I first saw Maita’i Catamaran on Groupon last year for almost half off the original price and it had over 7,000 reviews. I was with a couple of my friends for my birthday in Oahu and we all decided to buy one and try it out. I had so much fun on that boat ride that I decided to do that same exact boat trip again this time with my best friend. It’s probably one of my all-time favorite activities that I like to do on the island now. There’s something so relaxing about being able to sail out to sea, drink a nice cold Mai Tai, and have a view of Waikiki as your backdrop.
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How Much Is Maita’i Catamaran?
Originally, it costs $98 for two adults, but if you buy it on Groupon, it can range anywhere from $50-$60 for two adults. It just depends on Groupon and what type of discount they are giving at that time. For me, it was $59.99 for two adults and Groupon had an additional 20% off coupon so, in the end, I only spent $47.99 for two adults. That’s less than $25 per person which is an amazing deal. If you get the four-person package, you’ll save even more!
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How Long is The Catamaran Ride?
First, the Groupon is only good for their Tradewind Sails which happens at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The catamaran ride is 90-minutes long and departs behind the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel (past the pool area). I would recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early just in case you have to fill out any last-minute waivers or if you get lost inside the Sheraton.
Do You Tip?
Yes, you should totally tip your crew! They are working for those tips just as hard as anyone else.
How Much Do Drinks Cost?
You cannot bring your own drinks on board, but they do serve both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks onboard for very reasonable prices. What you really want to get through is their famous Mai Tais. I don’t like sweet drinks or cocktails, but I love drinking their Mai Tais for some reason. The flavors are really well-balanced and it’s not overly sweet or alcoholic.
- $3.00: Juice, Soft Drinks, Bottled Water
- $5.00: Beer and Seltzers
- $6.00: Mai Tais, Champagne, and Wine
Why Do I Like It So Much?
First and foremost, I want to say that I’m not affiliated with Maita’i Catamaran or Groupon. This is just an awesome deal and I want to share it with all of my readers because I think it’s worth it. Okay, on with the reasons…
- The boat ride is super relaxing and you get to drink and hang out with your friends or family out in the beautiful waters of Waikiki. You also get to have an unobstructed view of Diamond Head if you wanted to take pictures.
- The crew is absolutely amazing and incredibly friendly so you actually feel like you’re being taken care of. They make your cocktails, take your pictures, and even joke around with you. Overall, just great personalities and vibes across the board.
- If you’re lucky, you might get to see some animals during your sail! On this past trip, we got to see dolphins riding alongside the boat. I also know other people were lucky enough to see sea turtles and whales during their trip so it feels like you’re getting an extra bonus.
- Lastly, did I mention the Groupon price for this deal?! You can have this boat ride experience for almost less than $25/person! Out of all the deals I’ve found for Hawaii, this had to be my all-time favorite.
What If I Get Seasick?
I’m TOTALLY the type of person that gets motion sick. Everything from boats, cars, trains, buses, etc. so I usually have to take some type of motion sickness pill. With that being said, the waters are usually calm out in Waikiki so I feel like I don’t need to take a full-strength pill and instead I take a natural non-drowsy Dramamine about an hour before the boat ride. The full-strength and less-drowsy versions always make me sleepy so I try to stay away from those. If you are in the same boat (hehe… get it?), please consult your doctor first. I’m not a medical professional. I’m just a regular person telling you what I usually do in these cases.
Will I Do This Again?
Maita’i Catamaran is for sure on my itinerary for every Oahu trip now. As a matter of fact, I like being out on the waters so much that I’m probably going to do both the 11:00 a.m. AND 1:00 p.m. boat rides next time! I truly didn’t even think about it until I overheard another group saying that they were going to stay and take the next boat out again. I thought this was GENIUS since the 90 minutes goes by really fast. This will definitely now become a tradition to always sail at least once with Maita’i Catamaran.
Pictures
