Whale watching in Maui (WKORV)

DavidnRobin · Feb 13, 2012

Anyone have a good summary/opinions on whale watching boats going out of Lahaina? We will be there Mar3-10.

I know this has been discussed (not sure how to search for it) - and should be on the Hawaii forum, but looking for SVO Tuggers that better know Robin and me (you know - the one that charters their own boat in StJ...) Robin = sweet, David = gruff and a bit insane... (but not as insane as Westin5Star...)

Any quick suggestions?

artringwald · Feb 13, 2012

You'll see lots of whales on any tour that gets you in the water off Lahaina.

If you'd like the experience of a fast sailboat slicing through the water, try America II.

If you want to benefit whale research, try Pacific Whale Foundation.

If you've always wanted to see Lanai, too, try the Trilogy tour.

wannagotoo · Feb 14, 2012

Hi, we are there next week and I booked with Captain Steve:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...tain_Steve_s_Rafting-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html

This trip had good reviews and if you go on the website there are discounted rates. He doesn't go out of the main area of Lahaina but instead uses the Mala ramp (look for the Jesus is Coming sign to know where to turn) so parking isn't a problem. I'll let you now how it goes.

DavidnRobin · Feb 14, 2012

wannagotoo said:
Hi, we are there next week and I booked with Captain Steve:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...tain_Steve_s_Rafting-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html

This trip had good reviews and if you go on the website there are discounted rates. He doesn't go out of the main area of Lahaina but instead uses the Mala ramp (look for the Jesus is Coming sign to know where to turn) so parking isn't a problem. I'll let you now how it goes.

Thanks - look forward to it.

Westin5Star · Feb 14, 2012

I have been on most of the boats. I vote for Safari Boat Excursions and Captain Steve's in that order. Have fun!

DavidnRobin · Feb 14, 2012

Westin5Star said:
I have been on most of the boats. I vote for Safari Boat Excursions and Captain Steve's in that order. Have fun!

Thanks - exactly what I was looking for...

Henry M. · Feb 14, 2012

I've been on Safari Boat Excursions for their Lanai trip and Captain Dave is great (book Tuesday through Saturday).

I am on Maui right now and on Thursday will go on a raft for the whale watch. I'll let you know how it goes. Haven't tried them before but they were highly recommended by a local friend.

Yesterday a mother and her calf were hanging in front of WKORV-N, just about where the reef ends. There was even a school of 6 or so snorkelers swimming around close to them. By the time I got in the water they started moving towards Black Rock and then left the area. There are another 4 whales swimming relatively close this afternoon.

kenie · Feb 14, 2012

We went with Pacific Whale Foundation last week and had a great time.
Whales under and all around the Zodiac.

We took the morning trip on the Zodiac.....

kenie

Henry M. · Feb 14, 2012

We did Pacific Whale Foundation on a larger boat and had a good time too. Most outfits do pretty good tours.

I'm sitting on my lanai and see 3 catamarans around a pod of 5 whales out in the distance. Quite a show for them. The one I recognize is the Teralani 2.

Behind the boats, close to the horizon, a whale has been breaching and has splashed 5 times in a row. Beautiful view from our room (5401).

artringwald · Feb 15, 2012

Sometimes you don't need a tour. In 2010 we were eating dinner at the Kaanapali Dukes, and enjoyed watching a mother whale with her calf come swimming by.

J&JFamily · Feb 15, 2012

artringwald said:
Sometimes you don't need a tour. In 2010 we were eating dinner at the Kaanapali Dukes, and enjoyed watching a mother whale with her calf come swimming by.]

Awesome! Thanks for posting the picture.

Maui_ed · Feb 15, 2012

We have always had good luck with Trilogy. Been with them 4 or 5 times now, and will be going with them again when we are at WKORVN in a few days.

K2Quick · Feb 15, 2012

Maui_ed said:
We have always had good luck with Trilogy. Been with them 4 or 5 times now, and will be going with them again when we are at WKORVN in a few days.

That was one of my favorite boat trips - we just did one of those two-hour tours that launched from Ka'anapali beach on a whim and had a great time - it seemed we were dodging whales.

Negma · Feb 15, 2012

We will be there the Feb 25-Mar 3. We decided to go back this year after last year (the same week) all we saw were whale after whale right from the beach. I have video of two whales breaching back to back. Sooooo cool.

We are not sure if we will do the formal trip, but this has been helpful.

gregb · Feb 15, 2012

We used Captn Steve last year and were very happy. Very close and personal encounter. Whales swimming under the boat.

Going back in late March to see if the whales are still there.

Greg

alcarbon22 · Feb 16, 2012

vote for capt steve

capt steve's boat was fun for the whale watching and the extra bonus was the dolphins (porpoises?) that swan alongside the boat.

spencersmama · Feb 16, 2012

I haven't done a whale watching trip in Hawaii, but did one in Alaska. The whale swam right up next to the boat, turned its head to look at us with one of his eyes, broke the surface of the water, spouted water, flipped his tail and dove deep into the water. Completely awesome!! (And I am not really even an animal lover.) I hope you have fabulous luck no matter what company you go with!

Sea Six · Feb 16, 2012

Whatever you do, book early in case you have to reschedule. The winter winds can be brutal, so if your trip has to be rescheduled, at least you can get out while you are still there. We were there in January and February, and had to reschedule two trips because of wind and rough surf. I think in March you will have less wind to deal with.

larryallen · Feb 16, 2012

We went on a big boat through Pacific Whale Foundation this week. We really enjoyed it. They had a volunteer on board who did extra education for the kids in addition to the two whale experts. Really a good all around trip. It was a 9:00 am boat out of Lahaina. Two hours. Perfect!

Maui_ed · Feb 17, 2012

We are going with Trilogy again this year as we will have a group of about 10 and I am not sure how many will fit on Capt Steve's boat. Next year when it is just the 2 of us, we are going to give Capt Steve a try. Boats the size of the Trilogy cat are not allowed to get too close to the whales with their engines on, so they have to shut down about 100 yards away from the whales. If the whales decide to come closer, that is fine, but the boat is not allowed to get any closer under power. Capt Steve doesn't have those same restrictions, so it might be a nice change to be able to get really close.

DavidnRobin · Feb 17, 2012

I am leaning towards Capt Steve - I see that they have 2 boats, which one does Capt Steve captain?

Ken555 · Feb 17, 2012

Maui_ed said:
We are going with Trilogy again this year as we will have a group of about 10 and I am not sure how many will fit on Capt Steve's boat. Next year when it is just the 2 of us, we are going to give Capt Steve a try. Boats the size of the Trilogy cat are not allowed to get too close to the whales with their engines on, so they have to shut down about 100 yards away from the whales. If the whales decide to come closer, that is fine, but the boat is not allowed to get any closer under power. Capt Steve doesn't have those same restrictions, so it might be a nice change to be able to get really close.

I think CS's boat had more than ~30 people at least when I went last year. They have a website and a phone...

Westin5Star · Feb 17, 2012

DavidnRobin said:
I am leaning towards Capt Steve - I see that they have 2 boats, which one does Capt Steve captain?

You will enjoy it. I find that the main difference between Safari Boat Excursion and Captain Steve's is space. You can move around a lot and get better photos on SBE; you can move from the right to the left and from the front to the back very easily. On Captain Steve's you are more locked into position near where your seat is or you are battling with others for a prime view much of the time.

If you ever want to do some really good snorkeling though- do SBE back of Lanai tour; it is amazing. We have done it 5 times now.

DavidnRobin · Feb 17, 2012

Westin5Star said:
You will enjoy it. I find that the main difference between Safari Boat Excursion and Captain Steve's is space. You can move around a lot and get better photos on SBE; you can move from the right to the left and from the front to the back very easily. On Captain Steve's you are more locked into position near where your seat is or you are battling with others for a prime view much of the time.

If you ever want to do some really good snorkeling though- do SBE back of Lanai tour; it is amazing. We have done it 5 times now.

Thanks - after reading more about it - I tend to agree.
...port (left) and starboard (right), fore (bow) and aft (stern)....

I will have to look into the Lanai trip - we did the Trilogy trip to Lanai on our Honeymoon day

artringwald · Feb 26, 2012

We took the America II sailing boat tour on Friday. There wasn't much wind for sailing, but the whale watching was great. Here's some pictures.

422304_2651220644293_1369058738_2993201_552466571_n.jpg

430266_2651220964301_1369058738_2993202_1708284753_n.jpg

Whale watching in Maui (WKORV)

DavidnRobin

artringwald

TUG Review Crew

wannagotoo

DavidnRobin

Westin5Star

DavidnRobin

Henry M.

kenie

Henry M.

artringwald

TUG Review Crew

J&JFamily

Maui_ed

K2Quick

Negma

gregb

alcarbon22

spencersmama

Sea Six

larryallen

Maui_ed

DavidnRobin

Ken555

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

Westin5Star

DavidnRobin

artringwald

TUG Review Crew