Hawaii is best known for its lush rainforests, swaying palms and tropical waters littered with colorful fish. However, regional cuisine is something that the residents are equally proud of, from Shoyu chicken to Hawaiian rolls, kiawe-smoked baby back ribs, and everything in between.

Dinner tours in Maui enable you to sample some of these island delicacies while admiring the spectacular landscape under the glow of the setting sun. With buffets and sit-down meals to choose from, there’s a type of excursion to suit every traveler.

Here's your guide to dinner tours, one of the most delectable gastronomic experiences in Maui.

What are the best dinner tours in Maui?

Sunset dinner cruise in Maui

Leaving Ma'alaea Harbor, you’ll set sail out on the North Pacific Ocean on this unforgettable boat cruise in Maui.

As your vessel moves gently through the water, you’ll toast your loved ones with a complimentary drink and look out for the migratory whales that travel from Alaska to these warm waters between December and April.

During these months, Maui is home to the world’s densest humpback whale population, with more than 10,000 of the gentle giants found swimming in these waters. Humpback whales travel for more than 6 weeks to reach the mild waters found here in order to mate and give birth, making it an ideal spot for some whale watching.

The dinner menu offers several options, bound to suit every traveler, and you can choose between freshly-caught mahi mahi, garlic roasted prime ribs, Thai basil pasta, barbeque chicken, and kiawe-smoked baby back ribs. Dig into this succulent feast admiring views over Molokini Crater as the sun sinks lower in the sky, turning your surroundings into a golden wonderland.

Molokini Crater last erupted around 230,000 years ago and today is best known as a prime snorkeling spot, home to 250 marine species, including white-tipped reef sharks, and moray eels.

Four-course dinner cruise in Maui

If you’re seeking a little extra luxury to end your vacation with a bang, consider booking a four-course dinner experience in Maui.

You’ll have plenty of menu options to choose between, from salads glazed with juicy mango and passion fruit vinaigrette to lemongrass-curry marinated shrimp, flat iron steak, and decadent chocolate brownies.

You’ll dine on the deck, watching out for wildlife as you feel the warm ocean breeze on your skin. You’ll also benefit from having certified marine naturalists on board who can help you spot humpback whales and their young.

Luau dinner cruise in Maui

This dinner in Maui enables you to dive deep into Hawaiian traditions through a luau show.

This feast has roots back to the 19th century when King Kamehameha II invited women to dine with him, ending the “kapu” which dictated that women and men must dine separately. Since then, luau’s have been Hawaii’s primary way of celebrating events, from birthdays to battle victories, weddings and bountiful harvests.

You won’t need to choose between dishes as you’ll be treated to an open buffet, during which you can sample some of Hawaii’s most beloved dishes, including barbeque ribs and Shoyu chicken.

As the sun sets, you’ll find yourself enthralled by a live hula show, during which skilled dancers use hand motions to symbolize words or emotions, accompanied by chanting or singing.

"Myths of Maui" luau dinner and show

If you'd prefer to stay on land for your experience, opt for a night spent dining on the beachfront with a "Myths of Maui" luau dinner and show.

Enjoy complimentary wines, beers and cocktails and an all-you-can-eat buffet, including a special children's option. You'll get to watch an imu ceremony, where a Pua'a Kalua (roast pig) is unearthed from an underground oven.

Be captivated by a show of traditional dancing, drumming and even fire-knife performances, providing insight into Hawaiian culture.

You can upgrade the experience for front section seating and priority at the buffet.

Which places are visited?

Molokini Crater

One of the places usually passed on a Maui dinner cruise is Molokini Crater. This crescent-shaped volcanic rock formation rises just 50 meters above sea level and is believed to have once been part of Maui.

Geologists surmise that at the end of the last ice age, melting ice caps caused the waters around the island to rise over 100 meters, submerging the rest of Molokini in the sea.

Nowadays, the crater is best known for its remarkable snorkeling environment, with approximately 250 species of marine life living in its waters. These fish species include the yellow tang, millet butterflyfish, reef triggerfish and bluefin trevally.

Visitors also like getting up close to harmless white-tipped reef sharks, which can grow to over 2 meters in length and usually live in caves or under ledges.

Molokini Crater is also important in Hawaiian folklore. Molokini is said to have been a beautiful woman who was vying for the affection of a man she was in love with.

However, the fire goddess, Pele, was in love with the same man and, in her jealousy, decapitated Molokini, and turned her to stone. The crater is said to be her body while the cinder cone, Puʻu Olai, is thought to be her head.

Lanai Island

Many boat tours in Maui also sail past Lanai Island — one of 137 islands that form Hawaii. It is the sixth-largest of all the Hawaiian islands and lies to the west of Maui.

Despite its large size of around 360 square kilometers, less than 4,000 people inhibit Lanai and historically the entire island was used as a pineapple plantation.

It is believed that the island has only been inhabited since the 15th century and this may have been because of local legends that tell of man-eating spirits occupying Lanai.

Mauna Kahālāwai

Mauna Kahālāwai — often referred to as the West Maui Mountains — are a series of volcanic peaks originating from one volcano that formed approximately 1.7 million years ago.

The last eruption here was around 320,000 years ago and the mountains have eroded substantially since that time.

The tallest peak is Puʻu Kukui, which reaches heights of over 1,700 meters, and the name, Mauna Kahālāwai, translates to “Holding House of Water”.

How much do dinner experiences in Maui cost?

Dinner experiences in Maui vary in price according to several factors, such as inclusions, group size and vessel type.

Sunset dinners in Maui that take place on board a cruise cost US$140 per adult and US$110 per child, aged 4 to 12. Children under 4 can participate for free when accompanying a paying adult.

A four-course dinner cruise in Maui costs between US$160 and US$170 per adult. Children, aged 5 to 12, benefit from a reduced fare of just over US$110 each while those under 5 are welcomed on board for free.

You’ll pay between US$180 and US$190 per adult for a luau dinner cruise in Maui. Children between the ages of 3 and 12 cost US$110 each while those under 3 incur no additional charge. This type of vessel can accommodate up to 74 passengers at a time.

For a "Myths of Maui" luau dinner and show, you can expect to pay US$260 per adult, US$180 per child aged 6 to 12, and US$50 per infant aged 0 to 5 for a VIP experience.

What do dinners in Maui include?

Dinners in Maui include all food, as well as the services of a friendly captain and crew in the case of a dinner cruise.

In some dinners, you’ll be provided with two or three alcoholic beverages, while in others, you’ll have access to an open bar where you can indulge in unlimited refreshments. Non-alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, are often unlimited for all and include soda, and juice, as well as water.

If you opt for a four-course dinner excursion in Maui, you’ll be gifted a commemorative postcard, which will remind you of your experience.

Dinners combined with luau shows include traditional performances that reflect Hawaiian culture.

As Hawaii is part of the United States, tipping is customary and not included in your tour price. While the exact amount you tip is up to you, you’ll find that the standard practice is 15% for satisfactory service and between 20%, and 25% for outstanding service.

Where do dinner tours start?

Typically, dinner cruises in Maui begin at Ma'alaea Harbor where your vessel will be waiting for you. You’ll reach this spot independently and are expected to arrive up to 45 minutes before departure time. Maui is home to a network of public buses, which will help you to navigate the island’s many regions with ease.

You can find out the exact starting point of each tour by consulting the booking page. This enables you to plan your route and arrange any necessary transportation ahead of time, allowing you to have a seamless experience on the day of your trip.

When is the best time for a dinner tour in Maui?

The best time for a dinner tour in Maui is at sunset, when you can admire the colors of the sky as they light up the landscape. As the night falls, you can enjoy a vibrant luau show.

If you're hoping to see whales as part of your dinner cruise, try organize your trip for between December and April.

How long do dinner experiences last?

Generally, dinner experiences last between 2 and 2.5 hours, making them easy to slip into any itinerary. As you will need to arrive at your meeting point early and account for travel time, you should carve out at least 4 hours of vacation time in total.

Tours tend to depart between 5 PM and 5:30 PM, returning to land between 7 PM, and 8 PM. This leaves you with several hours of free time in the evening to continue exploring the island or return to your hotel to relax.

Are dinner tours wheelchair friendly?

Dinner tours in Maui tend not to be advertised as suitable for wheelchair users. However, you can check with the operator beforehand if they will be able to accommodate your needs.

Top tips

If you're going on a dinner cruise, make sure to pack layers as it may be cooler on the water.
Should you have specific dietary requirements, confirm with your tour operator if accommodations can be made.
Be sure to keep extra cash on hand service tips.