To really appreciate Maui, you need to get off the land and get on the sea. Trade winds off the Lahaina Coast and the strong wind that rips through Maui's isthmus make sailing around the island exciting. Many different boats, from a three-masted schooner to spacious trimarans, offer day cruises from Maui.

Day Cruises to Molokai--You can travel across the seas by ferry from Maui's Lahaina Harbor to Molokai's Kaunakakai Wharf on the Molokai Princess (tel. 800/275-6969 or 808/667-6165; www.mauiprincess.com). The 100-foot yacht, certified for 149 passengers, is fitted with the latest generation of gyroscopic stabilizers, making the ride smoother. The ferry makes the 90-minute journey from Lahaina to Kaunakakai daily; the cost is $40 adult one-way and $20 children one-way. Or you can choose to tour the island from two different package options: Cruise-Drive, which includes round-trip passage and a rental car for $149 for the driver, $80 per additional adult passenger and $40 for children; or the Alii Tour, which is a guided tour in an air-conditioned van plus lunch for $149 for adults and $89 for children.

They also offer ferry transportation and a hike-tour of the Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement for $215 per person.