5 hours · Ma'alaea · All ages
Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel
Breakfast, the crater, the turtle reef and a grilled lunch.
| Adult | $219.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $169.95 |
Editorial spotlight · Ma'alaea Harbor and Lahaina Harbor, Maui
2026 Golden Lei Awards nomineeBest Whale Watch Operator
PacWhale Eco-Adventures
The biggest name on the water off Maui is also a charity. PacWhale's five boats belong to Pacific Whale Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1980, and the profit from every Molokini snorkel, whale watch and sunset cruise goes back into its research and conservation programs. Naturalists on board, hydrophones for the whale trips, and a sightings guarantee during whale season.
- Molokini snorkel
- $219.95
- Whale watch from
- $119.95
- Tripadvisor
- 4.7
- Founded
- 1980
Editorial spotlight. PacWhale Eco-Adventures is a nominee in the 2026 Golden Lei Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The company
Owned by a nonprofit since 1980
Pacific Whale Foundation was founded on Maui in 1980 by Greg Kaufman, who died in 2018. It is a 501(c)(3), and it fully owns PacWhale Eco-Adventures along with the Ma'alaea Ocean Store and the online shop; by the foundation's account, the profits fund its research, education and conservation work. The company says it has carried more than six million guests. It is Dolphin SMART certified, and its crews include marine-biology graduates and Red Cross-certified staff.
The fleet is five boats: Ocean Spirit, a 65-foot sailing catamaran with a slide and a full bar; Ocean Explorer, a 54-foot cat; Ocean Voyager and Ocean Guardian, 65-foot power cats that carry 90 on snorkel trips; and Kai Kō, a sloop-rigged sailing cat added in 2025. The August 2023 fire destroyed one boat and damaged two. PacWhale returned to Lahaina Harbor on June 1, 2026, after operating from Ma'alaea.
“Maui's only nonprofit-powered ocean operator.”
- DG
Executive Director and CEO, Pacific Whale Foundation
Dayna Garland
- AM
Operations Director
Alyssa Moser
- MW
EcoTours Manager
Morgan Wittmer
Titles as given in Maui news coverage; awaiting the operator's own list. Captains Chris and Emily and naturalists Aaron and Matt are named in recent reviews.
The one to book
Molokini and Turtle Arches snorkel
Five hours from Ma'alaea. Breakfast of banana bread, croissants, pineapple and POG on the way out, the crater and the turtle reef for the morning, and a grilled lunch on the way home. Unlimited soda, juice and water, plus one premium drink for guests 21 and over with ID. Masks, fins, snorkels, flotation and a snorkel class are included; optical masks are available and towels are not.
Naturalists narrate the ride. The company says if you can't swim, don't snorkel, and asks anyone with heart, breathing or mobility concerns to check with a doctor first.
| Adult, 13+ | $219.95 |
|---|---|
| Child, 5 to 12 | $169.95 |
List prices checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. Buy-one-get-one offers run on select dates through October 31; the booking page shows them.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
Five boats, two harbors
Which boat and which harbor you get is in your confirmation email. The fleet page and the trip pages do not always agree.
Ocean Spirit
- Length
- 65 ft sailing catamaran
- Guests
- 55
- Aboard
- Slide, swim ladders, air-conditioned restrooms, full bar
Ocean Explorer
- Length
- 54 ft catamaran
- Guests
- 34 snorkel, 44 whale watch
- Note
- Limited shade, livelier ride; no children under 7
Ocean Voyager
- Length
- 65 ft double-deck power cat
- Guests
- 90 snorkel, 110 whale watch
- Aboard
- Slide, restrooms, boarding ramp
Ocean Guardian
- Length
- 65 ft power catamaran
- Guests
- 90 snorkel, 110 whale watch
- Aboard
- Barbecue, accessible restroom, boarding ramp
Kai Kō
- Length
- 65 ft sloop-rigged sailing cat, new in 2025
- Guests
- 70 snorkel, 90 whale watch
- Aboard
- Covered cabin, slide, underwater lights
Book it
Cruises
Per person at list price. Whale watch dates open from December at this check. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
5 hours · Lahaina · All ages
Honolua Snorkel & Dolphin Sail
Up the Ka'anapali coast to Honolua Bay.
| Adult | $199.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $169.95 |
5 hours · Lahaina · All ages
Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Sail
Across the channel to the uninhabited Lanai coast.
| Adult | $199.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $149.95 |
2 hours · Ma'alaea · Nov to Apr
Whale Watch Sail
The top-rated sail on the eco-friendly boat, naturalist aboard.
| Adult | $119.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $89.95 |
2 hours · Ma'alaea · Ages 7+
Small Group Whale Watch
The same trip on a smaller boat.
| Adult | $129.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $99.95 |
2.5 hours · Ma'alaea · Ages 5+
Exclusive Whale Watch with the Experts
Work the trip like a whale researcher, with the foundation's scientists.
| Adult | $159.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $117.95 |
2.5 hours · All ages
Sunset Dinner Cruise
A dinner sail at sunset from the harbor.
| Adult | $159.95 |
|---|---|
| Child | $129.95 |
More on the booking page: sunset sails from Lahaina and Ma'alaea, an adults-only sunset sail, a cocktail cruise, a dolphin watch and holiday cruises priced by date.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to check in
Ma'alaea: the Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at 300 Ma'alaea Road, next to Maui Ocean Center, 45 minutes before departure. Lahaina: the check-in point is in your confirmation email. Parking at both harbors is paid.
Included
On the snorkel cruises: breakfast, lunch, soft drinks and a premium drink for 21 and over, all snorkel gear and a class. On whale watches: naturalist commentary, hydrophones and filtered water; the Deluxe sail adds lunch and two premium drinks.
Bring
Sunglasses, hat, a light jacket, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and a card; the boats are cashless, with cash accepted for tips only. No outside alcohol.
Access
Lightweight folding wheelchairs only, with a companion. Ocean Voyager and Ocean Guardian have boarding ramps.
Cancellation
48 hours for a refund through Customer Care at Whale sightings are guaranteed or you go again free, valid for a year.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.7Tripadvisor17,625 reviews on the Ma'alaea listing as of September 30, 2026
- #1of 3Nature and parks in Ma'alaea, Tripadvisor
- 1980FoundedNonprofit-owned; Dolphin SMART certified
Reviewers praise the naturalists, the snorkel sites and the whale sightings, and the feeling that the money goes to conservation. Complaints are about crowded large boats, a long office check-in, seasickness and the long walk to the boats.
Questions
Good to know
Who owns PacWhale?
Pacific Whale Foundation, a Maui nonprofit founded in 1980. The foundation says profits fund its research, education and conservation programs.
Is Lahaina Harbor running again?
PacWhale announced its return to Lahaina Harbor on June 1, 2026, and Lahaina trips show open dates. Your confirmation email names the boat and harbor.
Is there a whale guarantee?
Yes. Whale sightings are guaranteed or you go again free, valid for one year. Whale season is November to April.
What does it cost?
Molokini snorkel $219.95, Lanai and Honolua sails $199.95, whale watch sail $119.95, sunset dinner $159.95 at list price. Checked September 30, 2026.
Can young children come?
Yes on most boats; ages 4 and under ride free. Ocean Explorer takes no children under 7, and the small-group whale watch is 7 and up.
Snorkel with the scientists
Molokini, whale watch and sunset cruises from a Maui nonprofit.
Check Availability