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87.8/100
Quality Score
8
Tours Available
Wailuku, Maui
+1 808 874 1273
Our Review: Makena Coast Charters
Makena Coast Charters runs 8 tours out of Wailuku with an average quality score of 87.8/100, and their top offerings punch well above that average. This is a South Maui operation built around two things: getting you to Molokini Crater and getting you close to whales. They do both exceptionally well.
Their Molokini Crater & Turtle Town Snorkeling 3 Hours scores a perfect 100/100. That's the highest-rated individual tour from any Maui provider in our database. The raft-style boat means smaller groups, faster transit, and more time in the water at the crater. The Molokini Crater Snorkel & Bonus Whale Watching Adventure (98/100) and Whale Watching Cruise from Maalaea Harbor (98/100) round out a top three that any operator would envy.
The catalog gets more interesting in the middle. The Discover the Magic of Coral Garden's Turtle Town tour (94/100) takes you to a stretch of reef where green sea turtles congregate in numbers you won't see from shore. The Sunset Sailing on a Floating Tiki Bar (87/100) is exactly what it sounds like, and it works because Makena Coast doesn't overthink it.
The private charters (80 and 57) pull the average down, but that's a scoring artifact. Private charters are harder to rate consistently because every booking is different. The group tours are where this company's reputation lives, and those scores speak for themselves.
Who This Operator Is Best For
Snorkelers who want to experience Molokini Crater without being shoulder-to-shoulder with 100 other people, and whale watch enthusiasts visiting during season (December through April). If Molokini is on your list, book with Makena Coast first.
Available Tours & Activities
Sorted by quality score. Book directly through our verified partner links.
Ready to Book with Makena Coast Charters?
Browse all 8 tours and find the experience that fits your Maui adventure.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out