Morning
Molokini and Turtle Town
The calmest water of the day, the clearest snorkeling in Hawaii, and turtles on the second stop. Back by lunch.
See dates and prices (from $194)The best of Maui, picked by people who run tours.
Molokini at sunrise, the summit of Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna and the humpbacks in winter. Every tour here has 4.5 stars or more from at least 100 real guests, and most can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours before.
- Only 4.5★ and up
- Free cancellation on most
- Picked by tour operators
Where on the island do you want to be today?
Approximate drive times from Kīhei and Wailea, where most visitors stay. Staying in Kāʻanapali? West Maui is on your doorstep, and everything else is about 45 minutes further.
Maui tours worth your vacation days
Our bar: 4.5 stars or more and at least 100 real reviews. Nothing here paid to be listed.
Our pickSouth MauiMolokini Crater and Turtle Town from Kīhei
Leaves from Kīhei, much closer to Molokini than Māʻalaea: more time in the water, less on the boat. Our first pick.
From$194See dates
Most bookedHotel pickupHaleakalā sunrise tour
Pickup in the middle of the night, sunrise above the clouds, and no reservation or mountain driving for you. The permit is handled.
From$236See dates
Most bookedRoad to HānaSmall-group Road to Hāna tour
Let someone else drive the 620 curves. Small group, so you stop where big buses can't.
From$282See dates
Dec–AprFrom MāʻalaeaWhale watch on a power catamaran
The most reviewed tour on Maui and the cheapest way to get close to the humpbacks. Two hours, big stable boat.
From$50See dates
From KahuluiHāna rainforest helicopter flight with a landing
The Road to Hāna waterfalls from the air in 75 minutes, with a landing in the rainforest. Worth every dollar.
From$329See dates
Best valueSouth MauiTurtle Town kayak and snorkel
Paddle out from the beach and snorkel with turtles, with a guide and a small group. No boat needed.
From$120See dates
Top ratedPickup in KīheiRainforest waterfalls hike with picnic lunch
A guided hike to swimming holes and waterfalls, with pickup. The best-rated tour on the island.
From$187See dates
Top ratedFrom MāʻalaeaMolokini snorkel and performance sail, with lunch
Molokini by sailing catamaran instead of a crowded motor boat. Smaller group, better ride.
From$221See dates
Best sunsetWest MauiGolden-hour sail aboard the Alihilani
The best-reviewed sunset sail on the west side. In winter, you watch for whales on the way.
From$127See dates
Best luauSouth MauiFeast at Mōkapu luau in Wailea
A farm-to-table luau by the ocean in Wailea. The best-rated luau we found.
From$296See dates
30–45 min awayHāliʻimaile pineapple farm tour
Walk a working pineapple farm in Upcountry Maui and taste the fruit in the field. Fun with kids.
From$99See dates
Top ratedWest MauiKāʻanapali reef snorkel and turtle spotting
Board right from Kāʻanapali Beach for a short snorkel sail. No early drive to the harbor.
From$135See dates
From MāʻalaeaMolokini snorkeling adventure
A classic half-day trip to the crater, with plenty of time in the water. A safe first choice for families.
From$190See dates
From MāʻalaeaMolokini and Turtle Town, with meals
Two snorkel stops in one morning: the crater for the fish, then Turtle Town for the green sea turtles.
From$198See dates
Dec–AprFrom MāʻalaeaEco-friendly whale watch
Two hours on the water with a crew focused on the whales, not the bar.
From$94See dates
Dec–AprFrom MāʻalaeaAfternoon whale watch aboard the Malolo
For late risers: an afternoon departure, two hours, at a budget price.
From$60See dates
Top ratedFrom MāʻalaeaSunset sail from Māʻalaea
Two hours under sail as the sun drops behind the West Maui mountains. The easy end to a big day.
From$127See dates
From MāʻalaeaSunset dinner cruise: prime rib or island fish
Dinner and the sunset in one go, on a stable boat. Good for couples and multi-generation groups.
From$150See dates
From MāʻalaeaSunset dinner cruise aboard the Quicksilver
A big, comfortable catamaran with dinner on board. Book a table near the rail.
From$140See dates
South MauiMolokini express snorkel, 2 hours
The short version: straight to the crater and back. Perfect if you get seasick or have small kids.
From$154See dates
South MauiPremium Turtle Town kayak and snorkel
The same coast with a smaller group and more time. Worth the upgrade for keen snorkelers.
From$151See dates
South MauiBeginner surf class in Kīhei
Two hours on gentle waves with an instructor. Most people stand up on day one.
From$104See dates
From KahuluiTwo-island helicopter flight to Molokaʻi
West Maui and the sea cliffs of Molokaʻi, some of the tallest in the world. Small group.
From$369See dates
30–45 min awayNorth Shore rainforest and waterfall walk
A short guided walk to waterfalls you can swim in, without the full Road to Hāna day.
From$151See dates
Hotel pickupRoad to Hāna adventure with breakfast and lunch
The full day with both meals included and hotel pickup. A little cheaper than the small-group tour.
From$220See dates
West MauiKāʻanapali 5-hour snorkel with BBQ lunch
The long, lazy version: snorkel stops, a barbecue lunch and drinks on the way back.
From$194See dates
West MauiSmall-group West Maui snorkel sail with lunch
A small sailboat, a couple of reef stops and lunch. More personal than the big catamarans.
From$193See dates
West MauiLānaʻi snorkel and dolphin watch, with lunch
Cross to the reefs of Lānaʻi, where spinner dolphins often swim alongside the boat.
From$172See dates
Dec–AprWest MauiWhale watch on a luxury sailboat
Whale season under sail from Kāʻanapali: quieter than an engine, and the whales seem to know it.
From$113See dates
Dec–AprWest MauiSmall-group whale watch
A small boat and a small group, so everyone gets a spot at the rail when a whale surfaces.
From$106See dates
West MauiKāʻanapali luxury sunset dinner sail
Dinner on a sailboat off Kāʻanapali Beach. The date-night pick.
From$169See dates
West MauiGroup surf lesson in Lahaina
Lahaina's gentle breaks are where Maui learns to surf. Two hours, small group.
From$115See dates
West MauiSubmarine dive off Lahaina
See the reef without getting wet. Great with small kids or grandparents.
From$160See dates
Nothing here matches both filters.
Whale season: December to April
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales come to the warm, shallow channels between Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi to give birth and raise their calves. You can often spot them from the beach, but two hours on a boat puts you close enough to see the blows and the tail slaps.
Dec–Aprwhale season
Jan–Marthe most sightings
From $50two hours on the water
Visiting from May to November? Book a Molokini snorkel trip instead.
Not sure where to start?
Pick how many days you have free. We'll tell you what we'd do.
Evening
Sunset sail
Two hours on the water as the sun sets behind the West Maui mountains.
See dates and prices (from $127)Day 1
Haleakalā sunrise
Do it on your first morning, while jet lag has you up at 2 am anyway. Dress for winter.
See dates and prices (from $236)Day 2
Molokini and Turtle Town
The one boat trip everyone should do. Book an early departure.
See dates and prices (from $194)Day 3
Road to Hāna
Waterfalls, black sand and banana bread. Let someone else drive.
See dates and prices (from $282)Day 1
Haleakalā sunrise
Use the jet lag. Sleep in the afternoon.
See dates and prices (from $236)Day 2
Molokini and Turtle Town
Snorkel the crater before the wind picks up.
See dates and prices (from $194)Day 3
Road to Hāna
The full day, with a driver who knows every curve.
See dates and prices (from $282)Day 4
Waterfall hike and a slow afternoon
Swim under a waterfall in the morning, then the beach. You are on vacation.
See dates and prices (from $187)Day 5
Luau night
End the trip with dinner, music and dance by the ocean in Wailea.
See dates and prices (from $296)The big Maui days, side by side
The question everyone asks: which one is worth an early alarm? Here's the honest version.
| The day | From Kīhei | Best for | Skip it if | Our pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molokini snorkel | 0–15 min to the boat | First-timers, families, the clearest water | You get very seasick (choose the 2-hour trip from Kīhei) | From $194 |
| Haleakalā sunrise | 1 h 30 to the summit | The most memorable morning of the trip | You went scuba diving in the last 24 hours | From $236 |
| Road to Hāna | Full day | Waterfalls, rainforest, the scenery | You get carsick or have small kids | From $282 |
| Whale watching | 15 min to Māʻalaea | Winter visitors of every age | You visit from May to November | From $50 |
| Hāna by helicopter | 30 min to Kahului | Seeing the waterfalls in 75 minutes instead of a day | You are on a tight budget | From $329 |
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and pickup order.
Why trust this list
We are the team behind Eating With Carmen Food Tours in Mexico, Tripadvisor Top 1% in 2026. We run tours every day, so we know what separates a great one from a tourist trap: honest timing, small groups, and guides who care.
- Secure booking, instant confirmationTours are booked through GetYourGuide, with 24/7 support and free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most of them.
- Real reviews, high barEverything listed has at least 4.5 stars from 100 or more verified guests. Nothing pays to be on this page.
- Operators, not a call centerWe run a top-rated tour company ourselves, so we know what a 4.9 really means and what a 4.3 hides. Nothing on this site paid to be here.
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Questions everyone asks before a Maui trip
Do I need a reservation for sunrise at Haleakalā?
Yes, if you drive yourself. Every car entering the summit between 3 and 7 am needs a $1 sunrise reservation from recreation.gov, released 60 days ahead and again 2 days ahead at 7 am Hawaii time, plus the $30 park entrance fee per car. Guided sunrise tours handle the permit for you, which is the easy way in when reservations are sold out.
Should I drive the Road to Hāna or take a tour?
Drive it yourself if you are comfortable with about 600 curves, one-lane bridges and a 10-hour day. Take a tour if the driver would rather look at the waterfalls than the road. Either way, the black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park needs a timed reservation for visitors ($5 per person plus $10 parking), released 30 days ahead.
When is whale season on Maui?
Humpback whales are here roughly from December to April, with the most sightings from January to March. Outside those months, choose a snorkel trip instead: Molokini and Turtle Town are good all year.
Is Lahaina open to visitors?
Partly. Kāʻanapali and Kapalua are open as normal, Lahaina Harbor began a phased reopening in December 2025, and Front Street reopened to traffic on 1 August 2026. Much of the town is still being rebuilt, so treat it as a place of remembrance: stay out of fenced areas and do not photograph homes or people.
When is the best time to snorkel Molokini?
Early morning. The water is usually calmest before the trade winds pick up around midday, which is why the best boats leave Māʻalaea or Kīhei between 6 and 7:30 am.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Most tours on this page offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Each tour page shows its exact policy before you pay.