Maui Adventure Cruises – Lanai Dolphin Snorkel

Maui Adventure Cruises dolphin encounter is an outstanding Lanai rafting snorkeling charter. With an extremely fast raft, the Maui Adventure Cruises will get you there quickly allowing for more time snorkeling in Lanai. Dolphin watching can be enjoyed on the journey along the coast of Lanai both to and on the way back to Lahaina Harbor. Unspoiled reefs with no crowds are the hallmark of this adventure. Your first snorkeling site on Lanai may be places like Armchair or Summer House. Lanai snorkeling spots are at the Captain’s discretion based on visibility. All the snorkel spots on Lanai have colorful reefs teeming with a variety of marine life.

The first one is usually at Shark Fin. Shark Fin is a well-protected cove before Manele Bay. In places the water is deep. The coral reefs rise up on the sides of the cove and from pinnacles that extend up from the bottom. Where ever there is a coral reef, there are fish. And at Shark Fin, they are everywhere. 

The Maui Nui Explorer is the only super raft on Maui. It’s incredibly fast and smooth. It’s called a super raft because of its size and it’s the only raft with a restroom aboard.

During the course of the day, you will visit two snorkel sites on Lanai.

The second snorkel site on Lanai is Manele Bay. Manele Bay is a marine reserve. Out of every snorkel tour on Maui that I have experienced, snorkeling at Manele Bay is by far the best. The Maui Nui Explorer moors closer to the left cliffs, just before the reef. You don’t have to swim much to reach the reef. There are some little sea caves under the water that are bristling with fish and coral formations. The coral reefs rise from the bottom like termite mounds colored with every shade of a rainbow. The amount of marine life present is staggering. Some swim in schools with up to a hundred-fish banding together to form the school. Others are as big as football, and some are small like aquarium fish. The sand pockets between the formations of coral have fish hanging out eating the algae. You can actually dive down to the bottom and touch the sand pockets. It’s not very deep. The closer you get to the edge, the more Manele Bay comes alive. I have always thought of Manele Bay as a National Geographic snorkel spot. It’s that amazing.

Then there are the dolphins. They are everywhere. Once the Maui Nui Explorer cross the channel, you can see them leaping out of the water and racing each other. There are over 700 spinner dolphins in this vicinity of Lanai. You should see them on the way over and on the return to Lahaina Harbor. Yes!

During the whale watching season from December 15th to April 15th Maui Adventure Cruises provides a mild whale watch for you. Seeing whales from a raft is personal. You really get an idea of their size, grace, beauty, and power. The whale watching experience on this trip will be short as there is a day of Lanai snorkeling ahead.

We do offer a whale watching tour with Maui Nui Explorer that is so good, most people do it again every year upon their return, seek out the Maui Nui Explorer for their whale watching tour on Maui too.

The Raft:
The Maui Nui Explorer is a very large raft 48′ in length. It is the only raft that has an onboard restroom (marine head).

Tip of the Day:
Bring a towel and sunscreen

Food:
Continental Breakfast:
Fresh island fruit
Kona Coffee
Local style juice

Lunch:
Turkey or veggie wraps
Chips
Buttermilk dressing
Cookies
Juice, soda, and water

Restrictions:
No children under 4
No expecting mothers
No people with bad backs
No handicap access

Other Activity Options by Maui Adventure Cruises: Maui Adventure Cruises – Lanai Snorkel And Landing