Small group whale watching onboard our small group, smooth ride raft vessel. Native Hawaiian owned and voted TripAdvisors Traveler's Choice, Hawaii Ocean Rafting has been Maui’s original ocean experience for more than 30 years. Our small group tours make for a fun, family style experience. Although dolphins are protected in Hawaii and we do not approach them closer than federal regulations, they often approach our small vessel for closer and eye level dolphin encounters.