REEF DANCER – 75-MINUTE TOUR

Maui’s Ultimate Reef Viewing Adventure & Dive Show

The Reef Dancer Maui is a glass-bottomed boat that gives you an intimate glimpse of the underwater world just off the leeward coast of Maui. This bright happy yellow semi-submarine cruises out of Lahaina Harbor to Mala Wharf. Once the Reef Dancer arrives at the viewing area, three Maui scuba divers descend from the submarine.

One of the divers will feed the marine life. It’s amazing how the fish can smell or sense the food. Many people, young and old alike, are fascinated to see how a diver can go from being alone to being surrounded by a multitude of fish within a minute. The diver draws in so many fish that you won’t be able to see them!

The second diver has a cool underwater video recorder and films all the secrets hidden beneath the rocks that aren’t visible from above. It is streamed onto a viewing screen inside the glass cabin so you can see what he is filming. The third diver does what has become known as the “creature feature” part of our glass-bottom boat tour adventure as he finds live specimens — usually an octopus or some form of shell creature — from the bottom and brings it up to the viewing windows for all to see close-up. He then returns it right to where he found it (unharmed of course). The entire Hawaiian underwater journey is narrated so everyone knows exactly what they are looking at.

Reef Dancer is probably the best Maui ocean activity for families with younger children. It is something you should consider especially if your children don’t meet the height requirement for Atlantis Submarine Maui. Making our semi-submersible tour the fun, safe, and ideal option. Seniors who have difficulty descending steep stairs may also want to consider Reef Dancer as the stairs are wider and much easier to walk down.

This is a semi-submersible boat or semi-sub, which means it sits partially submerged in the water, giving you a unique view of the colorful coral reefs and marine life and it doesn’t dive under the water. Maui’s Reef Dancer looks like a submarine and is painted yellow which is why some have dubbed it the “little yellow submarine”. The conning tower has a stairway that leads into the bowels of the submarine; they are not very steep. Inside, windows surround the interior which are rather large, providing ample viewing. There aren’t many seats below, so you may have to stand. In the rear of the little yellow submarine is a television that records the entire experience from the outside; which means you can purchase the video of your underwater excursion if you’d like.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Reef Dancer

Pros

• A truly unique view of the underwater world
• Scuba diver brings sea creatures to the windows for close-up viewing
• Family-friendly and easy 9-step stairway with rail
• It’s an affordable tour

Cons

• Boat can be crowded
• Tour is only 75 minutes long
• May not be suitable for people who are afraid of heights

Although one of our cons is that the semi-sub boat tour is on the shorter side, let’s face it, the attention span of younger children is also VERY short. A 75-minute Maui submarine tour with some good entertainment is the perfect length of time for smaller kids. If you or your children have seen enough, or when the submarine starts its return to the harbor, you can walk up the stairs and enjoy the views of Lahaina while the glass-bottom boat tours back to its berth.

Besides the video, a photographer is available when you check in for the event. They will take a family portrait, which you can purchase after the tour returns.

Things to Know & Bring on the Day of Your Reef Dancer Boat Tour in Maui

• The first Maui boat tour in the morning is the best for calm waters a crystal clear viewing
• Strollers must be left at the dock
• Bring a camera, and turn off the flash
• No restroom on board
• Does not offer any food or beverages during the Maui submarine tour

Maui Reef Dancer Restrictions

• No handicap access

Other Activity Options by Reef Dancer