DaveS

Family with 12 & 14 yr. old boys looking for ocean/snorkel trip with some excitement. Going mid August. Can't find much in the way of posts on these except Cap't. Steves by mauigirl, but I think she does their whale watch trips. Website for all three look like the trips are full of fun and adventure, Paragon on a big sailing catamaran.
Other exciting activities on Maui? Boys say bike trip sounds boring (they like off road mountain biking), and we plan to parasail with UFO. We don't have an unlimited budget so we're skipping the helicoptor here and doing it on Kauai.

onerichjo

We went on the Beyond Molokini trip on the Maui Magic in Feb/04 and it was our favorite so far of any boat trips we have been on. They took us around the far side of the island, past Molokini and La Perouse Bay to the Kanaio Coast area. Not many boats go there, we were the only ones that day, and it was the best snorkelling we have ever done. The water was so clear you could just look over the edge without getting in and see the fish! Even better than the Molokini trips, but it also takes you to Molokini on the way home. My 16-22 yr.old girls loved it. We also did the Four Winds 2 trip, which is owned by the same company, and it was fun too. You can go snuba diving on it. Very cool. And they have a photographer who tapes you under water and if you want to you can buy the DVD. Of course my kids did so they could show their friends.

onerichjo

Also Four Winds is a catamaran. Maui Magic is a fast one! I think its a catamaran too but very fast!

Ashley24

My husband and I went on a snorkeling boat ride with Ocean Riders on their Zodiak boat and had a blast! We went around Lanai and saw whales, dolphins, turtles as well as fish. It was great because we were so close to the water so when the dolphins were swimming along side us, I felt like I could have touched them if I reached my hand out. We also got to swim to a secluded beach on Lanai if we wanted to.

Another time we went on a Pacific Whale Foundation boat trip and I was dissapointed because it was so crowded that I couldn't see a thing. If someone mentioned seeing a whale on one side of the boat, the masses all headed that way. Whereas on the Zodiak, we only had a handful of people and the views were perfect everywhere. Also, a very fun, sometimes bumpy and wet, ride! Only downside is there is no bathroom on board.

DaveS

Thanks guys.

I really like the idea of the Zodiak boat, but didn't want something too hairy. I'm going to look at the Maui Magic site as well. Open for any additional posts - we don't want a big crowded boat if possible.

beetlekat

We went on the Paragon in June. We went on a Wednesday and there were only 8 passengers and two crew members. It was great--lots of sailing time coming back from Lanai.