Our 8 Favourite Whale Watching Rafting Trips Worldwide

1.Whale Watching Maui: 2-Hour Small Group Raft Tour from Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80 a head Our pick

From Lahaina, you’ll spend about two hours aboard a custom inflatable raft in the Maui Nui whale sanctuary. Captains such as Will or Joe and naturalists including Renee or Brian may guide the trip. Expect 360-degree views, filtered water, reef-safe sunscreen, whale songs through a hydrophone, and a small group capped at 20.

“This was a fun and informative activity. It was nice that it was a small group. We learned a lot of cool info about whales and were able to quickly drive over to any that we saw to watch them up close. I would definitely recommend doing this.”

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2.Maui Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84 a head

Join Redline Rafting at Kihei Boat Ramp for a 90-minute whale watch with a captain and marine naturalist. The fast raft carries up to 22 people along Maui’s southern coast, with a hydrophone for whale songs, drinks under a sunshade, and frequent chances to spot dolphins and turtles.

“Great morning! Crew was very knowledgeable about “everything whales”. The captain kept us on the move to experience the most whale activity in our short hour and a half excursion. We loved it so much…. experienced, learned and saw ,close up, the majesticness of these awesome creatures. Truly, we could have spent all day with our guides and this tour. Highly recommend!!!!”

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3.Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113 a head

Join Captain Zodiac in Kailua-Kona for a three-hour whale-watching ride aboard a 16-passenger Zodiac raft. Captains such as Shelby, Marco, Ashley, Rick, and Sam share Hawaiian history, whale behavior, and geology while scanning for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and more. A hydrophone lets you hear whales underwater.

“Jason & Liz were excellent aboard the Interceptor! Their whale and ocean knowledge was top notch. The ride on a raft Is what you want to get to the whales quickly. Jason asked everyone on the excursion if we had time commitments before he said-“Great let’s follow this ‘heat run’!” Experience of a lifetime!”

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4.HIGH QUALITY Whale Watch Adventure Aboard Luxury Super Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $95 a head

Join Maui Reef Adventures at Maalaea Harbor for a 1-hour-45-minute whale watch aboard a custom Super Raft. You will sit close to the water, hear humpback songs through onboard hydrophones, and learn from crew members such as Captain Brad, Jen, Ryan, or Garrett. The raft holds up to 38 people, though some trips carry only 15 to 20.

“Watching the whales “flip their tails”. Boat was easy to board and comfortable to ride on, even at high speeds. I liked hearing the whale songs.”

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5.Maui: Guided Whale Watching Tour on Eco Raft

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 42 reviews · 2 - 5 hours · from $96 a head

Join Hawaii Ocean Rafting from Lahaina for a small-group whale-watching trip along West Maui and Lanai. Marine naturalists such as Val, Jill, or Jack may explain whale behavior while you listen through a hydrophone. You stay aboard the raft, with no swimming or snorkeling, and enjoy fruit, pastries, snacks, and drinks.

“I was very happy. We seen lots of whales and lots of info I did t know. We ended up doing 4 times.”

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6.Kauai Raft Adventure: Whale Watch Discovery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $106 a head

Set out from Eleele with Kauai Sea Tours for about two hours of whale watching from a small raft. Your captain and crew search for humpbacks and dolphins, explain what you see, and may use a hydrophone so you can hear whale songs. Expect splashes, bouncing, snacks, and no snorkeling.

“Bren, Josh, Chad, and Emmy were awesome! Very friendly and enjoyable. Whales were shy but we were still able to see tails and spouts. Saw bottlenose dolphins also. Definitely recommend”

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7.2.5-Hour Whale Watching On A 41′ Super-Raft

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135 a head

Join Body Glove Cruises in Kailua-Kona for a 2.5-hour whale watch aboard a 41-foot Super-Raft. A naturalist such as Brittany explains local wildlife while you look for humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and other marine life. Snacks, drinks, reef-safe sunscreen, and an onboard bathroom are included.

“We had a great time. Saw 6 or 7 different whales multiple times in several groups as well as spinner dolphins. Crew was great, especially Brittany who was the naturalist. Highly recommended”

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8.Reykjavik Whales & White Water Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · from $250 a head

Spend a full Icelandic day pairing a three-hour Elding whale cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour with a guided Hvítá River rafting trip. Watch for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and puffins, then paddle through rapids with all major safety gear supplied. Hotel pickup is offered.

“I give the whale watching 4 stars. They keep a good distance from the whales, so the few we saw were fairly far away. You could see a tail flip or a fin, but it was not the most exciting. At least we saw some! The WWR was great. A few decenRead more”

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