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Incredible Maui Boat Tours Worth Booking

Alert for Visitors: Maui has experienced significant wildfires in August 2023, causing major disruption for both locals and tourists. For your safety and up-to-date information, please visit the Maui County website before planning any activities or travels. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated. Stay safe!

Are you planning a Maui vacation and starting to think about cool Maui activities to do on your trip? Scroll to find out the best Maui boat tours worth adding to your itinerary.

Maui, a beautiful island in Hawaii, is a breathtakingly beautiful spot to visit, whether you’re traveling alone, with family, or even with a group of friends. You can experience one of many beautiful areas in Hawaii by booking a trip to Maui.

While you’re there, you’ll likely want to try out different things and take tours to visit places that you’ve never been to before. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, consider booking one or more Maui boat tours available to guests. 

Several companies take guests out on the water to enjoy the natural scenery while looking out for marine life, such as dolphins, and massive sea turtles. Plus some offer diving or snorkeling options.

Those traveling during the winter months (Nov-May) might also look into Maui whale watching tours.

If you’d like to spend time on the water, learn new things about Maui, and make incredible memories with loved ones, check out this list of different tours worth taking. The experience is different with each tour you choose to take.

See the top-rated Maui boat tour HERE!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Maui.

Popular Maui Tours/Activities

Favorite Maui Resorts/Hotels

  • Hyatt Regency Maui (this has a swim-up bar and tons of amazing amenities)
  • Andaz Maui (this is a luxury resort with the best luau on Maui)
  • Honua Kai Resort & Spa (this is one of our personal favorites because there are tons of pools and there are condo options)

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Maui Sailing FAQs

What’s the best sunset cruise in Maui?

If you’re looking for a memorable sunset cruise, Maui is the place to do it. One of the best Maui sunset cruises is the Sea Maui Kaanapali sunset cocktail cruise. It has a romantic ambiance, an open bar, and lots of yummy appetizers.

What’s the best dinner cruise in Maui?

The top-rated dinner cruise in Lahaina is the Quicksilver Lahaina dinner cruise. It takes place right at sunset and you can enjoy the epic views while eating a 3-course meal.

What’s the best kid friendly Maui boat trip?

While there are lots of fabulous Maui boat trips, our favorite is definitely the Four Winds II snorkeling tour to Molokini Crater. The staff on board are super friendly, the food is great, and there’s even a waterslide on the boat! And for little kids, they have floaties they can use if they aren’t quite ready to snorkel on their own. It’s one of the best Maui catamaran tours for families.

Are there Maui private boat charters?

Yes! Quite a few companies also offer private Maui tours for people wanting a bit more privacy or to enjoy with friends or family. You can expect to pay between $1k-$7k depending on the size of the boat, length of the tour, and the time of day. A great option is the Aloha Blue Charters from Maalaea Harbor.

The Best Maui Boat Tours to Book Before Your Trip

1. Sea Maui Kaanapali Sunset Cruise with Cocktails

One of several top-selling boat tours in Maui, the Sea Maui Kaanapali Sunset Cocktail Sail is an intimate and enjoyable tour. If you’d like to watch the sun as it sets over the sea while checking out stunning spots along the way, this tour is one worth considering.

An open bar is available for guests on the cruise, along with flavorful homemade appetizers prepared by a skilled chef onboard the catamaran. Sailing in Maui doesn’t get much better than this. Check latest rates and more information.

Hop on a Maui sunset cruise to see beautiful views of the sun setting behind the ocean. Image of a Lahaina sunset across the ocean with a few boats in the water.
Sunset view in West Maui.

Relaxing and Entertaining 

You can spend roughly two and a half hours at sea while watching the sunset, enjoying good food, and drinking as much as you’d like. It’s a calming and relaxing way to spend the day. It’s even better when you’re traveling with your significant other and want to do something fun and romantic together.

This is one of the top Maui catamaran sunset cruises and it’s perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary trip.

2. Quicksilver Lahaina Dinner Cruise at Sunset

Have a delicious dinner while out on the water with the Quicksilver Lahaina Sunset Dinner Cruise. The excursion lasts for a little over two hours, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy a delicious meal with loved ones.

All guests have access to a three-course meal consisting of appetizers, entrees, and a delicious dessert at the end. Check latest rates and more information.

Expect to have a Fantastic Time 

You can expect to have a smooth and enjoyable ride while out on the water. Listen to island music while enjoying the fresh breeze as you ride around. While you’re out on the water, you may end up seeing dolphins and whales as they appear and jump around in the water.

Whether you’re heading out on the cruise with your partner or the entire family, you can have a fantastic time on this Maui boat tour.

3. Trilogy Excursions Kaanapali Deluxe Snorkeling Cruise

Do you want to take a ride out on the water and then do some snorkeling? If so, the Trilogy Excursions Kaanapali Deluxe Snorkeling Cruise is an excellent choice. The lengthy tour sells out fast, so it’s a good idea to book your reservations as soon as possible. The cruise lasts for about five and a half hours. 

During that time, you’ll depart from Kaanapali Beach and explore the water with possible encounters with friendly dolphins and gorgeous sea turtles.

Then, after spending time riding around and taking in all the views around you, it’s time to get right in the water for an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Check latest rates and more information.

Find out where to snorkel on Maui with kids. Image of kids snorkeling on Maui.
Snorkeling is one of the coolest Maui adventures!

You’ll Have a Blast No Matter Your Snorkeling Experience 

While snorkeling in the water, you’ll feel safe and comfortable in the protected West Maui bays. Even if you have little to no snorkeling experience, helpful guides are there to help you enjoy the experience.

You don’t need to bring your snorkeling gear because it’s provided to all guests who book with the company for the snorkeling cruise. 

Spend time in the water feeling safe and comfortable as you attempt to see all kinds of marine animals, including bright, colorful fish, dolphins, and more. Guests get to enjoy a continental breakfast and lunch while on the cruise.

If you’d like to spend a day of fun in and on the water, book this excursion! It’s one of the most popular Maui snorkeling tours.

4. Sea Maui Lanai Snorkeling Cruise

If you’re on the hunt for a kid-friendly boat tour, the Sea Maui Lanai Snorkeling Cruise is perfect. You can depart on a boat from Kaanapali Beach and head out to the Manele Bay Fish Sanctuary. Once you arrive at the sanctuary, it’s an excellent time to get in the water for hours of snorkeling fun.

Spend time exploring the water with possible views of the coral reef, tropical fish, sea turtles, and more. It’s common for guests to swim with the sea turtles as they see them. Check latest rates and more information.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine 

Once you’ve finished snorkeling, hop back on the boat and enjoy refreshments, along with tasty local cuisine. Photo packages are available for guests who’d like to have pictures taken of the adventure. It’s a great idea to add the package so that you’ll have many fantastic photos to look back on.

5. Redline Rafting Molokini Snorkel Tour

Take a smaller, more intimate tour with the Redline Rafting Molokini Snorkel Tour. Spend as little as two hours and as long as five hours on the water in the bright red raft known for hosting a handful of people at a time.

While riding on the raft, enjoy the views and see as many marine animals as possible, including large whales and playful dolphins. You can head out on a snorkeling adventure while stopping at some of the best places in the area, including La Perouse Bay. Check latest rates and more information.

Woman jumping off boat near Molokini Crater in Maui
Woman jumping into the water near Molokini Crater on Maui.

Check Out Two Amazing Snorkeling Locations 

If you choose this Molokini boat tour, you’ll get to stop at two different snorkeling spots for more opportunities to see colorful and unique marine animals. The high-powered raft gets you to and from these other places with ease and in no time.

You can get ahead of the crowds by choosing to go on this tour first thing in the morning. It’s great if you’re a morning person looking to explore the water while doing something as adventurous as snorkeling with the fish in the sea.

6. Four Winds II Molokini Snorkeling Tour

Spend five hours on and in the water with the Four Winds II Molokini Snorkeling Tour. Hop on the spacious catamaran with its two bathrooms, glass-bottom viewing room, and large decks for hanging out while enjoying the fresh air.

There’s even a waterslide on the catamaran! You can expect to feel comfortable while spending time on the catamaran, even if other travelers ride along with you and your loved ones. Check latest rates and more information.

Lunch and Beverages Included

Along with spending time on the catamaran, where you’ll get to have lunch and beverages provided to you, all guests have the option of getting in the water for an incredible snorkeling experience. If you look forward to exploring the water to see some fantastic creatures living in the ocean, this tour is a must!

Witnessing Sea Creatures is a Huge Possibility 

While snorkeling along the coastline, you never know what you might see. While it depends when you’re in the area, it’s possible to capture whales in their natural habitat as they migrate from one spot to another.

Along with whales, you may see other incredible marine animals during this exploration, including those large and beautiful sea turtles that everyone seems to love. This Maui catamaran snorkel tour is a good one for both adults and children who want to explore Maui even further.

7. Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Adventure

Avoid the crowds and enjoy a ride along the coast with the Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Adventure. It’s a five-hour-long tour that provides guests with the opportunity to explore the sea to see what they can find.

While riding on the boat, you’ll head over to the extinct volcanic crater before getting ready to go on a snorkeling adventure. Snorkeling gear is available to all guests that want to check out some of the stunning tropical fish swimming around in the water. Check latest rates and more information.

Excellent Morning Tour 

You can head out on this tour early in the morning, making it the perfect choice for early risers. While you’re out in the water, you may come across beautiful dolphins as they swim and move around together.

You can even expect to see the beautiful Hawaiian sea turtles as they move slowly throughout the water. A tour like this one is something you won’t forget.

The water at Molokini Crater off the coast of Maui
Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Blake Bronstad

Explore the Water on One of Many Boat Tours in Maui

When you arrive in Maui, you’ll quickly notice that there are plenty of boat tours available. These tours take place at all different times and locations throughout the day. You can book a tour early in the morning, the afternoon, or even in the evening so that you can watch the sunset above the ocean.

Choose the most suitable tour for you based on specific things that stand out to you, such as the length of the tour, the spots that you’ll get to visit, the activities you’ll get to participate in, and anything else of importance to you. 

Some of these boat tours provide appetizers and alcohol, while others offer three-course meals and more. Think about what you’d like to do and have access to while on a boat tour and then make your reservations with the right company.

You can’t go wrong when you choose at least one of the many wonderful companies listed above for your sailing on one of the many Maui adventure tours.

Looking for more fun things to do on Maui? Check out these top Haleakala tours, Maui surfing lessons, fun things to do in Kaanapali, the best ziplines in Maui, and Maui private tours!