Finding the boat was the first challenge. 1) confirmation e-mail listed slip 64. we walked all the way around the harbor to slip 64, and they had no idea about the Pride of Maui. walked all the way back around the harbor and actually found the Pride (there was a sign board there - we either missed it or it wasn't up when we drove in and parked). waited a few minutes for someone to come out and start signing people in - he told us we were at the wrong place and directed us all the way back around the harbor to a boat named the leilani. we heard the captain of the Leilani talking to another boat that he didn't want to make the trip back from Molokini. And sure enough, when we got on the boat, he indicated it would be rough and recommended an alternate cove just around the corner. we snorkeled there for 20 minutes or so, picked up anchor, went a few minutes up the coast, and then came back to the exact same location to drop anchor for more snorkeling in the same location.
The crew was pretty much great, and I think they were being honest about the conditions in Molokini being like a washing machine that day, and it was great that the VERY young children on the boat were introduced to snorkeling in a calm location, but I think I should have been given the option of getting my money back, or perhaps even getting transferred over to the Pride which as far as I know DID go to Molokini. Can't blame the crew (I don't think), as it was windy and choppy, but I would have at least liked to have seen Molokini and made up my own mind about whether to snorkel there or not. If you have a family of small children or are inexperienced snorkelers, this may be the boat for you. Unfortunately, my spouse & I don't fall into either category, and I won't have another chance to see Molokini.
Одговор домаћина
Dec 2022
Please, please read the confirmation emails that Viator and we both email to you, so that you do not make the same mistake this guest made by arriving at the wrong location. We are located in slip #68 and you were not scheduled aboard "Pride of Maui" and were scheduled aboard our smaller vessel "Leilani". Our crew of course is always honest about the daily conditions and what the plan is, based upon where the conditions offer the safest and best overall conditions. Sometimes we even have to explore upon leaving the harbor, to determine the best snorkeling locations on the days of inclement weather. Pride of Maui is a very popular vessel which we book to just 60% of our Coast Guard capacity, which means she is quite often sold out, as was the case on this day, and the reason we could not move you to Pride of Maui. If it helps, you should know that she didn't go out to Molokini either, due to the rough seas. Your safety is always our number one priority. Fortunately, we make it to Molokini most days, and when the conditions prevent safe access to the crater, we do have other very beautiful snorkel locations to choose from.