Molokini is an underwater marine reserve and is also a sea-bird sanctuary.
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Discover Molokini
Molokini Island Crater near Maui is one of the premier spots for snorkeling tours and trips in all of Hawaii.
The Molokini Island Crater is actually the tip of an extinct volcano, barely peeking above the ocean surface between Maui and Kahoolawe.
Visibility is often 150 feet, tropical fish are everywhere, and its sheer cliffs and rugged beauty are the focus of professional photographers from all over thrilled.
The only way to get to Molokini is by boat and there are lots. Large boats, small boats, power boats, sail boats - you name it, we have it. There are so many choices it can become confusing. Here are a few of the key questions to ask yourself to help you - and us - sort out what trip might be best for you.
Of all the activities we have sent people on over the years, none has been more popular or has provided more positive feedback than our snorkel trips to Molokini. People just love it! It's a perfect destination - only a forty-five to sixty-minute cruise out of Maalaea Harbor.
The bowl of Molokini Island Crater is teeming with marine life and wild fish stories are told over and over again to the folks back at the hotel after a day's outing. The colors and shapes of the fish are so beautiful and distinctive that visitors to our island find themselves returning to Molokini year after year in what has become for many a pilgrimage of sorts.
- Do you want a large boat that is stable in the water?
- Would you prefer a smaller, more personalized vessel with fewer people on board?
- How about a zodiac raft trip?
- Would you like to snorkel at Molokini and then go to a second location off the coast of Maui to snorkel again?
- How about taking advantage of the late morning tradewinds and choose a sail boat for a refreshing sail home?
- Would you like to leave from Maalaea Harbor, the small Kihei boat ramp, or Lahaina harbor?
- Is price a factor? Costs vary considerably.
- Snorkeling Molokini is best in the morning. Afternoon tradewinds make snorkeling impossible most days. Many boats advertise an afternoon trip to Molokini at an attractive reduced rate and will go if weather permits. When weather does not permit, which is most often, they maneuver to a protected spot off Maui's coast and snorkel there instead. If you want Molokini, book a morning trip.
- Do the Molokini snorkeling tour or trip first, if you're here in whale season and plan to go on a whale watch trip as well as a Molokini snorkeling trip. You just might see enough whales to last your whole vacation.
- Book your Molokini snorkeling tours and trip early. During busy times we book up all boats days in advance.
- An underwater camera will record your Molokini snorkeling adventure. Disposable underwater cameras that take great shots cost about $15. We have them at our stores or they can be purchased at many places on the island.
Aloha Blue Charters - A Molokini snorkel tour, with the added excitement of sport fishing along the way that adds extra excitement. They also offer fishing charters and are equipped with 5 custom Running Rods with International Gold Reels, a Gimbel Fighting Chair and top of the line Hawaii Made Lures. Hokua a 40' power catamaran is an extremely fast boat that gets you to your destinations quickly and comfortably. She is a modern eco friendly jet drive propelled vessel, for smaller groups of no more than 30 passengers. | ![]() Aloha Blue Charters Price Range: (From: $79.90 - To: $79.90) |
Aqua Snuba Adventures - A 50' foot power vessel built in Louisiana and is a great boat for the snorkel Molokini adventure. From bow to stern she was designed for comfort, speed, stability and above all, fun in the sun. Aqua Adventures is stable and comfortable and is a great choice for someone desiring smaller groups on a mono-hull vessel. | ![]() Aqua Snuba Adventures Price Range: (From: $86.90 - To: $129.00) |
Blue Water Rafting - One of the few Molokini snorkel companies that offers snorkel and rafting tours to the remote Kanaio coastline along Maui's southern shore as well as Molokini. Kanaio is the site of Maui's last volcanic eruption in the 1780s and the underwater lava flows, lava arches and sea caves built a seabed of clarity and visibility for some of the most beautiful snorkeling on the island. | ![]() Blue Water Rafting Price Range: (From: $46.90 - To: $113.90) |
Four Winds II - A 55' ft Catamaran with state of the art "A" Frame sail configuration features a large glass bottom viewing room for those wishing a dry view of the reef, a waterslide plus BBQ grills for a nice hot lunch buffet. Special attention is taken to assist passengers with snorkeling and there are plenty of flotation devices even boogie boards with glass ports for special underwater viewing. Can accommodate up to 149 passengers but limited to 130 for comfort. | ![]() Four Winds II Price Range: (From: $33.90 - To: $70.90) |
Friendly Charters (Lani Kai) - This boat is fast and travels the distance between snorkel locations quickly leaving lots of time to snorkel Molokini and its second snorkel location, Turtle Town. You can be in the shade in the lower cabin or can enjoy the sun on the deck above. The maximum capacity of the Lani Kai is 70 passengers. | ![]() Friendly Charters (Lani Kai) Price Range: (From: $39.99 - To: $82.99) |
Frogman - Offers Molokini Snorkel Trips, Afternoon Snorkel Trips and Sunset Cruises on the 55' ft Power Catamaran the "Frogman II" with a 52 passenger capacity . | ![]() Frogman Price Range: (From: $27.90 - To: $58.90) |
Island Princess - The Lahaina Cruise Company has always been a prominent player in providing ocean activates to guests visiting Maui. Their base of operations is from Lahaina Harbor and from this hub they provide a number of excellent choices of tours ranging from dinner cruises and cocktail cruises to Molokini snorkels, whale watches and their famous daily ferry service between Maui and Molokai. The company's owner, David Jung, a well known and respected boatman in Maui waters realized the potential of such a ferry service between islands many years ago when he visited islands in the South Pacific and experienced their ferry transportation between islands. He came back to Maui with a commitment to provide this option in the form of a service between Maui and Molokai and now it has been operational for decades. David's boats have a reputation of being large, stable and comfortable and the Lahaina Cruise Company is truly one of the cornerstones to be found in the boating industry on the island. | ![]() Island Princess Price Range: (From: $75.90 - To: $75.90) |
Kai Kanani - A 65' power sailing catamaran that leaves from the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. Great for guest staying in South Maui and the Wailea area. They offer an early morning Molokini Express Tour and a later departure Deluxe Molokini snorkel sail excursion. | ![]() Kai Kanani Price Range: (From: $54.00 - To: $114.00) |
Leilani - A sister ship to the Pride is their boat Leilani which is used for Molokini Tours. There are a slew of desirable features which make this boat a great choice for the Molokini adventure. They have an upper sun deck and a completely enclosed lower cabin, fresh water shower, modern head and they troll for fish on the way to and from their destination. Recently the boat has been renovated with new engines and with cosmetic additions making it sleek, comfortable and reliable. For over 30 years Pride Charters has provided top-quality tours to Molokini on snorkel adventures as well as providing great dinner and cocktail cruises and whale watches. Their home port is Maalaea Harbor which is situated centrally on the island provides convenient access from all island locations. The focus and philosophy of the company has always been to provide impeccable service to their guests and their large, stable and spacious vessel has greatly assisted them in achieving this goal for many years. | ![]() Leilani Price Range: (From: $62.90 - To: $62.90) |
Mahana Nai'a - The Mahana Na'ia is one of the original boats that have been used for years to tour Molokini. The crew has always been among the friendliest and we have received countless accolades regarding their generous concern for clients over the years. The Mahana Na'ia goes to both Molokini and Turtle Town on its daily sojourn into Maui waters and is also available for private charters. | ![]() Mahana Nai'a Price Range: (From: $74.90 - To: $74.90) |
Maui Magic - A 54' Comfortable, Fast, State of the Art Power Catamaran is one of the few regularly scheduled Molokini snorkel vessels, other than rafts, that brave the waters along Haleakalas southern shore to visit LaPerouse and the Kanaio Coastline. Specifically designed to be able to handle the more challenging waters in the channel found beyond the Makena beaches the Maui Magic is definitely one of the fastest boats on Maui. Features are a Waterslide, BBQ Grills, quality Snorkel Gear and a great Sound System with Cool Music. | ![]() Maui Magic Price Range: (From: $99.90 - To: $99.90) |
Pacific Whale Foundation - Comfortably accommodates up to 149-passenger, this ultimate high-tech, high-speed, super-smooth, double-deck power catamaran is designed for uncompromising passenger comfort and excellent viewing of marine wild life, Ocean Odyssey is based on exacting standards developed through Pacific Whale Foundation's 20 years of marine eco-tour experience. Features special foil-shaped multihulls by Crowther Multihulls of Australia, and is powered by Maui Bio-Fuel, a non-polluting alternative to diesel made from recycled cooking fats and oils. | ![]() Pacific Whale Foundation Price Range: (From: $49.96 - To: $71.96) |
Paragon Sailing Charters - This boat is "flat-out" one of the fastest sailing vessels on the island of Maui and a great choice for those looking for a sailing adventure on a snorkel Molokini trip. There is usually no wind on the way out, but the trip home can be exciting. They also go to Lanai and do sunset sails. This high-performance sailing vessel carries small groups of 38 or less. | ![]() Paragon Sailing Charters Price Range: (From: $46.99 - To: $79.99) |
Pride of Maui - A 65' Maxi Catamaran with twin turbo diesels, top deck high dive, waterslide, glass bottom viewing port, sun deck, fresh water shower, and a stereo sound system. They offer snorkel trips to Molokini and Turtle Town and a Premium Sunset Grill Cocktail Cruise. Accommodates up to 149 passengers but limited to 110 for comfort. | ![]() Pride of Maui Price Range: (From: $38.90 - To: $78.90) |
Prince Kuhio - Mauis largest Molokini Snorkel boat is the 92' Gulf Craft Luxury Liner "Prince Kuhio." It has an air-conditioned main cabin with open viewing topside with a great sundeck The Prince Kuhio generally snorkels Molokini but also goes to a secondary location at Turtle Town. This is a great choice for those that want a very large and stable vessel. The Prince Kuhio is also the only Molokini boat that provides free transportation from most major hotels and condos. | ![]() Prince Kuhio Price Range: (From: $73.69 - To: $98.90) |
Quicksilver Charters - Offers Molokini Snorkel Trips, Afternoon Snorkel Trips and Sunset Cruises on the "Quicksilver" a 55' Power Catamaran with a 105 passenger capacity. | ![]() Quicksilver Charters Price Range: (From: $80.90 - To: $80.90) |
Sea Fire - One of the shortest trips and least expensive rafting tours to Molokini is the Seafire, a 30 Aluminum Hull S.A.F.E (Secured Around Flotation Equipment) Raft. The Seafire leaves from the Kihei Boat Ramp which is just a 15 minute raft ride to Molokini and the morning raft tour includes a stop at "Turtle Town." The late morning and afternoon raft tours on Seafire just go to Molokini but an alternate site may be chosen as normal weather patterns permit. | ![]() Sea Fire Price Range: (From: $42.90 - To: $51.90) |
Trilogy Excursions - Join Maui's First Family of Sailing for an unforgettable ocean experience. Go to Molokini, Lanai, or snorkel Kaanapali. Also, offers a sunset sail, whale watching trips (in season). Safe and comfortable high tech ocean sailing catamarans. | ![]() Trilogy Excursions Price Range: (From: $234.00 - To: $234.00) |
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Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tours near Maui - Molokini is the tiny island located about 6 miles off the coast between Maui and the island of Kahoolawe. Since 1977 it has become both an Underwater Marine Reserve and a Marine Bird Sanctuary and enjoys the governmental protections that are provided by each. In geological terms it is referred to as an underwater caldera and is one of three such formations on the planet. Essentially it is a volcanic cinder cone that just manages to peak its top above water and its cone provides a shallow protected area in the middle of the ocean that is reminiscent of a fish bowl. The center of the bowl is about 80’ in depth however the areas closer to the surface that are ideal for snorkeling are at the 20 to 25’ levels. The highest points of the island above sea level are about 160’ and the entire island covers about 18 acres but you are not permitted to go onshore because of the extremely fragile ecosystem on the island. The back side of the island is quite sheer and descends straight down to depths of about 350’ and this area is only really accessible to and recommended for experienced divers. Marine life here is prevalent and it is estimated that this is the home of over 250 species of fish.




























