Seeing Maui from the water is a richly visual experience that creates a perspective you won’t see while landlocked, and we highly recommend spending a morning aboard a cruise or snorkel boat. Trips range from basic cruises on large boats with a lot of people, to more intimate snorkeling adventures with gourmet lunches and multiple jumping-off destinations. If you visit between late December and late March, consider a whale watch tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Their boat rides are economical, and they know how to find the whales.
Snorkel tours and cruises abound, for every budget. For decades, Trilogy has been hosting brilliant snorkeling outings aboard its fleet of Catamarans, and we’re huge fans of this first-class operation. We also love Red Line Rafting. With a max capacity of only 24, their boat is smaller and more agile. This means you can stay away from the crowds and spend more time observing our aquatic friends. If you’re a bit more adventurous, book a day trip with Captain Chad and the Ocean Riders. This 30’ rigid inflatable is rock-solid, and powers through a jet-drive, which enables the boat to thrive in shallow water. Ocean Riders leaves out of Lahaina and circumvents the island of Lanai, with several excellent snorkel stops, sea cave exploration, and a great lunch.
