Pride of Maui

Where Pride of Maui Operates

Pride of Maui is a family-owned boat tour company on Maui, Hawaii, that runs its own catamarans from Māʻalaea Harbor. The FAQ describes it as "a family-owned Maui snorkeling and boat tour company operating from Māʻalaea Harbor since 1983, best known for our Molokini Crater snorkel tours," and says it runs 2 power catamarans, the 65-foot Pride of Maui and the 62-foot ʻElua. Snorkel destinations named on the site include Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, Coral Gardens, Olowalu and other reefs chosen by the captain. The site shows a rating of 4.7/5 and, on the wedding page, "3,800+ guest reviews."

The About page says the 65-foot boat is a "maxi-power Catamaran boasting 3000 sq ft. of deck space," built for Hawaiian waters in New Orleans, and describes the ʻElua as "Maui's first and only commercial passenger vessel with an air-conditioned cabin."

Tours

The tour menu lists the Molokini Snorkel Tour, the ʻElua Luxury Molokini Snorkel Tour (billed as "luxury small-group trips"), the Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise, the Maui Whale Watching and Snorkel Tour, the ʻElua Luxury Whale Watch, private charters, wedding cruises and a New Year's Eve fireworks cruise.

The Molokini tour, according to the FAQ, is "a 5-hour guided Molokini snorkel tour that stops at both Molokini Crater and Turtle Town," and "includes a delicious and fresh breakfast, lunch, and an open bar, and all of your snorkel gear and flotation devices." The homepage explains the food by boat: "BBQ lunch on the Pride of Maui, gourmet lunch on the ʻElua." The 65-foot boat has restrooms, warm showers, a freshwater rinse, an indoor cabin and a water slide, which the ʻElua trades for its air-conditioned lounge. SNUBA, a shallow air-line dive to 15 feet lasting about 20 to 25 minutes, is offered as an add-on on morning snorkel tours.

Whale watching runs "from December 16 to March 31," with the FAQ naming January through March as the peak for North Pacific humpbacks. The whale tour is mainly about whales, with snorkeling "a secondary part," at a site the captain picks on the day. The site states that "whale sightings are guaranteed January through March," with a free pass for another trip if none are seen, but that the guarantee "does not apply in December or April."

The Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise lasts about 2 hours, with hula entertainment. Check-in at the North Dock is 4:30 p.m. from October 1 to February 28 (departing 5:00 pm) and 5:00 p.m. from March 1 to September 30 (departing 5:30 pm). The FAQ lists the menu: cheeses and Maui onion tartlets, island-style baby back ribs, shoyu chicken, coconut roasted sweet potatoes and mango lilikoi cheesecake. Alcoholic drinks are included on the open bar.

The site's Underwater Life page previews what snorkelers may meet: green sea turtles (the honu), Hawaiian monk seals, spotted moray eels that the page says reach about 40 inches, the Hawaiian day octopus, the red slate-pencil urchin and spinner dolphins, which it says swim near the surface in groups of 12 by day. It describes Turtle Town as a spot where turtles gather to feed and be cleaned by reef fish.

On Board: Ages, Access and What to Bring

The homepage says the Pride of Maui "welcomes every age," infants included, while the ʻElua is for ages 4 and up. The FAQ adds that children "should be comfortable swimming and able to follow crew instructions," that safety briefings and in-water support are provided, and that wetsuits can be rented on board. On access, it says boarding is by "a stable harbor ramp," that "wheelchairs and walkers are welcome on board," and that entering the water "requires independent mobility." Guests are asked to bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, a light jacket and swimwear under their clothes. Vegetarian or vegan meals need 72 hours' notice, and pregnant guests are asked to check with their doctor.

Parking at Māʻalaea Harbor is run by Diamond Parking Services at "approximately $1 per hour," near Slip 68. The About page mentions "highly trained seasoned Captains," and the FAQ says "many of our captains and naturalists have crewed these waters for decades." The About page also points to coral reef initiatives that it says support "ocean conservation and reef health throughout all of our operations."

Booking and Terms

Reservations are made on the site, where several tours carry a "Book online and save" note, or by phone at 1-808-242-0955; there is also an email contact form. The cancellation rule is short: cancel "at least 24 hours in advance to receive a refund," and "reservations that result in a no-show will not be eligible for a refund." On weather, the FAQ tells guests to come to the harbor unless called, and says that if conditions are unsafe "you will be given the option to reschedule or cancel with a full refund."

Private charters have no minimum. The Pride of Maui is "Coast Guard certified to carry up to 149 passengers," but the company limits it to 100 guests, and the ʻElua takes up to 40. A Senior Events Planner can arrange food and an "ultra-premium bar," flowers, live music or a DJ, photographers and decorations for weddings, and guests may not bring their own alcohol under Hawaii state liquor law. The wedding page covers ceremonies, receptions and vow renewals "from an intimate elopement to a celebration of up to 100 guests," recommends a sunset ceremony, and notes that fly-away decorations are not allowed because the company operates "in a reef-safe and eco-conscious capacity." Its FAQ also summarizes Hawaii's marriage license rules, including that both applicants must be 18 and bring proof of age.

What the Site Leaves Open and Who It Suits

Prices are not shown on the FAQ, About or homepage; they sit behind the "View Trips & Prices" link. The site does not state a maximum number of guests on the shared public tours, only the private-charter limits.

Pride of Maui suits families with young children, first-time snorkelers and anyone who wants a large, stable catamaran with food, drinks and restrooms rather than a raft, as well as couples looking for the smaller ʻElua. Whale watchers visiting between January and March get a stated sighting guarantee, backed by a free return trip.