Questions, answered.

For group tours, cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund, or 72 hours for groups of 8 or more. Private charters need 7 days.

Trip protection (+15%) can be added when you book online: it lets you cancel or reschedule up to 6 hours before a group tour or 24 hours before a private charter, with a full refund minus the cost of trip protection and processing fees.

To cancel or reschedule, call us at (808) 495-1001. We can’t refund or reschedule no-shows, because we can’t fill your seats, and there are no refunds or exchanges on promotional pricing or gift certificates.

You’ll get a full refund if we cancel for weather, a mechanical issue or any other unforeseen circumstance. The safety of our guests, crew and vessel comes first.

The captain. MAKAI can handle a lot, but we want our guests to be happy and comfortable, so weather is always the captain’s call.

We don’t run in thunderstorms, but we do run in passing showers. Maui has microclimates, so we may not confirm or cancel until 15 minutes before departure. You’re always welcome to call before you leave your hotel to check.

Not necessarily. Advisories can cover different parts of the island, and it can be windy in Mā‘alaea while Lahaina is calm. The captain makes the call.

Yes. Returning guests get 15% off all group tours within a year. Let us know when you book.

Booking direct on our website or by phone gets you our best price.

At Mala Boat Ramp in Lahaina. Check in half an hour before your trip under the tree closest to Mala Wharf, and look for crew in a Makai Adventures or Chasin’ Tail shirt. If you feel lost, call us at (808) 495-1001.

Directions and parking

Parking at the ramp is limited and meant for public shoreline use, so we recommend parking along Front Street or near the Cannery Mall and walking over. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, drop them off closer while one person parks. Give yourself extra time, and please give way to trucks and trailers: it’s an active lot.

We board in the order guests check in. Priority boarding tickets are available for up to 4 groups, who board first.

We only have a short time at the dock, and the boat leaves on schedule, especially on shared tours. Check in on time, and don’t miss the boat!

Yes, there’s a restroom in the parking lot where you check in, and another onboard.

Every seat is a good one, with 360° views. Most seats are in the front of the boat, and anywhere forward of the helm is pretty quiet. A few seats are in the back next to the engines. If you’re prone to motion sickness or have a bad back, sit in the back half of the boat.

Yes. On whale watching trips we carry a water jug with ice and cups, so bring a reusable bottle if you like. Soft drinks are included on longer trips. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks, and BYOB is fine for guests 21 and over. No glass, please.

Yes, MAKAI has a restroom onboard.

Shorts and a t-shirt are perfect for whale watching. We won’t be swimming, but sea spray happens. Wear flip-flops or sandals, or anything easy to slip off. We ask guests to remove shoes if possible because it helps us keep the boat cleaner throughout the day. If someone is unable to remove their shoes for medical reasons, no problem.

• A reusable water bottle
• Reef-safe sunscreen (no sprays, please)
• A hat and sunglasses (polarized if you have them)
• Snacks and drinks if you like (BYOB for 21+, no glass)
• A windbreaker or light jacket, and a poncho if rain looks possible
• Gratuity for your captain and crew (cash or Venmo)

We carry everything the Coast Guard requires, including life jackets for everyone. You won’t need to wear one on a whale watch since we don’t go in the water, but just ask if you’d feel more comfortable in one.

MAKAI isn’t that small. It’s 41 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a solid aluminum hull and solid foam collars (not inflatable) for stability, comfortable seating for everyone, lots of shade and a restroom onboard. Our captains and crew are trained in First Aid and CPR and run the routine drills the Coast Guard requires.

GoPros are welcome. Drones aren’t allowed on our boats.

We run whale watching from November 25 to April 25.

It’s the question we hear most. Whales are wild animals: no single trip or time of day is guaranteed to have the most activity, and we always do our best to find the most active whales. The more you get out, the more you’re going to see, so pick the time that suits your schedule.

Yes, on all of our small-group whale watching trips. Whales guaranteed: if no whales are sighted on your trip, you get your money back or go again free.

You never know. Every trip is different and unique, and you never know what you’re going to see.

No. It’s against federal law to swim with humpback whales in Maui County, and we operate within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Most likely. We use the hydrophone on every trip when possible. Sometimes the whales are quiet that day, but we always try to let you listen in.

Sanctuary rules keep us 100 yards from whales, but curious whales sometimes come to us, right up to the boat. When that happens we put the engines in neutral or turn them off, and we’re “held hostage” by that whale. It’s an amazing experience.

There are no age restrictions on whale watching, and newborns are welcome. Every baby counts as a passenger and needs a child or infant ticket. Strollers and car seats can’t come aboard because we can’t secure them, so a carrier is the way to go.

Yes. To snorkel, you must know how to swim, and at our snorkel spots you won’t be able to touch the bottom. We have flotation gear for everyone, and our crew is happy to give first-timers an introduction.

Adjustable Sea Sports snorkel gear: frameless masks, dry snorkels and fins, plus flotation belts. Every set is hand washed, sanitized and inspected after each trip and disinfected with a hospital-grade Steramine solution. You’re welcome to bring your own.

No. Snorkel shops rent both, so pick them up before your trip.

Hawaiian water is 73–78°F year round, and most guests spend 20–40 minutes in the water at each stop. Bring a jacket or sweater for the ride back if you get cold easily.

We don’t guarantee dolphins or turtles: they’re wild animals. Where we go also depends on the day’s conditions and weather. Please give turtles at least 10 feet of space: they’re a protected species.

This season we’re offering Snorkel with Turtles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30 PM, and the Lāna‘i Snorkel & Dolphins day on select days. This snorkel season ends November 25. Check each trip’s calendar for dates.

Yes, a Hawai‘i State fishing license is required for bottom fishing ($20 a day). It isn’t included in the trip price.

Yes. We clean your catch for you, and it’s yours to take with you and eat fresh.

Yes, ages 4 and up, with an adult. Each trip takes up to 8 poles, and a shared pole covers 2 people, like an adult and a child. Please check in 15 minutes before departure. Fishing trip details

Every guest needs to be able to walk the length of the dock, which has no railings, and board the boat on their own. Our captain and crew are there to lend a hand, but because guests need to board by themselves, we’re usually unable to take guests who use wheelchairs.

If you have questions about mobility, please text or call us before you book and we’ll talk it through.

Makai is great for just about everybody. If you have back or neck problems, we recommend sitting toward the back of the boat. For the longer Lāna‘i trip, please call us first.

We don’t have a restriction, but please check with your doctor before your trip. We suggest sitting toward the back of the boat.

Everyone is different. If you’re prone to it, take an anti-nausea medicine ahead of time, or ask your doctor about the patch. Wrist bands, ginger candy and ginger ale help some people. Sit in the back half of the boat, and tell the crew if you start to feel off so we can help.

Treat yourselves to a private boat. Give us a call and we’ll help you plan the day. About private charters

Have a look at Kainani Sails, a private sailing charter company: the 45′ sailboat Kainani takes up to 6 guests from Ka‘anapali Beach. kainanisails.com