more Ohana so that the next time you have a group of people, you will kill them with kindness. read more

We went on the 6:45 a.m. charter and it was truly magical. We saw multiple humpback whales up close, and the experience exceeded every expectation. I have been on many whale watching tours. This one offers the same experience at a better value. In Jan/feb you will see whales regardless so don't over pay. What sets Maui Ocean Adventures apart is the small-boat experience. Being on a smaller vessel creates a much more intimate, although there is no bathroom onboard as an FYI. However you get a more immersive connection with the whales--you're not just watching from a distance, you're part of the moment. Allison and Shannon are outstanding captains and guides: knowledgeable, calm, and clearly passionate about what they do. They made the trip feel both safe and special from start to finish. If you're considering whale watching in Maui, this is the way to do it. read more

Such a great experience!! First stop Manele at Lanii, then found a huge spinner dolphin pod and final snorkel at the turtle cleaning station at Mala. Captain Emma was very knowledgeable and personable. First mate Laney was helpful and did great scouting for us to see all the beautiful creatures. Highly recommend this locally owned women's business. read more

See all

Emma and Shannon were so amazing and showed our group incredible views of whales! They knew right where to go and were very knowledgeable and fun. The boat was extremely well kept and had great music and vibes! We would absolutely do this tour again when we are back in town read more

We had a blast on Maui ocean adventures. We're locals. I loved having an all girl crew. They were quite amazing. We saw tons of whales. It was truly a wonderful experience. Thanks Karine & Jeff read more

See all

Great trip. Will go again . Captain so nice and knowledgeable. We felt like we were very special. It's a small boat but you feel so with one in the ocean with these magnificent creatures. read more

a minute ago I have always wanted to go whale watching. It's been on my bucket list and a friend of mine in San Francisco. Referred this tour group to me. Newly operated, women owned, expertly fabulous! We saw more than we thought we would see out there. We saw a pod of whales fighting for a female, we saw multiple different whales, breaching, and splashing tales. It was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Highly recommend! read more

My wife and I went on this cruise twice. The first time, we saw a total of 5 humpbacks! The first two were young males, the last three were two males, one from Russia, trying to impress a female. Two days later, we saw a single female, breaching several times. Magical! A few things to know about this cruise- it's easy to get to, with plenty of parking. The boat is nice and modern, large enough to be stable in the ocean, small enough to easily move about from front to back and port to starboard. Bring your own beverage, as only bottled water is provided; it's not a booze cruise. The Captain and first mate are great! After the trip, there are several good restaurants nearby. Enjoy! read more

We had THE BEST snorkle trip today! Went to the back side of Lana'i and found beautiful clear waters and lots of different fish. The spinner dolphins led the way to our spot as they swam with our boat. The boat is clean and well kept...and I can't say enough good things about our captain Emma and crew Allison!!! They were extremely knowledgeable and gave us so much personal attention I felt like we were being shown the best spots by friends, not guides. Highly recommend as this business is getting started again after the Lahaina fires. Banana bread--ono read more

They were organized, the crew was fantastic, shared knowledge about the whales and Maui in general, and were probably more excited than the guests about an amazing interaction we had with a whale. I learned a ton. As a bonus we had a wonderful golden retriever riding along for scratches, watching the whales, and bringing good luck. read more

See all

We had such a fun and exciting trip aboard the pink boat with Captain Emma and Lexi. We got to see a momma and baby humpback whales along with their male escort. We also got to listen to them through an underwater mic. The whole trip was unforgettable and will be a cherished memory. Thank you Maui Ocean Adventures! read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - The pink boat - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

See all

Best day ever! Party of 11 and too many whales to count! Chrissy and Reese Babies, Mamas and Escorts read more

Captains Shannon and Lainie were great guides to a wonderful whale watching experience. Professional, passionate, and engaging - they were awesome and put us on some great whale experiences. Would highly recommend! read more

What great guides Shannon and Allison were! Fun time , great weather, loads of facts shared and we saw whales!! Highly recommend

We went out with Maui Ocean Adventures this morning & it was an exhilarating experience. Emma & Shannon have a vast knowledge & love of whales. We had a mama & baby come within 10 feet of our boat & didn't want to leave. We watched them "perform" for us for about 20 minutes. It was unforgettable. read more

Laney and Shannon were an awesome crew to go out on a whale watching tour!! They were both so friendly, fun and informative!! We saw a bunch of whales (babies, mama's and mates)!!! read more

The tour we originally scheduled with a different company had to be canceled due to mechanical issues, and the folks at Maui Ocean Adventures had the "sister boat" and were offering spots on their tours for those stranded without plans. While it may have cost a little more than the original tour, the experience was worth it and one we will never forget. The captain, Emma, is so knowledgable with over a decade of experience between Hawaii and Alaska, even including research expeditions. The rest of the crew (Heidi, Bailey, Chrissy) were absolutely phenomenal as well. Everybody was so fun and helpful, with some great laughs and even sending some cute candid pictures they captured on the tour too. We smoothly zipped around the 'Au'au Channel in their boat Macy and saw several whales, and were encouraged to be part of the "look out" process to help spot the next whale to go check out. From spouts, to whale tails, fin slaps, and interactions with a local research vessel, this was a wonderful experience, at more of personal level than I was expecting. For these tours, it's not a scripted "rinse and repeat" tour. This crew makes each trip unique and unforgettable. The information they share along the way is mind blowing, and they happily (and passionately!) answered any question we asked and more! We even had the privilege of meeting the one and only Macy - their whale-loving (obsessed) Golden Retriever the boat is named after. read more

The crew of captain Emma and Shannon first mate made our trip so much fun. It was early in the season but they drove our boat near to Lanai where we saw groups of two three and four whales playing In the waves. There was even a bottle nose dolphin or two poking their larger cousins. It was a magical day. read more

Great Views, Great Crew. We had an outstanding time on this whale watching trip. The boat was very clean. The crew was very knowledgeable of the whales in the area and got us really close to them. We were able to see several humpback whales and their babies. The sunset was spectacular. Highly recommend booking with this crew for a day time or evening experience. This crew was impacted by the wild fire and is getting their business going again. Please give them a try, they won't disappoint. read more

See all

Excellent! My family and I got to see lots of whales up close and learn about them from our excellent guides, Emma and Lexi. They were friendly and VERY passionate about whales! We also got to hear the whale calls on this cool hydrophone / speaker that they brought along. As another added touch, whenever we were speeding along to our next view, they played fun upbeat music for us to jam to. We took the sunset tour which was absolutely stunning, would recommend. The picture I included doesn't do it justice because we were mostly videoing. PS if you get motion sick, bring along some ocean wrist bands, they really do make all the difference because the boat rocks significantly. read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

Shannon and Lainey gave us an amazing Sunrise Whale Watch trip. Not only did we saw many whales, they provided interesting information and answered many questions. Highly recommend! read more

We were with Shannon and Allison, and we had the best morning ever! The driving was excellent so boat ride was so fun, and we saw so many whales! Both Allison and Shannon were so knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. We ended up seeing a 5-7 whale Challenge group, which was genuinely one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. These animals are truly magical and if I ever come back to Hawaii, I'd go to no one else but Maui Ocean Adventures to see them again. Excellent playlist, excellent whale facts, excellent whales. There weren't a lot of boats around us so it was quiet enough to listen to some whale song as well! The only bad thing I have to warn about is how sad it is when it ends. We did our whale watching trip on Jan 1, 2026 and hopefully we do another soon! read more

What an increase experience Whale watching!! Emma and Danielle were amazing at spotting the whales and were so knowledgeable. We were so impressed by the entire women run crew!!! read more

Loved Maui. Way before the fires. Friendly people. Awesome dock and sailboats. Visited other islands on our tour. read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Beach area - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

We went on a whale watching cruise with these guys and it was so much fun! Shannon and Emma were so entertaining and knowledgeable and kept the vibes upbeat and fun. Would definitely go again when I come back to Maui!! read more

We have been on dozens of whale watching tours in many places. This one was great! Enjoyed the fast boat and the all female operation!! They definitely knew their "stuff". Of course there are lots of whales this time of year in Maui but we had an educational and fun day. read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Enjoying the new boat!! - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

See all

My husband and I can't stop talking about the amazing whale watching trip we had with these fabulous ladies!!! The amount of knowledge they were able to add to the trip made it all the more special. Oh and the whales!!! They tried to set expectations low since it's towards the end of the season but they are true whale magnets and the whales were everywhere. I was a bit nervous this being my first trip but these mammals are truly awe inspiring and an experience I will be sure to do again Thank you again Emma, Heidi, and Chrissy!!! read more

The hospitality of both Capt Emma & Lacey was spectacular. Them looking out for their passengers was great. Their knowledge of the ocean life was good. Highly recommend this boat and crew for an ocean adventure! read more

I had the best time seeing humpback whales with Maui Ocean Adventures! So much so that I reactivated my yelp account just to post about it. Captain Emma and Reece were fantastic and we learned so many scientific facts about the whales. They follow all MMPA laws and you can tell that they really love and care about the whales. One of the whales, named "Cricket," swam right over to us(she has kind eyes) and under the boat!! My pictures don't do her justice because I was so excited, my GoPro faced the wrong way. :D They also put a hydrophone in the water and we could hear the whales singing! I heard you can also book a private charter and request their dogs to go with, so we might ask if we can do that on my next visit to Maui. You can also sponsor a Lahaina fire survivor's seat for whale watching, so you are supporting a business that supports the community. What a great way to help heal. Also...the boat is pink, which I think gives it a little something extra. Best whale watch I've ever been on! Thank you Maui Ocean Adventures, Captain Emma, and Captain Reece!! Core memories for sure! read more

Maui Ocean Adventures - Humpback whale - Whale Watching Tours Near Me

See all

January 21, 2025. Absolutely incredible experience with this operation. Captain Emma and coordinator Shannon did an absolutely incredible job via a nimble boat that guided us to some of the most incredible well watching interactions I have ever seen in my lifetime. And, I am from Alaska. I recommend this crew, this tour and operation. Cannot speak enough good about them well done Emma and Shannon. Best two hours of 2025 so far! read more

A wonderful way to watch whales. The crew are insightful and delightful. The boat is new and design to give maximum viewing possibilities. You get the triple benefit of contributing to a local Lahaina independent business, a women's enterprise, and a great experience. read more

See all

AMAZING! Worth every penny. Captains Emma and Shannon are great, very knowledgeable, and personable. We loved our experience. I HIGHLY recommend Maui Ocean Adventures.I thought it was great looking at the whales from land, but this was up close and personal! An experience of a lifetime. read more