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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.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out