Makena Coast Charters - Kihei, Hawaii

Introduction

Makena Coast Charters, situated at 2800 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, United States, is a premier boat tour agency and tour operator that specializes in providing exceptional snorkeling, whale watching, and sailing experiences in the stunning waters of Maui. With a commitment to personalized service, safety, and sustainability, Makena Coast Charters has earned an outstanding reputation among both locals and tourists alike.

Main Services

• Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling: A popular 3-hour tour that takes guests to the iconic Molokini Crater, a volcanic caldera that serves as a protected marine life conservation district, and Turtle Town, home to a large population of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
• Molokini Crater Snorkel & Bonus Whale Watching Adventure: Available from mid-December to late March, this tour combines snorkeling at Molokini Crater with a whale watching experience, as humpback whales migrate to Maui's warm waters during the winter months.
• Whale Watching Cruise on a Floating Tiki Bar Catamaran: A unique and thrilling way to observe humpback whales during their annual migration, this tour features a floating tiki bar catamaran, providing a fun and relaxed atmosphere for guests.
• Discover the Magic of Coral Garden’s Turtle Town: This tour focuses on exploring the vibrant coral gardens and marine life found in Turtle Town, offering guests the chance to encounter a variety of tropical fish, eels, and, of course, Hawaiian green sea turtles.
• Sunset Sailing on a Floating Tiki Bar Catamaran: A romantic and scenic way to end the day, this sunset sailing tour features a floating tiki bar catamaran, live music, and stunning views of Maui's coastline.
• Small-Group Afternoon Whale Watch: A more intimate whale watching experience, this tour limits the number of guests to ensure a comfortable and personalized adventure.
• Private Charters: Makena Coast Charters offers custom private charters, allowing guests to create their own itinerary and enjoy a private boat tour with friends and family.
• Molokini Crater Snorkeling and Molokini and Turtle Town: These tours focus on snorkeling at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town, respectively, providing guests with the opportunity to explore these breathtaking marine environments.
• Nahuna Point: This lesser-known snorkel site offers a unique and exciting adventure, with the chance to encounter a variety of marine life, including tropical fish, eels, and even white-tip reef sharks.

Location and Access

Makena Coast Charters is conveniently located in Kihei, a popular tourist destination on the southwest shore of Maui. The charter's home base is at the Kihei Boat Ramp, just a short drive from numerous resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals. Guests can easily access the boat ramp via South Kihei Road, with nearby parking available at the Kihei Boat Ramp parking lot or the nearby Kam I Street parking area. Makena Coast Charters also offers transportation pick-up services for guests staying in select areas of South Maui and Wailea.

Featured Characteristics

• Floating Tiki Bar Catamarans: Makena Coast Charters is proud to offer floating tiki bar catamarans for select tours, providing guests with a unique and fun way to enjoy their time on the water. These spacious and comfortable catamarans feature a full-service bar, plenty of seating, and ample shade.
• Experienced and Knowledgeable Crew: The team at Makena Coast Charters consists of experienced and knowledgeable captains and crew members who are dedicated to ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for all guests. They are passionate about Maui's marine life and environment and strive to provide exceptional customer service.
• Safety and Sustainability: Makena Coast Charters is committed to prioritizing safety and sustainability in all of their tours. They follow strict safety guidelines and regulations, and they are dedicated to preserving Maui's delicate marine ecosystems by practicing responsible tourism and educating their guests about the importance of marine conservation.
• High-Quality Snorkel Gear and Instruction: Makena Coast Charters provides top-of-the-line snorkel gear and offers complimentary snorkel instruction for beginners, ensuring that all guests have the tools and knowledge they need to make the most of their underwater experience.
• Wheelchair-Accessible Parking: Makena Coast Charters is committed to accessibility and offers wheelchair-accessible parking at their home base in Kihei.
• LGBTQ+ Friendly: Makena Coast Charters welcomes guests from all backgrounds and is proud to be an LGBTQ+ friendly business. They strive to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all guests.

Practical Information

• Appointment Required: To ensure a smooth and efficient check-in process, Makena Coast Charters requires guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled tour departure time.
• Credit and Debit Cards Accepted: Makena Coast Charters accepts major credit and debit cards, as well as cash, for tour bookings and onboard purchases.
• Discounts for Kids: Makena Coast Charters offers discounts for children ages 3-12 on select tours, providing a fun and affordable way for families to enjoy Maui's marine life.
• Cancellation Policy: Makena Coast Charters offers a flexible cancellation policy, allowing guests to cancel or reschedule their tours up to 24 hours in advance without penalty. However, guests are encouraged to review the specific cancellation policy for their chosen tour, as some tours may have different cancellation policies.
• Maui Weather: Maui's weather can be unpredictable, and tours may be cancelled or rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions. Makena Coast Charters monitors weather conditions closely and will notify guests of any changes to their tour schedule.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.9/5 from 602 reviews on Google My Business, Makena Coast Charters has consistently received high praise from satisfied customers. Some of the most frequently mentioned positive aspects include:

• Knowledgeable and friendly crew: Many reviewers commended the Makena Coast Charters crew for their exceptional customer service, knowledge of Maui's marine life, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience.
• High-quality snorkel gear and instruction: Guests appreciated the top-of-the-line snorkel gear and complimentary snorkel instruction, which helped them feel confident and comfortable in the water.
• Amazing snorkel sites and wildlife encounters: Reviewers raved about the stunning snorkel sites and the opportunity to encounter a variety of marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and even whale sharks and manta rays.
• Spacious and comfortable floating tiki bar catamarans: Guests enjoyed the ample space, comfortable seating, and full-service bar found on Makena Coast Charters' floating tiki bar catamarans.
• Safety and professionalism: Many reviewers commented on the Makena Coast Charters crew's commitment to safety and professionalism, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience for all guests.

Makena Coast Charters' exceptional customer service, commitment to safety and sustainability, and passion for sharing Maui's marine life with visitors from around the world have earned them a reputation as one of the premier boat tour agencies in Maui. Whether you're interested in snorkeling, whale watching, or sailing, Makena Coast Charters offers an unforgettable experience that showcases the beauty and wonder of Maui's stunning waters.

👍 Reviews of Makena Coast Charters

Dan H.

5/5

Great people are what usually make an experience memorable and this is where Mākena Coast Charters excels. Boat captain Keoni and (deck hand) Lucia created a friendly light atmosphere while maximizing the tour with information and efficiency. Our tour included snorkeling and Turtle Town but they got a call about dolphins nearby so we detoured slightly to catch a good glimpse and learn about dolphins. Turtle Town was also great and the tour finished with lunch—great sandwiches, chips and drinks. I would recommend Mākena Coast Charters to anyone looking to snorkel Molokini. The seats on the boat were very comfortable (I had worried about the ride because of back problems) and I’ve never seen water as blue as the back side of the crater (where the depth drops to 300 feet). Morning is the optimal time for this trip. Book the first trip of the day and you won’t be disappointed.

Katelyn S.

5/5

Our snorkel tour to Molokini Crater was the best day of our trip! Jess and Joe were fun, knowledgeable, and we saw so many fish and whales. I would recommend this tour to any friends visiting Maui/ Kihei. Definitely bring a waterproof camera if you can.

Eileen S.

5/5

Joe and Lucy lead the trip. This was a very special outing as Joe carefully called around to continually get reports of wind and waves. He took the time to have us go to the turtles first - no one was around! When we got to the crater we had a small window w hardly anyone around before a big tour boat rolled in. Even w that there are guidelines where everyone can explore.

Go w the small tour operators if you want the 1 on 1 feel. You don’t feel like a number w them. It doesn’t feel touristy at all. Very impressed and thank you for such a wonderful morning out!

In one of the photos you will see a very small reef shark. Maybe 3-4’. At the crater the clarity was also really good.

Christopher S.

5/5

Very well run and a lot of fun! The captain and crew are amazing! My wife was having a very hard time with her Mask and not having a good time at all. Megan came to the rescue showed her exactly how to fit it to her face and she had a great time from then on.
Plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Saw several turtles, lots of fish and beautiful coral. We even got to see a mama and baby whale. Highly recommend!

Katherine C.

5/5

My second time on a boat tour here! I definitely recommend going in the morning if you can, much more sea life, but this is just a great company! Provides snacks, bevs, and though our trip got cut a tad short due to some big waves coming into molokini, the host took us on a really nice joy ride on the boat after.

Ed C.

5/5

The tour was amazing! We had Matt as the captain and Jes as the snorkel guide. Matt has a great demeanor and focused on safety and ensuring everyone had a good time. Jes was like a walking encyclopedia of all things ocean. She has a masters in marine biology. We were new to snorkeling and did not feel out of place. They had great sandwiches too. 5 star for sure. We got up early and did the 7am and it was not crowded as other tour go to these destinations.

Arutyun T.

5/5

Amazing trip, much better than we could have expected. Captain Joe and Kyle were not only kind but also extremely knowledgeable and educational. Took us to the best spot for turtles and then Molokini. Food and snacks provided. We loved our experience.

Denis N.

5/5

What a great experience! Exactly as advertised we were able to see a ton of turtle and the water was very clear. Great sandwiches and snacks, and we were even able to see some whales popping out of water on our way back! I suggest bringing a sweatshirt if you are going out in the morning .