Rev Up for an Aquatic Adventure!

On Maui, pretty much every day of the year is a beach day. This is especially true during the spring and summer months, though, when weather conditions are at their best. Experiencing our beautiful waters doesn’t always mean laying around on the sand and taking a dip along the shoreline. As wonderful as all that is, sometimes, some of us need a little more action in our lives, just a little further from shore.

If snorkeling an extinct volcano sounds like your type of adventure, then Boss Frog’s Snorkel, Bike & Beach Rentals has got the excursion for you. More than just gear rentals, Boss Frog’s offers snorkeling charters, including a morning snorkel trip to Molokini on a 55-foot power catamaran. Located just three miles off the coast of Kīhei, Molokini’s crescent shape is home to a large assortment of aquatic life and corals, making for a beautiful underwater excursion. Snorkel gear, breakfast and lunch are included.

They’ve got daily charters on their very own Calypso, “the premiere snorkeling catamaran in America.” The Molokini Snorkel, SCUBA and SNUBA Adventure stop at Molokini and Turtle Town. Breakfast and lunch (with a vegetarian option) are included. Visit bossfrog.com to learn more and find a package that’s right for you.  

Boss Frog’s is already an excellent source for snorkeling gear and info, as well as renting surfboards, bodyboards, SUP boards, underwater cameras and more, so it should be no surprise that they can also act as your personal tour guide and concierge. If by land, sea or air, Boss Frog’s can help book your bike rentals, helicopter tours, lūaus, zipline tours, and more. Head to our website to read our profile of Boss Frog’s owner, Phil Kasper.

PacWhale Eco-Tours has been a leading ocean activity provider on Maui. From snorkeling at Molokini, to dolphin and whale watching excursions to sunset cocktail and dinner cruises, they’ve been a pioneer in ecotourism in Hawai‘i. Their snorkeling and wildlife watching tours have two to four certified marine naturalists on board to talk about Hawai‘i’s ecosystem and provide tips for the best experience. Special event and holiday cruises are also available. All proceeds from PacWhale Eco-Adventures ’ cruises go toward supporting the research, conservation and education programs of their parent company, Pacific Whale Foundation. Book your ideal adventure for PacWhale Eco-Adventures at pacwhale.com/fun and learn more about Pacific Whale Foundation’s mission and activities at pacificwhale.org.

If extreme thrills are more your thing, then fly like a superhero with Pacific Jet Sport . Try a skiboard—think of it as a cross between snowboarding and waterskiing—and experience underwater dives and airlifts up to 45 feet high. Or drive your own performance machine with a jet ski that combines speed, driving maneuverability and agility. A jet ski is fun for individuals, couples and families. Pacific Jet Sport profides full instructions, life vests and safety tips. Rent by the hour, half-hour or day, and catch some thrills. Go to mauijetski.com to find out more.

Parasailing above the deep blue ocean along the dramatic West Maui coastline is a surreal experience like no other. West Maui Parasail ’s custom boats gently pull you up in a parachute from the flight deck and allow you to soar between 800 (standard) and 1,200 (deluxe) feet high. The hydraulic launch and recovery system provides for easy take-off and landings. Fly solo, in double or triple tandem, which is perfect for couples or a parent with young kids.

[A version of this article appears in print in the pages of This Week Maui]