Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 290

IN THE WATER
BOATING
Maui is big on snorkel cruises. The crescent-shaped islet called Molokini is one
of the best snorkel and scuba spots in Hawaii. Trips to the island of Lanai (see
chapter 7) are also popular for a day of snorkeling. Always remember to bring a
towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat on a snorkel cruise; everything else is usu-
ally included.
Maui Classic Charters Ages 3 and up. Your kids will love the morning
or afternoon snorkel-sail cruises to Molokini on Four Winds II, a 55-foot, glass-
bottom catamaran. The cruises cost $79 ($49 for children 3-12) for the morn-
ing sail, and $40 ($30 for children) in the afternoon. Four Winds trips include a
continental breakfast; a barbecue lunch; complimentary beer, wine, and soda;
complimentary snorkeling gear and instruction; and sportfishing along the way.
Those looking for speed should book a trip on the fast, state-of-the-art cata-
maran, Maui Magic. The company offers a 5-hour snorkel journey to both
Molokini and La Perouse for $99 for adults and $79 for children ages 5 to 12,
including a continental breakfast; barbecue lunch; beer, wine, soda; snorkel gear;
and instruction. During whale season (Dec 22-Apr 22), the Maui Magic Whale
Watch, a 1 1 ⁄ 2 -hour trip with beverages, is $40 for adults and $30 for children ages
3 to 12.
Maalaea Harbor, slip 55 and slip 80. & 800/736-5740 or 808/879-8188. www.mauicharters.com. Prices
vary depending on cruise.
Ocean Activities Center Ages 3 and up. Everyone in the family will be
thrilled with the 2-hour whale-watching cruises (during whale season) on a spa-
cious 65-foot catamaran. Trips range from $25 to $32 for adults and from $15
to $20 for children ages 3 to 12. The best family deal to Molokini is the 5-hour
Maka Kai cruise, which includes a continental breakfast, deli lunch, snorkel
gear, and instruction; it's $60 for adults, $50 for teenagers, and $40 for children
ages 3 to 12. Trips leave from Maalaea Harbor, slip 62. They also have a sport-
fishing charter boat (a 6-hr. trip on a shared boat starts at $135) and bottom-
fishing cruises ($95 per angler).
1847 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei. & 800/798-0652 or 808/879-4485. www.mauioceanactivities.com. Prices vary
depending on cruise.
Pacific Whale Foundation All ages. This not-for-profit foundation sup-
ports its whale research by offering whale-watch cruises and snorkel tours, some
to Molokini and Lanai. Family are welcome (even infants) on the fleet of large,
roomy boats, from a 65-foot power catamaran to a 50-foot sailing catamaran.
There are 15 daily trips to choose from, offered December to May, out of both
Lahaina and Maalaea harbors.
101 N. Kihei Rd., Kihei. & 800/942-5311 or 808/879-8811. www.pacificwhale.org. Trips from $20 adults,
$15 children 7-12; free for children 6 and under. Snorkeling cruises from $30.
Trilogy Ages 3 and up. Trilogy offers our favorite snorkel-sail trips for
families. Hop aboard of one of the fleet of custom-built catamarans, from 54 to
64 feet long, for a 90-mile sail from Lahaina Harbor to Lanai's Hulopoe Beach,
a terrific marine preserve, for a fun-filled day of sailing, snorkeling, swimming,
and whale-watching (in season, of course). This is the only cruise that offers a
personalized ground tour of the island, and the only one with rights to take you
to Hulopoe Beach. The full-day trip costs $169 for adults, half-price for children
ages 3 to 12. Ask about overnighters to Lanai.