“This was a spectacular experience!”
Verified Review
Departing straight from Mākena Beach, this two-hour sunset sail is one of South Maui’s most sought-after experiences. As the island’s only beachfront catamaran, Kai Kanani offers a uniquely seamless departure into the open sea. Guests are treated to a menu of gourmet small plates from Wailea’s Spoon & Key Market, a locally curated open bar, and live music that complements the glow of the setting sun. This is a moment to slow down, soak in the horizon, and celebrate the beauty of Maui from the water.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For all ages
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Relaxed Sailing
WHAT TO BRING
Valid ID (for drinks), light jacket, sun protection
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior for groups of 1-4, check details for larger groups.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.8★ from 1,800+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests say this sunset sail feels effortless and genuinely local — no crowded docks or long lines, just barefoot boarding from Makena’s sand and a smooth drift into Maui’s south-facing sunset. Reviews praise the crew’s warm, personal vibe, the quality of the food and drinks, and the way the live music drifts across the deck as Molokini fades into silhouette. Many mention the joy of seeing turtles or dolphins alongside the hull and say it’s the single best evening of their stay.
Activity details
There’s nothing quite like a Maui sunset, with Molokini silhouetted on the horizon and the presence of friends and loved ones and the best crew on Maui taking care of your every need. Departs daily, Call for current time.
Sail into the Golden Hour
As the only catamaran in South Maui, we sail alone with the ocean our canvas and the wind as the brush. Our captain and crew are there to serve you and your friends and make the tour as comfortable as possible. Sit back and enjoy the best evening of your Maui vacation.
What's included
Kai Kanani’s Adventure Sunset Sail is a two hour sail featuring live music, a stellar menu from Wailea’s own Spoon & Key Market and an open bar full of local spirits such as Ocean Vodka and Kula Rum, as well as wine from Ulupalakua’s MauiWine. At sunset, we pour their sparkling wine for a sunset toast.
Additional information
What to bring
Valid ID
A bag for personal items
Spending money for hats, t-shirts and gratuitiesKai Kanani has been sailing Maui’s calm South Shore for over 30 years. Locally owned and operated, they’re the only catamaran licensed to launch directly from South Maui’s beaches — an old-school beach boarding experience you won’t find anywhere else on the island. Their sunset sail blends mellow live music, small-batch local spirits, and warm crew hospitality that feels like a floating backyard gathering. It’s an unhurried glide into golden hour, with Molokini on the horizon and a sparkling wine toast to seal the day.
Location: Kai Kanani Beach Landing, Makena Beach & Golf Resort area, Makena, Kihei, HI.
Check-In: Guests meet at the Kai Kanani check-in van near the public beach access at Maluaka Beach in Makena. Arrive 30 minutes before departure — you’ll board directly from the sand via beach-loading (your feet may get wet!).Cancellation Policy without Trip Protection:
1-4 passengers: changes or refunds up to 48 hours prior to trip start time
5-9 passengers: changes or refunds up to 7 days prior to trip start time
10+ passengers: changes or refunds up to 2 weeks prior to start time
If cancellation occurs after the allotted time frame, no refunds or changes will be allowed.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Sailing into the last light
There are moments in life when you’re not trying to do anything impressive. You’re not chasing a checklist or trying to squeeze meaning out of a busy day. You’re just there. That’s what it felt like sailing out of Mākena on a catamaran, shoes off, trade winds on my skin, the sky still soft with afternoon light.
The boat slid across the water with a kind of quiet confidence. Molokini Crater was off to the left like a dark brushstroke on the ocean. Someone handed me a drink - Maui rum, maybe, or a local rosé - and I stopped trying to remember the exact name. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that I didn’t have to do anything but notice where I was. South Maui behind us, the curve of Haleakalā fading in the distance, and that endless blue starting to burn gold.
We didn’t chase the sunset—we drifted into it, glass in hand, the ocean doing all the talking.
Dinner came in small waves. Local poke, grilled pineapple, something sweet with lilikoʻi. There was music, too - someone strumming quietly, not performing so much as keeping company. The sun did its thing, slipping lower until it hovered just above the sea. I watched people go quiet, not because they had to, but because the moment asked for it. It’s rare, honestly, to be in a place that invites that kind of pause.
When the toast came - Maui sparkling wine, chilled and celebratory - it didn’t feel staged. It felt earned. A small ritual for having made it here, to this exact light, this exact hour. The kind of experience that doesn’t need to shout to be remembered.
