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Fantastic Snorkel Sail in Kaanapali - Gemini Sailing Charters

• United States    
• Hawaii (HI)    
• Maui    
• Lahaina    
• Lahaina - Things to Do    
• Gemini Sailing Charters

The all Female crew was fantastic, we had a great time, communication was amazing just an overall... read more

Another great trip on Gemini. Russell, Geoffrey, and Captain Linda were excellent as always... read more

Fantastic Snorkel Sail in Kaanapali

As part of our honeymoon, my wife and I decided to book a snorkel sail adventure on Gemini Charters. Like many other charter companies, Gemini uses a fleet of twin-hull catamarans. Our boat picked us up right in front of Whaler's Village and transported us to Honolua Bay, where there is plenty of live coral, turtles and tropical fish to observe. On our way to Honolua Bay, we spotted a large pod of spinner dolphins, which were riding the wake of the boat and jumping all around us. The weather didn't hold up for the entire trip but we couldn't blame that on the tour. In fact, the tour itself was awesome. On the way back, the captain raised all of the sails and we used good old fashioned wind power to take us back to Kaanapali. The food and drinks were surprisingly good, given the fact that it came from the Westin Hotel. Try the fried rice with bbq pork. It's a real treat after burning off a ton of calories while snorkeling.

We took the Gemini on our last day in Hawaii - after 10 days of adventures - including the road to Hana, up to Haneakala, Waterfall hiking, multiple snorkeling trips, a luau, magic show, surfing, and so on! This was the absolute perfect ending to our trip and ended up being our best adventure in Maui. The Catamaran left the Westin Maui hotel at 11:00 am - so finally something that wasn't at 8 am or earlier! It took us to Honolua Bay, where we stopped for 90 minutes or more to snorkel and have lunch. The snorkelling there was beautiful, and the lunch was teriyaki chicken, mahi mahi, rice and vegetables. You could come and go on and off the boat as much as you pleased, the crew suggested that you manage your time so that you could snorkel and eat while they were stopped due to the wind once we got going again. No one on our boat had any trouble with those timelines - several people snorkelled, ate lunch and then went back in again. The crew on the boat were very knowledgable. One was a marine biologist, so he could answer any question you could throw at him about what you saw in the ocean. They offered a "snorkeling 101" lesson for anyone that was nervous or just wanted a little instruction before going into the water. They had optical masks that you could use (free of charge), as well as a couple of options to help keep you afloat when you were in the water. Once the snorkeling and lunch was completed, the Gemini put up her sails and we sailed back to the hotel. It was a wonderful way to end the day. We returned back to the hotel around 3:30 pm. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone, any age. Worth the price of admission!

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Gemini Sailing Charters

• Staff review

Gemini Sailing Charters is a family-owned and operated company serving the Kaanapali area for over 35-years. They offer snorkeling, sunset, and whale watching tours. The Gemini is a 64' long catamaran that is well-maintained, luxurious, and comfortable. 

With so many sailing charters to choose from, what makes Gemini Sailing Charters special? First, it is a family-owned and operated business whose goal is to share “…the Gemini Experience with all our guests.” Next is the Captain and Crew. Unlike many Hawaiian charters, this team has been working together for years. Their combined knowledge and teamwork make Gemini Sailing Charters a unique experience. Last but not least is that Gemini has been serving the Kaanapali area for over 35-years. 

Gemini Sailing Charters has one boat, the Gemini, that is highly maintained and offers luxurious accommodations for guests. The twin-engine catamaran is 64′ x 32.5′ and can use its 1,750 square foot sail when conditions warrant. The vessel can carry 49 people and a crew. But is it comfortable? We think so! Here are some of the catamaran’s features:

• Glass bottom viewports
• Airy and shaded central cabin
• Cushioned seating
• Large central galley
• Catered by chefs from Westin Maui Resort & Spa

The crew is trained in CPR, First Aid, and is AED certified. A medical kit and oxygen are onboard.  

Gemini Sailing Charters offers :

Morning Snorkel Adventure

• Snorkel Sail Adventure
• Premier Sunset Sail 
• Morning Whale Watches
• Afternoon Whale Watches
• Exclusive Private Charters
• 4th of July Fireworks Cruise
• June-August; Sunday through Friday
• 8:00 AM-10:30 AM (7:30 AM check-in)
• Continental breakfast & assorted drinks
• Complimentary bar

You’ll board from the Kaanapali Beach and dine on egg frittatas, homemade cinnamon rolls, and seasonal fruit while heading to your snorkeling location. Once anchored, the crew will provide snorkeling gear and instructions. In the water, you may see hawk and butterflyfish and various types of coral. 

Premier Sunset Cruise

• Depart times vary with seasons; check the website for specifics
• 2-hour tour
• Dinner with assorted drinks
• Complimentary bar 

Your sunset adventure starts at the Kaanapali Beach, where you’ll board the Gemini from shore. The trade winds fill the sail for a calm evening of sailing and watching the sunset. Your dinner will include Island Style BBQ Chicken, Vegetarian Summer Rolls with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, Freshly Baked Rolls, Island Fresh Crudités Tray with Chef’s Ranch Dip, Domestic Cheese and Cracker Platter, Tortilla Chips with Salsa Fresco and Guacamole. Sip a mixed drink or Hawaiian beer as you watch the sun slip beyond the horizon. 

Whale Watching Tours

• December 15-April 15
• Morning Tour: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM
• Afternoon Tour: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
• Continental breakfast (morning) Pupus (afternoon)
• Assorted beverages
• Marine Naturalist
• Hydrophone onboard

Both whale tours depart from Kaanapali Beach and will get guests close to the humpback whales. While whale watching, your onboard naturalist will share their vast knowledge of the whales, and you’ll hear whale calls sounding from the hydrophone.

Federal law dictates that boats may only get within 100 yards of whales. While whales sometimes breach close to boats, Gemini Sailing Charters cannot predict nor control these mammals’ behaviors. 

Based upon Gemini Sailing Charters’ years of experience and the glowing reviews on travel websites, we believe you’ll have an amazing adventure sailing the waters of Maui.

Insider Tips: All Gemini Sailing Charters board from the beach, so you’ll be wading in shallow water to get on board. For this reason, wear shorts or pants you can roll up.   

• About the Vessel

Morning Snorkel Adventure

• Snorkel Sail Adventure
• Premier Sunset Sail
• Morning Whale Watches
• Afternoon Whale Watches
• Exclusive Private Charters
• 4th of July Fireworks Cruise
• Private Charters
• FAQ’s

Tour Length and Time

• June, July, and August Sunday through Friday (no Saturdays)
• 8:00 AM-10:30 AM 7:30 am check-in
• 24-hour cancellation policy 72-hours for groups of 10 & over and 15-days for Private Charters

Description

Gemini is now offering a streamlined version of our Snorkel Sail Adventure. Perfect for the early bird or time conscious vacationer. Our Morning Snorkel Tour is a two and a half hour adventure packed experience. Your tour will start with an 8AM departure beginning with a continental breakfast enjoyed onboard Gemini’s spacious cabin and outside decks. After that we will continue on to one of Maui’s stunning coastal reefs and drop anchor for the snorkeling experience of a lifetime. Gemini’s famous hospitable crew will give a brief safety and snorkel lesson to those in need and from there you jump into Maui’s pristine water to witness first hand the abundant sea life. Enjoy a local Maui Brewed beer or a POG-Mimosa on the sail back to Ka’anapali Beach just in time to relax for the rest of your day.

* Gemini loads and unloads our guests directly from the sand of Kaanapali Beach. Beach loading is perfectly safe and often time adds an element of fun and adventure to the tour! However, during days with rougher seas and high winds there is a chance you may get a little wet up to your knees. We recommend only wearing pants that you can roll up and avoiding long dresses and jeans when joining us for a sail! Our captains always ensure the sea and conditions are safe for beach loading and if there is any uncertainty we are forced to cancel the tour to ensure the safety of our guests. MAHALO from the Gemini Ohana!

Continental Breakfast

Egg Frittata with assorted Vegetables and Potato Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Butter Mini Muffins Pastries Assorted Cream Cheeses Peanut Butter & Jelly Tropical Fruit Platter with Seasonal Fresh Fruits Melons and Pineapple Freshly-brewed Maui Coffee and Tropical Juices

Pepsi Diet Pepsi Sierra Mist Root Beer Ginger Ale Lemonade Cranberry Juice Filtered Water Soda Tonic and Passion-Orange-Guava POG – Maui’s favorite!

Complimentary Bar

Gemini Mai Tais Ketel One Vodka Bacardi Silver Rum Bacardi Black Rum Maui Brew Co. Bikini Blonde Maui Brew Co. Big Swell IPA Maui Hard Seltzer Bud Light Stone Cellars Chardonnay Mont Gravet Rose La Marca Prosseco

Where to Meet & What to Bring:

• Check-in beachside of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa by the Gemini Check-in Sign
• Sunscreen (no oils or sprays)
• Cash or Credit Card for Ship’s Store

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Whether your Sail Maui tours includes whale watching, sunset cruising or tropical snorkeling, join us for an experience that is second to none. Sit back and  relax – we’ll bring the sunscreen, snorkel gear and beverages!

"Best Catamaran Cruise on Maui! I've lived on Maui for about 7 years now and I've been on about every charter boat I can think of and nothing beats Sail Maui! Nice catamarans , their crews are amazing, and the vibe is chill. I highly recommend you book with Sail Maui too!"

Featured Crew

Home State: Oregon

Home State: Kansas

Home State: Hawaii

"I would recommend Sail Maui's Paragon II, which caps trips at 38 guests"

Snorkel Adventure with Gemini Sailing Charters

Updated: Feb 16

Photo Credit: Chloe Cryan 2024 > 2.7.24 Gemini Snorkel > Island Dream Productions

“There is a spout in the distance! Look on your left!” Chad was pointing at my 11’o clock. I could see a mist of air shoot up from the ocean maybe 400 meters away. We were sailing with Gemini Sailing Charters on their Gemini Catamaran heading north toward Honolua Bay. Honolua Bay is well-known by locals and travelers alike as being one of the most calm, pristine places to snorkel and surf.

Everyone pointed and took pictures as the tail of a humpback whale lifted out of the ocean. The peak of whale season is from December to March, and February is the best time for whale watching. We were sailing through the Au’au Channel, one of the most protected areas of ocean in Hawaii. The channel lies between Lanai and Maui and protected by Moloka’i to the north and Kaho’olawe to the south. Thousands of humpback whales travel 3,500 miles from Alaska to mate and give birth within the Au’au Channel.

The Gemini was heading against the wind and rocked over the white capped waves. I held on to my hat as the wind blew forcefully. I felt the splash of the ocean as I sat just outside the front of the cabin on the deck. It felt so freeing to be out in the ocean again. It is just what Chad and I needed. On board, the cabin felt very spacious and clean. Our guides were very informative and helpful. There was even a photographer on board taking everyone’s pictures! Chloe is an amazing photographer. She captured some epic underwater photos of us! I felt like a mermaid!

Gemini Sailing Charters provides excellent snorkeling, whale watching and also sunset tours that you just got to do! Gemini embarks from Ka’anapali, one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S! Ka'anapali is known for its huge stretch of beach and luxury resorts and the famed “Black Rock,” a cliff diving spot for thrill seekers. The Gemini picks up right in front of The Westin Resort, which is just next to the famous Whalers Village, a beautiful, high-end outdoor shopping center.

Photo Credit: Chad Cole

Sailing north along the channel, we passed by Napili and Kapalua Bay. My favorite viewpoint is along the coastal trail just past Kapalua Bay . I often sit atop the smooth rocks within the lava field and gaze at the 360-degree view. From there, I can see across the ocean to Molokai and a view of the expansive mountains of West Maui. Every time I go to that viewpoint, I feel grounded. Within that area is also protected Wedge Tail Shearwater Bird Sanctuary. The cute white birds can be seen nesting within the tall grasses and coastal shrubs.

Further north is DT Flemming beach, the beach right next to The Ritz-Carlton Resort. DT Flemming beach is where you can get great milk shakes at the Burger Shack restaurant and explore Mahana Ridge Trail, a trail that snakes into the West Maui Mountains. The beach north of DT Flemming beach is Mokuleia Beach (Slaughterhouse Beach), a challenging dive spot that Chad and I experienced last May. It was there that we had seen at least 20 dolphins!

Further north from Mokuleia beach is Honolua Bay. As soon as we entered the bay we were sheltered from the wind, and the water became instantly calmer, and the air felt warmer. The crew buoyed up the catamaran and everyone geared up to snorkel. Our tour guides provided snorkeling equipment and a snorkel lesson for beginners. They also provided reef safe sunscreen and flotation devices. Since Chad and I are pros, we brought my own gear and jumped into the water before everyone else!

Chad jumped off the stern of the boat while I entered from the ramp that was lowered between the two hulls at the bow. Chad and I met along the port side of the catamaran, and he gave me the OK signal.

              I gave him the OK signal back. I swam towards the shallow areas along the cliff sides surrounding the bay. The entire bay is protected by cliffs with clusters of boulders and large rocks along the perimeter.

              Parrot fish could be seen nibbling on the mounds of coral, and clusters of fish huddled underneath the small crevices. As I floated weightlessly enjoying the warm ocean water and the sun on my back, I could see small sea creatures peek their heads out of their homes. Most of the fish ranged from a few feet to two inches. The coral grew large in some parts of the bay, and almost touched the surface of the ocean from 10 feet down! I was careful not to get poked by the sea urchins and barnacles of the protruding parts of the coral.

              As I admired the way the fish crisscrossed and spun around in circles, I became startled as I saw something large swim by from the corner of my eye. It was a 5-foot barracuda! It’s unlikely that a barracuda will bite you if you keep far away from it, but I am 5-foot 1inch, so my heart started to pound. My eyes widen to soak in the beauty of the silvery barracuda! I was thrilled to see such a large creature after staring at relatively small creatures! It reminded me of when I was swimming in Kauai with Chad at Kalihiwai Bay and barracuda just came out of nowhere!

              I quickly swam over to Chad and signaled to him that I saw a barracuda and he looked in the direction that I was pointing. We tried to find it, but we didn’t see it again. Our guide said that the barracuda’s name is Barry, and he swims around the area occasionally. Thats comforting!

              Back on the boat we had a delicious hot lunch! I was starving after our long snorkel! Juicy chicken, fried rice and veggies, cookies, and a strong Mai Tai! The food was excellent and satisfying and there was plenty for everyone!

The Gemini sailed south, back toward Ka’anapali as we rocked out to pumping music! It was a smoother ride back because the wind blew at our backs and the waves pushed us forward. The sky was clear, and the sun was blazing. We spotted a mama whale and her calf breaching out of the ocean just next to us! The Gemini slowed to a stop for a moment to give us a chance to observe the whales and our tour guide gave a very informative and interesting speech about humpback whales.

Fun Facts about Humpback Whales: Female whales are bigger than the males and only have temporary relationships. However, males can often be seen protecting the young. The males can often be seen showing off and fighting with other males to impress females. Females can get pregnant as young as four years old! Food isn’t as abundant as it is in Alaska, which is why they come here for a short time only to give birth and mate.

The Gemini Snorkel Sail Adventure is highly recommended. If you are visiting Maui, and looking for relaxing day out in the ocean, Gemini Sailing Charters is the way to go! Happy Sailing! To book a tour check out their website now!

Maui Hawaii Snorkel Tours & Sailing Charters ( geminisailing.com )

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Maui is the second largest island in the Hawaiian Island chain. It encompasses over 700 square miles (1883.5 Km square) .

Maui County is composed of four islands of which Maui is the largest. Lana’i , Kaho’olawe , and Moloka’i surround the island of Maui, Hawaii. Kahoolawe is uninhabited. Lana’i is famous for scuba diving and plush Four Season’s Resorts. Molokai is known for its natural beauty and sea cliff waterfalls. Molokini Crater is a volcanic atoll, but not considered an island.

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