Top 10 Things to Do on New Year’s Eve on Maui

The holidays on Maui are a special time of year. While you probably won’t have white Christmas (unless you’re up on Haleakala during a rare snow day), another holiday tradition, fireworks on New Year’s Eve can be had. Beyond fireworks, there are fun events for couples, families and solo travelers. Here are the top 10 things to do on New Year’s Eve on Maui.

  1. Fireworks in Wailea
    While it’s not widely publicized (parking can be a nightmare), this is the biggest and best fireworks show of the year on Maui. If you’re not already in Wailea, make your way down to Polo Beach or any of the beaches along Wailea’s shore, grab a blanket and enjoy the show at exactly midnight.
  2. Sunset Dinner Cruise
    While it won’t take you to midnight, a sunset dinner cruise is a great way to set the table for a relaxing, Maui New Year’s celebration. Featuring a three-course meal with table-side service, an onboard mixologist for drinks, live music and dancing and of course, Maui’s stunning sunset, an evening at sea, followed by partying on shore with all of your friends and family is always a great way to ring in the new year. If you use the promo code VIP20 when booking here, you’ll save $10.
  3. The Summit at Haleakala
    Want to get away from it all and spend the night with a zillion stars (and hopefully slightly less people than that), try heading up to Haleakala and taking in the natural beauty of Maui’s biggest treasure. Remember Y2K? That night, they had to close the summit because there were rumors of cults heading up there to sacrifice virgins. Hopefully that won’t be the case when ringing in 2019!
  4. Drums of the Pacific Luau, Lahaina
    Is there a more Maui way of spending New Year’s Eve than a luau? Like the Sunset Dinner Cruise listed above, this special event won’t take you right up to midnight, allowing you to share the countdown with friends and family, or if you’re old like us, in bed. For this special night, the luau, on top of their standard Hawaiian cuisine buffet, is serving prime rib and roasted potatoes.
  5. Gatsby-Style Party at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
    Head back to ’20s (wow, that’s nearly 100 years ago!) and don your tuxes and flapper dresses and swing your way into 2019 at this Great Gatsby-themed party. The event features live music by Hawaii’s own, Kahulanui, hors d’oeuvres and a premium open bar. It’s not cheap ($285 per person), but if you want to class it up, this probably your best bet on Maui.
  6. Party with Mick Fleetwood, Lahaina
    Yes, that Mick Fleetwood, founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Fleetwood Mac. He’s back on the Rock, taking a break from his current tour and will be performing at his popular restaurant Fleetwood’s on Front Street in Lahaina. The party starts at 6:30 and live music featuring Maui’s most popular bands and Mick himself, will lead you up to a traditional New Year’s toast. This party is another pricey one starting at $500 per person.
  7. Light Your Own Fireworks
    Fireworks went on sale on December 17 and will available through the 31st. But this being Hawaii, it’s not quite as easy as running down to the store and picking up a pack of sparklers. There are some restrictions that you should be aware of. First, you must purchase a $25 permit (here are the details). The permit will allow you to fire up to 5,000 firecrackers. You can purchase multiple permits if you plan on setting off more than that. Once you have your fireworks and permit, you have a four-hour window, between 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM on New Year’s Eve to set them off. If you go this route, have fun and be safe!
  8. Dinner at Maui Chef’s Table, Wailuku
    Typically, Maui’s Chef Table at the Plantation is a monthly event featuring local produce and proteins prepared by Maui’s top chefs and visiting celebrity chefs. This year, for New Year’s Eve, the Maui Chef’s Table is holding a special event that you won’t want to miss. Like the Sunset Dinner Cruise, this event will not take you to midnight. But if you’re a foodie, this will be one New Year’s Eve you won’t forget.
  9. Wailuku Shingon Mission New Year’s Service
    Want to slow things down and ring in the New Year with a more spiritual vibe? This TINY temple is holding a New Year’s service at 11:45 PM. The public is welcome, so start the year fresh with blessings for health, happiness and prosperity.
  10. Bill Maher at the MACC, Kahului
    OK, we’re cheating. The Bill Maher event actually takes place on December 30th, but this has become one of Maui’s most popular annual events. For the eight straight year, Maher is celebrating the new year with his friends. In past years, he’s been joined on stage by the likes of Sean Penn, David Spade, Jeffrey Ross, Margaret Cho and Bob Saget. Even Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder showed up one year to play a surprise acoustic set.

Hawaii Ocean Project is offering a full-day of whale watches on the 31st.

By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the island of Lanai? Well you can! Just use the promo code VIP20 after clicking on this link: Hawaii Ocean Project Adventures.

Happy Holidays!

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From all of us at Hawaii Ocean Project, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Peace on Earth

10 Maui Money Saving Tips

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Living on Maui ain’t cheap. But visiting Maui is even more expensive. Still, we locals know a thing or two about saving money on Maui. Here are 10 money-saving tips for you to get the most out of your visit to Maui.

  1. One of the top tourist attractions on Maui during the busy winter months is whale watching. While watching whales from the shore is free, if you want to get out into the ocean, book Hawaii Ocean Project’s “Early Bird” whale watch special at 7:30 AM and take the normal $39.95 tour price down to just $24.99. There’s more than just the price advantage in booking this trip. First, parking in Lahaina can be a bit challenging, but that early, you’ll have your choice of free parking spots. The boats also tend to be less crowded on the 7:30 trip. Finally, the early morning air is much cooler than a mid-afternoon tour. Really, you can’t go wrong on any of the whale watch tours, but for the most bang for your buck, book the Early Bird special.
  2. Instead of a high-end resort with their hidden “resort fees,” consider booking a condo or house through Airbnb or VRBO. In addition to saving on nightly room charges, you will also save big on meals because you’ll have your own kitchen for preparing meals. Take a trip to Costco when you land (located 2 minutes from the airport) and stock your kitchen for the week.
  3. Of course, if you’ve traveled this far to reach Maui, you probably want to experience Maui’s fantastic local foods. Maui’s food truck scene is absolutely busting out. You can find food truck round-ups all over the island. Our favorites are near the Costco and in Kihei behind the Azeka shopping center. But drive long enough, and you’re likely to see food trucks on random streets and in shopping mall parking lots. Here’s a look at our favorite foodand shrimp trucks. Another way to experience inexpensive food is Happy Hour. Nearly every restaurant on the island has Happy Hour specials. Here’s a look at some of the best Happy Hour deals in Lahaina and the west side and Kihei/Wailea.
  4. Most likely, the main reason you’re visiting Maui is to spend time at our amazing beaches. We have beaches for all occasions… and they’re all free! “Private” beaches are not a thing here on Maui. Every beach, even the ones fronting the high end resorts are free and open to the public. No, those fancy loungers aren’t free to everyone, but laying your towel in the sand sure is.
  5. Speaking of beaches, snorkeling is another free-to-inexpensive activity. Again, the beaches around Maui are free. So no matter where you are, you have access to some free, wonderful snorkeling. Renting gear will cost you some coin, but you also have the option of going to Costco and buying snorkel gear. If you’ve checked luggage, you can take it home with you for another adventure. You can also donate your used gear to local shelters or the Boys and Girls Clubs. Here’s our guide to the best places to snorkel on Maui. Or for an even more exciting snorkel adventure, book a Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Excursion and save 10% using the discount code at the bottom of this article. On this trip, you’ll be served breakfast, barbecue lunch and snorkel at two locations. Along the way, you’ll probably see dolphins and, during the winter months, whales!
  6. Another free outdoor activity is hiking. Maui has some of the most beautiful hikes you will encounter. Whether you want to hike in the mountains or take a nature walk along beach paths, Maui has you covered. Here are our favorite Maui hikes, broken down by hiking ability from easy to challenging. Your only cost is the price of gas. Though, if you plan on hiking in Haleakala National Park, there is an entrance fee.
  7. If you’re going to hike in Haleakala National Park, you need to get a pass for $25. The good news is the pass is good for three days, so use your days wisely! It’s about two hours from Lahaina to the summit (depending on that westside traffic) so you may only want to go for one day. But, once you pay for the pass, everything in the park is free. If you want to see the sunrise, you’ll need to make a reservations and fight massive crowds. Instead, we recommend heading up to the summit for the sunset. The sunset is just as beautiful as the sunrise, but with a quarter of the crowd size. Plus, once the sun is down, you’ll be able stargaze like a pro. We swear, you will never see so many stars.
  8. We alluded to this earlier, but resort fees really suck. They tend to run from $25 to $40 a night. For this, whether or not you use the “free” towels or “free” wifi, you’re going to be stuck paying the fee. The other place the resorts stick you is on parking. Most places tend to charge between $20 – $35 a night to park your car. Again, if you have a car, this is nearly inescapable. So to get around it, you can try only renting cars on the days you need them, for example, a trip on the Road to Hana. The rest of trip, you can use Uber/Lyft or cabs. Uber and Lyft drivers can now pick up and drop off riders airport. The other not so hidden cost of a rental car is gas. Gas prices on Maui are about $1.00 per gallon higher than the mainland, usually hovering around $4.00 a gallon. But if you go to Costco, you’ll save around $.75 a gallon.
  9. Don’t be afraid to hit up the ABC Stores. They may seem like tourist traps, but if you stay away from the potato chips and candy, they actually have some great deals. If you’re lucky enough to be near an ABC with a kitchen, the food is pretty good and cheap. The t-shirts and beach towels are about as cheap as you’ll find.
  10. While $99.95 per person for a Hawaii Ocean Project Sunset Dinner Cruise may sound spendy, when you break it down, it’s not. For your money, you’ll spend an enchanting evening out on the Maui Princess, Maui’s largest and most comfortable luxury yacht with guaranteed roof-top seating. Your three-course dinner is served by professional waitstaff to your table. There’s a mixologist on board to whip up your favorite Hawaiian cocktails and beers. There’s also live entertainment and dancing as day turns to night. In other words, you aren’t just paying $100 for dinner, you’re paying for an unforgettable, magical evening. Have kids? Well children aged 4 – 12 are just $59.95 and under 4 are free.

By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the island of Lanai? Well you can! Just use the promo code VIP20 after clicking on this link: Hawaii Ocean Project Adventures.

10 Family Activities That Will Create a Lifetime of Memories

10 Family Activities That Will Create a Lifetime of Memories

Maui is truly a fantastic destination for the entire family. Sure, it’s great for honeymooners or couples looking to escape day-to-day life, but with safe beaches, plenty of condos and resorts with full kitchens that cater to children and a family-friendly atmosphere in general, Maui truly is the best of the Hawaiian islands for families. But once you’re here, besides the beach and pool, what should you do with your kids? Here are our recommendations of the 10 best things to do with your family on Maui, listed alphabetically.

Bird Watching
Maui is home to many birds, some of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. However, bird watching can be slow and probably boring for children. Luckily, on Maui, we have a few bird preserves and parks where spotting birds is simple. Here are two suggestions for spots that you’ll be guaranteed to quickly see (and photograph) Maui’s exotic birds.

  • Haleakala National Park
    Haleakala is one of the few places in the world you can find the state bird of Hawaii, the nene (Hawaiian goose). If you’re planning on heading up to the summit for sunrise, on your way back down, stop at Hosmer Grove, a preserve loaded with birds. Another option in the national park is the Waikamoi Preserve. However, to enter this preserve you need to be part of a guided tour.
  • Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
    Located in Kihei, this refuge features a boardwalk open seven days a week, that takes you through marshlands that are home to  species of birds, including the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt). Please note that the visitors center is not open on weekends. As an added bonus, from May – September, the endangered hawksbill turtle reside here along the shore.

Day Hike/Nature Walk
Nothing beats a day on the trails with the family. Hiking provides many opportunities to interact with nature and enjoy the beautiful weather of Maui. Luckily, Maui is loaded with hiking opportunities. Some, like the backtrails of Haleakala are for experts only. But Maui also provides outstanding trails for families. Here are four easy hikes near common tourist destinations.

  • Twin Falls (just outside of Paia on the Road to Hana)
    Twin Falls is one of the iconic waterfalls on Maui. It’s also one of the most accessible waterfalls. Located just outside of Paia, it makes a whole lot sense to wake up early and do the hike, then get lunch or gelato afterwards in Paia. Once you’ve parked your car at Twin Falls, getting to the waterfall is a short walk, less than a mile, along a well-maintained trail. Once at the falls, you can swim in the water, but the water gets deep quickly, so make sure you keep an eye on the kids.
  • Kapalua Beach Trail (Kapalua)
    Easy to navigate, the flat trail is part paved/part dirt and rock. You’ll be walking between two of Maui’s most popular beaches, Kapalua Beach and DT Fleming Beach. Along the way, you’ll have unencumbered, beautiful shoreline views. There are also small beaches that are virtually devoid of people, which is almost unheard on Maui. It’s appropriate for anyone who can walk 1.75 miles, or 3.5 if you plan on walking back. But really, you can turn around at point of the trail
  • Wailea Beach Path (Wailea)
    The path basically runs the length of Wailea’s gorgeous resorts. You’ll know you’ve reached the end when you run out of path. If you’re staying in one of the resorts along the shore, you can easily hop on the path from your hotel. If you’re seeking out the path by car, there are a few public beaches with parking along the path. The path itself is mostly flat and well kept. It affords some great views of the ocean and access to beaches. There are plenty of rest spots and food stands along the way, as well as the Shops at Wailea.
  • ‘Iao Valley State Monument (‘Iao Valley)
    This hike is really more of a nature walk and is accessible to just about everyone. There’s a nice path that takes you through the park and allows fantastic views of the ‘Iao Needle. As you stroll on the path, you’ll see plenty of native Hawaiian plants and flowers. For a slightly more difficult walk, you can climb the stairs to a lookout. This is very safe. The only difficulty lies in the amount of steps you need to climb.

Horseback Riding
It’s probably not the first thing you think of when planning a trip to Maui, but there are some outstanding horseback riding opportunities on the Valley Isle. Maui has a long history of ranching and some of the best rides on Maui are on working ranches. Other rides take you along coastal trails. Here is an article on our favorite horseback riding excursions on Maui if you’re interested in saddling up.

Luau
When you think “luau” you probably don’t think of kids. But you should! Most of the luaus on Maui have fire dances, which are mesmerizing for both parents and children. The food is also good, with most having children’s menus. Before you book your luau, though, you should double check the menus. We’ve found that the luau’s are also surprisingly fine for gluten-free and vegetarians. But the real reason luaus are good for kids is that they are quite educational. Over the course of the evening, you’ll learn the history of Hawaii and Polynesia through dance and story. Here are five favorite luaus on Maui and here’s another article if you’re interested on learning about the history of luaus on Maui.

Maui Ocean Center
Should the weather forecast look iffy, schedule the Maui Ocean Center for a rainy day. Nearly all of the activities are indoors, and oh what activities they are! The highlight of any trip to this aquarium is the stunning glass tunnel through the middle of a tank full of sharks and rays. It’s just beautiful. Maui Ocean Center is ultra-eco-friendly. They keep no mammals, nor do they serve drinks in plastic bottles or offer plastic straws (they use paper straws.) Overall, it’s a very impressive aquarium and was recently named as one 2018’s Top 10 Aquariums in the world by Trip Advisor.

Roller Skating
Take your kids roller skating at the Kalama Park roller rink. Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Skating is free, but if you need to rent skates, they are available for just $5 a pair. FYI, this is not the free skate park, which is located near the rink. The skate park, for those who crave a little more adventure, is for skateboarders, roller skaters and scooter riders who prefer ramps and tubes.

Snorkel Cruise to Lanai
Definitely the highlight of any trip to Maui is a snorkel excursion to Lanai. The day starts with a continental breakfast featuring fresh fruit, pastries and a variety of juices. Throughout the trip, stay hydrated with all the soda, juice and water you desire. For lunch, we fire up the grill on the back of boat and barbecue burgers, hot dogs, chicken and veggie burgers. Salads, chips and cookies are also served. But, you don’t go on a snorkel food just for the food. We provide a full set of gear, floatie devices for those who need them and general lessons to get you started. We also send our crew into the water to keep an on everyone who enters the water. Note that snorkeling is actually optional. We have many riders who want to cruise without snorkeling. We believe in safety first!

Surf Lessons
Depending on the age of your kids, this can be a fun for the family. Generally speaking, you’ll find friendly, knowledgable instructors who will get both you and children up and riding waves. A morning of surfing creates memories to last a lifetime. It may even create a lifelong surfer, and just as importantly, your children will learn respect for the ocean. You can find surf lessons all over Maui.

Whale Watching
In season, December 1 – April 30, nothing beats a whale watching tour. Two hours on a nice boat, learning about whales and the ocean, while taking in gorgeous views of Maui and surrounding islands. Out of season, snorkel trips out to Lanai almost always take you through pods of active spinner dolphins. While dolphins aren’t as spectacular as giant whales, they are loads of fun and love to play next to the boat. Click here to learn more about our whale watch tours and our Lanai snorkel adventure.

Ziplining
Ziplining is a fun and exhilarating way to see Maui. You can find various zipline adventures all over the island. We recommend googling it. But, for this article, we’ll call out three that are located near visitor hotels and condos and that are family-friendly.

  • Lahaina Zipline Adventure Tour: Soar over the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm on Lahaina’s only zipline tour. Though only 450 ft. long, this zipline tour allows you to go up to four times! The minimum age is 5 years old, with a max weight limit of 250 pounds.
  • Maui Ziplining at Maui Tropical Plantation: With five zipline adventures, ranging from 300 – 900 feet, Maui Ziplining has something for everyone aged 5 and up. Must be between 45 and 250 pounds.
  • Skyline Eco-Adventures Ka’anapali: For ages 10 and up (minimum weight 80 pounds,) this tour encompasses either an 8-line or 11-line tour with views of the Pacific Ocean and takes 2.5 – 3.5 hours.

By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the Island of Lanai? Well you can! Just use the promocode VIP20 after clicking on this link: Hawaii Ocean Project Adventures.

 

maui apps

Handy Apps to Download for Use on Maui

Handy Apps to Download for Use on Maui

Whether your on an iPhone or an Android phone, there are great apps to use while you’re visiting or living on Maui. We’ll assume that you have the national apps like Lyft/Uber, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Airbnb. Instead, we’ll focus on apps that are Maui-centric, apps you may delete once you’re at the airport to head home. Unless otherwise noted, the apps listed here are for both Android and iOS

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A Brief History of Pineapple in Hawaii

A Brief History of Pineapple in Hawaii

While it’s not known when pineapple first started growing in Hawaii, we do know it was prior to when the first American missionaries arrived in 1820. Most believe pineapple showed up from South America around 1770. However, it wasn’t until James D. Dole arrived in 1899 and established the Hawaiian Pineapple Company that pineapple became commercially produced and canned. The company turned its first profit in 1903. The pineapple industry took off from there.

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Hawaii Ocean Project employee

Job Openings at Hawaii Ocean Project

Job Openings at Hawaii Ocean Project

Dock Agent

Lahaina Cruise Company is looking for someone with excellent customer service skills to fill our Dock Agent position.

If you love the outdoors, you are energetic, enthusiastic and have the Aloha spirit we want to meet you! 

  • Must have excellent customer service skills
  • Need to be punctual and be able to work without direct supervision
  • Be able to use gmail, and reservations system or willing and able to learn
  • Valid Hawaii drivers license and live on the West side.

If you believe you are the right fit for this job, please send us your resume to ops@lahainacruisecompany.com

We look forward to meeting you!

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Molokini Snorkel Tour: The Highlight of Your Vacation!

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Molokini Snorkel Tour: The Highlight of Your Vacation!

One of the great things about our ocean paradise is that there’s no shortage of activities in and on the water to fill a vacation itinerary. Snorkeling on Maui, in particular, is simply a must. At Hawaii Ocean Project we invite you to come aboard for our exclusive Molokini Snorkel Tour, where we venture beyond the shores of Maui and visit Hawaii’s very own marine island sanctuary. There’s plenty of fish in the sea and Molokini is jam-packed with schools of sea life to fill you with wonder. That is, if you’re not already amazed by the stunning geography on display.

Rising 160 feet above water, nearly a half-mile long and curved like an open smile, there’s plenty to take in at Molokini Crater before you get in the water. The islet is also a seabird sanctuary for 2 primary bird species: Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Bulwers Petrels. Well over a thousand have made their nests at the crater. Though they feed primarily during the day, you’ll still see a lot of them perched along the cliffs. Bring a camera and savor the opportunity. That, plus the crater itself makes for a spectacular backdrop. Don’t be shy. We’re more than happy to capture the moment for you.

For experienced snorkelers, this is an opportunity you can’t miss. How many people can say they snorkeled inside a volcano? For those new to snorkeling, a Molokini excursion is the perfect gateway charter that’ll have you coming back for more. We provide careful instruction on board, and our vessel makes it a breeze getting into the water with an easy swim-up platform. The hard part isn’t getting you in, it’s getting you back on the boat when it’s time to go.

A Molokini tour is a snorkeler’s dream. Underwater visibility is unparalleled. The clear, sapphire blue water is a result of the lack of surrounding sand. With sunlight penetrating, visibility is in excess of up to 100 feet. The arms of Molokini crater protects snorkelers from the wind, waves, and the ocean current, ensuring for uninterrupted exploration of the stunning coral reef below. Molokini’s shallow reef boasts an ecosystem of 250 species of fish and marine animals, so it’s not a question of whether you’ll see any, but how many you can count.

With the amazing visibility also comes ample opportunity for some truly amazing underwater photos. Do keep in mind that Molokini is home to all of its underwater residents, so while visitors are blessed with uninterrupted snorkel time, we ask that you do not disturb or provoke the sea life. Boats are tied to moorings instead of anchoring to prevent harming the reef, and only a certain number of vessels are permitted to enter the crater at a time. We are doing our part to preserve Molokini and its wildlife for others to come visit and enjoy. We ask that you do the same.

Our Molokini Snorkel Tour will surely be the highlight of your vacation. Check-in is at 6:30am at the North end of the Lahaina Harbor with departure set for 7:00. Just in case you couldn’t squeeze in a meal before the early check-in, we do offer a continental breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. It’s a 6-hour excursion, meaning there will be plenty of time to bask in the ocean and all of its wonder. Book online and save 10% off Hawaii’s premiere snorkel destination.

A Beautiful Evening Aboard Maui’s Finest Sunset Dinner Cruise

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A Beautiful Evening Aboard Maui’s Finest Sunset Dinner Cruise

As far as the vacation destination of your dreams, it doesn’t get any better than the island of Maui. Known for its gorgeous beaches, lush landscapes and world-class hotels, Maui is filled with adventure from the mountains to the sea, sunrise to sunset. Many a Hawaiian sunset has been enjoyed from the comfort of shore, toes curled up in the sand while watching the sun dip below the horizon. We at Hawaii Ocean Project offer some luxury to the activity with our Sunset Dinner Cruise, an intimate voyage aboard the Maui Princess with dinner and live entertainment; though, let’s be honest, the setting sun and the awe-inspiring wonder of the stars will keep you plenty occupied. You might not experience sunsets the same way again.

When we promise our guests luxury, we deliver. The Maui Princess is the largest luxury vessel on the island. You’ll enjoy premium top-deck seating replete with panoramic views of the ocean so you never miss a thing. The wide-open space of the vessel makes the entire experience feel like a floating restaurant along the stunning coastlines of West Maui. Honeymooners and couples will find this incredibly dream-like and a hallmark of their romantic stay on Maui, while families will enjoy a relaxing voyage at sea serenaded by the calm rustle of the ocean. For kids, it’s a keen opportunity to spot dolphins, humpback whales, and other varieties of sea life when most boats and vessels have docked for the day, meaning the ocean is all yours.

With luxury comes quality table-service to match. Guests will be waited on by our attentive staff ready to serve you upon request. You’ll be treated to a three-course meal with salads and dinner rolls to start. Your choice of entrée: Prime Rib carved on-board, delicious Island Roasted Chicken, Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi with Buerre Blanc Sauce – which is as mouth-watering as it is a mouthful, and, for those seeking a healthier option, Vegetarian Patty served with steamed vegetables dipped in marinara. Soft drinks and juices are unlimited to help you wash the deliciousness down. Just remember to save some room for our very special Cheesecake dessert served with a delectable fruit glaze topping.

Guests have two and a half hours aboard the Maui Princess, so there’s no need to rush. Get to know your fellow travelers. You may even find yourselves delighted by our friendly crew and wait-staff. Otherwise, feel free to kick back and take in the mesmerizing beauty of nighttime Maui and the enchanting glow of the moon and stars above. If you think Maui’s majesty can only be found when the sun’s out, think again. Did we mention that the bar is fully stocked? Guests 21 and over and over will get 3 alcoholic beverages included with their meal, additional drinks at $4 – $6. Live entertainment will be featured on deck so grab a partner and sway to the soothing sounds of Hawaii.

Check-in time is at 5:00pm, with the cruise set to depart at 5:30pm just as the sun is setting. We’ll be out at sea in time to catch the mystifying pink flash of the sun kissing the horizon. For our guests staying in Kaanapali, we are conveniently located at Lahaina Harbor on Front Street. If your accommodations are located in Central or South Maui, we recommend leaving an hour before check-in. We’ll have you back at 8pm soundly.

Our Sunset Dinner Cruise is a great way to cap off your stay on Maui or highlight your journey on the island so far. It’s dinner and a show on a grand and romantic scale. What are you waiting for? Clear your vacation itinerary and book a voyage with Hawaii Ocean Project today!