Maui Sunset Cruise with Open Bar from Ka'anapali Beach

Sip cocktails on the water while the sun drops into the Pacific

A 2-hour sunset cruise departing from Ka'anapali Beach on Maui with unlimited alcohol, heavy appetizers including pesto pasta and crispy pork sliders, and live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Whale watching is included from mid-December through mid-April. Validated parking for up to 4 hours is provided; check in 30 minutes before departure and call 24 hours ahead to confirm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise with drinks and appetizers

• Board cruise at Ka’anapali Beach
• Enjoy open bar cocktails
• Savor delicious pupus (appetizers)
• Watch breathtaking Maui sunset
• Whale watching (Dec 15 - Apr 15)

The Experience

You board barefoot—shoes get collected before you step onto the catamaran—and the boat heads out as the light starts to soften. The open bar runs the whole sail, so you order what you want without tracking a tab. Heavy appetizers come out: crispy pork sliders, pesto pasta salad, asian slaw, fried chicken with chili garlic aioli. On Tuesdays and Thursdays a live musician plays. The other passengers are usually a mix of couples and small groups, all there for the same reason.

From mid-December through mid-April, whale watching is part of the cruise—humpbacks migrate through these waters and you watch from the deck. The 2-hour window is timed to catch the sunset, so you're standing at the rail with a drink in hand when the sky turns orange and the water goes flat. Non-alcoholic beverages are available if you skip the bar, and the crew handles all the logistics: validated parking is included for up to 4 hours, so you don't meter-watch on the beach.

The boat returns before dark. Your shoes are waiting at the dock. Call the operator 24 hours before to confirm your departure time—they vary by season—and plan to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.

What’s included

• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• heavy appetizers including crispy pork sliders, pesto pasta salad, asian slaw and fried chicken with chili garlic aioli.
• live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• whale watching from December 15th through April 15th.
• validated parking for up to 4 hours.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Sea Maui

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to watch the sunset from the water with a drink in hand and don't want to arrange parking or transportation logistics—the validated spot and the open bar mean you show up and the rest is handled. The barefoot format and the 2-hour window make it a low-commitment evening out, not a full-day commitment.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

1,550 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,422

4 ★71

3 ★24

2 ★9

1 ★24

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

When do the whales show up on the Maui sunset cruise?

Whale watching is included on the cruise from December 15th through April 15th, when humpbacks migrate through Hawaiian waters. Outside those dates, the cruise runs without the whale component.

What food and drinks come with the sunset cruise?

The open bar includes unlimited alcoholic drinks; non-alcoholic beverages are also provided. Heavy appetizers include crispy pork sliders, pesto pasta salad, asian slaw and fried chicken with chili garlic aioli.

Is live music part of the sunset cruise every night?

Live music plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other departures run without a musician.

Do I need to bring shoes on the cruise?

No. The cruise is barefoot, so shoes are collected before boarding and returned when you step back onto the dock. Leave formal footwear at your hotel.

What's included in the price besides the cruise itself?

Validated parking for up to 4 hours at Ka'anapali Beach, all taxes and fees, and the open bar with appetizers are included. Gratuities and hotel transportation are not.

How do I confirm my departure time?

Call the operator at (808) SEA-MAUI at least 24 hours before your cruise to confirm the exact departure time, which varies throughout the year. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.