Maui Turtle Town & Coral Gardens: Small Catamaran Snorkel, Sail & Open Bar

Summary

Small group Maui sail with turtles, reef fish and floating tiki bar

You’ll sail from Maalaea Harbor on a small Hawaiian catamaran with open bar and snacks, snorkel at Turtle Town or Coral Gardens alongside green sea turtles and reef fish (gear included), and relax as your local crew shares stories between swims. It’s easygoing, full of laughter, and leaves you feeling like part of the Maui family.

What’s the experience like?

“If you see bubbles, look down — that’s where the turtles like to nap,” our captain grinned as we drifted out from Maalaea Harbor. I still hear his voice every time I think of Maui. The boat was called Winona — not huge, but somehow everyone found a spot to sprawl out. There was this salty tang in the air and someone’s sunscreen mixed with it, kind of coconutty. I’d half-expected chaos but it felt more like a family picnic than a tour group. The crew knew everyone’s name within ten minutes.

I’ll admit: I was nervous about snorkeling at Turtle Town. But our guide (her name was Malia) handed me a mask that actually fit over my glasses — she just said “No worries, we’ve got you.” The water was cooler than I thought it’d be, but after the first plunge I forgot about everything except the green sea turtles gliding below. You could hear people laughing through their snorkels when a butterfly-fish zipped by — and yeah, there were starfish and some weird little eels poking out too. The crew floated nearby, pointing out things I would’ve missed (like an octopus curled up in coral). At one point I just floated on my back and let the sun warm my face. It was quiet except for the slap of water against the hull.

Back on board, someone passed around Hawaiian chips and these little sandwiches that tasted way better than they looked (I’m still not sure what was in them). There was an open bar — local beer and something fruity with pineapple — but honestly I stuck to juice because I didn’t want to miss anything in the water. Malia told us stories about Honu legends while we dried off in the sun; she laughed when someone tried to say “mahalo” with a Texas accent. If you’re looking for a day trip from Maalaea Harbor that isn’t packed elbow-to-elbow, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and sailing tour with turtles

• Depart Maalaea Harbor
• Attend beginner snorkeling class
• Snorkel at Turtle Town and Coral Garden
• Spot Hawaiian green sea turtles and marine life
• Enjoy breakfast or lunch and appetizers
• Relax at floating Tiki Bar with drinks
• Return to harbor

Top questions

How long is the Maui Turtle Town snorkel tour?

The tour lasts 3 hours, with morning (9 am–12 pm) or afternoon (1 pm–4 pm) departures available.

Is snorkeling gear provided on this Maui catamaran cruise?

Yes, all professionally-fitted snorkel gear is included—optical masks are available for eyeglass wearers.

Does this tour include food or drinks?

Yes, breakfast or lunch plus appetizers are served onboard along with an open bar featuring local beer, seltzers, cocktails, juice, and soft drinks.

How many people are on this Maui snorkeling trip?

The boat takes 30–40 passengers—smaller than most tours departing from Maalaea Harbor.

Can beginners join this snorkeling tour at Coral Gardens?

Absolutely—a certified instructor provides a beginner’s class before entering the water.

Are flotation devices available for less confident swimmers?

Yes—flotation devices are offered for anyone who wants extra support while swimming.

Is whale watching included on this Maui cruise?

Whale watching is possible from December to April during the sailing portion of the trip.

Are restrooms available onboard?

Yes—there are two restrooms on board for passenger use throughout the cruise.

What’s included

Your day includes departure from Maalaea Harbor aboard Winona with all snorkeling equipment (even optical masks if you wear glasses), a beginner’s lesson from a certified instructor if you need it, guided reef tour at Turtle Town or Coral Gardens depending on weather conditions, use of flotation devices for comfort in the water, breakfast or lunch plus appetizers served fresh onboard along with an open bar featuring locally brewed beers and tropical cocktails—and plenty of stories from your friendly Hawaiian crew before returning to shore.