Adventure, Curated
Explore 5,000+ human-powered experiences — handpicked outdoor adventures for all skill levels with max stoke, zero hassle.
Local Legends, Real Reviews
We partner with the best in the business — trusted local outfitters and guides who know the trails, tides, and terrain. Backed by 185,000+ reviews, averaging 4.8⭐
Book Direct, Best Price Guarantee
Get the best price, availability, and flexibility you need by booking directly with the outfitter or guide.
Protect What You Love
Your adventure gives back. Every booking supports conservation and keeps wild places wild.
Maui Outrigger Canoe Whale Watching Tour
Pricing
Description
Paddle into Maui’s Whale Season aboard a Traditional Outrigger Canoe!
Paddle from Wailea Beach into the waters of South Maui during one of the most exciting times of year. From December 20 through March 31, humpback whales gather in Hawaiian waters, and this guided outrigger canoe adventure gives you the chance to watch for them from an intimate, water-level perspective while experiencing one of Polynesia’s great seafaring traditions.
Working together with your fellow paddlers, you'll propel the outrigger along the Wailea coastline while your guide scans the horizon for signs of whale activity. Watch for the misty burst of a spout, a tail fluke disappearing beneath the surface, powerful pectoral-fin slaps, or the unforgettable splash of a full breach. Mothers and calves also spend the winter in Maui's waters, making every trip different and every sighting completely dependent on what the whales are doing that morning.
Between sightings, your guide brings the experience to life with stories about humpback migration and behavior as well as the history and significance of outrigger canoe paddling in Hawaii and across Polynesia. Sitting low on the water creates a remarkable sense of connection to the surrounding ocean—you'll feel the movement of the Pacific beneath the hull, hear the rhythm of the paddles, and experience the anticipation of scanning the horizon for the next whale to surface.
All humpback whales are observed respectfully and from the legally required distance; the canoe will never chase, touch, or intentionally approach whales too closely. If a whale chooses to surface closer on its own, your guide will follow applicable wildlife-viewing regulations. With wild animals, sightings and specific behaviors can never be guaranteed.
For travelers who want their whale watching to feel like an active Maui adventure rather than simply a sightseeing cruise, paddling an outrigger canoe off Wailea offers an unforgettable way to spend a morning during humpback season.
Duration
- 2 Hours Total
Location / Where to Meet
- Check In / Departure Address: Wailea Beach, Kihei, HI 96753, United States
- Meet at the Maui Pacific Tours beach stand on Wailea Beach, directly next to the Grand Wailea (A Waldorf Astoria Resort), 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753, United States
- The launch site is steps from the resort's beach access.
- There are two available public parking lots nearby at the Wailea Public Beach lot and a smaller lot near the Wailea Beach path entry. These both often fill by 9:00 am in the mornings so please arrive early to find parking.
- There are restrooms and outdoor showers available for use at the main Wailea Beach access point.
Ages & Requirements
- All ages welcome!
- Guests must be able to sit in the canoe and paddle along with the group for the full two-hour tour.
- This is an on-the-water observation tour — guests do NOT enter the water during the whale watch.
- Tours use six-person outrigger canoes, allowing the group to paddle together under the direction of an experienced guide. Smaller parties may be paired with other guests to fill the canoe.
- This tour is only available from December 20th to March 31st, during Maui's humpback whale season.
What's Included
- Two-hour outrigger canoe whale watching tour
- Guided paddling instruction
- Traditional outrigger canoe and paddles
- Experienced local guide with knowledge of local whale behavior and migration patterns
Not Included
- Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides!
- You have the option to add trip protection at checkout for an additional fee.
What to Bring / Wear
- Comfortable, Quick-Drying Clothing
- Extra Layers of Clothing - Sweatshirts and Warm Hats (mornings on the water can be breezy)
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen (non-nano, avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate)
- Hat & Polarized Sunglasses
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Dry Bag
- Required Paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
- Seasickness Medications - If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended to take sea sickness medication at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before the scheduled kayaking time.
- Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
- Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get lost or damaged by the water.
ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Maui Pacific Tours
FAQs
When is whale season in Maui?
Whale season runs from December 20th through March 31st. This tour is offered during that window, when humpback whales are present in South Maui waters.
Are we guaranteed to see whales?
No. Humpback whales are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. This tour operates during Maui’s whale season, from December 20 through March 31, when humpbacks are present in Hawaiian waters in large numbers. Your guide will actively watch for spouts, breaches, tail flukes, and other signs of whale activity throughout the paddle, but every trip is different.
Do we get in the water with the whales?
No. This is a whale-watching experience from the outrigger canoe, not a swim-with-whales tour. Guests remain in the canoe while observing humpbacks from a safe and respectful distance. You should never attempt to swim toward, touch, chase, or otherwise interact with a humpback whale.
How close can the canoe get to the whales?
Humpback whales in Hawaii are federally protected, and the canoe must remain at least 100 yards (91 m) away. Your guide will never intentionally paddle closer than the legally permitted distance or chase a whale. Occasionally, a whale may choose to surface or swim closer to the canoe on its own; if that happens, your guide will follow applicable wildlife-viewing regulations and allow the whale to move away naturally.
Do I need paddling experience?
No previous outrigger canoe experience is necessary. Your guide will introduce you to the canoe, explain basic paddling technique, and help the group work together before heading offshore. You should be comfortable participating in an active ocean activity, but you don't need to arrive knowing how to paddle.
What is an outrigger canoe, and how many people are in each canoe?
An outrigger canoe is a traditional Polynesian-style canoe with a smaller lateral float, or ama, connected to the main hull for additional stability on the ocean. Tours use six-person outrigger canoes, allowing the group to paddle together under the direction of an experienced guide. Smaller parties may be paired with other guests to fill the canoe.
What whale behaviors might we see?
Every trip is different, but keep watch for blows (spouts), tail flukes, pectoral-fin slaps, tail slaps, spyhops, and breaches. You may also see mothers traveling with or caring for their calves during Maui’s winter whale season. Some mornings are full of surface activity while others offer quieter sightings of whales traveling or resting.
Why go whale watching in an outrigger canoe?
An outrigger canoe combines whale watching with an active Hawaiian ocean experience. Sitting close to water level gives you a completely different perspective than viewing the ocean from a larger vessel, while paddling allows you to experience the rhythm and teamwork of traditional outrigger canoeing. It's a great choice for guests who want their whale watch to feel like an adventure rather than simply a sightseeing cruise.
Cancellation Policy
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Availability
Reviews
Location
Address
3850 Wailea Alanui Dr
Wailea, HI, 96753
US
ASK THE LOCAL EXPERT
Best price guarantee - book direct with the outfitter
Trusted local outfitters, vetted for quality
Free cancellation on most adventures