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87.8/100
Quality Score
8
Tours Available
Wailuku, Maui
+1 808 874 1273
Our Review: Makena Coast Charters
Makena Coast Charters runs 8 tours out of Wailuku with an average quality score of 87.8/100, and their top offerings punch well above that average. This is a South Maui operation built around two things: getting you to Molokini Crater and getting you close to whales. They do both exceptionally well.
Their Molokini Crater & Turtle Town Snorkeling 3 Hours scores a perfect 100/100. That's the highest-rated individual tour from any Maui provider in our database. The raft-style boat means smaller groups, faster transit, and more time in the water at the crater. The Molokini Crater Snorkel & Bonus Whale Watching Adventure (98/100) and Whale Watching Cruise from Maalaea Harbor (98/100) round out a top three that any operator would envy.
The catalog gets more interesting in the middle. The Discover the Magic of Coral Garden's Turtle Town tour (94/100) takes you to a stretch of reef where green sea turtles congregate in numbers you won't see from shore. The Sunset Sailing on a Floating Tiki Bar (87/100) is exactly what it sounds like, and it works because Makena Coast doesn't overthink it.
The private charters (80 and 57) pull the average down, but that's a scoring artifact. Private charters are harder to rate consistently because every booking is different. The group tours are where this company's reputation lives, and those scores speak for themselves.
Who This Operator Is Best For
Snorkelers who want to experience Molokini Crater without being shoulder-to-shoulder with 100 other people, and whale watch enthusiasts visiting during season (December through April). If Molokini is on your list, book with Makena Coast first.
Available Tours & Activities
Sorted by quality score. Book directly through our verified partner links.
Ready to Book with Makena Coast Charters?
Browse all 8 tours and find the experience that fits your Maui adventure.
Oʻahu starts calm and mild with just a few afternoon showers inland. Everything changes Wednesday night when tropical moisture pushes in from the south—an unusual pattern for us. Heavy rain becomes likely through at least Thursday morning, especially on the leeward side where rain doesn't normally fall this heavy. Thunderstorms are possible too. Thursday stays damp and showery as the system lingers, then improves Friday as it weakens, though scattered showers continue. Moderate swell on the south and west shores through the week, with moderate swell also on the north shore from a distant system. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Beach days and hikes work better Thursday afternoon on.
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Maui starts calm with mild conditions through Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, deep tropical moisture moves in from the south—a rare pattern for Hawaii—and heavy rain becomes likely, especially on leeward areas. This wet spell continues through Thursday morning, with Thursday staying damp and showery before improving Friday. Southern and western shores will see moderate swell through the week.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Hiking and beach time work better Thursday afternoon onward.
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Right now it's calm and mild with just a few showers in the interior. Tonight southerly winds move in and heavy rain becomes likely, particularly on the western islands and leeward areas where rain doesn't normally fall. That wet pattern continues through Thursday morning, with thunderstorms possible around Kauai and Oahu. The Big Island will see showers and moisture linger through Thursday. Friday starts to improve as the system weakens, though south winds and scattered showers persist. Trade winds should return by Monday. Moderate swell affects southern and western shores through the week, with possible additional swell on west-facing beaches late week. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday night through Thursday, and save your hiking and beach time for Thursday afternoon onward.
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Kauaʻi starts calm with a few showers in the interior, and wind shifts to the south Wednesday—unusual for here. Heavy rain moves in Wednesday night and continues through Thursday morning, especially on the west side and leeward areas that normally stay dry. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Visibility drops during the heaviest rain.
Friday clears gradually as the system weakens, though scattered showers and southerly wind linger. Weekend conditions improve toward normal, and trade winds return by Monday. Southern and western shores see moderate swell through the week; north shores stay moderate from a system to the northwest.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Daytime Wednesday is fine for outdoor plans. Beach and hiking days look better Thursday afternoon onward.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out