Coral Gardens Turtle Town Snorkel Sail from Maalaea on the Winona

Overview

The Coral Gardens snorkel sail on the Winona is a 3-hour morning or afternoon trip from Maalaea Harbor to the Coral Gardens reef below the West Maui cliffs, sold as Turtle Town, with a beginner lesson, gear, a light meal and open bar. It suits first-time snorkelers who want a sheltered site. The main drawback: up to 49 guests.

Highlights

• Two departures: 9:00 AM with 8:30 AM check-in and 1:00 PM with 12:30 PM check-in, each about 3 hours (sailwinona.com, Greetwell).
• Coral Gardens sits under the West Maui sea cliffs near Olowalu and is the usual fallback when Molokini is rough, so it is often calm and close to the harbor.
• Snorkel gear, flotation devices or floating mats, a beginner snorkel class, light breakfast or lunch, appetizers and an open bar with soft drinks are included.
• From $139 on the operator site; Greetwell lists $183.39 adult and $160.45 child 5 to 12 as of October 2026.
• Whale watching is folded into the sail December through April; the operator caps groups at 49 and Greetwell describes 30 to 40 as typical.

What to Expect

1. Check in 30 minutes before departure at the Maalaea Harbor north dock, 233 Maalaea Rd, and remove your shoes to board the barefoot catamaran.
2. The Winona sails west along the coast toward Olowalu; in whale season the captain slows for humpbacks on the way.
3. The crew runs a beginner snorkel class and fits masks, snorkels and fins; flotation devices are required in the water.
4. You snorkel the Coral Gardens reef looking for green sea turtles and reef fish; the exact site depends on conditions on the day.
5. Back on board the crew serves a light breakfast or lunch with appetizers and opens the bar with beer, cocktails, soft drinks and juice.
6. The catamaran returns to the north dock about 3 hours after departure.

What to Bring

• Swimwear worn under clothes, towel and reef-safe sunscreen
• Easy-to-remove footwear; the boat is barefoot
• Motion-sickness remedy if you are prone

Restrictions and Requirements

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Flotation devices are required for everyone in the water
• Snorkel sites depend on weather and sea conditions
• Infants 0–6 months need a parent-supplied Coast Guard-approved life vest
• Group size up to 49 (operator) with 30 to 40 typical (Greetwell)

Cancellation Policy

Full refund with at least 24 hours' notice for groups of up to 4; groups of 5 or more need 48 hours and private charters 7 days. Weather or mechanical cancellations by the operator are refunded or rebooked, and the trip may be cancelled if a minimum number of guests is not reached. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell (reseller listing); the operator's terms page gives no exact hours.

Location

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Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

Meeting Point

Maalaea Harbor north dock, 233 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793, left of the Coast Guard station

Check-In

8:30 AM for the 9:00 AM sail; 12:30 PM for the 1:00 PM sail

Parking and Getting There

Gravel lot by the dock; validation not included

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact