Paragon II at Molokini

Rating: 4.85 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate vendors}

Rated #1 Molokini Snorkel Boat

In a nutshell: These guys really know how to sail!
Minuses: Food is a lower priority than beer. (Maybe that’s a plus?!?”)
Sound-bite: “They raised the sails quickly and we were soon traveling at 20 knots!”

Location:		Maalaea & Lahaina Harbors
Phone:		808-244-2087
Website:		www.sailmaui.com
Price:		$50 - $150

Description:
Paragon has two high-performance sailing catamarans, Paragon I and Paragon II.

Paragon II, which sails out of Maalaea Harbor won our award for #1 Sailing Snorkel to Molokini. Both boats do a lot of real sailing, which sets them above the competition who mostly rely on motors to get around. I've got two friends who sail extensively that have both been on Paragon and both rave about their skill and enthusiasm. Similar sentiments are echoed from visitors.

Tours Offered:

Molokini during rush hour ;-) (Photo: Ron Garnett/HTA)

Molokini Snorkel & Performance Sail (Paragon II sailing out of Maalaea)
5-hour performance sail, snorkel and whale/dolphin/turtle watch. Breakfast & lunch are included.

Many vendors offer snorkel trips to Molokini Crater; the factors that went into rating them #1 are:

~ More personal size (read: you won't be herded around like cattle.)
~ They let you explore and don't have to force you to stay close to the boat.
~ You'll have a blast sailing instead of motoring.
~ Whale watching, dolphin & turtle sightings are a shared focus of the sailing portion, not an afterthought - so you'll stop, linger and enjoy when the show is good.
~ Maalaea harbor is less crowded and closer to Molokini than Lahaina Harbor.

Coral Gardens Afternoon Sail & Snorkel (Paragon II sailing out of Maalaea)
3-hour hour trip to a snorkel spot tucked inside the cliffs between Maalaea and Lahaina. Snacks are included.

Lana'i Snorkel, Beach Picnic & Sail (Paragon I sailing out of Lahaina)
7-hour performance sail to Manale Bay on Lana'i. The bay is a marine preserve and is well known for large quantities of spinner dolphins that often swim with people. Picnic on the beach.

Lahaina Champagne Sunset Sail (Paragon I sailing out of Lahaina)
2-hours sunset sail with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Etc.
Whale watching is included in all trips in season. Unlimited beverages, including beer & wine, (and some trips Mai Tais) are included. Private charters are also available on either boat.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Tripadvisor

|

Yelp

|

Google

You may also be interested in:

• Hawaii Ocean Rafting
• Trilogy Excursions
• Molokini Crater

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters over Haleakala Crater

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate vendors}

Rated #1 Helicopter Tour on Maui

In a nutshell: Blue Hawaiian is top of its game in every aspect of Helicopter tour operations.
Minuses: You can’t bring these guys with you to run everything!
Sound-bite: [...speechless...]

Blue Hawaiian is my hands-down favorite vendor for helicopter tours because they hit every point of our mission with the kind of precision that makes my job easy.

Safety
I think we can all agree that this is the most critical component when we’re going to be leaving the ground. I look at all the awards Blue Hawaiian can boast about, and I’m most impressed with the one they’ve got hanging on the maintenance department’s wall: the FAA’s Diamond Award for excellence. Even more impressive is the fact that no other helicopter tour operator (not just on Maui, but in the entire state) has ever received this award. Blue Hawaiian has received it every year running for over a decade. Drop the rest of this article, and that fact alone gets me on a Blue Hawaiian helicopter before anyone else.

Tours Offered

Kano Falls in the Ke'anae Valley

West Maui Mountains (~30-min; ~$140-170) Inaccessible deep-cut valleys & rainforest. West Maui and Molokai (~50-min; ~$210-250) Adds Molokai with the worlds highest sea cliffs and Hawaiis biggest waterfall. Hana/Haleakala (~50-min; ~$210-250) Rainforest, waterfalls, Haleakala crater, and Manawainui (video below.) Complete Island (~65-min; ~$255-315) Hana, Haleakala & West Maui combined. Maui Spectacular (~90-min; ~$290-360) The Complete Island tour with a landing for refreshments in Ulupalakua. Maui – Big Island (~2 hrs.; ~$410-465) Haleakala Crater & Hana (as above) and Kohala rainforest on the Big Island.

Pilots and Guides
Blue Hawaiian has first-class, knowledgeable pilots and two way communication between you and the pilot (this is not standard with all operators.)

Blue Hawaiian has aced attention to detail in this area as well, and all their pilots not only have guide training, but a decent understanding of important cultural facts and history (points neglected or misunderstood by many in our tourism industry.) Pilots are also well versed on in their understanding of flora, fauna and geology.

A Blue Hawaiian Eco-Star helicopter
exploring the Molokai coastline

Aircraft
Blue Hawaiian offers both A-Star and Eco-Star helicopters. The Eco-Star is really what you want when touring – it was designed from the ground-up for exactly this purpose (and with direct input from Blue Hawaiian, by the way.) The Eco-Star is also quieter and 23% more spacious than the A-Star, has individual seats (A-Star has benches) and even more glass and better viewing. Blue Hawaiian is one of only two vendors in Maui who fly the Eco-Star.

Awards & Endorsements
Besides the FAA awards mentioned above, Blue Hawaiian also has a host of national awards and endorsements from well-known names – waaaay too many for me to detail in an article that has already run well overtime (but I can still name-drop a few!) National Geographic, the Travel Channel and no less than two dozen top-ratings in Hawaii newspaper reader polls are among them. Blue Hawaiian is also the go-to for aerial filming on an impressive list of blockbuster Hollywood movies and TV shoes. They’ve even been awarded the prestigious International Star Diamond Award – a big deal – and a first for an activity. (If you want more details on the awards, they exercise their bragging rights here.)

Environment, Citizenry & Company
Blue Hawaiian has been here for over 25 years. They now cover all of Hawaii, but they are still based on Maui. This is a family-owned and operated business, and having owners so passionate about what they do right here at the Kahului Heliport makes Maui the shining jewel of their statewide operation.

Blue Hawaiian has also contributed to ecological responsibility both in Maui and in their industry. They were an active part in developing a much quieter helicopter to reduce noise pollution over natural areas, and that work applies not just for Maui, but has been beneficial in sensitive areas around the world. Blue Hawaiian also recently installed an impressive solar array that powers virtually all of their power-hungry Maui operations.

I’m sure that being dedicated to green business operations has got to be a challenging commitment for an aviation company, but like everything they do, Blue Hawaiian doesn’t seem to let convenience dictate the path they take in doing things right.

This video is of Manawainui on the Back Side of Haleakala – unless you’re an extreme back-country hiker, you can see only the smallest fraction of this valley on your own.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Tripadvisor

|

Yelp

|

Google

View Kahului Heliport in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Helicopter Tours

Half-day snuba & snorkel charter w/Molokini, “turtle arches” and whale watching (in season) along the way.

Key Info:
Location: Slip # 51, Ma’alaea
Phone: 808-573-2104
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.mauisnorkelsnuba.com/
Price: $75 – $150

View Larger Map

You may also be interested in:

• Aloha Blue Charters
• Trilogy Excursions
• Paragon Sailing Charters

There are two main types of helicopters used in Maui. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has an excellent and accurate summary of the benefits and drawbacks of each here.

Check out Helicopter Tours by rating.

You may also be interested in:

• Maalaea Banyans Unit 418
• Maalaea Banyans Unit 409
• Maalaea Banyans Unit 408

Horseback riding on family owned & operated ranch.

Key Info:
Location: 3530 Kahekili Hwy, Wailuku
Phone: 808-871-5222
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.mendesranch.com
Price: $90 – $130

View Larger Map

You may also be interested in:

• Ironwood Ranch
• Lahaina Stables
• Haleakala Crater (Haleakala National Park Summit Area)

They fly A-Star & Eco-Star Helicopters.

Key Info:
Location: Kahului Heliport Get directions
GPS Coordinates: 20.889056,-156.433876
Phone: 808-270-3999
Web: http://www.sunshinehelicopters.com/
Price: $165-$400+

View Kahului Heliport in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
• Windsurfing Tour Returns to Maui
• First Photo Contest Winner!

Haleakala downhill bike tour.

Key Info:
Location: 71 Baldwin Ave, Paia
Phone: 808-579-8970
Rating source: Tripadvisor
Web: http://mauibikeride.com
Price: $30 – $100 – online booking discounted

View Larger Map

You may also be interested in:

• Haleakala Bike Company
• Mountain Riders
• Maui Mountain Cruisers

They offer both bottom & sport fishing charters.

Key Info:
Location: Maalaea Harbor
Phone: 808-879-4485
Rating source: Yelp
Web: http://www.strikezonemaui.com
Price: $130 – $170

View Maalaea Hbr in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Finest Kind Sport Fishing
• Luckey Strike Charters
• Die Hard Sportfishing

Snorkeling and snuba to Molokini, “Turtle Town” & “Coral Gardens”

Key Info:
Location: Maalaea Harbor, Maalaea
Phone: 808-244-1979
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.mauisnorkeling.com/
Price: $60 – $110

View Larger Map

You may also be interested in:

• Pride of Maui
• Paragon Sailing Charters
• Seafire Snorkeling Adventures

Molokini Crater trips, whale watches and bottom fishing charters.

Key Info:
Location: Slip 37, Slip 37, Maalaea
Phone: 808-298-1812
Rating source: Yelp (weighted)
Web: http://www.alohabluecharters.com/
Price: $40 – $140

View Maalaea Hbr in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Aqua Adventure
• Trilogy Excursions
• Paragon Sailing Charters