Alongside other sailing boats that rarely raise sail, Scotch Mist II not only sails, but
really sails!

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Fun, fast and quiet – with a crew that is in love with Maui and sailing – and in love with sharing them both with our visitors.
Minuses: I’m coming up empty on a minus here…
Sound-bite: “It is a beautiful night, would anyone mind if we take our time and head back late?”

If you have never been sailing, you’re in for a treat. From the boat (a meticulously maintained, super-fast Santa Cruz 50 sailing yacht) to the crew (in love with sailing, Maui, and sharing both with visitors) Scotch Mist is the kind of top notch operation that makes my job of sending visitors to the best of the best easy – in a field of competitors that run the gamut, Scotch Mist has something going that I so very rarely experience from anyone I research and review: I don’t think a single person I’ve ever spoken to about them has done anything but rave fanatically about their experience.

Here is the deal, and why they have this category sewn-up tight as #1: Scotch Mist is intimate – their charters are limited to 25 max – and frequently can have half that many. It is also run by folks that absolutely love to sail, and are passionate about sharing their loves of sailing and Maui with visitors. You just can’t fake that level of passion when you do this every day. When you get on this boat it is as clear as the views of the West Maui Mountains: you’re sailing with friends, and not some folks punching the clock to put dinner on the table or beer in the fridge. Oh, and speaking of sailing – you might think it goes without saying, but they actually do sail their boat – not run on engines (believe it or not, many of the commercial sailboats here will raise the sail for show in between a mostly engine-run tour.) Now, to appreciate what this really means, you’re going to need to actually sail! The first thing you will notice is how quiet and peaceful it is out on the ocean. No engines droning in the background – and this brings you closer to the ocean, and the people you’re sharing this experience with. (It also brings the creatures in the ocean, like whales and dolphins closer.)

I highly recommend these folks to anyone who truly appreciates sailing (or anyone who wants to.)

Key Info:
Location: Slip #2, Lahaina Harbor
Phone: 808-661-0386
Rating source: Maui Guidebook & Google
Web: http://www.scotchmistsailingcharters.com
Price: $50 – $90

You may also be interested in:

• Lahaina Town
• Beaches: Ma’alaea to Lahaina
• Kamehameha Iki Park (aka Armory Park)

Fleet of six mid-size sailing catamarans, sailing out of Central and West Maui

Key Info:
Location: Maalaea Harbor & Kaanapali Beach
Phone: 808-874-5649
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.sailtrilogy.com/
Price: $50-200

View Trilogy Excursions, Maui in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Aqua Adventure
• Aloha Blue Charters
• Quicksilver Charters

High-performance sailing catamaran charters.

Key Info:
Location: Maalaea & Lahaina Harbors
Phone: 808-244-2087
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.sailmaui.com
Price: $50 – $150

View Maalaea & Lahaina Harbors in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Aqua Adventure
• Trilogy Excursions
• Aloha Blue Charters

Key Info:
Location: Ka’anapali Beach
Phone: 808-661-7245
Web: http://www.teralani.net/
Price: $60-$100

You may also be interested in:

• Nemo Falls
• Thai Chef
• Ekahi Tours (Haleakala)

Key Info:
Location: Lahaina Harbor Slip 6
Phone: 808-667-2195
Web: http://www.sailingonmaui.com/
Price: $25-$50

You may also be interested in:

• Reef Dancer
• Farmer’s Market Maui & Deli
• Slow Food Maui Presents Taste Education at Family Fun Day at Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

Key Info:
Location: Ka’anapali Beach
Phone: 808-669-0508
Web: http://www.geminicharters.com/
Price: $40-100

You may also be interested in:

• Bio-Beetle Eco Rental Cars
• Star Noodle
• Na'ili'ili Haele Stream & Waterfalls

Key Info:
Location: Lahaina Harbor, Lahaina
Phone: 808-669-STAR
Rating source: (None)
Web: http://www.islandstarexcursions.com/
Price: If you care, then it’s too much!

View Lahaina Town in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Aloha Toy Store
• Maui Tacos (Ka’ahumanu)
• Las Pinatas