Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Snorkeling Charters
A number of catamarans depart directly from Ka'anapali Beach on half-day excursions
sailing along the West Maui coastline. For excursions to either Lana'i or Molokini Crater
you will still need to go to the Lahaina or Ma'alaea harbors. For all boats departing from
Ka'anapali Beach, the preferred snorkeling destination is Honolua Bay. Since the surf
at Honolua Bay during the winter can get large, the alternate snorkeling destination is
Olowalu on the south shore. During most days of the year these sleek sailing yachts are
able to pull their bows right up on the sand and load passengers directly from the beach,
although during days with large surf the shorebreak can be too rough and there's a slight
chance the trip might be moved to Lahaina Harbor. If a member of your party has restric-
ted mobility, then trips out of Lahaina Harbor will prove a safer option.
Of the crews departing from Ka'anapali Beach,
Trilogy
(808/874-5649,
www.sailtrilogy.com
)
loads in front of the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and offers 8am snorkel-
ing charters, thereby making them the first boat to Honolua Bay. Trilogy tours from
Ka'anapali are usually aboard
Trilogy IV,
a few feet smaller than other boats along the
beach. The maximum capacity on these trips is only about 35 people. All of the food is
made fresh on board. Both the Trilogy crew and the level of customer service are widely
regarded as the best in the industry. You shouldn't raise a finger; everything is served to
you. Due to its slightly smaller size and its lightweight makeup, the
Trilogy IV
is the fast-
est of the Ka'anapali sailboats. Half-day charters are $119 for adults, include all food and
equipment, and usually return to the beach around 1:30pm.
On the stretch of sand in front of Whalers Village,
Teralani
(808/661-7245,
www.teralani.net
)
has two boats that regularly make excursions along the West Maui
coastline. The Teralani boats are larger than Trilogy's and cap their trips at 49 people. The
primary snorkeling tour departs at 9:30am and returns to the beach around 2:30pm. An
abridged trip departs at 11am and returns to the beach at 3pm. All food and equipment
are included in the price. There's also an open bar (once you've finished snorkeling, of
course), whereas Trilogy charges $5 a drink. With the open bar, however, the price also
increases. The adult price of the longer sail is $139 while the four-hour cruise is $112.
Other catamarans departing from Ka'anapali Beach include
Gemini
(808/669-0508,
www.geminicharters.com
) and
Hula Girl
(808/665-0344,
www.sailingmaui.com
)
, both of
which load on the stretch of beach in front of Leilani's restaurant.
Gemini
is just as large
as Teralani's boats and offers much the same trip, with a difference being that the primary
snorkeling charter departs at 11am and returns to the beach between 3 and 3:30pm. Equip-
ment, food, and open bar are included in the tour, and the adult price is $115.
Hula Girl,
