Hawaii Nautical (Honokohau - Kona) — Local services in Hawaii

Yesterday was so wonderful and magical, it will be hard for me to describe. So I will Try my best.

I planned our first trip to Maui months ago. I knew I wanted one thing... To be on the water. I researched sailing, boats, cruises. I came across Hawaii Nautical - Kona and thought it was a great way to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. First off they cap the boat at 6 people per voyage. The massive and beautiful boat could easy hold double that but they want to make sure you have a specific and specialized trip.

My wife and I are staying in Wailea and it was a quick 23 min trip to the Maalaea marina. Parking was pretty easy and only cost us about 4 bucks for the 3 plus hours. We got there early and met up with Ryan and Micah at the local convenient store to get libations.

That's all the mondaine details. Now to the great expierance. Ryan and Micah are some of the nicest people we have met. Great with conversations, really attentive and just overall great guys. We got on their beautiful boat and headed off. As previously said we paid for two tickets and were expecting 4 other people. But not today! Just us two and crew. It's like we paid for a private charter for 1/3 the cost. Now it is hit or miss, and no guarantees buuuuttt it was so awesome.

They asked us what we were looking for and tailored the whole trip to us. With beer in hand we got to sit at the front of the boat and listen to Micah's awesome play list as we cruised to their snorkel spot. Both guys were very knowledgeable with the island, gave us tips on where to eat (and what to get), talked about the fish and anything else we had questions about.

Snorkeling was awesome. They provided the gear and we were off. All kinds of beautiful and vibrant fish. Micah was in the water with us the whole time and would point out certain fish and give us all kinds of fun facts and interesting stories.

TLDR: The whole trip was magical. Ryan and Micah are professionals with great personalities. The boat is beautiful. Snorkeling was fantastic. There is no better way to spend the day than on Hawaii Nautical Maalaea luxury snorkel cruise. Even came back and told the hotel and they said they would put it in their suggested trips because we raced...

"A Truly Unforgettable Private Whale Watch Experience!" *MAUI *

From start to finish, this private whale watching adventure was absolutely breathtaking. The moment we stepped onto the boat, we were greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable crew consisting of Captain Ryan and 1st mate, Zade, who made us feel at home, especially my elderly father who was about to have his first whale watching experience ever! The boat was immaculate, spacious, and comfortable, with plenty of room to move around, and the views of the ocean were incredible from every angle.

But the real magic started when we set sail. Within minutes, we were surrounded by the vastness of the ocean, with only the sound of the waves and the gentle hum of the boat. Our guide was an expert, providing fascinating insights into whale behavior, migration patterns, and the rich marine life of the area.

The highlight, of course, was the whales. We were fortunate enough to see several humpback whales put on an unforgettable breaching show!! Mama was showing her newborn, how it's done and he/she was getting the hang of it instantly! So impressive -- from tail slaps to breaching, every moment felt like something straight out of a nature documentary. The intimacy of the private vessel meant we could ask questions, and the crew were happy to share their passion for these magnificent creatures.

It wasn’t just about the whales, though. The entire experience felt like a journey into another world, one that was both humbling and awe-inspiring. There were plenty of opportunities for photos, but the crew encouraged us to just take it all in and enjoy the natural beauty around us. The peacefulness and serenity of being out on the water were unparalleled. Weather was perfect!

If you're looking for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience, I can’t recommend this private whale watching tour enough. It’s more than just a tour—it’s an immersion into the natural world, a chance to witness the majestic power of the ocean’s giants up close, and a memory you’ll treasure forever.

Do yourself a favour—book this tour and prepare for an experience you’ll...

Park at the beach and then walk down and as soon as you get to the beach make a right and you would probably see a tender boat waiting for you to hop on.

Be ready to part with your shoes and have a jet of water from the hose splash and clean your feet as you board the tender boat and get seated in there. A short ride later you are ready to board the catamaran and the crew is extremely helpful throughout explaining the do's and don'ts along with cracking a few rib-ticklers here and there.

Once onboard the catamaran there's a short briefing by the captain and then you are off to choosing a spot of your choice and helping yourself. The crew was very helpful by getting the guests that had already firmed themselves in their spots of choice, the drinks/chips that they requested. We found ourselves up in the front on the hammock and enjoyed the entire ride from that spot, the only caveat being you got to be moving along with the direction of the sun and the boat turns to avoid being toasted by the shining sun.

The boat took off and after a while the sails were setup and then the engines gradually shutdown for it to sail with the wine direction. Quite an experience and the commentary from the crew every once in a while helped us understand the locations and our surroundings in a better way.

Witnessed the Sunset all the way and got some nice clicks and right after the boat made its way back to the tender boat which eventually took us to the shore where the shoes/slippers etc would be picked up in your way out.

All in all a great experience with the crew and the boat and we definitely recommend them!!

PS: The crew served dinner to the guests as well which was essentially a bowl or rice with...