All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Maui

We participated as a family of four in August, with our children being 9 and 6 years old. Since we were staying at the Westin Maui, we met at the Group Entrance next to Whale's Village (where the shuttle bus for SPG hotels stops for Lahaina) at 2:20 AM. It's necessary to confirm by phone by the day before.

While waiting at that location, the first bus arrived earlier than scheduled. I was a bit anxious about whether we were supposed to take this bus, but we ended up transferring to a larger bus in Kahului. In the end, we were the only Japanese participants. The female driver and guide on this bus was amazing. She recommended chewing gum to prevent ear pressure. I was fine without it, but those who are concerned might want to prepare some. It seems you can buy gum at a convenience store during the transfer in Kahului. There weren't many cars on the way from Kahului to Haleakalā, but since it's a mountain road at night, I recommend joining a tour if you're not confident in your driving skills. Animals also seem to come out onto the road. According to the guide, if you haven't registered and paid online in advance, you won't be able to enter the park at sunrise. I actually saw several cars in front of us turning back.

I think we arrived at the sunrise viewing spot before 5 AM. First of all, both buses were quite cold due to the air conditioning, so it's a good idea to dress warmly. There are restrooms between the bus stop and the sunrise spot. I dressed the kids warmly there as it was quite cold. I recommend a lightweight down jacket, gloves, a scarf, a hat, and hand warmers. It's just a short walk from the restroom to the sunrise spot. It’s dark, so having a flashlight might be helpful, but it's not essential as you won't use it much aside from adjusting your camera. The sunrise was around 5:50 AM, so we ended up waiting outside for nearly an hour. On the tour, they guided us to a good spot for viewing the sunrise. Another male guide, who was acquainted with the female bus guide, helped out at the sunrise spot, taking care of the kids and taking photos for us. Whether to bring a tripod is a dilemma. If you really want to capture the starry sky before sunrise and don’t mind carrying extra gear, it could be worth it.

Despite the weather forecast, the sunrise spot was clear, and we were able to see the most beautiful sunrise. It's hard to explain in words or photos, but I believe it's worth seeing at least once in your life. The view of the crater below is also breathtaking. We returned to the bus at 6:15 AM. From there, we moved to the summit by bus, where there are about three photo spots. Even if you don't take photos, the views of the ocean and islands are quite impressive. It seems that if you do your research beforehand, you'll know what to expect, but for those unfamiliar, it felt a bit uncertain whether we were allowed to be there, so participating in the tour was definitely worthwhile. After getting back on the bus, we were offered coffee and Danish pastries (which are sold in supermarkets and come in various flavors). We then headed for breakfast. The bus stopped at a photo spot along the way, where we took beautiful pictures.

For breakfast, you can choose from three options: pancakes, fruit, or something like bacon, which we ate at a restaurant attached to a golf course. I think it’s best not to have high expectations for the taste. Even if you don't understand English, you can manage, but it’s definitely helpful to understand the guide's information. As of the time I’m writing this, there shouldn’t be a Japanese sunrise tour available (though there is a starry sky tour). This might also be related to the aforementioned entry restrictions.

According to the hotel concierge, there seems to be a limousine tour for about $250 per person, but unfortunately, we couldn't participate as it was fully booked. During the summer when we participated, many people come from the mainland U.S. to Maui, so it fills up quickly. Once

家族4名で8月に参加しました。うち、子供は9才6才です。Westin Mauiに滞在していたので、ホテルのGroup EntranceというWhale's Villageの横の入口(SPG系列のホテルとラハイナまでの巡回バスが停まるところ）で、午前2時20分待ち合わせでした。前日までに再確認の電話をする必要があります。
その場所で待っていると予定時間より早く最初のバスが到着。このバスで行くのか少し不安でしたが、カフルイでより大型のバスに乗り換えることになりました。結局日本人は私達だけでした。このバスのドライバー兼ガイドさんの女性がすごかったです。ガムとか噛むことを勧めていました。空気が耳に詰まることを防ぐためのようです。私は噛まなくても大丈夫でしたが、気になる方は準備されてもよいでしょう。ガムは、カフルイでの乗り換え時にコンビニみたいな所で買うことができるようです。カフルイからハレアカラまで、車は多くはなかったですが、夜の山道なので運転技術に自信がない方はツアー参加をおすすめします。動物も道路に出てくるみたいです。ガイドさんの話によると、事前にインターネットで登録して料金を支払っていないと今はすくなくとも日の出の時に入山できないようです。実際、前にいた何台かの車が引き返していく様子を見ました。
日の出を見るスポットには午前5時前には着いたと思います。まず、バスが二台とも結構空調が利いて寒いので厚着をしていてもいいと思います。日の出スポットに行くためのバスの停車場所と、日の出スポットの間にトイレがあります。子どもたちはその前で厚着をさせました。結構寒いです。薄手のダウン、手袋、マフラー、帽子、カイロをおすすめします。トイレから日の出スポットまでほんの少し歩きます。暗いので懐中電灯があってもいいですが、この道とカメラの調節以外は使わないので必須ではないです。日の出は午前5時50分位だったので1時間近く外で待つことになりました。ツアーでいくと、日の出を見る良い場所に案内してくれました。その女性バスガイドさんの知り合いである別の男性ガイドさんが、日の出スポットで色々と面倒を観てくれて子どもたちの面倒をみてくれたり、写真を撮ってくれました。三脚を持っていくかは悩ましいです。日の出前の星空をどうしても撮影したいとか、荷物が苦にならないのであればありだと思います。
当日は天気予報にも拘わらず、日の出スポットは晴れており、最高の日の出を見ることができました。これは言葉や写真で上手く説明できないてすが、人生において一度は見ておく価値があると思います。眼下のクレーターのような感じも圧巻てす。午前6時15分にバスに戻りました。ここから、バスで山頂へ移動しました。ここでも三カ所位写真スポットがあります。写真をとらなくても、海や島が見える景色はかなり見応えがあります。事前によく調べていればわかるみたいですが、慣れない人間には、そこに行っていいのか微妙な感じでしたので、この点もツアーに参加した甲斐がありました。バスに戻ってから、コーヒーとデニッシュ（スーパーとかで売っている・何種類か味がある）の提供がありました。その後朝食に向かいました。途中、写真スポットでバスが停車しましたのでそこでも美しい写真を撮りました。
朝食は、車中でパンケーキ、フルーツ、ベーコンのようなものの三種類から選択します。ゴルフ場併設のレストランで食べますが、味はそれ程期待しない方がよいと思います。
英語は解らなくてもなんとかなりますが、ガイドさんの話に何かと参考になることもあるのでできるにこしたことはないです。これを書いている時点ては日本語日の出ツアーは催行されていなかったはずです（星空ツアーはある）。これも前述の入山規制と関係あるのかもしれかせん。
このツアー以外にホテルのコンシェルジェによると、一人250$くらいのリムジンみたいなので行くツアーもあるようです。ちなみにこちらは予約一杯で参加できませんでした。
我々が参加した夏場は、アメリカ本土からマウイに来る人が多く早めにいっぱいになるようです。日程が決まったらキャンセルできるのでとにかく早めに予約する事をおすすめします。

Fun, knowledgeable crew. Crystal clear waters. Brilliantly colorful fish as far as the eye can see. And I got to swim with two sea turtles! Good food. Definitely the highlight of our Maui vaca. We were a little concerned with the advertised "open bar". We really weren't looking for a booze cruise. But the bar doesn't open until AFTER both snorkeling stops. Yay!

The tour was a great experience. Definitely learned a lot about the island and saw places we would have never found on our own. The only complaint my group had was the political commentary from the tour guide. He started early on referencing those "damn democrats" and a negative reference to ACLU. Being a group of very liberal people, we found it offensive but did not say anything for fear that he would not provide as good of a tour. This would have been a great experience without this extra commentary.

A tour where you can feel the Earth★
The sunset and stars are so beautiful that it's overwhelming.
The journey to the tour is relaxed, with stops at the supermarket, Krispy Kreme, and picking up dinner♪
We also bought souvenirs at the supermarket we visited at that time.
It's cold at the summit, so I recommend dressing warmly, but they provide extra clothing and blankets for you.
It was wonderful to come together as a group to watch the sunset and stars!
This tour allows you to reflect on yourself and your life in the great outdoors.

地球を感じられるツアー★
夕日も星も綺麗すぎて圧倒されます。
ツアーまでの道のりはスーパー行ったり、クリスピーに行ったり、夕食を買ったりと、ゆったり楽しめます♪
私たちもその時に行ったスーパーでお土産を購入したりしました。
山頂は寒いので暖かい格好をオススメしますが、上に着るものや毛布は用意してくださっています。
みんなで一体となり夕日や星を見るのも、とても素敵でした！
大自然の中で、自分自身や人生について改めて考えることができるツアーです。

The snorkeling points were in two locations, both with very clear and beautiful waters! I was able to see lovely fish and sea turtles. However, since there aren't many corals, those who have diving experience in places like Palau or Ishigaki may feel that there are fewer fish.

On the boat, breakfast and lunch were provided, and the hamburgers for lunch were really delicious! It might be because we were eating on the boat. They also prepared drinks so we could hydrate whenever we wanted, which was great.

If you're prone to seasickness, it's better to take motion sickness medication. However, in our case, we ended up sleeping soundly on the boat due to the fatigue from our previous travels and the drowsiness from the medication, so we missed some of the scenery.

The boat is equipped with inflatable rings for playing in the water, which anyone can borrow, and there's also a slide on the boat that you can use. The slide drops from quite a height, so I recommend it for those who can swim! ★

シュノーケルポイントは二箇所でどちらで透明度の高い海でとても綺麗でした！
綺麗な魚や海亀にも会えました。
ただし、サンゴが沢山あるわけではないので、パラオや石垣方面でダイビング経験がある方には魚が少ないという印象を持つかもしれません。
船の上では朝食と昼食がでて、昼食のハンバーガーはすごく美味しいです！船の上で食べるからかもしれませんが。
飲み物もいつでも飲めるように準備してくださっていて、こまめな水分補給ができて良かったです。
酔いやすい人は酔い止めを飲んだ乗った方がいいです。しかし、私たちの場合はそれまでの旅行の疲れと酔い止めの眠気効果で船上で爆睡してしまいましたので、景色が見れなくなることもあります。笑
船の中には海で遊べる浮き輪などを備えてあり、誰でも借りられますし、船には滑り台がついていてそれもできます。滑り台はかなり高いところから落ちるので泳げる方にはオススメです★

Waited sence I was a kid to go on that tour, my grandmother went on it in 2000 and it was worth the wait got to experience a lot of ocean life. And the people doing the tour were great.

The day was spent in a most enjoyable way.

We started on time and went to first snorkeling spot after about one hour cruise. Since we left at 700 am, (early in the morning) they gave us good breakfast. The water is blue and beautiful. We saw some flying fish while sailing which I got amazed. They have wings(?!), come out of water, fly for about three feet above the surface and go into water. It was amazing to see a fish with wings. They clearly flew and not just jump in and out of water.

The captain gave a 5 min lesson on snorkeling 101. It was full of very helpful tips and this greatly helped to snorkel without fear. The gears were provided. By the end of the day I became an expert. This is an example, how useful the people are to help you whatever you need in the trip.

The snorkeling part was very enjoyable and after about one hour, we were allowed to jump into the ocean from the second level of the cruise ship via a slide. That was so cool.

Next we went to a second place and we got to see lots of turtles. Some turtles came to top of water, so you can see them from the boat. We snorkeled and also jumped into water from the second level of cruise via slide for about one hour. It was fun. Lots of foods, drinks were given. We returned by 200 pm. What a day to spend.

This is my first visit to a rainforest and I was amazed.

We were picked up at designated location at 930 AM. We then changed to rubber shoes at the office and proceeded to hike. We were given breakfast and started the trail. Looks like it rained heavily the previous day and so we had to cross few streams on our way. The current in the streams were below our knee level but very strong. It was scary. The guide was very friendly, funny, knowledgeable and professional. So we did not have any difficulty. But it was awesome to see the falls full of water and strong currents in the streams. While we were told about occurrence of flash floods, I wonder what life would be in these situations. It was really wild out there, but you are with a professional.

I particularly enjoyed sliding in the water through a tunnel (the guide was there at the other end of the tunnel to stop me from being carried away by the current). My son (29) jumped 20 feet into one of the water fall, the guide showed us twice how to do that. We visited several water falls and I managed to stand under one of those 10 feet tall falls. The guide showed us several varieties of flowers, plants and fruits. We tasted some fruits, and had a good lunch break in one of the falls. The hike was not very difficult but also was not very easy. We returned to our car by 2 30 PM.

Many of the falls are not accessible to public and visiting with a professional is the best way to do it. I strongly recommend the hike to anyone.

We had a great time - our tour guide "Hailey" was awesome. She showed us the inside of Hana jungle - the best waterfalls and some history of the trees and beaches. Thank you so much!

Last year, I was able to snorkel with dolphins and turtles on Oahu, so this time I was hoping to swim with turtles on Maui, but there were hardly any fish, let alone turtles. If you're going snorkeling, Oahu is better.

昨年オアフ島でイルカや亀とシュノーケリングで泳げたので、今回はマウイ島で亀と泳げるかと期待しましたが、亀どころか魚もあまりいませんでした。シュノーケリングならオアフの方が良かったです。、

We had Garrett as our guide and learned so much about the island. It was a pleasure spending the morning with him. We had lunch at the Four Seasons resort and the view was amazing. We had the shrimp tacos and the Macai salad. Best lunch ever.

Before boarding, the morning view of Lahaina was very calm and beautiful. After checking in, we moved by boat to board the submarine, but it can sway a lot, so if you're prone to seasickness, I recommend taking motion sickness medication in advance. Since I was the only one participating alone, I was prompted to board the submarine from the back, which made me feel quite conscious as I had to peek in from one window with several people. If you join with friends, a partner, or family, I think you can enjoy it together from one window. The dolphins swam around the submarine, and I was very happy because I had hoped to see them. Next time I go to Maui, I will participate with my husband.

Was photography prohibited inside the submarine? I'm not sure if there was an explanation about that beforehand... After taking a few pictures, I noticed many people staring at me, which made me wonder if it was not allowed. If it was indeed prohibited, I apologize and will delete them.

乗船前、朝のラハイナの景色もとても穏やかできれいでした
受付のあと、潜水艦に乗船するまで船で移動しますが、大きく揺れることがあるので、船酔いが心配な方は事前に酔い止めを飲んだほうが良いと思います
１人参加は私だけだったためか、最後尾で潜水艦に乗るよう促されましたが、何人かで１つの窓からのぞき込む感じで、すごく気を遣いました
友達や夫婦、家族で一緒に参加すれば、１つの窓で一緒に楽しめると思います
イルカたちがくるくると潜水艦の周辺を泳いでくれました
イルカに会えたらいいなと思っていたので、とてもうれしかったです
次回マウイに行く時は、主人と一緒に参加します

潜水艦内では写真撮影禁止だったのでしょうか？
事前にそういった説明があったかどうか、分からないのですが・・・
数枚撮影したら、たくさんの人にじろじろ見られたので、あれ？ダメだったのかな？と気になりました
もし撮影禁止だったらすみません、破棄します

The sunset was amazing! While listening to stories about the stars, the guide took us to beautiful viewing points. It truly became a wonderful memory.

サンセットは最高でした！
星空も、天体のお話を聞きながら、
ガイドさんが綺麗に見えるポイントへ案内してくれて。
本当に良い思い出になりました

It was my first time on Maui, and my first participation in this tour. I went to the meeting place by rental car after checking it out the day before, and then it was time for the tour! However, the lady in the parking lot directed me to a spot that was quite far from the reception. Before boarding, I had to sign a waiver acknowledging that I was responsible for any accidents that might occur. First, we were served light snacks on the boat. Even though I had eaten at the hotel, I couldn't resist and ended up overeating, which made me seasick. During snorkeling at Molokini Island, I accidentally swallowed a lot of seawater. The visibility was indeed excellent. We also got to see sea turtles during our travels. There were some unexpected events, but overall, it was a lot of fun.

初めてのマウイ島でした、初参加でした。レンタカーで集合場所まで行くのに前日集合場所の下見をして、いざツアーに！ところが、駐車場のおばちゃんに、指示された場所が受け付けまで遠かったよ~。乗船前にお決まりの事故にあっても自己責任的な誓約書を書いて乗船。まずは、船内で軽食がでました。ホテルで食べて来たのに、食い意地が....食べ過ぎて船酔いです。モロキニ島でシュノーケリングの時、海水を大量に飲んでコマセ巻きました。透明度はさすがに良かったです。移動してウミガメも観れました。ハプニングもありましたが楽しかったです。

Have used pacific whale foundation in past for sunset cruises but decided to try this company for a change. We had steak menu which was delicious apart from the fact that no choice was given on how you prefered the steak cooked. Only first drink served at table other drinks were served at bar. The tables and seats were packed in close and the chairs bolted to floor. It was really difficult to get in and out of chairs to go to bar. Overall staff were pleasant and entertainment ok but if we were to choose a dinner cruise again it would not be on the princess. Sorry guys but I know we were on the ocean but we ain't sardines

I participated with my wife. There were no other Japanese participants besides us. There were about 15 passengers, mostly couples and newlyweds. It seems that there is a limit on the number of participants, so we were able to use the space comfortably. We could move freely inside the ship, and it was also possible to lie down on the deck. The meals were served buffet-style, and the taste was quite standard.

The ship itself was large and had little sway, so I was able to consume alcohol without feeling seasick. Since we departed during daylight hours, I recommend using sunscreen and a hat (which are provided on board).

Additionally, since the pick-up time to the hotel was around 4:00 PM, it is also possible to participate in this tour after morning activities.

妻と参加しました。自分達以外の参加者で日本の方はおられませんでした。乗客数は15人程度で夫婦や新婚旅行で来られた方が多かったです。おそらく人数制限していると思われ、広々と使うことができました。船内は自由に移動ができ、デッキの上で寝そべることも可能です。食事はビュッフェ形式で、味は一般的なものです。
船自体が大きく、揺れが少なかったのでアルコールを摂取していましたが、船酔いすることもありませんでした。明るい時間帯から出港するため、日焼け止めや(船内に装備されています)帽子の使用をお勧めします。
上記に加え、ホテルまでのお迎えの時刻が16:00前後であったため、午前中のアクティビティの後にこのツアーに参加するといった方法も可能です。

I participated because I could go snorkeling at Molokini Island. One of the staff members was Japanese and explained the details, such as the sign for confirming the number of participants and the rules on the boat. There were only four Japanese participants, including myself.

モロキニ島でシュノーケリングができるとういうことで参加しました。
スタッフの一人が日本人であり、人数確認のためのサインや船内でのルールなど細かいことを教えてくれました。日本人の参加者は自分も含めて4人だけでした。

I participated alone. It was my first time on Maui (over 10 years ago...), and the starry sky I saw at night after stopping the car was so beautiful that I decided to splurge and definitely go for this tour! The pickup arrived on time, and we had donut time around Kahului. I didn't hold back and had two! Choosing sushi at Foodland supermarket was crucial; I had to make the right choice! I bought two of the recommended Mauna Loa Coffee macadamia nuts for $6, and they were a hit at work, so definitely buy them if you find them! We gradually climbed the mountain, and the guide kept us entertained the whole time, making it enjoyable even alone. I got to see breathtaking views, eat sushi, and the starry sky was truly magnificent. It was moving!!! The explanation about the stars was professional and a bit difficult, though... I feel like it would have been even more amazing to share this experience with someone. I wish I could have brought my mom! Thank you for the wonderful tour.

一人での参加です。初めてのマウイ島で(１０年以上の昔ですが。。。)夜車を止めて見た星空が、とてもキレイだったので、奮発して絶対このツアーだっと思いできめました！
お迎えも時間通り来ていただき、カフルイあたりでドーナツタイムです。遠慮しないで２個頂いちゃいました！　フードランドのスーパーでお寿司選び。ここは外すと大変だ！　おすすめしていただいたマウナロアコーヒーのマカダミアナッツ試しに２個＄６だったので２個だけ買ったのですが、職場でとても好評で絶対見つけたら買い！ですよー　　山も少しずつ登って行ってその間もずっとガイドしていただき１人でも楽しかったです。絶景も見れてお寿司も食べて本当に満天の星空でした。感動ですよー！！！　星の解説はプロっぽいお話しなので難しいですが。。
１人できたのももったいないぐらい誰かと共有出来れば更に感動だと思います。
おかんを連れて来たかったなあ！！！　ステキなツアーありがとうございました。

Our first visit to Maui...our first ever Luau and we were not disappointed!! The entertainment was excellent and the food was amazing!

There are so many stops along the way and some you don't stay at very long. So go on your own with a rental car so you can see what you want to see. The tour guide was pretty awful and so were the other passengers.

The sea was a beautiful, clear blue with a very high level of transparency. With its depth, I was able to enjoy the stunning ocean and the fish that spread out before my eyes.

青く透き通った大変透明度の高い海でした。海の深さもあり、視界に広がる美しい海と魚たちを堪能できました。

We took a group of seven people on this tour and some of our group had done this trip previously. The driver had a tough time managing the people on the tour and other guests were up to 30 minutes late getting back to the bus on several occasions. The lunch situation was not good either. We waited in line for 30 minutes out doors in the heat at the one little stand available for lunch. Then sat out doors to eat with no AC and were dripping. On previous tours there were much better lunch set ups. We were never given enough time to get into the water at the black sands or the seven pools. Mostly because other people were late and the driver didn't manage the group well. But what really took the cake was our departure. My 71 year old father and his new wife were leaving and the driver asked if he could "kiss" the bride. She thought he was going to give her a peck on the cheek, but instead gave her a full on mouth kiss. So inappropriate. Too bad we had already tipped him. Not my favorite day on Maui.

Great Trip. Crew was great and very friendly. They were very helpful with my daughter who had a broken foot and made sure she was safe in the water and had a great time.

I was very satisfied to see the sea turtles up close. There were Japanese staff members who conveyed their desire for us to have fun, which made the experience very enjoyable. However, I stayed at the Sheraton and they came to pick me up, but there were no detailed instructions provided. I was waiting at the main entrance, but it turned out to be the wrong place. It would be best if there were clearer information available.

ウミガメを間近で見ることが出来て大満足です。日本人スタッフの方がいらっしゃり、楽しんで帰って貰いたいという思いも伝わり非常に楽しかったです。ただ、シェラトンに宿泊して迎えに来て頂いたのですが、詳細場合の記載がなく、正面玄関で待っていたのに違っているとのことでした。もう少しわかりやすい情報があるとベストです。

Great experience, enjoyed by whole family, would recommend to others!

Good food, friendly staff, fantastic views and entertaining music.... drinks and dance were an added plus. Last minute booking worked out very well. Book early to ensure a shittle space... We drove and enjoyed quaint town shops before and after cruise... we'd do it again!

My husband, myself and our 11 year old nephew had a great time on our hike. Pretty much everything was as described. We got to go to 4 different waterfalls, got to jump into 3 of them, included a pretty hefty peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a bag of chips, native fruit, lots of water and bug spray provided, and a backpack to keep everything in! The hike was definitely more on the moderate side than the easy side, I would say. My husband and I are fairly athletic and we were both sore and tired at the end of the hike. The nature is amazing. I took about 200 photos. The information that Sarah shared with us was interesting and insightful. She was a very nice, patient and informative tour guide. She was friendly and made conversation, but was not in your face, or invasive when people didn't want her to be. She was also very helpful because she showed the people on the tour the correct places and ways to jump off the waterfalls. I think this helped with some of the anxiety people had. I definitely recommend this hike. It is a little pricey, but it was worth it, and you really get your money's worth. I ended up messing up one of my ears when I jumped off of the third waterfall we found, so the end of the hike wasn't as pleasant for me as the beginning was, but I think that was a random thing that happened. My 11 year old nephew jumped a total of 7 times off the different waterfalls and never really complained about anything except that he slapped his hands and arms on the water (which was more his own fault). The one thing I didn't like was the number of people that were at the waterfalls during our tour. That was something we couldn't really control. There are some "private" waterfalls that we got to see, which, obviously had less people, but still had other people there. I think if you have a choice, go on a weekday, and it might be helpful to go during an off season. We went the day after 4th of July, so it was probably pretty busy.

We had a great time on this cruise. Everything about it went basically as planned. We went to two different snorkeling spots where we had an hour or a little more to swim around checking out the coral reef and the marine life. In the beginning, they had a little breakfast that included muffins, fruits and different types of juice. After the first snorkeling spot, they made chicken breasts, hot dogs and burgers patties for lunch which were also very good. They didn't have KETCHUP!!! Which was a pretty big bummer, but the food was good and there was plenty of it. They also handed out bags of chips and pretty much everyone was able to get a second bag. The best part about the cruise was the dolphins that we saw. We spent about 20-30 minutes watching a pack of dolphins swim around and with out boat. They got up so close, it was amazing. My nephew and I sat at the front of the boat and actually got yelled at by the captain, but it was definitely worth it because my feet were about 10 feet away from touching the dolphins they were so close. Then at the last snorkeling spot, we got to swim with sea turtles (only noticed one when I was swimming but it did get pretty close), and a 6 foot long shark that was laying underneath the wreckage we were snorkeling above. It was pretty awesome and scary all at the same time. The shark was sleeping (or dead) because it didn't move and there was no danger, but I still didn't want to take my eyes off him! The boat provided the snorkel equipment including the liquid to keep your goggles clear. There is also a slide that goes off the side of the boat which was really fun to go off of! The crew ended the cruise with a free alcoholic beverage for each adult over 21 years old, and it was very tasty and had a lot of alcohol in it! I believe this was well worth the money.

This was the only tour I participated in during my first visit to Maui, and I had a wonderful time. I was picked up from the hotel at 6:30 AM and after picking up a few others, we headed to the port. At the port, we signed a waiver before boarding and received our tickets, which were provided in Japanese, so I felt reassured. There were 149 people from various backgrounds that day, but only three groups of five Japanese, including myself. If you line up early for boarding, you can get on the boat sooner and secure your preferred seat.

Depending on the boat you take, this may vary, but for those prone to seasickness, sitting slightly forward in the middle of the lower deck might be best. There are restrooms on both sides of the middle section, which can be left open when not in use, causing some odor, while the back of the middle section had a noticeable gasoline smell from the engine. I’m not very strong with vehicles either, but I didn’t experience any seasickness or motion sickness from the large waves at sea.

Once on board, as I had worried, various explanations were given repeatedly in English. During these times, our guide Takako gathered the Japanese guests and summarized the information in Japanese, which was comforting. The boat had various regulations, but I felt they were taking proper care of everyone’s safety. The light breakfast served after boarding and the hearty hamburger lunch after our stay at Molokini Island were both surprisingly delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed the unlimited drinks available at the bar until we returned to port after all activities.

If you want to rent underwater cameras or wetsuits for activities, there are rental fees, so it’s a good idea to bring some cash. Items like noodles and life jackets are available for free. There isn’t a safe for valuables on the boat, so you need to manage your belongings yourself. It’s best not to bring more than necessary.

The waters around Molokini Island are very clear, allowing for beautiful views of the fish. The coastline has coral, so you can see fish up close, but be careful not to get too close due to the waves. The seawater isn’t too cold, and the hour of snorkeling flew by. After that, we moved to a spot known for a high encounter rate with sea turtles, which was my main goal. I heard Takako, who was on a surfboard, calling out when she spotted a turtle, and I was able to meet my first turtle. I encountered a total of four turtles of various sizes, and one swam right beside me as I turned, and while I felt I should avoid it, I got so caught up in taking pictures. Of course, Takako gently reminded me afterward, and I apologized. But it was a truly wonderful experience, and I felt lucky and grateful.

As for the schedule, it was roughly as follows, just for reference. Please consider this as an approximate outline of what happened this time: 30 minutes for pickup and travel to the port, 1 hour by boat to Molokini Island, 1 hour at the Molokini point, 1 hour to move to the turtle point, 1 hour at the turtle point, 1 hour to return to port, and 30 minutes for the drive back to the hotel. This was the timing with a smooth progression.

During the boat ride and snorkeling, Takako took great care of us. For the pickup on the way back, another Japanese guide (I didn’t catch their name, and I apologize if I forgot) assisted us. Especially on the return, I was the only solo traveler, so I got to sit in the front seat and had a great time chatting along the way. When I mentioned that I hadn’t encountered any turtles near Black Rock close to the hotel, they shared some points where I might be able to see them. I plan to give it a try in the coming days. It was truly a wonderful tour, including the guides, and I would love to join the same tour company again when I come back. Thank you very much.

初めてのマウイ島で、厳選して唯一参加したツアーでしたが、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。
朝6時半にホテルに迎えにきてもらい、何人かをピックアップしてから港へ。港では乗船前に規約書にサインして引き換えに乗船券をもらいますが、ちゃんと日本語で書かれたものがあるので安心です。いろんなところから集まったいろんな人種の人々がこの日は149人いましたが、日本人は私を含め、3組5名のみでした。乗船のために並ぶ列は早めに並ぶと、船内へ早く入れるので自分好みの席を確保できます。
乗る船が変われば参考になりませんが、酔いやすい人は揺れにくい下のフロアの真ん中より少し前寄りがベストかもしれません。真ん中両サイドにトイレがあり未使用時には開けっ放しなので臭いが、真ん中より後ろはエンジンのガソリン臭が気になりました。ちなみに私も乗り物にはあまり強くないですが、船酔いも海上での大波が連続することでの波酔いも全くありませんでした。
乗船すると、心配していた通り、いろんな説明が英語で何度もされることに。そういう時はガイドのタカコさんが日本人を集めて、要約して日本語で説明してくれたので安心でした。船にはいろいろ規定がありますが、一人一人の安全に対してきちんとしてくれてるなあと思いました。乗船後に出た軽い朝食も、モロキニ島滞在の後の移動時間に出たガッツリハンバーガーの昼食も予想以上に美味しく、全てのアクティビティが終わった後の帰港するまでにバーでオーダーできる飲み放題のアルコールもたっぷり楽しめました。
アクティビティ用の水中カメラやウエットスーツなどをレンタルしたい場合はレンタル料がかかるので、多少のお金は持って行った方が良いと思います。マスクやフィン以外でも、ヌードルやライフジャケットなどの小物は無料で貸してもらえます。船内に貴重品入れがあるわけではないので、持ち物は自己管理。必要以上のものは持っていかないのが無難です。
モロキニ島周辺は、透明度が高く、魚がキレイに見られます。海岸沿いはサンゴがあるので魚を近くで見られますが、波があるので近づきすぎには注意してください。海水もさほど冷たくなく、シュノーケリング時間の約1時間があっという間でした。その後、私的には本命だったウミガメの遭遇率が高いポイントへ移動。サーフボードに乗ったタカコさんがウミガメを見つけて周りに知らせてくれてた声を聞いて、最初のウミガメに出会うことができました。その後も合計4匹の大小様々なウミガメに出会い、1匹は横を向いたらすぐそばを泳いでいて、避けなきゃいけないと思いつつ、写真を撮ることに夢中になってしまいました。もちろん後でタカコさんに優しくたしなめられました、ごめんなさい。でも、とても素敵な時間を過ごせたポイント。幸運だったなと感謝しました。
スケジュールはおおよそですが、参考までに。あくまで今回はこんな感じだったという程度に考えてください。ピックアップ&港への車移動に30分、船でモロキニ島までの移動に1時間、モロキニ島ポイント1時間、ウミガメポイントへ移動に1時間、ウミガメポイント1時間、帰港するのに1時間、港からホテルまでの車移動に30分。スムーズに進行してこのくらいってことで。
船の中やシュノーケリング中はガイドのタカコさんにいろいろとお世話してもらいました。行き帰りのピックアップでは、別の日本人ガイドさん(お名前は聞かなかったと思いますが、失念したならごめんなさい)にお世話していただきました。特に帰りは1人客が私だけだったので、助手席に座らせてもらい、道すがらいろんな話が出来て楽しかったです。ホテルの近くのブラックロックでまだ亀に遭遇できないと話すと、会えそうなポイントを教えてくれました。明日以降チャレンジしたいと思います。ガイドさんたちを含め本当に素敵なツアーだったので、また次に来た時は、同じツアー会社の企画に参加したいなと思います。ありがとうございました。

The helicopter ride was fantastic, the Hana road trip was rushed, not really any swimming time and stuck with a family that had a kid throwing up all the time. Very unpleasant. Driver Gary was not the most amiable person.