This was the first time I ever went snorkeling. However, it was so much fun, I'm sure it will not be my last !
The trip started with a brief boat ride to the reef. Seeing the mountains of Maui from the ocean was breathtaking. After arriving at the dive site, the captain gave us a brief introduction to the equipment and then it was time to get in. All who wanted were given a flotation "noodle" which made the actual time in the water pretty easy.
For the next 90 minutes we were allowed to swim in a well marked area above a reef. Among the creatures I saw were many schools of fish, a seal, a reef shark , and my favorite--- sea turtles ! There was a group of 6 swimming close to the ocean floor and I bet I followed them for about an hour . And then, in what seemed like only a few minutes, it was time to go ! On the boat trip back drinks as well as soft drinks were offered to those interested.
The captain and crew were very helpful and courteous. There was always at least 1 or 2 crewmembers in the water at all times pointing out wildlife and, I'm sure, making sure we were safe. In addition, 1 of the crewmembers spent the entire time taking photos of us and the sea creatures both at the surface of the water and underwater. The pictures taken were professional grade and available for download at a very reasonable price.
A little more instruction when it comes to using the snorkel equipment would've been helpful for a beginner like me. However, as with riding a bike, this seems to be the type of skill everyone basically learns themselves and by the end of the dive I felt pretty confident with everything.
The Sea Maui is a beautiful Catamaran. There were about a dozen of us on the trip, it looked like they had capacity for at least 30 or more. There are places on the boat where belongings such as backpacks can be stored during the dive.
The 2 hour snorkel trip was perfect for a beginner like me or an experienced snorkeler who wants a quick snorkel trip. Next time I return to Maui, I'm going to sign up for one of Sea Maui's 4 hour trips !
One suggestion to the "older divers" like me ( I'm over 60 ): the ocean water temp in Feb feels a bit cool. I would recommend renting a diving jacket if you go snorkeling in winter. They're easy to come by at many scuba shops in Maui. The younger divers didn't seem to mind the water temp, however the diving jacket made me much more comfortable in the water than I would've been otherwise.