Molokini Crater

It’s kind of hard to believe we get this question. It’s an islet. Book a boat trip unless you can turn water into wine and have a cool beard.

No, you can’t swim to Molokini Crater. There are a few main areas on Maui from where boats depart. Maalaea Harbor is the most convenient and not far from Molokini.

The short answer is yes. They live in the ocean. One of the more common species of shark at Molokini Crater is the white-tipped reef shark. This shark gets its name from the white tip on its dorsal fin, and they average 4.5 ft in length. The white tip shark is docile during the day and can be found cruising along the bottom of the reef.

Depending on the specific snorkel spot, the depth is 20-50 feet when snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Molokini Crater houses a reef with up to 150 feet of visibility (on the backside and outside of the crescent). This makes Molokini a highly sought-after location for avid divers.

Anchoring is forbidden. 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.

Like the breathtaking marine life, Molokini Crater is a fantastic experience. Trust us, you will want to climb on it, but don’t! Molokini is a partially submerged volcanic crater that forms a small, uninhabited islet and is protected from contact with the general public.

Molokini islet is the southern rim of an extinct volcanic crater. The shallow inner cove is the crater’s submerged floor. It is the remains of one of the seven Pleistocene epoch volcanoes that formed the prehistoric Maui Nui island during the Quaternary Period of the Cenozoic Era.

Molokini Crater is owned by the federal government and is a protected Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary, as well as a Marine Life Conservation District. It is home to two species of nesting birds, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Bulwer’s Petrels. Shearwaters have thin beaks and feed on fish and crustaceans. Bulwer’s Petrels have very long wings and feeds on plankton.

Molokini, meaning “Many Ties” in Hawaiian, is an uninhabited islet between Maui and Kahoolawe.

There are an estimated 250 species of fish at Molokini, many of them being native to the area. Molokini is also home to an estimated 100 species of algae and 38 hard coral species.

Snorkeling is possible on all corners of the Island of Maui. For visitors, the best snorkeling is found in the protected coves of South Maui and West Maui. For the ultimate Maui snorkeling experience, visitors can book a #1 Rated Maui Snorkel Tour with Pride of Maui. Our tours visit top Maui snorkel spots like Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, Olowalu, and Coral Gardens.

Molokini Crater is one of the most incredible places to snorkel in the world! Yes, it is worth it! The best way to snorkel at Molokini is on a guided tour with a Maui boat tour company outfitted with professional and experienced staff.

Both Lanai and Molokini offer fantastic snorkeling opportunities. There isn’t a way to compare them because they are unique. Molokini is best reached by boat and easily traversed when staying on the Island of Maui. If you’re visiting Lanai, research the best local snorkel tour guides.

Yes, Molokini Crater is excellent for snorkeling! It’s one of the few volcano islets globally and is famously known for its diverse underwater ecosystem. Molokini is also a rare sea bird refuge. Take advantage of all opportunities to snorkel at Molokini when visiting Maui.

The best and only way to snorkel at Molokini is on a Maui boat tour. (Unless you are a marine biologist or oceanographer!). On the Pride of Maui or Leilani, our guests explore snorkeling with experienced Maui snorkel guides on a professional and eco-conscious boat tour. Guests learn about this rare volcano islet and the marine species that dwell in its protected crescent.

From our boat slip at Maalaea Harbor, it takes an average of one hour to reach Molokini Crater. Pending wind conditions, the journey can be quicker. Our #1 Rated Molokini Snorkel Tours are 5 hours in total. They allow guests time to experience Molokini best aboard a world-class catamaran.

Yes, Molokini Crater is very safe when visiting with an experienced captain and crew. When choosing a Maui Snorkel Tour to Molokini Crater, choose a boat company that provides an expert crew, state-of-the-art snorkel, and safety gear. Aboard our world-class catamaran, our guests traverse to Molokini in style, and with stability and comfort always being a priority.

Molokini Crater houses a reef with up to 150 feet of visibility (on the backside and outside of the crescent). This makes Molokini a highly sought-after location for avid scuba divers. The depth is 20-50 feet when snorkeling at Molokini Crater, pending the specific snorkel spot.

Yes, of course, kids can snorkel at Molokini Crater! Aboard Pride of Maui’s #1 Rated Molokini Snorkel Tour, guests are provided snorkel instruction with an expert-level crew. Our snorkel gear, safety vests, and flotation devices are state-of-the-art, sanitized, and maintained between every use.

Yes, Molokini is safe for kids. Safety protocols in and out of the water are our #1 priority. Our guests visit this rare volcano islet in comfort and amongst a professional staff. We have that rare insider’s perspective to make your Maui snorkel tour one of the most memorable moments of your life!

The waters surrounding the island of Maui are abundant with sea turtles, and Molokini Crater is no exception. It is possible to snorkel with turtles at Molokini on any morning or afternoon. For the best Molokini snorkeling experience, book a morning tour so you can snorkel when the ocean is at its calmest. Calm conditions allow for better visibility and more opportunities to see Maui’s sea turtles thriving in their natural environment.