Locally owned and operated in Lahaina, Maui
Whale watching from November to April. Snorkeling with dolphins and turtles, and bottom fishing, from spring through fall. Private charters year round.
4.9 on Google from 1,279 reviews
4.9 on TripAdvisor from 2,437 reviews
Conditions change every day, so leave it up to our experienced captains.
Humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawai‘i each winter to mate and give birth. Watch them from MAKAI, with shaded seating, an onboard restroom, naturalists, and a hydrophone so you can hear them sing.
Cross the ‘Au‘au Channel to Lāna‘i’s sea cliffs, sea caves and coral reefs, looking for resident spinner dolphins on the way. Lunch onboard. If weather won’t allow a crossing, we snorkel the West Maui coast.
Best for adults and kids over 4. Snorkelers must be able to swim.
A mid-afternoon West Maui trip: cruise with dolphins, then snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles in Honu Heaven. Ideal for last-minute plans and easing into snorkeling. All ages welcome.
Lahaina’s calm water, depths of 75–200 feet, and fish like snappers, jacks and wrasses. Penn reels and instruction included, and we clean your catch so you can take it with you.
Hawai‘i State fishing license required. Morning or afternoon departures.
The day is yours. Choose your activities and we’ll build a custom trip for your family, friends or group. A cooler of ice is included. Contact us for catering options.
A 45′ Beneteau Oceanis for sunset sails, performance sails, snorkel and sail combos, proposals and ash scatterings. Call for details and pricing.
Custom built and designed by us for Makai Adventures.
Big-boat comfort with a small-boat feel. Not too big, not too small — just right.
The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire took Lahaina Harbor and our first boat, Kainalu. MAKAI hit the water on December 20, 2025. Mahalo for being part of our comeback.
A small, locally owned team of mostly full-time Hawai‘i residents, sharing local knowledge, Hawaiian history and marine life along the way.
Every captain holds a United States Coast Guard license and certifications.
Our whole team is First Aid and CPR certified, and an in-water guide and naturalist swims with you on snorkel trips.
Sea Sports silicone gear: frameless masks, dry snorkels, adjustable fins and optional flotation belts, hand-washed and sanitized after every trip.
We depart from Mala Boat Ramp in Lahaina. It’s open to the public, and there’s no Makai sign, so here’s how to find us.
4.9 on Google from 1,279 reviews. A few recent five-star reviews, quoted as written. Read more reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“We got lucky and saw a competition of male whales competing behind a female and baby.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“By far the best experience ever!!!!”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“Their enthusiasm was authentic and contagious!”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“We have been on many whale watching tours. This is by far the best experience we've had.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“Seeing a mother and calf was priceless!”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“I cannot recommend Makai Adventures enough and it’s great to support a small local business.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“We saw numerous whales up close and personal, and even watched them swim under our boat.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“We saw lots of whales and even some dolphins and sea turtles.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“Our favorite excursion in Maui was Makai whale watching.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“It’s late in the season but they found us whales!”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“Levi and Allison knows their boat, the sea and the whales.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“So 3 whales came to our boat and literally hung out with us for over 15 minutes.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“We saw whales within the first five minutes of being out on the water.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“Celebrated our honeymoon with Makai and was an amazing experience.”
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
“The large male humpback spent a WHILE all around our boat, putting on the show of a lifetime.”
Two-hour tours from Lahaina, five departures a day. Book direct with us online, or text or call and we’ll help you pick a time.
