Maui Sunset Sail on Catamaran: 'Alihilani with Open Bar

The motors stay off once the sails go up—you get the real sound of the ocean instead of an engine.

The 'Alihilani is a spacious catamaran that sails the 'au'au Channel off Maui with motors off and sails raised for a true performance sailing experience. You relax on forward trampolines or in shaded cabin seating while the crew handles the rigging, and the trip includes appetizers, an open bar with beer, wine, sparkling wine and island cocktails, plus reef-safe sunscreen. From December through March, humpback whales often breach and tail-slap nearby. The sail runs about two and a half hours; arrive 30 minutes before departure.

The Experience

The 'au'au Channel between Maui and the smaller islands is where this sail happens. Once the sails are up and the motors cut, the catamaran moves on wind alone—no engine noise, just the sound of water and rigging. You can spread out on the forward trampolines in the open air or settle into the shaded cabin seating if you want to stay out of the sun. The crew handles the sailing while you watch Lāna'i and Moloka'i come into view across the water.

Appetizers and drinks flow throughout. The open bar stocks sparkling wine, white wine, local beer, and island-inspired cocktails, plus water, Aloha juice and sodas. The boat provides complimentary reef-safe sunscreen, so you don't have to choose between sun protection and harming the reefs. The whole experience runs about two and a half hours, timed to catch the sunset from the water.

From December through March, humpback whales migrate through these channels. You may see them breaching, tail-slapping or spouting in their natural habitat—it's not guaranteed, but it happens often enough that the tour doubles as a whale-watching sail during those months. The crew is live and English-speaking, and the boat works for all fitness levels. Arrive 30 minutes before departure; boarding closes 10 minutes before the sail leaves.

What’s included

• Open bar with sparkling wine, white wine, local beer and island cocktails.
• water, Aloha juice and sodas.
• hot and cold appetizers.
• complimentary reef-safe sunscreen.
• live English-speaking crew.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sail Maui

Is this one for you?Book this sail for a late afternoon or evening when you want to be on the water instead of on land—the motors stay off once the sails rise, so you get the real sound of sailing, and the open bar and appetizers mean you don't have to arrange dinner separately.

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Top questions

What islands can you see from the 'Alihilani catamaran?

From the water off Maui, you see Lāna'i and Moloka'i across the 'au'au Channel as the catamaran sails under full canvas.

Does the boat have shade, or will I be in the sun the whole time?

The 'Alihilani has a shaded cabin with seating, so you can move between the open forward trampolines and covered areas depending on how much sun you want.

What's included in the open bar?

The open bar serves sparkling wine, white wine, local beer, and island-inspired cocktails, plus water, Aloha juice and sodas; appetizers are also included.

When do humpback whales show up on this sail?

Humpback whales migrate through the 'au'au Channel from December through March, and you often see them breaching and tail-slapping during sailings in those months.

How early do I need to arrive before the sail departs?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time; boarding closes 10 minutes before the sail leaves, so there's no waiting once you're on board.