
Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 696 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui worth booking?
Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui is a 1.5-hour experience in Maui, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 696 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (696)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $100 per person
Enjoy a prime opportunity to see humpback whales as they migrate through Hawaiian waters from Alaska between December and May. Setting out from Kihei, cruise to an area off the southern end of Maui with one of Hawaii's h
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a prime opportunity to see humpback whales as they migrate through Hawaiian waters from Alaska between December and May. Setting out from Kihei, cruise to an area off the southern end of Maui with one of Hawaii's highest whale populations. You’ll travel in a large, sturdy raft that provides a speedy ride so you can maximize your viewing time. Learn about the whales from informative commentary provided by an onboard naturalist on this tour limited to 20, a smaller group size than most whale tours.
What's included
Included
- On-board marine naturalist.
- NO Back or Neck Injuries or Pregnant Passengers Please
- Guaranteed to see Whales
- On-board hydrophone to listen to the whales.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Redline Rafting
Make your way to the Kihei Boat Ramp 30 minutes prior to your departure for checkin. Parking is free.
30 minutes here
Kihei
You'll be meeting at the Kihei boat ramp.
30 minutes here
Wailea
Pass by Wailea beach while on your whale watch.
15 minutes here
Keawakapu Beach
Pass by Keawakapu Beach while on your whale watch.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Maui
You can also put in Kihei Boat Ramp into Google or Apple Maps. Parking is free in dirt lot above the parking lot where the boats/trailers are. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure in the parking lot for the 7AM departure and at the picnic tables above the dock for the 9 & 11AM departures.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You can also put in Kihei Boat Ramp into Google or Apple Maps. Parking is free in dirt lot above the parking lot where the boats/trailers are. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure in the parking lot for the 7AM departure and at the picnic tables above the dock for the 9 & 11AM departures.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Redline Rafting
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 8 years
- Not recommended for anyone with bad backs
- Not recommended for anyone with neck injuries
- Maximum recommended age is 65 due to adventurous nature of our tours
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 696 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
696 verified traveler reviews for Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
No whales but a nice crew
It was a neat boat ride but didn’t see any whales sadly. I feel like they should have offered a discount code or something for one of their other tours to offset the fact that we didn’t see any whales. Would have been nice touch.
via Viator
Top Notch Company / Top Notch Crew!
My girlfriend Traci and I had never been whalewatching, but figured our trip to Maui was the perfect opportunity. Turns out that Redline Rafting was the perfect company to book with! We don't recall the names of the guides, as we are writing this review some time later (yes, they were that good!). It was two gentlemen and one lady - 18 December 2025, 9am tour. All of them were extremely personable, fun-spirited and a wealth of information. We loved that each of them took a turn offering very interesting factoids about whales, other sea creatures and the ocean in general. Each shared the focus, giving us a variety of stories and energies. The rocking tunes on the way out and the way back kept the vibe fun and jumpin'! There was no rush to the experience. We were just one with the ocean, hoping to catch a glimpse of the massive creatures. Turns out we caught more than a glimpse. We had three sightings of multiple whales -- breaching, submerging, plenty of whale tails, ... one in the distance shot fully out of the water! One crew member pulled out the submersible microphone, allowing us to hear the whale songs in real time. So awesome. Fantastic experience, fantastic crew! No better way to spend your vacation time and money in Maui!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip. We were thear...
Great trip. We were thear near the end of the season but we're still able to see several whales. Would book again.
via Viator
Recommended by locals - I can see why!
What an incredible experience! Our guides were fantastic. I felt very safe, well-taken care of and they are knowledgeable, respectful of wildlife and made it super fun! We saw so many whales! Really cool experience. I would absolutely go back with this company. It was recommended to me by locals and I understand why. The best!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent safety and knowledge is what you’ll get with this adventure company and their employees!
Dani (I believe was her name) and her partner were excellent. She was very informative about our safety and the whales! We saw several whales and heard one too! We were even lucky enough to see a mom and calf late in the season. It was a great experience overall! I highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 244
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Maui.
How much does Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui cost?
+
Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Maui usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui take?
+
Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Maui is not rushed.
Is Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 696 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Maui, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui?
+
Around 244 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Maui can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Maui and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Maui within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Maui?
+
Maui's three signature days are the Hana road, the Haleakala summit sunrise and the Molokini snorkel sail, and all three are logistics problems as much as experiences. Sunrise summit entry is permit-controlled, Hana is a ten-hour driving day, and Molokini boats vary wildly in size. Our ranking rewards operators who handle permits and keep boat capacity low. On Outty we rank every Maui experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Molokini Crater + South Maui Coast Adventure from Kihei, Maui, Maui: VIP Private Road to Hana Tour with Pick Up, West Maui Snorkeling Experience by Boat from Ka'anapali. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Maui?
+
April to May and September to October. Whale season runs December to April. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Maui?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Guaranteed Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei, Maui.
Pick your date





