Add dates

Maalaea Photography tours

Our most recommended Maalaea Photography tours

From Ma'alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tours Aboard the Malolo

1. From Ma'alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tours Aboard the Malolo

Depart from Maalaea Harbor, easily located off the highway with ample parking. This high-speed catamaran is located at Slip 87 near Coast Guard Station. While on board, enjoy complimentary juices and sodas, and a variety of alcoholic beverages. The optimal whale watching season starts in December and goes through April, during which thousands of humpback whales return to Hawaii for a few months each year to mate and give birth. Depending on the whales’ behavior during your two-hour whale watching trip, you may see any number of whale activity happening, from tail flapping to full body breaching. Keep your eyes peeled for whales slapping the surface with pectoral fins (their very long side fins), flukes (the tail), and the peduncle (the strong muscles attaching the tail to the rest of the body). Keep your fingers crossed for a breach - this is when a whale rises completely out of the water and crashes down again. And most importantly, don’t forget to bring your camera to capture a picture of these amazing animals.

Maui: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel with Deli Lunch

2. Maui: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel with Deli Lunch

See Maui from a new perspective as you swim and snorkel alongside its marine life at Molokini and Turtle Town. Cruise to these famous snorkeling destinations by catamaran, and enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Meet your captain and crew near Maalaea Harbor for your check-in. Board the comfortable catamaran and enjoy a continental breakfast of pastries, muffins, fresh fruits, coffee, tea, juice, soda, and water as you head towards Molokini. Arrive at Molokini and admire the scenery of the extinct volcanic cone, home to around 250 different local species. Jump into the water and snorkel with native wildlife such as black triggerfish, yellow tang, and parrotfish. Continue onto Turtle Town, where you’ll swim with protected Hawaiian green sea turtles among the underwater lava formations. Rest assured a lifeguard will be in the water at all times as you snorkel around the beautiful coral gardens. Enjoy a deli lunch with your choice of roast beef, chicken, or ham croissant sandwiches, or pulled pork and BBQ sauce on a bun, with chips, soft drinks, juice, and water. Choose to purchase beers or a Mai Tai, and relax in the shade of the cabin. Or top up your tan on the bow of the boat as you return to Maalaea Harbor, where your unforgettable activity will come to an end.

Maui: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise

3. Maui: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise

Watch the glow of the sunset on the Kahalawai Mountains, Lanai Island, and the Molokini Crater on this sunset catamaran cruise from Ma’alaea. Keep an eye out for humpback whales while listening to Hawaiian music. Savor a gourmet dinner and relax with two drinks from the bar. Depart from the Ma’alaea Harbor and set off into the waves on a catamaran. After exiting the harbor, enjoy a complimentary drink before the dinner service kicks off. Explore the alcoves of the boat, gaze out over the ocean, and snap photos. While soaking up the tropical views, listen to island-style music. For dinner, chef Keoni will serve the succulent Hawaiian prime rib, Mahi Mahi, teriyaki chicken, ribs, steamed vegetables, white rice with soy sauce, and more. As you dine, take in views of Kaho’olawe and Lanai in the distance, as well as the top snorkeling location, Molokini Crater. Gaze out at the Kahalawai Mountains of Maui extending toward the sky. You are likely to see humpback whales visiting the islands from Alaska along with other marine mammals.

Maui: Molokini Wild Eco Adventure from Maalaea Harbor

4. Maui: Molokini Wild Eco Adventure from Maalaea Harbor

Feast on a continental breakfast as you meet your group for the day. Enjoy Maui Vegetable Fritatta, assorted pastries, fruit platters, juice, and Maui coffee. Explore Molokini on an intimate, small-group ecotour of Maui’s #1 snorkeling and diving destination. Each adventure carries no more than 34 guests on Ocean Explorer, a 54 ft. single deck catamaran with open seating and unimpeded views – so there’s plenty of room to move around and enjoy the views. Snorkel the iconic volcanic crater and its beautiful reef known for crystal clear waters, abundant coral, colorful fish, and resting seabirds. A flexible itinerary includes visiting a second snorkel spot, such as Turtle Arches, as well as cruising along Maui’s coastline.  Following your adventures in the ocean relax with a delicious lunch cooked on board for you.  Enjoy a lunch of grilled chicken wraps with spinach, tomato, carrots and cucumber and a variety of salads. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Maalaea

Want to discover all there is to do in Maalaea? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Maalaea

We absolutely recommend this tour! We’ve been on a lot of snorkeling tours in various places and this one was by far the best. They were very organized and safety focused. There was an underwater photographer that took fantastic pictures of our family and the wildlife. The weather didn’t cooperate (extreme wind) so we weren’t able to go to Molokini Crater, but the tour did a great job of delivering a wonderful experience. We spent extra time at Turtle Town and the turtles put on a great show. We saw at least 15 turtles. Since we were there during whale season, we saw a ton of humpback whales from the boat.

Really liked this vessel.. very clean and great layout for whale watching. Was a super choppy day but the boat and Captain Carlos did a great job making it a comfortable trip. Saw some great activity and probably would have been even better if it wasn’t so choppy.

The captain was very knowlegable about whales. We spotted lots of whales, breaching, even young calfs frolicking and male whales competing with each other. I would highly recommend this trip.

Great crew with excellent knowledge! Whales were out today and passed very close by!

I had a great time with my son and his girlfriend.