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Hop aboard a luxury sailing catamaran in Lahaina for this fantastic five-hour snorkeling excursion off the coast of nearby Lanai island. You’ll experience the lovely reefs and snorkel beneath the island’s imposing sea cliffs. One of the great merits of snorkeling tours to Lanai is that fewer people know about and visit this region, making it much more peaceful. Discover the finest Maui has to offer as you set sail with Ali’i Nui on an unforgettable snorkeling adventure. Departing from Ma’alaea Harbor, your journey begins with a cruise to the iconic Molokini crater, where you can explore crystal-clear waters teeming with over 400 marine species. Following this, your expedition continues to Turtle Town, a favored haunt for the local sea turtles, where you can enjoy more snorkeling in this unique habitat.
Our Maui Whale Watching Tours, Sunset Cruises, Snorkeling and More Are ★★★★★
11 Things To Know Before Snorkeling In Hawaii's Molokini Crater - TravelAwaits
11 Things To Know Before Snorkeling In Hawaii's Molokini Crater.
Posted: Thu, 19 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The answers to these questions and many more are now at your fingertips. But, how do you get to the crater after you read about it? Well, no matter how well you can swim, Molokini is really only accessible by boat. Two great options leave from the Kihei Small Boat Harbor. And both are small boats — get ready for an adventure on a power raft.
Whale Watching Tours (December – March)
This is a Molokini Snorkel Adventure that offers our guests the opportunity to also do SNUBA all on one trip. Even though the spacious Pride of Maui is Coast Guard Certified for 149 passengers, our trips operate at 60% capacity to ensure your experience is the absolute best. We are committed to providing exemplary service and food. Our crew focuses on making your experience as excellent as possible by serving fresh and delicious breakfasts. Rates may be different during peak seasons and holidays. Please check your booking price before confirming a reservation.
Snorkeling Tours
Leave for the 4.5 hour tour from Ma’alaea Harbor aboard their Paragon II boat. While the boat ride to Molokini is longer from Ma’alaea, they make use of it by offering you a delightful breakfast. After snorkeling at Molokini Crater, enjoy lunch on your ride back to Ma’alaea. Embark on an unforgettable Molokini snorkeling excursion by choosing from a range of boat tours, including family-friendly catamarans or exhilarating zodiac rafts. Dining options vary from barbecue lunches to deli-style meals, with almost all tours providing continental breakfast, snorkel gear, and flotation devices.
Normally, you’ll find that it’s best to snorkel Molokini Crater in the morning. Most tours leave in the morning in hopes of finding the calmest waters. In the afternoon, the tradewinds can kick up and the ocean conditions get rougher. We recommend choosing a morning snorkel trip as the winds pick up in the afternoon and can make it very difficult to get to the crater. You can choose from many type of boats including zodiac rafts, big double decker catamarans and sail boats.

The Four Winds vessel has large decks, covered shaded cabin space, and freshwater showers. 360-degree panoramic viewing, warm showers, and a super water slide are a few of the amenities. Molokini Crater is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. As one of only a few partially-submerged volcanic cones of its kind in the world, it offers sights and experiences that you probably didn’t even know you were missing.
Fun crew that made it easy for everyone from 5 to 75. Only thing missing was information from the crew on the history and stories about Maui and the islands surrounding it. All boats are required to pick up one of the moorings provided by the state. The mooring floats are 3 meters beneath the surface, so someone must dive down to retrieve the pennant. Brown Boobies also roost at Molokini, along with large Frigate birds, whose wingspan can reach 7 feet across. The Frigate birds with superior flying skills harass other seabirds until they drop their food, which the Frigate bird recovers in mid-air.
Maalaea Harbor is the most convenient and it’s not far from Molokini. A favorite for scuba divers that love the many hanging shelves around 50 feet down. Beneath the main shelf is another 80 feet of water before reaching the bottom. Under the ledges, red sponges and tube coral can be seen only with powerful lights.

How long is the boat ride from Kihei to Molokini?
Want to figure out how to fit snorkeling in with all of the other things you want to see on Maui? We have a done-for-you itinerary that takes you to all of the top snorkeling spots and other things that you’ll want to see in that area. Plus, we include restaurants to enjoy nearby when you’re done snorkeling. I don’t like to play favorites because all of the tours on this list are excellent, but we love the sunrise snorkel with Kai Kanani.
During their two-hour tour, it’s similar to the Redline Rafting two-hour tour. This is an express route for people who are excited to get in the water at Molokini Crater. After a 20 minute ride to the crater, you’ll get an hour or more to explore the water. Redline Rafting’s two-hour tour feels like an express ride in the best possible way. Jump on the raft and you’ll be out to the crater in 20 quick minutes. Once there you’ll have plenty of time to snorkel in the crater with your small group (the raft only holds 11 passengers!).
During your catamaran ride you will be served breakfast to start as you leave Maui behind and Lanai comes into view. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for spinner dolphins breaching the surface. There’ll be plenty of chance to snorkel in Lanai’s calm bays before heading back to Maui. Molokini crater is an iconic moon-shaped islet with incredibly clear water off of Maui’s Southern coast. Click here to learn about our optional SNUBA upgrade. Snorkel inside a rare volcanic crater with clear waters, coral reefs.
While you can visit the crater year-round, mornings are ideal before the trade winds pick up. With all of our kid friendly features and helpful crew, this tour is perfect for everyone. Like the breathtaking marine life, Molokini Crater is a fantastic experience. Molokini is a partially submerged volcanic crater that forms a small, uninhabited islet and is protected from contact with the general public. Depending on the specific snorkel spot, the depth is feet when snorkeling at Molokini Crater.
This two-hour tour is private and includes both your SUP rental as well as your snorkeling gear. Head out from Makena Landing (near Turtle Town) and paddle the scenic coastline. As it’s a private tour, it can be geared to your personal activity level so you can go as fast (or as slow) as you want on the SUP.
Between these aquatic adventures, relax on the luxurious decks of our state-of-the-art catamarans. Treat yourself to a sumptuous breakfast, savory snacks, and a lunch rich with Hawaiian flavors, all while enjoying a selection of drinks from our premium bar. Turtle Town is a revered location for snorkeling off the south coast of Maui. And there’s no better or more environmentally friendly way to experience this area than by kayak.
Hawaiians named them Iwa birds, which translated means thief. It is located just a few miles off Maui’s shore and is Hawaii’s only island marine sanctuary. Scientists believe Molokini Crater formed about 150 thousand years ago. We are Hawaii travelers who have lived on Maui and Oahu sharing our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii.
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