The 14 Catamaran Whale Watching in the USA That Earn Their Price

1.Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Our pick

Cruise Maalaea Bay aboard Quicksilver’s double-deck power catamaran during Maui’s whale season. Captain Kiwi, Carlos, or another English-speaking guide explains whale behavior while hydrophones bring their songs aboard. Expect shaded seating, open decks, drinks, restrooms, and a fair chance of seeing breaching whales and calves.

“It was amazing. We saw lots of whales and even very close to the boat.”

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2.Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Cruise from Kewalo Basin with Hawaii Nautical for about two hours of whale watching near Waikiki. Your captain and crew explain humpback migration while you watch for breaches, tail slaps, and spouts. Guides such as Chris, Joey, and Keoni may lead the trip, with drinks, snacks, restrooms, and a re-ride if no whales appear.

“When the guys show up just on time, don't worry, even tho you've been there 30 min. The whales did not cooperate, so didn't see anything. They guarantee you see whales so we were given a voucher for a future cruise. Staff was very nice and the drinks were good if a little sweet. Just be aware that the "guaranteed whales" isn't. This boat is also very rocky if there are any seas so don't go if you're prone to seasickness.”

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3.Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 194 reviews · 2h 30m · from $58

Join Newport Landing Cruises from Balboa Pavilion for a 150-minute whale-watching trip aboard a 50-foot catamaran. Your English-speaking captain and naturalist guide search for blue, humpback, fin, and minke whales, while dolphins often race along the twin bows. Bring a hat and expect some spray.

“larry took us out in the Catamaran. we got lucky this morning saw 3 whales at 3 different spots. kudos to Larry! also saw large school of dolphins. Wonderful time.”

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4.Whale Watching Tour on a Charming Hawaiian Catamaran From Maalaea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard Winona, a Hawaiian-built catamaran from Maalaea. From December through March, watch humpback whales, hear their songs through underwater hydrophones, and look for dolphins. Captain Sam and crew provide whale information, snacks, soft drinks, water, juice, and two adult beverages for guests 21 and older.

“The whale watching trip was amazing! We were able to see several whales including a breaching one Captain Sam and his crew did a fantastic job!! I would definitely recommend this tour!!”

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5.Luxury Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Sail from Maalaea Harbor for about two hours aboard Aliʻi Nui’s comfortable catamaran. A marine naturalist explains whale behavior, a hydrophone lets you hear live whalesong, and the crew serves snacks plus a premium open bar. Whale watching runs from December 15 through April.

“Whales were literally surrounding our boat and performing fluke slaps about 59 yards from us! Great cruise!!”

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6.Kona Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Cruise from Honokohau Harbor aboard the Spirit of Aloha for about 90 minutes of whale watching along Kona’s coast. The crew, including Captain Kirk and guides such as Stan, John, James, Ali, and Michael, serves tropical drinks, explains whale behavior, and offers a free return trip if whales are not seen.

“Very welcoming crew who shared the perfect amount of information (not overwhelming, we’ve had guides who drone on and on). And it’s a perfectly sized group — everyone got a good view of the mama whale and baby calf we had the good luck of spotting in the second half. Would have been a lovely day out on the water even if we hadn’t.”

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7.Late-Morning Whale Watch on our Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Set out at 10:30 a.m. aboard Ocean Sports’ spacious power catamaran along the Kohala Coast. A marine naturalist explains whale behavior while you watch for humpbacks, hear underwater songs through a hydrophone, and enjoy snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The cruise lasts about 90 minutes.

“We had a great whale show on this trip! The guides were knowledgeable and friendly. The boat was great, and it was just a short ride out to see the whales. They provided yummy drinks and snacks. I would highly recommend this company!”

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8.Sunset Cruise with the Whales on our Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Set out from Anaeho'omalu Bay on a two-hour Ocean Sports catamaran cruise. A captain, crew, and naturalist guide you along the Kohala Coast while you enjoy unlimited drinks, snacks, sunset views, and a chance to hear humpback whales through an underwater hydrophone.

“Our family of 6 had a wonderful experience! We sailed on the power catamaran Alala out of Kawaihae Harbor in early March, and enjoyed delicious cocktails (especially the ube coladas!) and tasty snacks, and got to see a beautiful sunset, flying fish, and at least three humpack whales including a mom, baby and chaperone. The crew was so friendly and knowledgable, and made the whole sunset cruise unforgettable.”

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9.Maalaea: Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Cruise from Maalaea aboard the small Hawaiian catamaran Winona during Maui’s humpback season. A marine biologist explains whale behavior while hydrophones carry their songs from below. You get soft drinks, water, island music, and, if you are 21 or older, two adult beverages.

“Posádka skvělá, příjemná a ochotná. Na lodi jsme dostali zdarma ovoce, lupínky a nealko nápoje. Loď byla čistá a byly k dispozici u toalety. Cesta proběhla bez chyb a ikdyž byl úplný konec sezony, na velryby jsme narazili! Posádka věděla, co dělá a kde velryby najít. Moc jsme si to užili a rozhodně doporučujeme!”

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10.Kona Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 18 reviews · 1h 30m · from $109

Spend 90 minutes cruising Kona’s coast aboard a spacious catamaran with whale narration, shaded seating, restrooms, and a premium bar. Keep watch for humpbacks, dolphins, and turtles. Crew members including Stanley, Nicole, and Captain Kirk have earned praise, though boat details and harbor directions deserve close attention.

“Didn’t see whales but crew Stanley and Nicole were great”

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11.Waikoloa Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $129

Spend 90 minutes searching for humpback whales from Anaeho‘omalu Bay. Morning trips use the Holona powerboat with snacks and soft drinks; afternoon trips use the Spirit of Aloha catamaran with cocktails, beer, wine, and shaded seating.

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12.Haleiwa: North Shore Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour · from $145

From 66-105 Haleiwa Road, board the Kamohoali’i or Kama Hele Kai for a North Shore whale watch. Your English-speaking guide explains whale behavior as you look for breaches, tail slaps, and spouts, followed by sunset at Point of Pua’ena.

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13.Maui: Luxury Catamaran Whale Watch & Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $119

Join Alii Nui Sailing Charters at Maalaea Harbor for a two-hour whale watch from a 65-foot catamaran. From December through April, a marine naturalist guides you to humpback sightings, while a hydrophone lets you hear live whale songs. Light local food, drinks, shaded seating, and wide viewing decks are included.

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14.Sunset Cruise with the Whales on our Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Cruise the Kohala Coast from Kawaihae for about 90 minutes of sunset whale watching. You’ll ride a power catamaran with restrooms, indoor seating, trampolines, appetizers, and an open bar. A naturalist explains whale behavior, and the crew may lower a hydrophone to play whale songs.

“My husband and myself really wanted to see some whales while staying at a Waikoloa resort. This tour was a positive experience. It was the right time of year. We say a mother whale and her calf. We followed that same group for the tour. The sunset gave us a show as well. I wouldn't recommend taking this tour just for the cocktails. I didn't want to stop watching for whales long enough to take advantage of the cocktails. I loved the trip. The crew was flexible enough to change locations when the wind picked up at the original pick up site.”

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