Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lahaina
DINNER CRUISES
A sailboat is a better venue for a sunset cruise than a powerboat. But for those who would
rather be on a large, stable diesel vessel instead of a catamaran, the best dinner cruise
out of Lahaina is offered by
Pacific Whale Foundation
(612 Front St., 808/942-5311,
www.pacificwhale.org
). The power catamaran used for this charter is the nicest of the large
diesel boats, and the menu includes locally sourced produce and sustainably harvested sea-
food. Regular seats are $80, but if you don't want to share a table with another party, up-
grade to the premium seating for $100/adult. A maximum of three alcoholic beverages is
included in the cruise, as is live performed by a solo musician.
Also out of Lahaina Harbor,
Lahaina Cruise Company
(877/500-6284,
www.mauiprincess.com
) offers two different dinner cruises aboard vessels which are a
generation older than others. The 2.5-hour dinner cruise aboard
Maui Princess
stays out
well past dark (usually until 8pm) and offers rooftop seating aboard a 120-foot vessel.
Waiters in gray tuxedos serve meals of prime rib, roasted chicken, or island fish, and the
string of white lights illuminating the upper deck aims to create a romantic atmosphere.
Dancing is offered in the downstairs portion of the boat. Prices for the cruise are $75/adult,
three alcoholic drinks are included, and additional drinks are available for purchase at the
bar. A similar cruise is offered aboard
Kaulana,
where dinner consists of a small amount
of
pupus
and two drinks are included with the price of the sail. There is a live musician
on the aft deck. This is the closest thing to a “booze cruise” that you'll find anywhere on
the West Side. Prices for this tour are $47/adult, and the cruise spends two hours motoring
along the West Maui shoreline.
SAILBOATS
If you know what it means to “shake a reef,” you'll be much happier watching the sunset
aboard a small sailboat than on a large, motorized platform.
The only sailing catamaran offering sunset sails out of Lahaina is
Paragon
(808/
244-2087,
www.sailmaui.com
)
, which provides sailing,
pupus,
beer, wine, and mai tais for
only $59/adult. Trips depart on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As an added bonus the
maximum capacity of the cruise is only 24 people.
Or, if you're a monohull sailor,
Scotch Mist II
(808/661-0386,
www.scotchmistsailingcharters.com
) offers evening sunset sails for $69 aboard a Santa
Cruz 50-foot racing boat which departs from Slip #2.
