We had the most FANTASTIC whale watch today. OMG! Calves on the surface with Mom. Breach after breach, side flops, tail flaps....and on the way into Kehei, we saw 2 more come up, wave at the boat, flap, then dive. Perfect ending!!! Captain and Kelly were great also. We dropped the microphone into the water to hear the whales sing. read more

This is the only snorkeling business I would recommend in Maui. Not because the others are bad but because Seafire is so exceptional. Several reasons: 1. Their location at Kihei Boat Ramp in South Maui means that you have an extra hour in the water so you can make one more stop compared to the other snorkeling charters who leave from further away and you spend most of the time going and coming vs in the water. 2. Their guides are so good, respectful, fun and full of knowledge about the underwater things you'll be seeing. 3. Their raft holds 12 people (I think) so it's much more intimate. This was worth every penny. You'll never forget when you first drop into the warm Maui waters and the incredible underwater sights you'll see. Make sure to book well in advance. read more

We had a great time snorkeling at Molokini Crater! We saw several whales along the way, breaching the waters. The waters were calm and clear. The staff was easygoing and knowledgeable. The turtle cleaning station was the best part. So many turtles and nearby. Highly recommend this group! read more

First off, Captain Don, Captain Kelly, Dan, Josh, and Vicki were all so amazing! I can't wait to visit them again! 1) the Kihei boat landing was five mins away from place we were staying so it was convenient. 2) they were on time and organized 3) Dan helped us with our gear and went over all the safety info. He was knowledgeable and eased my nervousness. 4) Captain Kelly and Dan and Josh were in the water with us and pointed out the marine life and safely got us into and out of the water. I felt so confident with them snorkeling with us. 5) my partner had mentioned that he gets motion sickness so Captain Kelly immediately gave him ginger ale, sea sick wristband, essential oils to help. She was so patient and attentive.... In fact all of them were! 6) we went to three different spots at Molokini to snorkel- we saw plenty of fish, the beautiful reef, drop offs, octopuses, and eagle rays! We went to the turtle cleaning station but didn't snorkel Because Captain Dan and Captain Kelly said it wouldn't be safe to do so since the water was murky and sharks like to hunt in murky water. Plus we wouldn't be able to see much with murky water anyway. I appreciated them being honest with us and looking after our safety especially since we saw snorkelers from another boat near us. 7) the boat is a coast guard boat that fits 22 passengers. The small group setting was perfect and allowed them to be attentive the entire time Book them directly with Vicki (number on the website). You won't be disappointed!!!! read more

We had a great day out on the water. We hit three different spots, saw a whale breach next to our boat and had clear views. Dan was so fun to follow around in the water - pointing out anything interesting and invested in everyone seeing the marine life. Special shout out to Kelly who ensured we made the boat! (Book directly through the company not anything else!) read more

My wife and I had a fantastic time out to the Molokini crater. All of the staff was awesome. The size of the boat made it less likely that either of us experienced seasickness. We were able to see some whales in the distance, which was really cool. Once we arrived at the crater, we were able to swim with a monk seal, which was very playful. We enjoy exploring the creator and checking out all the cool fish. Since it was a smaller boat, we were able to also go to the backside of the crater and experience the elevator. This is when the water lifts and drops you near the crater. We could hear the sounds of whales underwater which was awesome. On the way back, we stopped at the turtle cleaning station and saw some beautiful turtles. Such a great excursion and at a reasonable price, we plan to return next time to Maui. read more

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Great experience with this small business. Captain Dan and crew are very welcoming from beginning to end. I really liked having the launch in Kihei which was close to our lodging. The weather was in our favor and we were able to snorkel near Molokiki, near the reef shelf, and also at the turtle cleaning station. I really valued that Wendy & Dan were in the water with us helping to point out wildlife we may have missed like lobster, pufferfish, barracuda, and a baby shark. They provided light snacks before launch and offered some snacks/soda/juice on the way back to shore. Price is a lot lower than other options with larger boats. We lucked out and saw 3 whales. read more

Really nice and helpful lady on phone. Very pleasant. We were unable to go out this trip. Will see you in six months!

Incredible experience!! I'm a local to the island and it's always my first recommendation to friends, family, and anyone asking about exceptional activities to do on the island!! The size of the boat is ideal, making it easier to meet new people or just appreciate a less crowded experience! The crew is always the best, Captain Don has been doing this forever and always keeps you feeling safe and informed on the fish and boat-stops along with the crew!! Always leave with a smile and some new fish knowledge. 10/10!! read more

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We had an amazing time! The crew was super caring & helpful. They spent time explaining how to snorkel, made sure safety was a priority & took us to 3 different spots & we saw a manta ray, lots of fish & turtles. Would definitely book with them when we come back to Maui! read more

The only crew that could get me to the back wall of Molikini with my son for our birthday. Clean, efficient, educational, and more turtles on one trip than any of the other 20x I've seen turtles. The ride is a blast and the energy is great. read more

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Highly recommend. Loved that this was a boat that held roughly 20 people. 3 crew on the boat who were very knowledgeable and had great energy. If we ever come back, we will go with Seafire again. My family had a wonderful time. read more

The best tour on island by far and the safest. It don't break the bank and the amount of time you spend in the water rather than on the boat is perfect. read more

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500% recommend Seafire Charters! If you enjoy being treated like VIPs and well taken care of, you need to choose Captain Don and his crew! *Best price and value in town* We've probably compared ~10 tours and their itineraries. Even though Seafire's total duration is 3 hours, we thought it was the perfect amount of time to be out in the water. Their prices were also half of other tours. They also didn't charge extra for equipment!!!! All snorkeling gear were free!! We stopped at 2 sides of the crater and a special location for turtle sighting!! *Most attentive staff* The crew treats you like close friends. Kelly, Krista, and Melissa made sure everyone is well taken care of on the boat. I got seasick on the trip, and they kept checking in on me and gave me every resource they have to help get me better. They also gave us an overview of all the fishes we saw, their special traits, etc. Cap. Don stopped when there were whale sightings to give us multiple opportunities to be amazed! Vicky was very thorough in the booking process! You could tell everyone loved their jobs and were absolutely so patient! Please choose Seafire!! read more

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Seafire is a great company if you're staying in South Kihei or Wailea. They dock at the South Kihei Rd boat ramp instead of going all the way up to Ma'alaea Harbor in North Kihei. Headed out to Molokini and moored there. It's shallow here and you can get right up to fish and we saw a pretty shy octopus too. Then we went to the backside of Molokini where you can see how deep it drops off in that direction. You get to ride the waves up and down along the south side. On our way back to the "turtle cleaning station" we saw a whale, even this late in the season, and a bunch of dolphins riding our bow. Arriving at the turtle area we saw 4 or 5 on top of the water as we pulled in and anchored. Once you get in the water it was amazing how many sea turtles were there hanging out at the bottom. They would come up to the surface for a bit to get a closer look. I was videoing one turtle and another literally swam right underneath me. What a great experience. The crew was amazing and very knowledgeable. If you call them directly they give a discount instead of using a third party website read more

Seafire Charters - Nice small boat without the crowds - Boat Charters Near Me

Captain Dan and his amazingly knowledgeable and fun crew inspired us with their contagious passion for sea life and specifically for snorkeling at Molikini. Their boat, the Seafire, is the safest boat in these waters and a very comfortable, quick and enjoyable trip to the inner crater of the collapsed cinder cone, the outer side with deeper water and more gorgeous fish and a turtle cleaning station close to the boat ramp with a huge amount of thriving coral. The variety of colors and patterns of the myriad of tropical fish was delight enough but then we saw a family of eagle rays feeding in a circle above the sand nearby. Absolutely hypnotic! I could go on but this tour with small groups has to be the best on the island. Make a reservation on the Seafire today and you will be so glad you did! This was our second time and we'll be back before long. read more

These guys are the shit! I've been on lots of boats to Molokini over the years. And every time I go, I think it's going to be another boon doggle. Most boats have a safety briefing, dump you off, and tell you when to get back on. These guys? They get in the water with you. Yes, mask, snorkel, fins, showing you the different sea life. Who does that? Seafire does. Dan actually got in with a novice snorkeler, towed her around with a safety device, to the point where she didn't want to get back in the boat. I signaled Kelly and told her there were sharks under the boat, she jumped in with her gear and followed them with me. They are the best. I hope they stay around awhile, they are a good operation, practice safety, take you to see the sea life, and care about the reef. Amazing! Just awesome! read more

Went on the molokini tour with Seafire with several family members and it was simply delightful and an amazing time. The crew, Kelly and Krista, were very personable, friendly and attentive. I felt pretty seasick by half-way (no fault of the boat etc), and was really well taken care of. They effortlessly help everyone feel really safe and well taken care of, and one is always in the water pointing out interesting fish that they spotted, or sharing some interesting facts about them. Very very good experience for anyone who's first-time or unsure of snorkeling. The boat is perfect for a small party, and it allows for much more interaction and attention by the crew. The equipment and plethora of snacks and drinks were just the cherry on top of a wonderful experience. Highly recommend! read more

The whole crew were amazing, from Vicci who assisted with logistics, ie checking us in, sending text messages, Don the Captain who had worked for the Coast Guard, Kelly and Malissa. Kelly and Malissa were our life guards, in and out of the water, were very knowledgeable of the sea life, enthusiastic and personable. I was surprised they could remember my name even after I was in the water with my snorkel gear donned. Originally I was going to take 5 hour tour, however this 3 hour tour allowed plenty of snorkel time. On the return trip we were pleasantly surprised to see a large school of Spinner Dolphins swimming close to our boat for about 10 minutes. They performed aerial spins and back flips for our entertainment. Highly recommend this tour. You will not be disappointed! read more

Seafire is the BEST charter to Molokini crater!!! Capt. Dave and crew (Melissa and Kelly) are the perfect hosts and guides to one of Maui's precious marine reserves -- a treasure that needs to be preserved. Love that Seafire uses smaller boats not only for a more personable tour but also less impact on the marine life. If I could give 10 out of 10 stars, I would. My family and I had the time of our lives. Thanks again, Seafire for the wonderful memories!!! (June, 2024) read more

What a wonderful time. Kristy, the deck hand, was extremely knowledgeable on the wildlife. And really knew how to show us the beauty of each location. A few of us got sick and Captain Don was quick to help soothe the tummy. At the end was a neat treat, feeding the birds as they met us upon our arrival back to the dock area. They literally feed out of your hand. Their instructions on when and where to meet where spot to and easy to follow. Vicki was great on the phone walking us through the registration and pre-visit info. Also meeting at the dock area for our short and informative briefing along with the necessary waiver forms. They even provided a before and after snacks. I would highly recommend this smaller charter. They are less intimidating than the bigger groups. Thank you for an awesome experience! read more

First class all the way! We went out for snorkeling and were so extremely impressed. Being pretty unsure about snorkeling, the two lovely ladies Kelly and Dawn went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable, safe and knew exactly what we were doing. The 3 places we snorkeled were absolutely breathtaking. Captain Don also stopped for a good bit so we could see some whales. We even got to feed the little birds. Worth every penny and then some! read more

If you are looking for a small snorkeling tour where you get personalized attention, snacks & drinks, and lots of fun facts about the animals, all at an amazing price (half of what you may pay for other tours), then Seafire is the way to go! My husband and I both LOVED our time on the boat and in the water. Molokini was amazing with coral and so many bright colored fish. You may get to see sea turtles if weather permits too! The tour guides and captain were all so amazing and made sure that everyone felt comfortable with the entire process. They were in the water with us so they could show us cool things they spotted that were harder to find, and they were there to make sure we were ok and assisted with floatation devices as needed. I was a little nervous because I haven't been snorkeling in so many years but I quickly became very comfortable in the water. No pressure from the staff, only encouragement :) Overall we had a great time and would HIGHLY recommend to anyone wanting a snorkeling experience in Maui! read more

I tend to get a little seasick on charters, but this time was different. Despite some light chop, our boat made it smoothly out to the Molokini Crater in less than 20 minutes. We beat the majority of crowds and had an awesome swim. One of our guides (both were so helpful and friendly) spotted a nice-sized octopus, which was super cool. He also took us on a longer swim to see the edge of the crater and the deep oceanic drop there. There, we were able to dive under and listen to the whales. Just unreal. On our way back in, we stopped to swim with turtles (there were at least 8) and a manta ray. Such a great time, and no sea sickness! One of my favorite experiences ever in Maui. read more

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The hospitality was more than perfect, no idea how a group can be so patient with tourist. They kept us engaged, entertained with a side of education. They made sure that we were fed and hydrated and that was appreciated. The boat and the captain were as good as it gets. Boat ride was smooth and dry, I have back issues and there was no problem with ride quality. If I were you I would choose these guys first. I have been out with a few boats on Maui and this is by far the best. read more

Found these guys on Yelp and so glad I did. The 2 women running the tour were awesome and so warm to my 4 year old son. Captain Don was the best- we got to see so many whales and this wasn't a whale watching trip. The snorkeling was amazing- got to see so much with the help of our guides... even Reef Sharks. Overall the trip was so good and so much more affordable than the competition. read more

10/10 would go snorkeling again with Seafire! My husband and I took the 3 hour Molikini tour. We were both newbies to snorkeling and Kelly and Wendy, our guides, made us feel super comfortable and checked on us frequently to make sure we didn't have any problems and we were having fun. They were also in the water with us to help point out things we 100% would have missed. Overall, just really friendly and knowledgeable. Vicki, who organizes the tours, was also wonderful to work with. Easy to communicate with and understanding. Don, the captain is dedicated and keeps it fun. He even makes his own seasick bracelets which you can wear. They have been doing this for decades, literally - you can tell they all just love the animals, the water and what they do. We didn't care about having a hot lunch and drinks provided so this lower price point (bring cash) and shorter trip (compared to the other bigger boat tours) was perfect for us. They do provide breakfast and PLENTY of snacks and drinks. The water was a little choppy, as expected in the ocean, so take drammamine 30-60 min before if you're prone to feel sick. They also have carbonated (non-alcoholic) drinks that help too. Thank you, Kelly, Wendy, Don and Vicki!! read more

It was my first time snorkeling as a poor swimmer, but I felt safe and comfortable with the crew. They are patient and understanding, giving me confidence to get into the water. Tips for first time snorkelers, bring enough towels and sweaters, because it could get cold on the boat with wet clothes. Most importantly, you should inform the crew of your confidence level, and they will take good care of you. read more

The absolute BEST experience snorkeling!! We were first timers and kind of afraid of the open ocean- but with this crew, not a bit! They made the entire experience so easy and fun!! I wish I could remember the crews name, the main girl that does the tour- the sweetest, most helpful, nonjudgmental and beautiful human! The guy that helps and hands out snacks- the second nicest, most helpful, nonjudgmental and beautiful human! Speaking of snacks: YUM! Great snacks. Great equipment, turtles swam up to us and we saw some amazing sea life. We went to the Crater the day after Xmas and what a great gift! I would recommend them over and over again! read more

Great morning with SeaFire! Capt Don and his crew were awesome. Lots of fish, eels, etc to see at Molokini, and sea turtles near Makena Beach. Definitely would, and will, go with them again. read more

We had the best time this morning during our snorkeling trip. Sarah, Kelly and Captain Don were amazing! I loved that the boat was a little smaller and only took out about 15 people. It was much more personal then those huge boats with tons of people. We snorkeled and then they took us to a spot where the ocean floor drops off.....what a cool thing to see. We also went to a spot where turtles hang out and saw numerous turtles and even a shark! (A friendly one, lol). We got snacks on board and they told us all about the area. It was a highlight of our trip and I would do it again in a second. Totally worth it! The price was a bargain, in my eyes. read more

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This is my second time with them snorkeling at molokini, and they're just as awesome as ever! Kelly was with us as our guide and helper, and she went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a blast and was feeling comfortable during the entire trip. I was quite nauseated from snorkeling in choppy water, and she gave me essential oils to put behind my ear, and offered me different snorkel mask to try. Kelly was also very informative on the different types of fish, encouraged the group to snorkel and dive deeper with her when she saw cool things in deeper water off the St. Anthony wreck. I really enjoyed her bubbly personality; you can tell she really enjoys her work! We were able to snorkel off the backside of molokini and at St. Anthony's, but didn't get to snorkel at the turtle cleaning station as it was too murky. The captain did stop and linger at the turtle area to let us gawk at the turtles the were right on the surface, and that was a really nice end to the tour. I was exhausted and I really didn't feel like getting back in anyway! All in all, still a wonderful tour and I'm going to bring my kids to do this tour when they're old enough to do this with me! read more

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WOW!!!. I know this is a rough way to start off a review. My family had been cancelled off of another charter company due to what they said was bad weather. We learned later there boat had mechanical issues. We were disappointed for not being able to snorkel. We started to search for an alternative, we came across Seafire not thinking we would be able to get a trip planned short notice, as well as being in the middle of the PANDEMIC restrictions. I called and because we were going to be on the island long enough Seafire was able to work us in. What a great choice I made for calling them. Seafire was also cheaper than are original charter, so that was a plus. The staff on the boat was very attentive. The boat was very safe and comfortable. We were able to see so many different types of fish and Seafire is one of the only charters that go to the back side of the island of Molokini. That for me was a plus as we saw more sea life than we thought we would. As we were headed out and back in to the dock we saw numerous whales as it was at the end of the whale season. They also were able to let us listen to the whales singing with a sonar unit that they had aboard the boat. That was very cool for me. We were also able to see numerous sea turtles just outside of the Kihei dock. We were not able to swim but still saw what we wanted to for the turtles. Thanks to Seafire for a great day of snorkeling. read more

Mahalo Nui! Beautiful day on the water with Seafire charters. Melissa and Sarah lead a fantastic tour. Thank you Capt. Don for keeping us safe. read more

Excellent adventure and crew for the Molokini snorkeling tour. The good/great: Great crew - nice, friendly, pointed out some good stuff. Tour was smaller - 21 people - a lot better than the huge tours. Behind Molokini crater was stunning. ~200 ft deep, just majestic views, magical blue water, sun beams shining down. Turtle stop off - saw at least 5 different turtles, including 3 at once. They are beautiful creatures, so graceful. read more

What an amazing snorkel tour we had with Seafire! They are a small company with great service. Captain Don and his wife have been doing this for over 40 years. He was in the coast guard and knows how to drive the boat in the big swells. Their boat is the only boat that is not filled with air. It's formed with foam like the coast guard boats. It can't be punctured or flipped. Certainly made us feel safe on a high swell day. Kelly and Don were his crew and our guides. They were so friendly and helpful. As we headed out they let us know what to expect and informed us of all we needed to know. Kellie and Dan guided us all over as we snorkeled and showed us so many beautiful fish, octopus, eels and many other sea creatures. Because of the weather we couldn't go to turtle town. Instead we got a whale watching tour which was AMAZING. Kellie was so educational about the whale migration cycle. As well as the fish and the coral reef. They had great snacks, water and juice for us. This was our second time with Seafire and I highly recommend them. 5 stars! read more

We took the Seafire to Molokini to snorkel s d it quickly became the highlight of our trip to Maui. Let me start by saying the only reason I gave them 5 stars is because it isn't possible to give them 6. Here is everything that is amazing about Seafire: Cost: one of the cheapest snorkel excursions to Molokini. We weren't looking for a lot of frills, and frankly, since they launch out of Kihei harbor there's no time for the frills. Time: since it's a mere 15 mins to get to Molokini, the majority of the time spent on the excursion is spent in the water... as it should be. Service: we were blessed to have Kelly and Melissa as deck hands and they were exceptional. Their knowledge, attentiveness, and overall positive attitudes enhances the experience. They were in the water with us pointing out the sights and guiding us all along the way. Uniqueness: one of the few tours that take you on the backside of Molokini. If you have never done this, you're in for a treat. Wow! They also have a secret place to take you to see turtles. While everyone else is over at Turtle Town, we had this to ourselves. Seafire is THE only company to use for snorkeling Molokini. read more

Snorkel Molokini with Cap'n Dan, Missy and the gang and Seafire because they are real PROS! I checked out all the other bigger more commercial snorkeling tour companies and after reading how Seafire departed from Kihei and the boat trip to Molokini was just 15 minutes compared to 45 minutes on other tours, I decided to book my tour with Seafire. This is a no frills snorkel trip limited to about 15 people. It begins at the boat ramp at Kihei where there are restrooms and a shower. Check in, pay in cash, have a snack, then hop on the boat and you're at Molokini within 20 minutes. The crew has wetsuit tops to keep you warm, flotation aids for folks like me who panic in the water, and they have one on one mask/ fin fitting so that your gear fits and works properly. Dan and his "girls" are so knowledgeable and personable- they make you feel right at home and very secure. At each location we snorkeled, one of the girls was always in the water with us to point out cool fish and turtles and to make sure everyone remained safe and happy. Our tour made two additional stops- one at the ridge in front of Molokini ( it was too rough to snorkel the backside) and another closer to shore to see turtles. They provide muffins, fruit and juice after the first two stops. There are no toilets on the boat, so use the facilities on shore before the tour sets sail. I've been on lots of snorkel excursions and this was an excellent value-fun and easy on the wallet! read more

We had a great day our snorkeling at Molokini Crater. The whole crew were relaxed and friendly, eager to share their knowledge of whales, reef creatures, and Hawaiian culture with the 21 snorkelers. The size of the boat was perfect and we were able to get from Kihei Boat Launch to Molokini faster and earlier than the larger charters. We snorkeled in the crater and also at the steep dropoff outside the crater on the S side. I highly recommend Seafire and I'd do it again. read more

Seafire Charters - Captain Don sharing some reef knowledge with our daughter. - Boat Charters Near Me

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On our recent visit to Maui, we decided to give snorkeling a shot. I did a little research and found Seafire to be a great option for us newbies. The charter is a smaller vessel, which is great going with a smaller group, since we felt like we got very personalized service. Dana, Michelle and Captain Dan were great and we felt like we were in great hands. The whole crew was knowledgable and very patient. They walked us through every step and face us some pointers for fish sightings. We were able to see so many great underwater creatures while still feeling safe and secure. They took us out to Molokini crater, both the front and back side and luckily we arrived well ahead of all the snorkeling and snuba tours. They also brought us down to Turtle Town, but the water was a bit murky so they didn't want to let is out in case there were sharks out hunting turtles. We did see quite a few sea turtles, though. We also got to feed all the cute birdies. I highly recommend Seafire if you're ever on Maui and want to enjoy a snorkeling adventure. We had an amazing time and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. read more

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