While vacationing in Maui there are many snorkeling tours but I'm so happy I chose this one. The staff & catamaran exceeded my expectations. From the snorkeling gear to breakfast & lunch, everything was great. I highly recommend this 3hr sunrise tour read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - Sunrise - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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My husband and I booked this excursion for our honeymoon, and we truly believe this was one of the highlights of the trip! I was so nervous to go snorkeling because I actually can't swim at all but the folks on the boat were so supportive, and they gave me a lifejacket and a flotation device and I was able to safely go out into the water and snorkel without any issues! My husband was so sweet & also rented us a Go Pro to capture our underwater moments, and I'm so happy that that was even an option with this company! In addition to the incredible service that the folks on the boat provided for us, they also provided us with a four course meal - which included scrambled eggs, yogurt parfait, and delicious cinnamon rolls! This truly was a five out of five, All-Star experience! Highly recommend for anybody visiting Maui !! read more

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We did the sunrise snorkel tour to Molokini and turtle town, and it was excellent. We're glad we did the early trip because there was nobody else at molokini when we got there, because the conditions were very very smooth at both places, and because since it was the first day of our trip, we were still on California time and didn't mind getting up so early. Other reasons this was great: very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff, easy pickup from our hotel, good food and drinks. It made for a perfect start to the day and the trip! Also, I think most people know this but snorkeling is a very very easy thing to do. If anybody's concerned about whether they're "up for it," I suspect you'll likely be ok! read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - Sunrise over Maui as we left the dock - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

First of all, it's definitely pricey. $240 per-person including taxes. Departs from the beach at Makena Beach. You will board the boat from the beach, so you are definitely getting wet, about thigh high. Bring a bag to put your shoes and other stuff in. Here's the good news. The food and drinks are top shelf. Our cruise was catered by one of the local restaurants. The specialty drinks were outstanding, one with gin, one with vodka, and one with tequila. Tried all three and the tequila was the bomb for me. A lot of people liked the vodka drink. Initially, we were served a charcuterie board, followed by seared ahi, and then baked ziti with a side of tomato/mozerella/basel. They served dessert but I was full so I'm not sure what it was, but I know chocolate was involved. Great crew, great service, great captain. Highly recommend. read more

This is a quality operation led by an engaging crew with advantages over other tours. Yes, it comes at a premium but the opportunity to reach Molokini early before any other tours and to have less boat transit time meant more time in the water. The crew: helpful, anticipate needs, entertaining, and most importantly concerned with guest safety and a quality experience. If you're staying in Kihei or Wailea, this is a no brainer. Much shorter drive or use the hotel shuttle to pick you up. We were back at our resort by 9:55 and had the rest of the day to relax by the pool. Thanks, Kai Kanani...we will be back next time. Your challenge - find something cooler to see than that octopus at Molokini yesterday. read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - View of Molokini in the sun from the Grand Wailea resort. - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

We did the sunrise snorkeling tour and it was fantastic! The communication from them the day prior to the tour to the staff sharing info during the tour was amazing. The service from start to finish was top notch! The food provided was very good and there was pretty of time to snorkel at both spots. I particularly like the stop at turtle town and Sam being in the water sharing fun facts. Highly recommend this tour and this company! read more

It was fine. The boat was very nice, the crew was great, however it really wasn't worth almost 1600 for a family of 5. There wasn't a lot of fish out and we didn't see any turtles, I know that's not their fault but damn I wish I took a cheaper boat lol. The staff was great though. Very helpful, just not worth the price imo read more

We took a sunset cruise and there are pros and cons: Pros: super, super nice staff! Good drinks Nice nibbles Gorgeous views Cons: (ok this is super subjective because the weather is not the boats issue) BUT if it's windy or choppy beach boarding is going to be ROUGH. The staff will help but there were pretty big swells and I got chest level wet and was mildly traumatized. Rum drinks did help. read more

Booked this for Molokini Crater and turtle town. 100% 5 star experience. Super communicative with emails beforehand, detail directions on where to meet, very nice catamaran took us out. Had hot cinnamon rolls, drinks, ginger ale, water, and yogurt with fruit and granola, sodas, bbq chicken sliders, salad and Mac and cheese for lunch. All served to everyone. Very friendly. 5 star experience all the way read more

Best snorkeling experience anyone could ask for. Staff was amazing and so accommodating!

This company had the best excursion I've been on. The crew was so attentive, professional and friendly! They were truly an outstanding crew. The catamaran was so fun with plenty of room, and the food was fantastic! Seriously, they were constantly delivering snacks, drinks, lunch and warm cookies the entire trip. They were knowledgeable and safety oriented, and the water was so easy to snorkel in! read more

Sunrise Deluxe Snorkel I highly recommend. Beautiful sunrise, smooth sailing, excellent customer service. Molokini Crater was gorgeous with warm water. Can see clearly under the water. Saw beautiful fish close up to you. Amazing experience. First boat to get there so we had the place ourselves. Turtle Town was beautiful too. Saw several turtles close up. First boat to get there and had the area to ourselves. read more

Took the midday snorkeling excursion. It was amazing. The crew was helpful, attentive, and conscientious. Food and drinks were excellent. Overall, it was a fantastic trip. read more

Amazing crew! Unforgettable experience! I wish I could rate 6 stars. I would recommend this experience to everyone! We went as a couple however, there were kids, older adults, and the crew delivered an awesome experience for all. Highly recommended! read more

Amazing experience! The crew, scenery and food were all great. I would highly recommend to anyone and can't wait to go back again!

This was an absolute surprise as we didn't think it was going to turn out as well as it did. We booked last minute and really were just trying to get in an excursion. Lo and behold, this turned out to be AMAZING. The staff was extra friendly, gracious and on top of everything!!! We enjoyed ourselves and got a lot of great photos! Fun experience and recommend them to anyone who loves sunsets and the ocean!!! read more

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Great trip from beginning to end. We chose this boat because I get sea sick and this boat's departure is as close as you can get to Molokini. It did require a longer drive time, but it allowed us to have a short boat ride to Molokini. They have an early boat that gets there before all the other boats. Totally worth it!!! Food and beverages on the boat were delicious and the crew was incredibly attentive, friendly, and helpful. I've been to Molokini three times and this was by far my favorite boat and crew. Do it! read more

This was a great experience for my family! The crew was so friendly, the sunrise snorkel was great fun and I just loved being out on the boat before it gets crowded. If you are traveling from the east or west coast of the US, you are already getting up super early, so book the sunrise snorkel and beat the crowds. The food was plentiful and delicious-- I couldn't believe how much they gave us over the short time we were on the boat. We saw lots of turtles and beautiful fish and highly recommend if you are visiting Maui. read more

We were on the sunset sail August 9, 2024 which was our second time touring with Kai Kanani. We did a snorkel tour to Molokini and Turtle Town in 2021. The sunset sail is a great way to end the day and enjoy the Maui sunset. They served three courses of food (meat/cheese and crackers, ahi,, pasta and dessert). The food was average. There is also an open bar and live Hawaiian music. Staff was amazing! They helped you board, served food and took pictures during the cruise. They do let you know on their website and when you book that you board the catamaran on the beach and you are more than likely to get wet. Our family of three all wore shorts and all of our shorts got wet from boarding since the waves could hit you as you board. read more

We had an amazing time with Kai Kanani. The staff were so nice and made sure we had everything we needed. They were educational for those who had never been before and really thoughtful of our kids on the trip. I loved that we went to two spots to snorkel. The view from the boat can't we beat. 10/10 would do again. read more

We have enjoyed Trilogy snorkel cruises in the past but decided this snorkel cruise was convenient to our hotel. They picked us up an hour before our scheduled departure and dropped us off at their office are to check in for 30 minutes or more than drove us to the parking lot area and walked to the beach. The boat entrance and exit I g e dry time was extremely rough. The snorkeling at Molokini was very rough and few fish due to the swells. We went to Turtle Town and saw some large turtles which made up for our first snorkel stop. Obviously, the water was too rough even for the fish. The boat did not have enough exterior seating for all of the guests and it was a rough ride for those standing. The food and drinks were mediocre at best...but that's not what we came for anyway. On the plus side, the crew was very friendly. read more

Ok we booked for 5 people so about $1500 which is silly. Then we accidentally booked the week prior to arrival and when I called they were so into their "cancellation policy". I kept telling them I don't want to cancel, just push out a week. None of their tours are "full" so my mistake didn't impact their business. Didn't matter. They charged me an additional $75 pp or $375 - total money grab. Shows me they care more about money than customer. Yes it was my mistake but started the whole relationship off with a sour taste in my mouth. Arrive at 9:15 for check in. Don't leave until 9:50 to walk to beach / boat. Meantime you're in a gravel hot lot just waiting. Many customers putting on NON reef safe lotion and they said NOTHING. I have been to the crater 10+ times. More crowded than ever and very few fish. Then off to the next spot (one cove up from where you get the boat so not unique or special). So total waste of money. Nothing special. Food blah. Only good was the staff. They were amazing hope your give my extra $375 to them! Didn't leave until 10 and arrive back before 1PM. A lot of money and rush for 3 hour tour. Wouldn't use their services again. read more

EXPECT TO GET WET when boarding the sail! I got wet all the way to my upper thigh so make sure to bring clothes you dont mind getting wet in. I ended up booking the sunset sail. Unfortunately the day I went, it was super cloudy and there wasn't a sunset. Also wasn't able to see many whales out in the sea so it could be a hit or miss. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The sail had these nets in the front where you could sit in and enjoy the view which I really enjoyed. Great experience and happy I did it - I just wish the conditions outside would have been better. read more

Just finished an awesome sunrise snorkel tour to Molokini crater! We made our first stop at the crater and then floated to another spot were the coral reef ends & you can see the ocean blue drop off. Very cool. That stop only happens if the water isn't too rough since you're not protected by the crater. Final stop right before shore was to check out some turtles. Right on cue, one popped it's head out of the water. The crew is top notch - friendly, attentive, and helpful. They even come into the water on surfboards to act like a lifeguard in case you have trouble. It felt really safe. They also provide boogie boards & a floatation belt that makes is super easy to float around. You don't go hungry either. 3 breakfast courses, cinnamon buns & fresh pineapple, blueberry yogurt parfait, and the finale with egg bites, Portuguese sausage & potatoes. Oh and open bar with the eggs. Bloody Mary, please. We also did the sunset cruise the week before. Same deal with food and drink, but you stay in the boat. That trip was a different crew with same great service Book in advance so you don't miss out on Kai Kanani read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - Lovely sunset after cruising - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

Went on the sunset cruise. It was amazing. Staff was great and views were amazing! Open bar and great appetizers as well. Gary was awesome on the guitar. Check them out! read more

This was highly recommended on all platforms (we first found it through the Hawaii Vacation Guide on YouTube) and it lived up to expectations. We did the Molokini snorkel tour in May 2022 -- the first one of the day -- and indeed it was less crowded since they launch from Makena Beach. We didn't get to go to Turtle Bay since conditions were choppy, but we snorkeled for the same amount of time around Molokini anyway. Lots of delightful fish and the water was the clearest snorkeling you could ask for. They went the extra mile to obtain dropped GoPros (careful the camera part might snap right off even though there's a wrist strap) and were all around friendly, engaging, patient and wonderful to tour with. Would highly recommend. We were at first apprehensive of the relatively higher cost, but along with the food, attentive service and world-class boat experience, it was completely worth the money. read more

The crew is what really made this trip, otherwise a pretty disappointing experience. We arrive at 9:00 AM for our 9:15 check in since we had a long drive from Kaanapali. We were told we were early and to go wait in our car. Was it better for us to be late? Mark the deckhand gave us a quick safety briefing and walked us to the boat at the beach. We quickly loaded and were on our way. We had 40 people on board instead of the usual 65 and it was crowded enough, I can't imagine having 65 people on this catamaran. We were given 3 pieces of pineapple and a small cinnamon roll on the way to Molokini. The snorkeling there was no where near as great as I thought it would be. Some pretty coral and mostly just the same two types of fish. If you have snorkeled before you will be really disappointed. The next stop was turtle town. This is NOT for beginning snorkelers or swimmers. The surf was quite strong and the visibility was terrible. Very murky waters and you had to swim quite a ways from the boat. After a few minutes we swam back as we were feeling uncomfortable, even with a float belt on. We then had lunch which was two pork sliders, mac & cheese, a salad and a cookie. They advertise "gourmet hoagies" but they didn't have any. The pork was really dry and the salad had a bitter dressing which we didn't like. For $210 per person the lunch seemed really cheap. Something tropical or Hawaiian would have been nice for dessert instead of a cookie. Now the best part, the CREW! This was by far the best crew we have had on a snorkel trip. They were so friendly and couldn't do enough to make sure everyone was happy and taken care of. They were always asking if you needed anything and socializing with everyone during the trip. The crew is what saved our trip. 5+ stars. Unfortunately this was mainly a snorkeling trip and the two stops were disappointing. Also the lunch was nothing gourmet and wasn't near the quality we expected for the price. read more

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Went out on the sunrise snorkel cruise out of Makena. It was really great! Lovely catamaran, awesome and knowledgeable crew, great food and drinks. I hadn't snorkeled Molokini before and it's a must-do I think. So many different varieties of fish, water was crystal clear and we were the first boat there. Really felt like you were swimming in a beautiful, warm aquarium. I'd been to Turtle Town once before and didn't see turtles. I realize now I wasn't in the right area at all. Saw several on this trip. Trip was expensive ($485 for two) but it was a worthwhile vacation splurge. Boyfriend said today it was the highlight of the trip and he's hard to please lol. read more

Sunrise Snorkeling in Wailea Maui. We went Saturday, May 4,2024. The shuttle van picked us up at our hotel /Wailea Marriott right on time. Snorkeling Instruction was clear, humorous and straight to the point. The best part about this venture is the boat can hold 40 people but they never max it out and on this particular day there was only 20 passengers. The service was impeccable. So much food and drinks. Their house cocktail is a real delight. The weather was great, Water was pretty calm that day. We saw lots of fish, schools of trigger fish would surround you. Someone saw an octopus. The turtles were cool. Not that many that day but i was happy to see the three that we did. So can you go snorkeling for a lot cheaper? Yes! But you will deal with crowded waters and a crowded boat. No food and no goofy jokes. It was worth every penny! read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Amazing fantastic !!!! If you want to book a fantastic trip on a boat that's unlike the others and not over crowded this is the one!. They are very professional ; a cut above the rest .... you need to book with Kai Kanani! You will not be disappointed!! Very friendly knowledgeable team, incredible food ( pulled pork sandwiches, mack and cheese, veggie plate,hot chocolate, cookies, etc. adult beverage,etc...) , Kai Kanani Sailing is the one that if you want for a great experience hands down! If your visiting Maui ... treat yourself to the experience. You deserve the best. You board from a fantastic beach... not from a dock... the whole Experience is tops! Captain Antony is welcoming , relaxed and will treat you like family. A MUST!!!! read more

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We had the most wonderful time . Food and drinks were delicious! Sunset was beautiful, whales to see and a fabulous read more

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Great team. Great experience. If you are in Maui during whale season, GO. Great experience from arriving to departure.

Amazing early morning snorkel off the beach in Makena. No other boats at molokini. Great staff. Expensive but totally worth it.

The whale watching tour was wonderful! A very nice catamaran, a great crew and Captain, munchies, drinks and whales! Plenty of beautiful whales! The parking lot was easy to find and even though you have to board the catamaran from the beach the crew were very helpful in getting you safely aboard. read more

Was super excited to book the sunset cruise. My friend sailed the same one a couple of weeks ago and highly recommended it. However, on the day of our sailing, the company cancelled due to low staff. I get it, and the company issued a full refund. But, it was our last night in Maui and we wanted to go out with a bang. Wish we could have experienced the sail. read more

Service: 5 stars Food: 3 stars Drinks: 3.5 stars Ambiance: 6 stars Kai Kanani is the only sailing company departing out of South Maui (they depart from Maluaka beach in Makena). While this means they don't have any directly comparable competitors, it doesn't mean they slack off! I had jealously watched people loading and unloading from snorkel, whale watching, and sunset tours from the beach for months during 2020, until I finally took my first sunset adventure cruise with them in April 2021. I had high expectations based on the price and description from their website, and my expectations were mostly met. The food is definitely lacking in quality/quantity and does not live up to the website description, but it is better than many other companies provide. You may go home a bit hungry if you're planning on the food serving as your dinner (and you don't supplement with sufficient calories from their liquid refreshments). They will make any drink you request within reason (no pina coladas, they don't have a blender), and their staff are constantly circulating and getting refills. You definitely get your money's worth when it comes to drinks, lbut the drinks aren't incredible quality. They do a sunset toast with the Lokelani sparkling rose from Maui Wine, which is a nice touch. I'm a fan of the adventure sunset sail during whale season, as you get to watch the sunset and whale watch! Two for the price of one. Tip: Call to book to avoid paying the online surcharges, and if you're local ask for the Kama'aina rate! read more

Kai Kanani Sailing - First course - Boat Charters Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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I'd never been snorkeling and this crew was EVERYTHING. So chill, so informative, so helpful. Locations were awesome. Food on board was great. Can't wait to do it again. read more

Wow, this was an awesome experience! Let me count the ways: --beautiful boat, clean, spacious and lovingly maintained --thoughtful, professional captain and crew--they are marine educators as well as sailors and snorkelers --stunning marine life from humpback whales to reef fish and creatures to sea turtles --delicious food--all the food we love--humus, veggies, small sandwiches to potato chips. It all tasted good after swimming and sight seeing. And then there was lunch: green salad, more veggies, pulled pork, potato salad, several sandwiches and Mac and cheese. There was a light breakfast to greet us, but I didn't partake. It was probably equally great--cinnamon rolls and such. --great design for the 4 hour tour--motor to a nearby small island to swim and snorkel 45 minutes (lots of safety measures in place for people and the wildlife); yummy snacks (see above); motor to turtle town for 45 more minutes in the water. Lunch then sailing for 30+ more minutes before beaching to disembark. --generous bar--I had white wine; my husband had a margarita; my daughter had a mai tai and rum with POG. We hope to book a sunset tour on the vacation--fingers crossed that we'll be back within 48 hours. read more

My wife and I went on this sunset cruise ten years ago and it was perfect. Smooth water, a great sunset, etc. This time it felt like we were in a sequel to Twisters. There was a significant breeze and the majority of the cruise felt like we were experiencing the equivalent of strong airplane turbulence. I'm not sure how strong the wind has to be for the cruise to be cancelled but I have to imagine this came close. The boarding from the water went fairly smoothly but once we were out to sea all the passengers could really do is sit and hold on for dear life. Ok, maybe that is being a little dramatic but there was no moving around for the most part. We were served food and drinks but I repeatedly lost the top layer of my drinks and food went flying off plates. The wind slowed down a bit right toward the end so at least we could enjoy the sunset but I think everyone was more than ready to exit the catamaran once the cruise was over. Prior to the cruise ending the Captain walked over to talk to us. I thought for sure he would say, "That was more bumpy then we expected but I hope you all still had a good time." Instead he said something to the effect of, "That was a nice cruise" and didn't mention the weather at all. I assume it is not his fault as it is probably company policy to gloss over any unpleasant conditions. The problem with taking that stance though is the captain immediately lost credibility. All the customers are adults. You can't treat us like children and pretend like we didn't experience what we all experienced. On the drive back in the company shuttle one of the customers asked if conditions were normally that windy. The driver, who was also on the boat, replied, "Oh that was mild. We usually experience 40 MPH winds." This statement was so patently absurd that it was laughable. If the cruise had been any windier we probably would have needed to be rescued. The food is nothing amazing but all things considered pretty good. The cocktails are extremely watered down however. Though to be fair, that is par for the course at the resorts in Wailea. I don't know what is the norm for this cruise. The wonderful sunset cruise my wife and I experienced ten years ago or the stomach churning wind marathon we experienced last week. Based on the driver's above statement it sounds like it is typically windy. Long story short, if you are prone to sea sickness or traveling with young or elderly people, there is no guarantee you will experience a calm sunset cruise. If you can't handle strong winds then this is probably not the cruise for you. I realize of course that this company does not have a crystal ball when it comes to weather but I am not convinced the cruise should have departed as scheduled and not been cancelled. At the very least, their attempt to minimize what we all experienced and pretend like conditions were sunny and mild came across as disingenuous. As a result I would be hesitant to book a cruise with this company again read more

Service: 10/10! All the guys on the boat were amazing. Food: 7/10. Was decent. Three courses which was nice. Drink: 10/10. Drinks were refreshed quickly and were tasty. Snorkeling: 6/10. The first stop was at the crater. There were a lot of fish but nothing else. They don't warn you but there are tiny jellyfish that sting and are quite a nuisance. A heads up would've been nice that's all. The second stop was closer to shore. We saw some turtles but nothing else. Overall the service was top notch. Other than that I probably wouldn't recommend. Unfortunately I think I would've gotten the same snorkel viewing if I had parked at the Turtle area and swam out with snorkel gear myself and it would've been a hell of a lot cheaper. read more