Reviewed · PRIVATE
Custom Private Adventure
The best part of this Maui charter is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can cruise toward Maui or Lanai, spend time snorkeling, request beginner SCUBA or certified SCUBA, look for humpback whales in winter, and stop for a chef-prepared meal. Captains Manu and Marina have earned especially warm praise for their care on the water.
I like the private boat and the generous setup: drinks, food, snorkel gear, and a 22-foot Blue Water Maui Mat are included. I also like that a two-hour outing can be built around a single goal, such as whale watching and snorkeling, instead of forcing you into a long fixed program. The main drawback is cost. At $2,867, this makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat fully, not one or two people seeking a quick snorkel.
Key points to know
- Choose two to seven hours: A short trip can fit a busy Maui schedule, while a longer charter gives you room for several activities.
- Set the plan with your captain: Your group can focus on snorkeling, whale watching, SCUBA, food, or a mix of them.
- Enjoy the 22-foot floating mat: It holds up to 17 people for lounging, playing, or drift snorkeling.
- Eat and drink on board: Chef-prepared lunches and snacks, prosecco, beer, and other beverages are included.
- Reach Maui or Lanai: The exact route depends on your chosen plan and conditions on the water.
- Plan carefully around SCUBA: A health questionnaire is required, and flying within 48 hours after going underwater is not recommended.
A private Maui boat built around your day

Many boat trips give you a set route and a fixed pace. This one works differently. You meet the captain, explain what your group wants, and use the available time as sensibly as possible. That flexibility matters on Maui, where one group may want two hours of snorkeling while another may prefer a longer outing with food, whale watching, and time on the floating mat.
The charter lasts about two to seven hours. That is a wide range, and you should choose the length with care. Two hours is enough for a focused outing, especially if your priority is a quick look underwater or a winter whale search. A longer booking gives you more room to visit another area, eat without rushing, and switch plans if conditions or wildlife sightings change.
Because this is a private activity, only your group participates. You are not sharing the boat with a large mixed crowd, so children can have a little more freedom and adults do not need to match another group’s schedule. A family review specifically praised a trip with children ages 2, 8, and 9, which suggests the format can work well for a mixed-age family. Still, the sea is not a theme park. Anyone with back or heart problems, poor health, or a pregnancy should not book this outing.
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Leaving Lahaina for Maui or Lanai
The meeting point is at 1201 Front Street in Lahaina. You should arrive 20 minutes before departure and look for a greeter wearing a blue or red crew shirt. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the departure area is near public transportation.
Once aboard, the captain can help turn your wish list into a practical plan. Maui and Lanai offer different possibilities, but the information provided does not promise a specific reef, beach, or wildlife location. That is worth understanding before you book. You are paying for a private boating experience and a flexible plan, not a guaranteed sighting or a fixed collection of stops.
Conditions will shape the day. The company requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent out in unsafe conditions, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your Maui schedule.
Snorkeling with room to spread out

Snorkeling is the easiest centerpiece for most groups. Equipment is provided, and the captain can take you to suitable water around Maui or Lanai. The main attraction is the chance to see marine life in its own setting, including sea turtles and, in some areas, dolphins.
The new Blue Water Maui Mat changes the rhythm of the outing. At 22 feet long, it can hold up to 17 people for lounging, playing, or drift snorkeling. You can use it as a floating rest stop between swims, which is useful for children or anyone who enjoys the water but does not want to remain in the sea the whole time.
The mat also makes the boat more appealing for groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can relax on the mat or remain on board with a drink. Do not read the capacity as a recommendation to pack 17 people into every charter, though. The price is high, so the experience is likely most comfortable and sensible for a private group that wants space and personal service.
Sea turtles are a possible highlight, not a promise. Marine life follows its own timetable, and conditions can affect visibility. I would book this for the quality of the private outing, with turtles and dolphins treated as welcome bonuses rather than guaranteed features.
Winter whale watching from the boat

If you visit in winter, the charter can include a search for humpback whales. A two-hour family outing was built around both whale watching and snorkeling, showing how useful the private format can be when you want two different activities in one short booking.
Whale watching from a private boat gives your group more control over how long you pause to watch. You can ask the captain to spend time looking for whales, then shift to snorkeling if the search slows down. The exact result depends on the season, weather, and animal behavior. Humpback whales are specifically mentioned for winter, so do not expect this feature during other times of year.
Dolphins may also be seen. Again, this is wildlife, not a scheduled performance. The captain can guide the outing, but no responsible operator can guarantee a close encounter. I appreciate that the charter lets you combine wildlife watching with another activity, since a quiet search does not have to use the entire booking.
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SCUBA for certified and first-time participants

This charter includes access to SCUBA upon request, both for certified participants and for an introductory experience. That opens the door to a more personal underwater outing than standard snorkeling, but it also adds important health and scheduling rules.
Every participant must complete a health questionnaire before going underwater. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, so consult your doctor if you have any concern. The company does not recommend flying within 48 hours after the activity, a practical point that matters if you are ending your Maui trip with this boat outing.
You should request SCUBA when booking rather than assume it will be added at the last minute. The supplied information confirms that it is available, but it does not specify certification requirements, equipment details, or the exact underwater site. Ask those questions before paying if SCUBA is the main reason you are interested.
For a mixed group, the combination of snorkeling and introductory SCUBA can work well. Certified participants can ask about their preferred plan, while others use the snorkel equipment or floating mat. Keep in mind that adding several activities to a short charter can make the schedule feel tight.
Chef-prepared food, prosecco, and beer

Food is one of the stronger value points on a longer charter. Chef-prepared lunches and snacks are included, along with beverages such as prosecco and beer. This means you are not simply paying for a boat seat and a swim. You can make the outing part sightseeing trip and part special meal on the water.
The food matters most on a four-to-seven-hour booking. On a two-hour trip, you may have little time for a leisurely meal once departure, cruising, snorkeling, and return are included. A longer charter gives the meal more purpose and helps break up the time in the water.
The supplied details do not provide a full menu, so you should ask about specific dishes, allergies, and dietary needs before departure. I would also confirm what beverages are available if someone in your group does not drink alcohol. Prosecco and beer are included, but the information does not spell out every nonalcoholic choice.
What $2,867 really buys you

The listed price is $2,867, and that figure requires an honest look. This is not a low-cost way to get into the water. The value improves when several people share the private charter and make use of the included food, drinks, equipment, captain, and flexible schedule.
I would compare the price with the cost of separate activities for your group. A private boat can replace a standard snorkel trip, a whale-watching cruise, and perhaps a meal, depending on your chosen duration. It also gives you privacy and the ability to change the plan. Those advantages are meaningful for a birthday, family celebration, or group that does not want a crowded boat.
The value is weaker if you want only a quick swim. A short trip with a high total price may feel excessive, especially if only one or two people are participating. The charter becomes easier to justify when your group wants several hours, chef-prepared food, SCUBA options, and the freedom to choose between Maui and Lanai.
A birthday outing received particular praise for its attentive crew and amenities on the newer boat. That points to the kind of occasion this experience suits best: a celebration where the boat itself is part of the event, not just transportation to a snorkeling site.
The crew and the feel of the outing

The captain and crew are central to a private charter. Captains Manu and Marina were singled out for being friendly, attentive, and skilled on the water. Those qualities matter more here than on a basic sightseeing cruise because your captain helps shape the day and keeps the group comfortable between activities.
The boat also received praise for its newer amenities. Details about the boat model and cabin layout are not provided, so I would not assume there is a particular indoor space or seating arrangement. You can expect the experience to center on being outside, on the water, and moving between swimming, lounging, and food.
A private boat does not mean every moment will be perfectly calm. Ocean conditions can change, and the itinerary can be affected by weather. If anyone in your party gets motion sick or dislikes open-water conditions, ask the operator about the forecast and boat setup before departure.
Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book, and a mobile ticket is available. Arrive 20 minutes early at the Lahaina meeting point so the crew can check your group in without cutting into time on the water.
Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since weather can cancel the outing, keep a backup plan and avoid placing this charter on the final day if missing it would spoil your schedule.
Most people can participate, but the health restrictions deserve attention. The operator does not recommend the experience for people with back problems, heart problems, poor health, or women during pregnancy. SCUBA has additional health screening, and you should not plan to fly within 48 hours afterward.
Who will enjoy this charter most
I would recommend this outing to a group that wants control, privacy, and several activities in one booking. Families can benefit from the mat and flexible pacing. Couples can turn the boat into a private celebration with food and drinks. Certified participants and first-time SCUBA guests can ask for an underwater plan while other members snorkel or relax.
It is also a good fit for a group visiting in winter that wants to combine whale watching with snorkeling. The ability to switch between those activities is more useful than a fixed cruise when your time on Maui is limited.
I would hesitate if your budget is tight, if you want a guaranteed turtle or whale sighting, or if you only have interest in a short swim. The charter is at its best when you treat it as a private day on the water, not as the cheapest way to reach a reef.
Should you book Blue Water Maui’s private adventure?
Book it if your group values privacy, flexible timing, chef-prepared food, and the chance to combine snorkeling, whale watching, SCUBA, and lounging on one boat. The positive feedback about the crew, including Captains Manu and Marina, supports choosing this for a family outing or birthday celebration.
Skip it if the $2,867 price would make you uneasy or if you would use only one small part of what is offered. For the right group, the private format and broad choice of activities can justify the cost. For a quick, simple swim, a less expensive shared trip may be the wiser choice.
FAQ
Where does the private adventure start?
It starts at 1201 Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761.
Where does the activity end?
The activity ends back at the Lahaina meeting point.
How long does the charter last?
You can select an outing lasting approximately two to seven hours.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. Only your group participates.
Can I choose between Maui and Lanai?
The charter can visit Maui or Lanai, with the plan discussed with your captain.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.
Is SCUBA available?
Yes. Certified SCUBA and an introductory SCUBA experience are available upon request.
Are food and drinks included?
Chef-prepared lunches and snacks are included, along with beverages such as prosecco and beer.
Can I see humpback whales?
Humpback whales may be seen in winter. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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