Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 239 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui worth booking?
Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui is a 5-hour experience in Maui, United States, from $181 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 239 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (239)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $181 per person
Snorkel off the island of Lana’i and watch dolphins in the wild all in one trip. You'll discover why Lana’i has been rated one of the top 10 snorkel and dive spots in the world as you snorkel a dazzling coral reef for ab
What you get
About this experience
Snorkel off the island of Lana’i and watch dolphins in the wild all in one trip. You'll discover why Lana’i has been rated one of the top 10 snorkel and dive spots in the world as you snorkel a dazzling coral reef for about 1.5 hours, home to abundant fish and sea turtles. You'll also search for wild dolphins that are often found off Lanai, including spinner, spotted and bottle nose dolphins. Your vessel has a water slide and snorkel platform for easy access to the water.
What's included
Included
- Continental breakfast: banana bread, assorted pastries, fresh island fruit, juice, Maui coffee
- Lunch
- Onboard Jr. Naturalist Program for kids
- Certified Marine Naturalists on board
- Unlimited soda, juice, and filtered water
- Premium snorkel gear, including optical masks for eyeglass wearers
- Flotation devices, snorkel instruction, fish i.d. class
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 4 oz. Reef-safe sunscreen in a fully sustainable tube from sugarcane available for $17 onboard
- Affordable rentals of wetsuit shirts, underwater cameras, binoculars
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Maalaea Harbor
You'll depart Ma'alaea Harbor on one of our double-deck eco-friendly catamarans. It offers a smooth and relaxing ride, with spacious shaded cabin and rear deck. It also has sunbathing areas on the bow and upper deck and is equipped with tables and comfortable armchair seats. The galley bar serves drinks, buffet and barbeque. You can also rinse off using our freshwater showers when you finish snorkeling. This vessel is 65 feet long, comes with two his/her bathrooms, and is equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved Whale Protection Devices.
Pass by without stopping
Lanai
Once you reach the coastline of Lanai, you will snorkel for 90 minutes at one of their many reefs and see plenty of reef fish, marine life including eels and octupus. The waters of Lanai are also frequented by wild dolphins (spinners, bottlenose and striped). Sightings of humpback whales are also common from December through April.
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Maui
Meeting Point/Parking: Please access via Shaw Street. Upon Arrival: Look for the PacWhale A-frame sign in the parking lot. Please wait at the sign and be prepared for a short walk. Our crew will escort you to and from the harbor to ensure that we are operating respectfully from Lāhainā Harbor.
Meeting point
Maui
Check-in at the PWF retail store in Ma'alaea Harbor Shops next to Maui Ocean Center Aquarium shared parking Check-in 45 minutes prior to departure time
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meeting Point/Parking: Please access via Shaw Street. Upon Arrival: Look for the PacWhale A-frame sign in the parking lot. Please wait at the sign and be prepared for a short walk. Our crew will escort you to and from the harbor to ensure that we are operating respectfully from Lāhainā Harbor.
Ends at
Check-in at the PWF retail store in Ma'alaea Harbor Shops next to Maui Ocean Center Aquarium shared parking Check-in 45 minutes prior to departure time
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Pacific Whale Foundation
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Children 4 and under are free (one per paying adult). Children ages 5-12 pay child rate/all children must be on reservation
- Please check in 45 minutes prior to your departure time at our Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store located in the Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea, adjacent to the Maui Ocean Center Aquairum (For Maalaea Departure only)
- To protect the reef environment and in support of the statewide ban on sunscreens, we will no longer allow the use of any non-reef safe sunscreen on board any snorkel eco tours. 4oz Reef safe sunscreen will be available on board for $13
- You will need to bring your own towels and credit cards for any onboard purchases as the vessels are cashless except for gratuities
- For safety reasons, the use of full-face masks is not permitted on our snorkel ecotours. We do provide high quality snorkel gear on board for all guests.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 239 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
239 verified traveler reviews for Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Surfing lessons with dolphins!
No time share presentation! LOL Great crew. The education obtained on the outing was outstanding. A great blend of adventure, education, fun and socializing!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
Snorkeling was great and the crew was excellent.
via Tripadvisor
Want something fun to do while in Maui?
There were 15 of us, ranging from 8 to 82. Everyone enjoyed the ride, the snorkeling, the sights, and the shared information. I would definitely recommend this sail to anyone looking for something to do while visiting Maui!
via Tripadvisor
Casually Hospitable Crew On A Beautiful Catamaran
Was every excited to take this trip esp. because most locally-born Maui Islanders, including expats like me now living on the East Coast, almost never get to experience their Island from the channels between Maui, Lāna'i, & Moloka'i. Was also happy to choose this trip to support our PWF 501(c)3 vs. other similar sailings around Lāna'i. The crew was very welcoming & skilled @ handling & sailing the vessel. Capt. Dan is a particularly skilled pilot highly vigilant of his passengers' safety, assisted @ all times from departure to return by Crew Members Connor, Jake, & Jordan. As an experienced Maui waterman myself, I was quite highly impressed with how Connor secured our anchorage @ Hale Palaoa offshore from Lāna'i by diving down 20 ft. or so to tie our vessel to the underwater mooring. Very cool, Connor!🤙🏽 The continental-style breakfast was highly appreciated by all in light of having to get up so early @ our accommodations either in Kīhei/Waile'a or in Kā'anapali & drive to Mā'alaea Harbor to arrange pay-to-park via an app. Note: PWF website listing for tour parking information should be revised to read less confusingly as "pay-to-park via phone app" vs. just "paid parking". Many of our fellow passengers perceived "paid parking" as "parking is already paid for you if you purchase this tour". Good thing they asked me (the expat Maui local boy) well beforehand to clarify. The snorkeling experience itself: Hale Palaoa does not seem to be the best location for this tour, judging from the continuing slow recovery from extensive coral bleaching as well as from the 99% juveniles of the handful of fish species we saw in 1 hr. of time my husband & I spent actively IN the water. Aside from 2 surgeon fish species & yellow tang, there were no other fully adult species seen. I know that even way prior to the years Club Lāna'i was in operation by several different ownerships that there was at one time underwater fresh springs originating from the windward side of Lāna'ihale which might still have their effect on this location. The point being, then, few fully adult fish populations to view in more colorful coral formations @ Hale Palaoa. The better thrill was the school of mālolo flying fish performing their typical surface ballet forward of our bow during our crossing, esp. when they display their bright orange pectoral fins/wings. Alas & alack! Spinner & other dolphins were shy & did not show all day to/from Lāna'i nor while Capt. Dan navigated up/down the Kā'anapali Coast looking. Not their fault, certainly! What WAS blatantly lacking here for me personally, however, were (3) things in mind: 1) Our tour was on 9/11/2025 & no mention was made to honor the (3) First Responders on board. I identified them as we filed down from the PWF Store to the Ocean Spirit by the (2) NYC Firemen who were wearing T-shirts bearing their company unit logos & the (1) Connecticut Policeman wearing his precinct bracelet. Guess what? After talking w/ him throughout the day, I discovered Capt. Dan IS ALSO a native of Connecticut! Small world. 2) PWF really needs to stop-and-desist w/ the ever-present Jawaiian music, or, the very, very, very least, SEVERELY ATTENUATE it. Maui Nui is @ the heart of Hawai'i & always has been. If PFW's message is native & endemic preservation of Hawai'is marine biome, why not include that message through its more traditional Island music? If passengers will not recognize the talented artists they hear, part of PFW's message can be to explain or find out from a digital screen who is playing or singing over the speakers. Capt. Dan, Connor, Jake, & Jordan are all highly intelligent people without doubt. I can see them easily adding this knowledge to their seafaring skills. Added benefit: CDs from traditional Hawaiian artists can be sold & the PWF Store. I'm certain this will enhance PWF bottom line. 3) Finally, although no dolphin showing (again, beyond PWF's control) there was EXTENSIVE opportunity for PFW to present in its place cultural narrations about Pu'u Keka'a, Kā'anapali, Wāhikuli, Ukūmehame Valley, Launiupoko, Olowalu as we plied past these areas searching for dolphins. Also, there are many opportunities to present the 2023 Lāhaina wildfires & the slow yet steady recovery of housing & businesses in a real, sensitive & respectful way. I realize that Capt. Dan, Jake, Connor & Jordan are all Maui Islanders now; however, as members of the Maui community-at-large, they have every right & duty to inform the general public of this event, highlighting the strength & resilience of the Maui community-at-large, again, in a real, sensitive & respectful way.🤙🏽
via Tripadvisor
Nice sail to Lanai
Overall the crew worked really hard to make the experience the best they could. We were able to make it to Lanai but only one dolphin was out today (not the crews fault). There were a lot of fish in Lanai around the reefs where we snorkeled. All staff was very knowledgeable on marine life, which was great! Felt safe the entire time with crew in the water ensuring safety. Things to note, only about an hour to hour and a half of actual snorkeling since most of your time will be sailing to/from Lanai. I’d probably opt for turtle town next time around to maximize snorkeling time. Thanks to Capt Emily and crew for such a great time.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 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
- 84
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Maui.
How much does Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui cost?
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Prices start at $181 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 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui take?
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Plan for about 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 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 239 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 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui?
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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 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui?
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Around 84 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?
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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from Maui start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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, Road to Hana Adventure Maui Tour with Lunch. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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