Gemini Sailing Charters — Local services in Maui

We’re beginning to plan our next trip to Maui & will absolutely plan another whale watching tour. Unfortunately though, it will not be with this outfit. (This review is from an experience in 2022 that I hadn’t thought about until getting ready to book another trip. This is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 3, because this is from a trip a couple of years ago and it doesn’t seem fair to rate lower, 2 years after the fact, and perhaps this issue is nonexistent anymore.) We booked a trip in 2022 and aside from one hiccup, the trip was great and the crew/staff were friendly. There was, however, one incident that has stuck with me from that trip and is what will keep me from rebooking.

My husband, daughter and I were among the last to board the boat. There hadn’t been any instruction as to what we were supposed to do after we boarded. As we got on and were following people below deck, we noted that area was very full (it was early 2022 mind you so people were still masking and unsure what social distancing protocols needed to be followed, even on a boat) so we quick popped back up the steps to see if perhaps people were sitting up on the top deck as well. Who I can only assume was one of the captains, must’ve been having a bad morning because he shouted in the rudest tone that ‘you have to go down below for instructions, you know, like what you see everyone else doing’ and was shaking his head. Clearly we had annoyed him. We felt incredibly stupid and went below and squeezed in with another group. My daughter teared up as she was also embarrassed. We hadn’t held anything up, or got in anyone’s way. We just saw a full area and thought we would check if there was a less full area above without realizing we were supposed to be receiving instructions below deck. I mean I get it, we must’ve looked like we were trying to break the rules or sneak up top maybe? At the very least we hadn’t followed whatever instructions we didn’t know we were supposed to follow, and how exasperating that must be. But goodness, you can offer correction without being a jerk. The rest of the trip went off fine and the guide during the tour was wonderful. It was just that one little part that will keep me from rebooking. A really sad, and sour blemish that hung around with us for the duration of that tour.

Long story short, a. Just go directly down below so you don’t get chastised. b. If you’re thicker skinned than I am, this is a great...

I would give this tour zero stars if I could. The boat is a beach pick yp on Kaanapali beach which is a MASSIVE beach. The check in instructions simply said “meet at the beach side of the Maui Westin at 10:30. No address was provided. We mapped ourself the the Maui Westin and waiting tell 10:45 to call the agency to find out if we were in the right place. I was on hold for maybe five minutes at first as the number is for an answering service. Once I was transferred to a live person I explained my situation to the lady on the phone then I was on hold for 15 mins. She returned to the line to say “so sorry they departed“

Apparently we were just one cove over and couldn’t see the boat. Further more there is TWO Westin resorts on Kaanapali beach. The tour company doesn’t tell you which place to be as no direct address was provided.

although this was unavoidable on our part, and we were on time and contacted the agency they refused to let us board the vessel and refused us a refund. By the time we found the vessel it was only 7 minutes past 11am which was our departure time. I understand needed to depart on time. I absolutely do BUT this tour company knew for over fifteen minutes that we were just around the corner and needed some better instructions and decided to shaft us not only our experience but the $600 bill too.

I have never been so disappointed in any excusrion service on ever. Their lack of customer service and clear instructions is appalling. Furthermore this vacation was my mother-in-laws last hurrah as she is suffering with terminal illness and this was the last chance we will ever have to take her swimming with the sea turtles (not that they knew any of that, but extremely disappointing to say the last). We never saw the boat or ate the food so I can not attest to the trip itself. If you book this tour make sure you are at least an hour early and familiar with the area there is poor instructions, no signage, and no local contact for...

Exceeded our already high expectations.

We took the 2.5h long morning Xpress Snorkeling tour with Gemini, and it was Awesome!

The crew, the ship, and all that we saw — the whole experience, including briefing also, food, restrooms on boat, etc.

Seeing the dolphins swim with the ship within hands reach, fishes and a sleepyhead turtle, was the best.

We went with my wife and my 6 year old daughter — she had a floaty, and we had our own snorkeling gear, but they can also provide it, if you don’t have it, and also give a quick training for first timers.

I’d suggest to rent your gear from The Snorkel Shop a few days before, test-drive it at various places first, if you are not experienced (e.g. Baby Beach in Lahaina, or Honolua Bay in Lahaina, on Maui). Then you’ll be even more comfortable, and can also dive deeper and all:) Just a tip.

Also the visitors were all friendly, and the lady, who took our photos on the boat, and in the water (also underwater), was also awesome. It is an extra cost, though, to have those photos.

Oh, and The Captain was also awesome. Kind, attentive, informative, gentle and very pro. Kudos!

We hope to see you Gemini Folks again soon!!

Mahalo for the unforgettable memories!

ps: Oh, about parking, if you arrive with your own car, a tip, to improve the experience: you should find the entry gates to the Whalers Shopping Area parking structure first — the Google Maps link on the website didn’t point us to that gate directly, so we had to drive around for ~10 minutes, to find it (so start early, to arrive before checkin starts). Then after parking there, you can just walk to the beach promenade, take a left, and shortly find the Gemini checkin spot. That makes it convenient and easy + they can also provide parking ticket validation (4 hours free parking) there during checkin.

Again, Kudos to All Crew and Attendees! Stay safe and enjoy...