WEST MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 98

SUBMARINE
If riding a submarine has always been on your bucket list, Atlantis Submarines (Slip
18, 808/667-2224, www.atlantisadventures.com/maui , 9am-2pm daily) operates regular
charters out of Lahaina Harbor to the Carthaginian, a sunken whaling ship sitting in 100
feet of water. If you're wondering how you board a submarine in a harbor, you first board
a shuttle boat named Holokai, which makes the 10-minute motor to where the submarine
descends. Once above the dive site, you will transfer from Holokai onto Atlantis, and be-
fore you know it, the blue of the sky above you has been replaced by the blue of the Pa-
cific around you. Anything from reef fish to sharks or whales could make an appearance.
There may even be scuba divers diving at the Carthaginian. Rates for the submarine tour
are $109/adult and $35/child.
For those who are a little nervous about descending completely underwater and want
to see fish without snorkeling, Reef Dancer (Slip 6, 808/667-2133,
www.mauiglassbottomboat.com ) is a yellow “semi-sub” that remains partially submerged
for its journey along the coastline. While there is an above deck portion of the sub that nev-
er plunges underwater, passengers are seated in an underwater cabin that offers 360° views
of the underwater world. All of the boat staff double as scuba divers who can point out
anything that might be living along the reef such as eels, octopuses, turtles, or urchins. This
is a great way for young children, elderly visitors, or those who aren't comfortable swim-
ming to enjoy Maui's reef system without ever having to get their hair wet. Sixty-minute
tours take place three times each morning ($35/adult, $20/child), with a longer 90-minute
tour departing Lahaina Harbor at 2:15pm ($45/adult, $25/child).
FISHING
In no place is Lahaina's port town heritage more evident than at dingy yet lovable Lahaina
Harbor. The smell of fish carcasses still wafts on the breeze and shirtless, tanned, sweat-
covered sailors casually sip beers as they lay the fresh catch on ice. On some days you can
buy fresh mahimahi or ono straight from the folks who caught it, or, if you'd rather take
your shot at reeling the big one in yourself, there are a slew of sportfishing boats ready
to get you on the water. The charters that have the best chance of catching fish are those
which leave early and stay out for a full day. These are more expensive, but during a full-
day charter you're able to troll around the buoys on the far side of Lana'i or Kaho'olawe,
whereas on half-day charters you're confined to shallower water where the fish aren't bit-
ing as much (particularly during the winter). On virtually all charters you need to provide
your own food and drinks. Although it sounds silly, don't bring bananas on board since it's