Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
new dive watch. While short-term rentals are available, this is also a good shop for those
looking to purchase their own gear and find something of quality which will last longer
than a three-day rental period.
Smaller but just as credible,
Lahaina Divers
(143 Dickenson St., 808/667-7496,
www.lahainadivers.com
,
8am-8pm daily) will have everything you need for snorkeling,
despite the fact it's a full-service dive shop. This is another place you would come if you
were looking to own gear for an extended period of time, and since the staff are all divers
themselves, they can give you up-to-date information on the current conditions around the
West Side.
If, on the other hand, you're just looking for cheap rental gear to get you through your
vacation, both
Boss Frog's
(150 Lahainaluna Rd., 808/661-3333,
www.bossfrog.com
,
8am-5pm daily) and
Snorkel Bob's
(1217 Front St., 808/661-4421,
www.snorkelbob.com
,
8am-5pm daily) provide economical rentals which can be as low as $2/day. Remember,
however, that not only do you get what you pay for, but the main impetus for getting you
through the door is to sell activities or upsell you to a fancier mask and snorkel package. If
you aren't picky about a mask fitting perfectly or are on a budget, all of the offerings here
are completely fine and will get you through a couple of sessions at the beach.
For a similar operation in the center of Lahaina you can also check out
The Snorkel
Store
(840 Waine'e St., 808/669-1077,
www.thesnorkelstore.com
,
8:30am-5pm daily), a
small but friendly shop squirreled away in the Lahaina Square Center a block inland from
Front Street. There are often 2 for 1 specials on snorkeling gear. There are also masks with
built-in cameras that can potentially take some good videos while you snorkel. The prices
here are fair, and the staff won't try to upsell you too hard. This is a good option for renting
gear if you're willing to walk a block into a lesser-visited portion of town.
Lahaina Snorkeling Charters
Other than Ma'alaea Harbor, Lahaina Harbor is the island's busiest passenger port with
hundreds of visitors daily. Before sunrise, this small, historic harbor teems with activity
as fishers fuel their boats and charter captains prepare for the day ahead. All throughout
the day the harbor basin is a whirlwind of activity with lines forming and reforming, food
coolers being slung across the docks, and fresh fish being laid on ice to the amusement
of curious passersby. Behind the famous banyan tree on Front Street, this is where most
of Lahaina's snorkeling charters depart from, with a select few opting to set out from
Mala Ramp on the northern edge of town. Unlike at Ka'anapali, however, where all of the
snorkeling options are aboard sailing catamarans, snorkeling charters in Lahaina run the
