Maui boat tours are snorkel trips, whale watches, sunset sails and private charters that leave mainly from Maalaea Harbor, Kihei and Kaanapali Beach, on boats ranging from big double-decker catamarans to small rafts. The right one depends on the season, the ages in your group, how long you want on the water and whether anyone gets seasick. Here are the 11 Maui boat tours we sell, with prices, lengths and departure points. Prices checked October 26, 2026.
Quick Answer: The best boat tour on Maui depends on the season and your group. From December to April, a whale watch is the top pick, from $59.95 on a two-hour catamaran out of Maalaea. Year-round, a snorkel boat costs $109.95 to $149 per person, and the Quicksilver from Maalaea, with a waterslide and lunch, is the most family-friendly. A private boat for your group costs $1,599 to $3,250.
Fun Fact
- Cheapest boat tour: two-hour whale watch from Maalaea, $59.95, under-4s free
- Best for families: Quicksilver snorkel boat, waterslide and lunch, $109.95
- Best for nervous swimmers: Turtle Town sea scooter snorkel, $149
- Closest look at whales: raft from Kihei, $85, sightings guaranteed
- Sunset on the water: private afternoon snorkel and sail, $2,880 for up to 6
- Whole boat to yourselves: from $1,599 for a 2-hour whale charter
How We Compared These Tours
We sell all 11 of these Maui boat tours, and each one is booked through the operator’s FareHarbor calendar on our site. On October 26, 2026 we took the lowest price listed on every tour’s booking page, along with its length, departure point and what is included.
We left out tours that are not boat tours, such as the kayak snorkel at Makena, even though some cover the same reef.
Every Maui Boat Tour Compared
| Tour | Type | Price from | Length | Leaves from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malolo Whale Watching Catamaran Shaded cabin, restrooms, hydrophones | Whale watch, Dec to Apr | $59.95 | 2 hours | Maalaea Harbor |
| Whale Watching Cruise from Kihei Small boat, 20 guests max | Whale watch, Dec to Apr | $79 | 1.5 hours | Kihei Boat Ramp |
| Whale Watching Raft Tour Eye-level viewing, sightings guaranteed | Whale watch, Dec to Apr | $85 | 1.5 hours | Kihei |
| Whale Watching from Kaanapali Beach Open-air RIB, see whales or come again free | Whale watch, Dec to Apr | $89 | 2 hours | Kaanapali Beach |
| Morning Snorkel Aboard the Quicksilver Double-decker, waterslide, hot dog lunch | Snorkel | $109.95 | 3.5 hours | Maalaea Harbor |
| Turtle Town Snorkel for Beginners Turtles guaranteed by the operator, free photos | Snorkel | $129 | 1.5 hours | Confirm at booking |
| Turtle Town Sea Scooter Snorkel A scooter pulls you along | Snorkel | $149 | 1.5 hours | Confirm at booking |
| Private Turtle Town Snorkel Your party only, sea scooters | Private snorkel | $199 per person | 1.5 hours | Confirm at booking |
| Private Whale Watching Charter Whole boat for your group | Private whale watch | $1,599 per charter | 2 hours | Kaanapali Beach |
| Private Afternoon Snorkel and Sail Pali Cliffs snorkel, lunch, sunset at anchor | Private snorkel and sunset sail | $2,880 per charter | 4 hours | Maalaea Harbor |
| Private Snorkel Boat Charter Molokini, Turtle Town, West Maui reefs | Private snorkel | $3,250 per charter | Full day | Confirm at booking |
Four of the five cheapest tours are whale watches, which only run from December to April. Outside whale season, the Quicksilver at $109.95 is the cheapest boat tour, and it includes lunch.
Best Family-Friendly Boat Tours on Maui
| Boat | Price | Ages | Why families like it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quicksilver snorkel | $109.95, with child and family rates | All levels taught | Waterslide, jump platform, showers, restrooms and lunch on a big, steady catamaran |
| Malolo whale watch | $59.95 adults, $49 children | Under-4s ride free | Shaded cabin and two restrooms; strollers allowed |
| Kaanapali RIB whale watch | $89 per person | Ages 2 to 99 | Boards from the beach in West Maui, with a free repeat trip if you see no whales |
| Kihei whale raft | $85 adults, $70 children | Age 4 and up | Low to the water, so kids see whales at eye level |
| Turtle Town sea scooter | $149 per person | Age 5 and up | The scooter does the work, which keeps younger swimmers going |
For families with young children, a big, stable boat with restrooms and shade matters more than the route. The Quicksilver and the Malolo both have those, and both leave from Maalaea Harbor. Our Maui with young kids guide has more ideas by age.
Maui Snorkel Boats
The shared snorkel boats split into two groups. The Quicksilver is a 3.5-hour morning trip from Maalaea to Coral Gardens on a double-decker catamaran, with lunch on the ride home. The three Turtle Town tours are short, 90-minute trips focused on green sea turtles, and the operator guarantees sightings and includes underwater photos. Our guides to snorkeling on Maui and Hawaii snorkel tour prices go further.
Maui Whale Watching Boats
Humpback whales are off Maui from roughly December to April. All four shared whale watches cost under $90. The Malolo is the cheapest and the most comfortable, the Kihei raft and the Kaanapali RIB put you lowest to the water, and the Kihei cruise caps numbers at 20 guests. The raft and the Kaanapali RIB both guarantee sightings. Read Maui whale watching tours compared for the full breakdown, and the Hawaii whale season guide for timing.
Sunset and Private Boats
We do not currently list a shared sunset dinner cruise on Maui. The sunset option is the private afternoon snorkel and sail from Maalaea: four hours for up to six people, with snorkeling at the Pali Cliffs, lunch and a sunset anchorage. At $2,880 for the boat, that is $480 each with six on board.
For a private whale watch, the Kaanapali charter costs $1,599 for two hours. The full-day private snorkel charter, at $3,250, is the only tour here that lists Molokini Crater. Our Maui luxury tours guide compares more private options.
Our Take
Which Maui Boat Tour Is Right for You?
| If you want | Book | Budget per person |
|---|---|---|
| Whales, December to April | A whale watch from Maalaea, Kihei or Kaanapali | $59.95 to $89 |
| Turtles and reef fish | A Turtle Town snorkel or the Quicksilver | $109.95 to $149 |
| A relaxed half day with lunch | The Quicksilver from Maalaea | $109.95 |
| Sunset on the water | The private afternoon snorkel and sail | $480 each with six on board |
| Your own boat and route | A private whale or snorkel charter | $1,599 to $3,250 per charter |
Before You Book
- Check in early. The Malolo asks for check-in 30 minutes before departure, and the Turtle Town tours ask for 30 minutes too.
- Expect wet feet at Kaanapali. The Kaanapali whale watches board from the beach.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii law requires it. The Kihei whale cruise provides reef-safe sunscreen on board.
- Tips. The private afternoon sail notes that a 20% gratuity is customary and not included.
- Weather. Boat tours can be moved or cancelled when the sea is rough, so leave a spare day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boat tour on Maui?
From December to April, a whale watch is the top pick, from $59.95 on a two-hour catamaran out of Maalaea. Year-round, the Quicksilver snorkel boat from Maalaea, at $109.95 with lunch and a waterslide, is the best all-round choice, especially for families.
What are the best family-friendly boat tours on Maui?
The Quicksilver snorkel boat, with child and family rates, a waterslide and lunch, and the Malolo whale watch, with a shaded cabin, restrooms and free rides for children under 4, are the most family-friendly boats we sell on Maui.
How much are boat tours on Maui?
Shared Maui boat tours cost $59.95 to $149 per person in 2026, based on the tours we sell. Whale watches cost $59.95 to $89, and snorkel boats cost $109.95 to $149. Private charters cost $1,599 to $3,250 per boat.
What is the cheapest boat tour on Maui?
The cheapest boat tour we sell on Maui is the two-hour Malolo whale watch from Maalaea at $59.95 per adult, with children under 4 free. Outside whale season, the cheapest is the Quicksilver snorkel boat at $109.95.
Is there a sunset boat tour on Maui?
We do not list a shared sunset cruise on Maui at the moment. The private afternoon snorkel and sail from Maalaea finishes with a sunset anchorage, at $2,880 for up to six people.
Where do Maui boat tours leave from?
Most of our Maui boat tours leave from Maalaea Harbor, Kihei or Kaanapali Beach. Maalaea serves the Quicksilver, the Malolo and the private sail, Kihei serves two whale watches, and Kaanapali serves two whale watches that board from the beach.
How much is a private boat charter on Maui?
Private boat charters on Maui cost $1,599 for a two-hour whale watch from Kaanapali, $2,880 for a four-hour snorkel and sunset sail for up to six, and $3,250 for a full-day private snorkel charter.
Do Maui boat tours go to Molokini?
Among the tours in this guide, only the full-day private snorkel charter lists Molokini Crater. The Quicksilver goes to Coral Gardens, and the Turtle Town tours visit Turtle Town off South Maui.
Using this data?
Bloggers, journalists and travel planners are welcome to quote these prices or reproduce the tables. Please credit Hawaiian Activities and link to this page: https://hawaiian-activities.com/maui-boat-tours-compared/. We recheck the prices regularly and update the date at the top.
Found your boat?
See live times and book online, or call and we’ll match you to the right boat.
Maui Snorkeling · Maui Whale Watching · Whale Watching Hub · Maui Private Tours · (808) 207-9427
Pricing disclaimer: prices are the lowest rates listed on each tour’s booking page on October 26, 2026. Boat tour prices, routes and schedules change with the season and the ocean, and can change without notice. Final prices, availability and inclusions are confirmed at checkout with the operator.
