Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Snorkeling Charters
When it comes to charter boats in Maui,
Trilogy Excursions
(Slip 62 and Slip 99, 808/
874-5649,
www.sailtrilogy.com
)
has been setting the gold standard for 40 years. At $120/
adult their Molokini trip is pricier than the budget options, but you always get what you
pay for. Trilogy boats only have 40-50 passengers, snuba is available as an upgrade, and
since Trilogy has two catamarans in Ma'alaea Harbor, if you show up for your trip and the
boat is empty, there's a good chance you just need to get to the other side of the harbor.
Trips depart at 8am, make stops at two snorkeling spots, and return to the harbor six hours
later.
Another family-run sailboat that visits Molokini is
Paragon
(Slip 72, 808/244-2087,
www.sailmaui.com
)
. This is a great trip for anyone whose priority is sailing instead of
snorkeling.
Paragon
only makes one stop for snorkeling (which is almost always Mo-
lokini), and the emphasis on the trip back toward Ma'alaea is racing at top speeds on their
high-performance 47-foot catamaran. The boat can reach upward of 20 knots. There are
only 20 people on the boat. Trips depart at 7:30am, are five hours long, and cost $100/
adult.
Along with
Trilogy II
and
Kai Kanani
down in Makena,
Ali'i Nui
(Slip 56, 808/
875-0333,
www.aliinuimaui.com
)
is a sailing catamaran that edges closer to yacht than
regular charter boat. With sleek black and white trim, this 65-foot catamaran is also one
of the island's widest at 36 feet, thereby ensuring a stable platform.
Ali'i Nui
is affiliated
with Maui Dive Shop. While their snorkeling excursion is more expensive than the other
excursions ($147/adult), they also include complimentary transportation to and from your
hotel if you're staying on the west or south side of Maui.
Ali'i Nui
still offers scuba diving
whereas many other companies have switched to snuba.
Ali'i Nui
visits Molokini three
times per week (Tues., Thurs., and Sat.), opting on the other days to sail to Olowalu (or as
they call it, “Turtle Point”).
The company with the largest presence in Ma'alaea Harbor is
Pacific Whale Found-
ation
(300 Ma'alaea Boat Harbor Rd., 808/249-8811,
www.pacificwhale.org
), a nonprofit
organization which has its headquarters in the Ma'alaea Harbor Shops. Instead of checking
in down at the harbor, check in at their shop. These cruises are more economical than some
of the higher-priced excursions, although on busier days you could potentially be sharing
the boat with more than 100 fellow passengers.
For snorkeling trips to Molokini with Pacific Whale Foundation there are four different
options. The “standard” itinerary departs at 7am, features two snorkeling spots, and is cur-
rently listed at $85/adult. If you would rather sleep in a little bit and only want to see Mo-
