Based on some reviews here, it was with some hesitancy that we booked a whale-watching cruise with the Pacific Whale Foundation out of Lahaina for last Saturday, but all worked out quite well. We picked PWF based on the time and price. We did take a sunrise cruise, departing at 6:30 a.m., and that made a big difference in avoiding crowds: the cat had a capacity of 150 people, but there were only 42 on ours. Lots of room for seating and viewing. Calm seas, nice weather, sunrise, small crowd and lower price than later in the day, when the large crowds mentioned here would be more likely.

Saw lots of whales, heard their chatter and singing (different things, we learned) thrugh a microphone. Haven't taken cruises with other companies so can't compare, but our trip worked out well. I'd go again, but definitely with a sunrise cruise.