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32 ACTIVITIES Maui Island Guide & Driving Magazine • MauiDrivingMagazine.com how to choose Best THE FOR OCEAN ADVENTURES Boat SIZE TUSH matters cush 1-ON-1 instruction PLACE of harbor XTRA stuff Group size refers to the number of passengers onboard. is number depends upon the type of boat, tour and company policy. Smaller boats tend to allow for a more intimate & personal experience and may cost a little more, whereas larger boats accommodate larger groups, sometimes allowing up to 149 passengers or more, and may cost a little less. TIP Ask in advance: "How many people does your boat carry?" Not all boats are created equally when it comes to comfort. Cushioned seats with a backrest for every- one really make a big difference - especially on your neck and back. Tube seating on ras can really be rough on the longer snorkel trips, and some of the larger boats don't offer any cushion seating at all. Other musts include easy ocean access & swim stairs. TIP Ask in advance: "Do all your seats have cushioned backrests?" No boat can have a personal instructor available for every single passenger. However, some tour providers are set up to make sure anyone and everyone who needs assistance will have it. If you think you, or someone you're with, will need a little bit of extra help with your snorkel or fishing gear, or if you're a novice, be sure to look for a boat that offers personal instruction. TIP Ask in advance: "Does your boat offer personal instruction?" ere are five places that boats depart on Maui. Maalaea is the biggest harbor, about 45 min. - 1 hour from most hotel areas. Kihei boat ramp is closest to Kihei & Maalaea, but trickier for boarding. Lahaina Harbor, Mala Wharf and Kaanapali are close to all West Maui hotels and condos, but Lahaina Harbor offers the most consistently calm waters for boarding & boating trips. TIP Ask in advance: "Where do you leave from?" Considerations like having a bathroom onboard, shaded seating, space to move around, hydrophones to hear the whales, premium snorkel gear, prescription masks, dry snorkels, and railings for kids are all important things to think about. Call the company with any questions or concerns. And be aware that not all boats allow young children to go on their ocean adventures. . TIP Ask in advance about any features that are important to you. SPONSORED MAKAI ADVENTURES Okay, so you've decided that, 100% without a doubt, you're going to get onto a boat and experience an adventure off the coast of Maui. Great choice, because of all the activities available on Maui, there's nothing like immersing yourself in the underwater world. And even for those who don't want to venture into the water - the opportunity to see the remote coastlines of Hawaii, catch your own fish for dinner, learn to sail, or just feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin while cruising on a boat, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, now that you've settled on an ocean cruise, the next choice - and this one is really important - is what type of boat to go on. e choices are endless, so we've created the following guide to help you out. Enjoy!