All Reviews for Maalaea Harbor & Ocean Center

I booked thinking I would be going to Molokini Island. It's an afternoon tour. However, I ended up at a rocky area on Maui, about 20 minutes from the port. I thought we would go to Molokini Island, but it turned out this was the end of the tour. There were some corals, but the main inhabitants were just black triggerfish. It seemed like this was the so-called Coral Garden. The title of the tour was misleading.

モロキニ島に行くものと思って予約しました。午後スタートのコースです
でも、ついたのは、港から20分くらいのマウイ島の岩場でした。
ここからモロキニ島に行くと思ったら ココで終わりだって
サンゴがそこそこありましたが、いっぱいいるのは、黒いモンガラばっかり
ここが、コーラルガーデンってところのようでした。
ツアーのタイトルがまぎらわしい

Hawaii is perfect for snorkeling! I have done it many times before, but I have never had a chance to get so close to sea creatures. Molokini Island is a moon shaped underwater volcano crater and it is one of the most famous snorkeling destinations in Hawaii. Hawaiians take good care of their ocean and have many rules to obey in it and one of them in not to touch anything in the water, which I just loved, you can get as close as possible but still have to respect animals. It is very nice to see that animals are totally relaxed here and would really come close to you if you dont attempt to jump on them. We had an amazing team, we had 2 stops for snorkling and the experience was just magical. Maybe you should consider to take a heli tour around there as well, as the views from above are just amazing and give you a real chance to enjoy the moon shape of the island! I twas a fantastic tour and I totally recommend everyone to get on it!

Captain Nick and the crew of the Alii Nui was outstanding! They were kind, friendly and very helpful. They all made us feel so safe and comfortable. The buffet of appetizers and the selection of drinks was impressive and made for a very pleasant afternoon. We really did not notice how many people were on board which made the atmosphere very light and cheery. It did not take long for Captain Nick to spot a mother Humpback whale and her calf frolicking off the coast. Their antics made for some awesome pictures and wonderful memories to take back home! We had a wonderful time and would love to come back and do it again!

Snorkel in comfort and be treated like royalty. Huge boat, plenty of room for everyone. A place to upstairs to get sun or a place downstairs to shade yourself. Clean restrooms on board. Place to change out of those wet clothes. Everything available from snorkel gear, wet suits and cameras! Lots of delicious food. Just fabulous. This is a must do if you want a great snorkel adventure.

We had a great trip. The crew took care of all our needs. There was plenty of tasty food and endless drinks. Then at the end a free cab ride home.

I used this for my honeymoon. Although we couldn't go to Molokini Island due to strong winds, we enjoyed the incredibly beautiful sea. If there's a next time, I will definitely repeat this!

新婚旅行で利用しました。風が強くてモロキニ島には行けませんでしたが、最高に綺麗な海を満喫しました。次回があればまたリピートします！

The first stop where the boat docked was at the center of a crescent-shaped island, where we snorkeled. The sea was incredibly beautiful, and we saw many tropical fish.

At the second stop, we were able to see a large sea turtle up close. Both times, we had plenty of time to relax and float around in the sea.

Breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks were provided, and the food service was satisfying. There were three types of local beer from Maui. There were also cocktails available. All-you-can-drink! The beer after playing in the sea was delicious, a delight for beer lovers.

It seemed that there were a total of 140 participants on the same boat, but there were only us and one other family as Japanese participants. The Japanese female guide was polite and taught us various things, and she was also very approachable, which was really nice.

船が止まる一箇所目、三日月の形の島の中身の部分で、まずシュノーケル。とてもきれいな海で、南国の魚をたくさん見れました。

二箇所目で、大きいウミガメを近くで見れました。
2回とも十分時間を取ってくれて、のんびり海で浮かんで遊べました。

朝食、昼食、アルコールも飲めて、食のサービスも満足でした。
マウイ島の地ビールは3種類ありました。カクテル？もありました。飲み放題！海で遊んだあとのビール美味しかったです、ビール好きにはたまらないです。

総勢を140名の参加者が同じ船に乗っていたようですが、
日本人参加者は私達と、もうひと組の家族のみ。
日本人女性のガイドさんが丁寧で色々教えてくださり、また話しやすい感じの良い方だったので、それもすごく良かったです。

Gary, our tour guide, was fun and very knowledgeable about the island he grew up on and shared with us. Good time and good company.

The Pride of Maui Molokini Snorkel Cruise was a great snorkel package. There were two snorkel locations, provided meal, drinks, miscellaneous items available to use or rent (see below), and the information from the optional 5-minute class gave some useful tips for the subsequent snorkeling we later did on our own on our trip.

The waters by Molokini were so clear, it was unbelievable how far through the water you can see. Turtle Town waters were less clear than Molokini but had more varied sea life. Whales were breaching along our path to the crater.

I wasn't expecting much from the barbecue but it was surprisingly tasty and filling. They offered neoprene suits to rent. A variety of underwater camera and camera accessories could be rented. Waist floatation and noodles were available for use. Environmentally-friendly sunscreen was also provided. There was a life guard nearby who would let you know when a turtle was in the area at Turtle Town. The slide on the boat was also fun.

The crew was awesome. They are very attentative to all of the guests and made sure everyone was happy.

My husband, my sister and I just got back from Maui yesterday. The highlight of our week-long vacation was our trip to Lanai and our tour with Bruce. We have been sharing our wonderful experience with the family. The trip is well worth the price and Bruce gave us lots of information about the island. Lots of fun!

We participated in this for our honeymoon. My husband speaks English, but I thought it would be reassuring to have a Japanese guide, so we signed up. Our guide, Takako, was a wonderful person who helped us a lot, allowing us to enjoy ourselves with peace of mind. The boat sways quite a bit, so it's better to take motion sickness medication beforehand. The sea was very beautiful, and we saw many fish. We were very satisfied to see three sea turtles up close, so much so that we felt like we were too close and had to back away from them. There was a slide from the boat into the sea, which was surprisingly fun, and I ended up going down it multiple times like a child! There was also a shower on board, and since the weather was nice, it wasn't cold at all. We had a delicious hamburger for lunch, and at the end, they served alcohol, which I thought was a great deal for the price.

新婚旅行で参加しました。
主人は英語が出来るのですが、日本人のガイドさんがいると安心と思い申し込みました。
ガイドのタカコさんがとても素敵な方で色々と助けて下さりとても安心して楽しむことが出来ました。
船は結構揺れるので酔い止めは飲んで行った方が良いです。
海はとても綺麗で魚もたくさん見られました。ウミガメもとても近くで3匹も見られてとても満足です。むしろ近すぎてウミガメから逃げるぐらいでした。船の上から海に落ちる滑り台があり意外と面白くて子どものように何度もやってしまいました！
上がるとシャワーもあり天気も良かったので寒くなかったです。
おいしいハンバーガーの昼食と最後にアルコールも出てこの値段は安いと思いました。

The boat and crew were fabulous. What a great way to see the coast of Maui and experience the magic. Everyone was well informed and treated us very well. Your experience and knowledge was greatly appreciated. Mahalo!,The Schultz clan

Aloha. I went out with Captain Charlene, Ana, Juan, and Jesse... this was my all time favorite crew and boat experience ever as far as service and comfortability. This crew was Real ... really caring and open hearted... I loved the Snuba, loved seeing the Whales and Molokini, the Aloha burger was onolicious and the ride was smooth and easygoing. Mahalo nui* looking forward to the next Maui Magic trip : ) Aloha

Ferry ride included whale watching going and coming. The tour guide was excellent as a long time resident who knew every corner of lanai. Best way to spend a day. This was our first trip to this island.

Pleasant and informative venue. I went with a lifelong friend of mine and we enjoyed every moment of it. All of the displays were well thought out and enjoyable. I bought the CD so I could review it when I get home and share it with my nine-year-old grandson.

One of the best snorkeling tours we have ever been on. Friendly staff and awesome snorkeling. Highly recommend!

Went on the cruise and wouldn't you know it, the day clouded over Kate afternoon so there was no sunset that might. The food was great and the drinks were great. It was a calm night so eating buffet style wasn't a huge problem. Would be nice to have a table to sit and eat. Saw lots of whales

We thoroughly enjoyed Bruce, his knowledge of the island was terrific. BTW, you can see Oahu from Molokai on a clear day.

I was allowed to make a time change on my return time to Maui. The process was smooth and employees were polite.

Our whale watching cruise was incredible. The staff was so kind and very informative. The crew knew the answers to all of the questions that guests were asking about the whales and their lifestyles.

Our departure location changed due to weather and the staff made sure to contact us multiple ways to ensure that we were aware of the changes. Very helpful!

The only disappointment is that we weren't served cinnamon rolls, which had been advertised as the menu for the morning departure.

The snorkeling at Molokini, the ocean, and the whales were all beautiful and wonderful, but the sight of Takako working among it all was sparkling and powerful! I also want to work hard when I return to Japan! I got seasick, but even so, it was truly the best memory and I was able to enjoy it. I want to go to Maui again at the end of the year!

モロキニのシュノーケリング、海、クジラ、全て美しくて素敵でしたが、そんな中で働くタカコさんの姿がキラキラパワフルで素敵でした！私も日本へ帰ったらモリモリ働こうと思います！船酔いしましたが、そんな中でも楽しめて本当に最高の思い出になりました。また、年末にMauiへ行きたいと思います！

I went with my second-grade daughter and my partner. Initially, we were set to depart from Kaanapali Beach, but due to weather conditions, it changed to Lahaina Harbor. We received an email the day before, but since we were without Wi-Fi, we couldn't reply, and then we got a phone call. It cost about $17 by taxi from our hotel, Sheraton Maui, to Lahaina Harbor. Upon arriving at the harbor, there were several whale watching tour counters, and it took a little time to find the company, Trilogy. In the end, there wasn't a counter, but I noticed a Trilogy staff member standing there calling out "Trilogy?" and we were able to board safely. They mentioned to look for a small white lighthouse, but we weren't directly under it; we were nearby. When I asked at the counter close to the lighthouse, I received a heartbreaking response of "That's not it!" so be careful.

Now, regarding the whale watching itself, I initially sat at the back of the boat, but wanting to see the whales, I moved to the front. There were no seats, but I positioned myself right in the middle at the front to search for whales. Shortly after we set sail, we spotted a spout of water and some splashes that seemed to indicate a jump. The further we went offshore, the more we were able to see tails and jumps. We were thrilled to see whales swimming gracefully close to the boat and the impressive jumps! We were able to see many whales. After returning to the hotel, the tour guide mentioned that "this year, since El Niño has ended, there are a lot more whales," so the chances of seeing them have definitely increased compared to last year. During El Niño, fewer whales travel down to Hawaii from the Gulf of Mexico. Also, it seems that more whale jumps can be seen in the cooler morning and evening waters. We were on the afternoon tour, so we were worried, but fortunately, we were able to see many whales.

Onboard, they served drinks, including alcoholic beverages, ham sandwiches, cookies, and potato chips as light snacks. The crew didn't speak Japanese, but we had no issues and had a great time. I definitely want to visit Maui again in February and participate in the whale watching tour. By the way, I only took photos with my smartphone, so they were far from the impressive shots you see in guidebooks. Some people had DSLRs, but it might be risky since you never know when a splash might come. In the vast ocean, it's hard to know where the whales will appear, so it feels like a waste to look through the viewfinder while trying to spot them.

小２の娘と親子3人で利用しました。当初は、カアナパリビーチから出航でしたが、天候によりラハイナ港発に変わりました。前日にメール連絡ありましたが、wifi環境下におらず返信できずにいたら、電話連絡がありました。宿泊先のシェラトンマウイからラハイナ港まではタクシーで片道17ドル程度。港に着くといくつものホエールウォッチングツアー窓口があり、主催会社のトリロジーを探しあてるのに少々手間取りました。結果としては、窓口はなくトリロジーのお兄さんが立っていて「トリロジー？」と声をかけていたのに気づき無事乗船となりました。白い小さな灯台を目印にとのことでしたが、その真下にいるのではなく、近くにいました。灯台すぐ近くの窓口で聞いたときは、「違います！」との切ない回答だったので、注意が必要です。
さて、肝心のホエールウォッチングは、乗船時こそは後ろのほうで座っていましたが、やはりクジラが見たくてヨットの前方に移動し、椅子はなかったけどど真ん中の真ん前に陣取りクジラを探しました。出航からほどなく沖合に、潮を吹く姿を見つけたり、ジャンプの後らしき波しぶきを見つけたり。だんだん沖に進めば進むほど、しっぽを確認できたり、ジャンプも見られました。船のすぐ近くをクジラが悠々と泳いでいく姿や、迫力のジャンプに大興奮！　多くのクジラを見ることができました。ホテルに戻ってからツアーガイドさん曰く、「今年はエルニーニョが終わったのでクジラがとても多い」とのことで、去年より断然みられる確率が高まったとのことです。エルニーニョの間は、クジラがメキシコ湾にとどまりハワイまで南下するクジラが少ないのだとか。また、クジラのジャンプがより多くみられるのは、海水温の低い朝夕だそうです。私たちは、午後からのツアーだったので、心配していましたが、幸運にもたくさんのクジラを見られました。船上ではアルコールを含むドリンク、ハムサンド、クッキー、ポテトチップスなど軽食とドリンクが供されます。クルーの方々は、日本語は通じませんが、特に問題なくとても楽しめました。また、ぜひ2月のマウイに行き、ホエールウォッチングツアーに参加したいと思います。　ちなみに、写真はスマホ撮影のみでしたので、ガイドブックのような迫力あるショットとは程遠く・・・。一眼レフを持っていた方もいましたが、いつ波しぶきがかかるかも分からないのでリスキーかもしれませんね。広い海の中で、どこからクジラが姿を現すかわからないので、ファインダーをのぞきながらだと見つけにくいという点でももったいない気がします。

I received a polite email from the VELTRA representative informing me that the departure point was changed to Lahaina the day before due to bad weather. At Lahaina Harbor, I had trouble finding parking and almost missed the meeting time, but I was advised about free parking on Front St and Prison St, and I was able to board safely! As others have mentioned, the crew was attentive, bringing drinks, fruit, and snacks to each person, allowing us to focus on enjoying whale watching. I thought the number of passengers was just right. It was exciting when everyone spotted a whale together. I was moved when a whale came close while we had the engine off. I recommend this experience as you can enjoy it regardless of the weather.

天候が良くなかったのか前日にラハイナ発に変更との連絡を丁寧なVELTRAの担当の方からのメールで頂きました。ラハイナ港ではパーキングがすぐ見つからず集合時間ギリギリになってしまい焦りましたが、Front StとPrison Stにある無料パーキングを教えてもらい無事乗船！他の方々が書かれている様にクルーの方達は1人1人に気遣って飲み物やフルーツ、軽食を運んで下さったので、クジラを見る事に集中して楽しむ事が出来ました。乗船人数も丁度いいサイズだと思いました。皆でクジラを見つけた時には盛り上がって楽しかったです。エンジンを止めている時に近くにクジラが来てくれて感動しました。天気に左右されず楽しめるのでおすすめです。

The captain and crew were absolutely wonderful. Peak whale season and my husband an I were in Maui celebrating our 25th anniversary. Not only was the dinner delicious and the views spectacular but we also were able to watch the whales. Didn't have to pay a separate fee for the spectacular encounters of the whales. This was absolutely worth every bit of the money we paid and will do it again WHEN we return to Kaalapani.

Awesome..definitely would do again! Loved everything

The morning trip was fully booked, so I reserved the afternoon trip. I saw a lot of whales, but it didn't feel like we were very close to them. The meeting place is a grassy area along Kaanapali Beach with just the company's sign, which might be a bit hard to find. It's recommended for those staying in the Kaanapali area since you can walk there. You board the boat from the beach, but the waves can be quite strong, so you will get soaked; it's necessary to take precautions to keep your smartphone dry. On the boat, they served sandwiches and chips. Drinks, including Maui beer, cocktails, and soft drinks, were unlimited. The tour was in English, but there were no particular inconveniences. Both the captain and the staff were very kind. I brought along a senior with mobility issues, and all the staff helped with boarding and disembarking the boat, for which I am very grateful. However, I think it would be better for those with mobility issues to avoid this trip.

午前便は満員で乗れず午後便予約しました
クジラも沢山見れましたが凄く近くで見れるって感じではありませんでした。
集合場所はカアナパリビーチ沿いで会社の看板だけたっている芝生の広場です。少しわかりずらいかも。
カアナパリ地区に宿泊している方には歩いて行けるしオススメです。
船にはビーチから乗るのですが、波も結構あるので全身濡れます、スマホ等濡れないよう対策必要です。
船上ではサンドウィッチやポテチが出ました。
飲み物もマウイビールやカクテル、ソフトドリンクと飲み放題です。
英語でのツアーでしたが特に不便はありません。
船長スタッフともにとても親切でした。
足の悪いシニアを連れて行ったのですが船の乗り降りも全スタッフで手伝っていただきとても感謝しています。
ただ、足腰の悪い方は船の乗り降りが大変なのでやめた方がいいと思いますw

The second snorkeling spot for sea turtles was amazing. I had heard that the turtles are near the rocky areas, and that was true. I encountered three sea turtles.

In mid-January, the water was cold, and I rented a wetsuit for $10. I was told that renting would allow me to stay in the water longer, and that was indeed the case.

2本のシュノーケルのうち、2本目のウミガメスポットは最高でした。ウミガメは岩場の近くにいると聞いていましたが、その通りでした。3匹のウミガメに出会えました。

1月中旬、水も冷たく、ウェットスーツを10ドルでレンタルしました。借りたほうが長く水中にいられると言われましたが、本当にその通りでした。

On the day of the tour, due to the wind around Molokini Island, we couldn't go to Molokini Island and instead changed to two other snorkeling spots where we might see sea turtles. To sum it up, we didn't get to see any sea turtles... (what a shame). However, it seems that some of the other participants did see them. Additionally, there was information that seals were present a few hours before we arrived at the snorkeling spot, so if you're lucky, you might encounter wild seals! How envious!

The tour crew is mostly local, so all explanations are in English. There was one kind and cool Japanese woman who explained important things in Japanese.

Although the weather on the day was sunny, it was somewhat cloudy and cold, which I think made it unsuitable for snorkeling. Still, there were quite a few fish, and it felt great to swim leisurely in the beautiful sea. There were a lot of whales! From a distance, I was moved to see them spouting water dramatically and diving with their tails raised, just like in pictures.

On the boat, there were plenty of drinks and breakfast and lunch provided. They even had a barbecue grill, and the freshly made hamburgers were delicious!!

While it was disappointing not to see any sea turtles, I was overall satisfied with the pleasant cruise, seeing whales, swimming in the ocean, and eating hamburgers.

参加当日はモロキニ島周辺の風の影響でモロキニ島には行けず、ウミガメが見れるかも…という他のシュノーケルスポット2か所へ変更となりました。結果から言うと、私たちはウミガメには会えず・・・（残念）。でも他の参加者は見れた人もいたようです。また、我々がそのシュノーケルスポットへ到着する数時間前にはアザラシがいたとの情報もあったようで、運が良ければ野生のアザラシに会えることもあるのかもしれないということです！羨ましい！

ツアークルーはほぼ現地人なので説明は全て英語です。お一人だけ日本人の優しくてクールなお姉さんがいらっしゃいましたので重要なことは日本語で説明してくれました。

当日の天気は晴れていたものの、曇りがちで寒かったのでシュノーケルには不向きな天候だったかと思います。それでも魚はまぁまぁいたし、綺麗な海をのんびり泳げてとても気持ちよかったです。クジラは沢山いました！遠くからですが、豪快に潮を吹く様子や、絵に描いたように尻尾を上げて潜っていく様子を肉眼でも見れて感動。

船上では十分な飲み物と朝食・昼食をいただけます。バーベキューグリルまで完備されており、作り立てのハンバーガーが美味しかった!!

ウミガメに会えなかったことは残念でしたが、気持ちよくクルーズし、クジラを見て、海を泳いで、ハンバーガーを食べて、総合的に満足です。

Very knowledgeable crew! We saw so many whales on our tour which was a bonus. We couldn't snorkel molokini because of the swells being too dangerous so we were able to snorkel at the Coral Gardens which were great as well. Loved everything about this excursion and recommend it for everyone!