Sunset Cruises   

For Maui's premier on-ocean dining experience, embark with us on a relaxing sunset dinner cruise along the beautiful coast of west Maui! Departing nightly from historic Lahaina Harbor, this cruise features guaranteed outdoor seating for all (as well as indoor seating for those who prefer it). There's no better setting for savoring fine drink, fabulous food and lively conversation.

You'll love the live Hawaiian-style music, story-telling and authentic Hawaiian chant -- and perhaps a hula, too -- performed by our engaging onboard entertainer. This cruise takes place aboard the ultra-stable catamaran Ocean Discovery, custom-designed to provide an ultra-smooth ride and the finest at-sea dining in Hawaii.

As you cruise, you'll enjoy the stirring sunset over the Pacific, along with the 360 degree views of the dramatic verdant West Maui mountains and neighboring islands, some of the loveliest vistas on earth.

We are proud to feature locally grown and locally produced products on this cruise. Many of our entrees are freshly grilled onboard, and each plate is prepared by our onboard chef.  Our attentive staff provides table-side service of this delicious four course meal. It all adds up to a relaxing, romantic and memorable way to enjoy a beautiful Maui evening.

Our menu includes:

Appetizer: Spinach Dip and Taro Bread Sticks

Salad: Fresh Medley of Island Grown Greens, Served with Maui Onion Dressing

Choice of entrees (please select one when placing your reservation):
- Maui Cattle Company Top Sirloin Steak Freshly Grilled Onboard, Served with Local Mushroom Jus.
- Boneless Chicken Breast marinated in Teriyaki Sauce Grilled Onboard and Topped with Pineapple and Green Onions
- Sesame Cilantro Tofu, served with a Mango Sauce, Rice Pilaf and Sauté Carrots and Zucchini fans with fresh Herbs
- Fresh Island Caught Mahi-Mahi, breaded in Maui Onion and Panko, sautéed and served with a Garlic Soy Cream Sauce

All entrees are served with Rice Pilaf and Sautéed Carrots and Zucchini Fans.

Your meal also includes two desserts:  Taro Pineapple Bread Pudding plus Double Dipped Brownies drizzled with Caramel Sauce.

We include all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three 3 cocktails per adult, with a choice of Maui micro-brewed beer, wine and tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais.

 Kids under 2 go FREE (one free child per each paying adult).

Check in at 612 Front Street Lahaina at our Pacific Whale Foundation Retail Store, just across from the famous Lahaina banyan tree.

You can upgrade your Sunset Dinner Cruise ticket to enjoy premium seating on the bow or on the upper deck. You'll get a private table for your party, with wonderful seascape views. Our Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise option also includes an upgraded menu of complimentary beverages, including all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three  cocktails per adult, with a choice of premium Maui microbrewery beer (from Maui Brewing Co.), wine, tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais, and frozen blended cocktails.

This premium option of our Sunset Dinner Cruise includes live Hawaiian-style entertainment and a fabulous, chef-prepared, four-course menu:

Appetizer - Spinach Dip & Bread Sticks

Salad - Fresh Melody of Island Grown Greens, Served with Maui Onion Dressing

Choice of Entree –
    * Maui Cattle Company Top Sirloin Steak, with Local Mushroom Jus, served with Rice Pilaf and Sauté Carrots and Zucchini fans with fresh Herbs
    * Boneless Chicken Breast marinated in Teriyaki Sauce, topped with Pineapple and Green Onions, served with Rice Pilaf and Sauté Carrots and Zucchini fans with fresh Herbs
    * Sesame Cilantro Tofu, served with a Mango Sauce, Rice Pilaf and Sauté Carrots and Zucchini fans with fresh Herbs
    * Fresh Island caught Mahi breaded in Maui Onion and Panko, sautéed and served with a Garlic Soy Cream Sauce served with Rice Pilaf and Sauté Carrots and Zucchini fans

Dessert - Taro Pineapple Bread Pudding, Double Dipped Brownies drizzled with Caramel Sauce

Our Premium Seats for our Sunset Dinner Cruise are limited, so please make your reservation early.

Special sale price now in effect!

Kanikapila (literally, “to play music”) is a Hawaiian word that is used to describe a relaxed gathering with friends and music. Experience the essence of ho’okipa (hospitality) as we share with you the breathtaking beauty of our island home with a Maui sunset cocktail cruise. Departing from historic Lahaina Harbor each evening, our Kanikapila Sunset Cocktail Cruise takes place on our ultra-smooth, double-deck power catamaran. Our onboard entertainer offers live, island-style music and storytelling, plus a Hawaiian chant -- and maybe a hula or two.

Be sure to bring your camera to capture the spell-binding views of the West Maui mountains, and the neighboring islands, all bathed in the amber ever-changing hues of the Pacific sunset.

Included in the price are delicious pupus (appetizers) and refreshments from our galley bar. Our sumptuous appetizers include local style BBQ grilled Maui Cattle Company beef sticks marinated in teriyaki sauce; Hawaiian-style boneless, skinless chicken strips marinated in a special sauce; a fresh vegetable crudite platter with Maui Onion dip; baked spinach dip with crackers; seasonal assorted island fruits; and a Hawaiian Sampler Platter, featuring Hawaiian heritage foods of kalo, Moloka’i sweet potato and ulu.

We include all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three cocktails per adult, with a choice of local Maui microbrewery (Maui Brewing Co.) beer, plus wine and tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais. Kids under the age of two go FREE (one per each paying adult).

Our Kanikapila Sunset Cocktail Cruise departs nightly from Lahaina Harbor, Maui. Check in at 612 Front Street, Lahaina at our Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store, just across from the famous Lahaina banyan tree.

Winter Bonus: Whales! From December 17 to April 23, we guarantee whale sightings on our Kanikapila Sunset Cocktail Cruise.  If you don't see a whale, you will get a FREE ticket for a regular Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatch cruise.

In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, Pacific Whale Foundation is offering a special price to all Pacific Whale Foundation Members.  As a member, you will save 30% off the retail rate for Kanikapila Sunset Cocktail Cruise departing from Lahaina, anytime during 2010.  If you are not a current member of Pacific Whale Foundation, join today and save!

As part of our 30th Anniversary Celebration, non-members will save 20% off the retail price of our Kanikapila Sunset Cruise from Lahaina.

This is a limited offer.  To ensure your special price, make your reservations today.

Offered Friday evenings from Ma'alaea Harbor

Embark on a fun-filled musical adventure at sea, complete with dancing on our open-air dance floor to reggae and other island rhythms, along with a variety of hot and cold appetizers and cocktails!

This unique and popular sunset cocktail cruise is hosted by Marty Dread, one of Maui's top reggae stars, whose charisma and enthusiasm gets everyone up dancing and having fun. It's an ideal multigenerational cruise; kids love dancing as much as the adults!

As an added bonus, whale sightings are guaranteed (from December 17 through April 23). If you do not see whales, you get a free ticket for a regular Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatch.

Your ticket also includes sumptuous hot and cold appetizers of BBQ pulled pork, meatballs with homemade marinara sauce, taro rolls to build your own hot sandwich, artichoke dip with crackers, locally grown vegetable crudite platter with ranch dip and locally grown assorted fresh island fruit platter. We also include all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three cocktails per adult, with a choice of local Maui microbrewery (Maui Brewing Co.) beer, plus wine and tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais. And we offer a free full color marine life poster!

Be sure to bring your camera, plus a light jacket or cover up. We suggest comfortable attire (low heeled shoes recommended), sunglasses and money for optional souvenirs.  A picture ID is required to show proof of age if consuming alcoholic beverages.

Check in at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store at the Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea (next to the Maui Ocean Center) off Route 30, the Hanoapiilani Highway. Remember, this cruise departs from Ma'alaea Harbor. Book early, as this cruise fills up quickly!

Come enjoy a smooth-ride and scenic cocktail cruise while you watch the golden Maui sunset on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This relaxing and romantic cruise departs from Ma'alaea Harbor every Sunday.

Your ticket price includes appetizers of BBQ pulled pork, meatballs with homemade marinara sauce, taro rolls to build your own hot sandwich, artichoke dip with crackers, locally grown vegetable crudite platter with ranch dip and locally grown assorted fresh island fruit platter.

We include all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three cocktails per adult, with a choice of local Maui microbrewery (Maui Brewing Co.) beer, plus wine and tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais. Kids under age 2 go FREE (one per each paying adult).

Whale sightings are guaranteed from December 17 through April 23, or you get a free ticket for a Pacific Whale Foundation whalewatch (regular whalewatches only; not Ultimate Whalewatches or VIP Whalewatches).

Departing from conveniently located Ma'alaea Harbor; there's lots of free parking in the spacious lot by Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store and the Maui Ocean Center. Don't miss this romantic and relaxing cruise; it is truly an evening to remember!

Experience the enchantment of Maui's velvet night sky on this stargazing cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures. Here in Hawaii, the most remote island chain in the world, you'll experience brilliant stars from an optimal vantage point.

This cruise is narrated by special guest Harriett Witt, an international award winning astronomy writer and speaker, known for her entertaining and informative commentary on the stars. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Sky & Telescope, and Spirit of Aloha. She has been giving colorful and informative presentations on astronomy in Hawaii since 1990 and teaching "Making Friends With the Night Sky" classes at Maui Community College since 1992.

While listening to Witt's intriguing presentation, enjoy a tantalizing array of appetizers including: local style BBQ grilled Maui Cattle Company beef sticks marinated in teriyaki sauce; Hawaiian-style boneless, skinless chicken strips marinated in a special sauce; a fresh vegetable crudite platter with Maui Onion dip; baked spinach dip with crackers; seasonal assorted island fruits; and a Hawaiian Sampler Platter, featuring Hawaiian heritage foods of kalo, Moloka’i sweet potato and ulu.

We include all-you-can-drink chilled soda, juice, filtered water and up to three cocktails per adult, with a choice of local Maui microbrewery (Maui Brewing Co.) beer, plus wine and tropical well drinks including our famous Mai Tais.

During whale season (December through April) we'll also listen to the songs of humpback whales, picked up live from whales in the area via our underwater hydrophones.  It is truly one of the best adventures on Maui!

Available 2010: May 13, June 11, July 1 & 10, August 4 & 11, September 8, October 7, November 5

Pacific Whale Foundation offers our Christmas Stargazing Cruise on December 4, 2010.