MCC Four Winds and Maui Magic Snorkel Tour Boats — Attraction in Maui

We had a great experience on the Four Winds II for their afternoon snorkeling tour to Coral Gardens. The boat departed from Ma'alaea Harbor. Parking was easy and check-in/boarding was prompt and easy. We chose to take this tour with Four Winds II because it was sited as good for the whole family and for beginners, and both proved true! We had a group of five--a senior, two adults (one confident swimmer and one very nervous!), and two young kids. All had a great time! The sailing was smooth enough for my dad's neck and back and the staff made getting on and off the boat safe and easy for him. We brought our own snorkels and kids' life jackets since we had them, but they provide all of the necessary equipment (snorkels, life jackets, belts for floating, flippers). You can rent wet suits, but even our kids found the temperature of the water in June to be fine for a long period. Best things were the rafts they gave for the kids (kids can lay on their stomachs on what looks like a one-kid white plastic boat and take in the underwater views through a window in the bottom of the raft) and the photographer who took photos on the boat and in the water (you can pay for the photos and also rent a waterproof camera or GoPro). Lunch was provided on board and the captain and staff were all super friendly and helpful. As for the snorkeling--Coral Gardens was interesting to see. We were far above the hills of coral below and saw some interesting fish; no turtles that day. We actually saw turtles and fish better snorkeling by ourselves on the beaches, but I (the aforementioned nervous swimmer) probably wouldn't have been as comfortable doing that ourselves without this first family-friendly experience on the Four Winds II. They really make it easy and enjoyable...

Unfortunately the bad review is due to the parking lot scam going on at the port. The staff on the boat was great however there is an obvious shady business going on where we forgot to pay the $5 to park so they towed my car and made me pay $300 + 35 taxi to get it back. Not a good experience unfortunate for the crew but if that’s how the parking lot rolls a heads up from the crew would be nice. My fault that I missed the signs but this is an excessive money grab. My group of 4 spent 800+ for the tour plus $335 bc we didn’t see the signs to pay for parking bc we were rushing to make it to the boat by 7a.

Edited* although I do now see the mention of parking in the confirmation email that has a lot of other details in there as well and is not the focal point. If the parking was mentioned by the crew I don’t think myself and another group traveling with my group would have not paid the $5 to park. Furthermore the crew refused to let us get up to the top deck which is the only place you can hear the loud speaker bc it was too full for us up there. You cannot hear any announcements in the back of the boat where we sat. I think a heavier emphasis on this would be appropriate since I don’t think anyone would be ok getting back to find their car has been towed and then have them tow it to a place that costs a $35 taxi ride plus $300. This situation ruined our experience with the already pricey endeavor plus the hassle of grabbing a $35 taxi that ran out of gas. I understand the parking is a separate business however the point of reviews is to give future customers a heads up when someone has a bad experience. I was not there for the parking company, I was there for the boat tour. Therefore anyone looking for a review of the boat tour should be...

This was our must do since my husband and I did it 20 years ago and it was the best experience we had on the island. We really wanted to take our son to show him. The crew was great but I feel like the boat trip should’ve been cancelled. I know in the description it said may not get to snorkel do to conditions but the conditions from the get go after we left the Harbour were so rough and bouncy. So many people were sick to the point of heaving over the side of the boat most of the trip. The crew informed us that some people feel better once in the water. So we tried to get in and the surf was also so rough at the crater that you got thrashed around and were not able to enjoy just floating around looking it made my son so sick he had to throw up in the water 3 times. After getting sick several times on the boat I also went in because I felt a little better so I wanted to at least try but I got even more sick. To even get back on the boat it was thrashing up and down so hard everyone needed assistance to get out. Then again off to the side of the boat to get sick again with a bunch of other people also. We did not even get to go to the other location either to swim with the turtles since it was so rough. I’m sure the trip would’ve been as good as it was 20 years ago if the conditions would’ve been ideal. The boat should’ve never been out that day for a snorkel trip! What a big waste of $$$$. It also put us down in the hotel the rest of the day because we were all too sick to venture out. If the conditions even remotely look rough don’t book a snorkel trip. Even the snorkel report that’s is put out for all locations was the lowest in all 9 days we were...