While there are many boat operations that will get you safely to Molokini and back to Maui, very few offer the high level of service that you’ll find with Ali’i Nui. They’re the luxury option when it comes to catamaran sailing off Maui.
After hearing good things about Ali’i Nui, we decided to give them a try on a visit to Maui. We were not disappointed.
We booked the Maui Morning Deluxe Snorkel Sail, a five-hour charter, which is supposed to include a visit to Molokini crater and Hawaiian sea turtle spot in South Maui. We did enjoy snorkeling at Molokini, but, unfortunately, surf conditions didn’t allow us to safely go to the turtle snorkel spot. Instead of the turtle spot, we did some whale watching.
Once on board, a cooked breakfast was served including thick-cut bacon, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and breakfast breads. We were able to have breakfast in stable conditions before we ever left the dock to Molokini. After breakfast, snacks and beverages were always available. The ride to Molokini was fairly uneventful except for some brief whale sightings.
All snorkel equipment is provided. The staff will even train you how to snorkel or provide a refresher course.
We love being at Molokini. The fish sightings and visibility were especially good after the sun reached over the eastern crater wall. We stayed at Molokini through lunch. I suspect we may have lingered there a bit longer due to the rough conditions at our next stop that was not to be on this particular day.
As we slowly made our way back to Maalaea Harbor, we stopped several times for whale sightings. There was one whale that really put on an amazing breaching show for us about 300 yards from the catamaran. Note that humpback whale season runs from December to April with the peak months spanning from January through March.
It was disappointing that the conditions didn’t allow us to go to the turtle spot as planned, but we appreciated Ali’i Nui making sure we were safe. We’d love to try again in the hopes that conditions allow a turtle snorkel site.
Here are some of the aspects about Ali’i Nui that make their excursions noteworthy:
One of the nicer features that Ali’i Nui offers optional provide transportation from your West or South Maui accommodation right to the dock for a fee. That eliminates the hassles of navigating and parking.
Additionally, these were some features that we also liked:
- SPF 50 sunscreen was provided
- Towels were provided
- The staff offered to clean our sunglasses.
- Small chilled towels were provided.
- Breakfast, snacks and lunch were provided and they were tasty.
- They have the most spacious and cleanest marine heads (bathroom) of any Hawaii snorkel boat that we’ve seen and we’ve seen a lot. This marine head was so nice we even snapped a photo of it.
We wouldn’t hesitate to take another tour with Ali’i Nui. For more opinions about Ali’i Nui, see this link to TripAdvisor reviews. Note that their TripAdvisor reviews are excellent.
Sheila Beal
4 comments
Hello, arriving, nov. 5, would love to snorkel with you November. 7th.
We don’t work for Ali’i Nui. To make a booking, contact them directly. There’s a direct link to their company in the above article.
We are going to Maui the first week of October. If you had a choice between a tour with Trilogy or a tour with Ali’i, which would you recommend for a first time snorkeller? Both sites appear to offer a Molokini/turtle package. The only different appears to be the price. What am I missing? Thanks!
Either company is a good choice. Ali’i Nui offers a few more luxury services/amenities.