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Molokini Snorkeling Tour from Māʻalaea Harbor

Morning Molokini snorkel from Māʻalaea. Gear included, optional SNUBA, safety-first crew

Departs 8:00 am from Māʻalaea Harbor (North Dock) • 5-hour tour • Fresh breakfast, BBQ lunch & open bar after snorkeling.

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Five-Hour Molokini Snorkel Adventure

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An experience for the whole family.
5 Hour Tour
RegularOnline$241$159Adults
13+
$221$115Children
4-12y
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Looking for a smaller luxury experience?
See the ‘Elua Luxury Molokini Snorkel Tour.

Snorkel Molokini Crater (and Turtle Town, conditions permitting) on the Pride of Maui catamaran. Snorkel gear included, optional SNUBA, a clear safety briefing, and in-water support make this a relaxed, guided morning on the water.

Safety first: On windy or swell days, the captain may choose an alternate Maui snorkel site, such as Coral Gardens, for the safest, clearest water.

Highlights

  • Two snorkel sites: Molokini Crater & Turtle Town (conditions permitting)
  • Gear included: masks, snorkels, fins & flotation (adult + child sizes)
  • Tour length: five hours, morning Molokini snorkel for calmer seas and clearer water
  • Comforts on board: restrooms, warm showers, indoor cabin & open-deck seating, water slide
  • Food & drinks: fresh breakfast, BBQ lunch; open bar after snorkeling
  • Pro crew: safety briefing, in-water support, reef-safe practices

Snorkel gear & flotation: masks, snorkels, fins, and vests; adult & child sizes; sanitized between uses
Optional SNUBA with a trained guide: small-group, guide-led, hose-assisted diving, ages 8+—no certification required (limited spaces; reserve during booking)
Food & drinks included: hot breakfast, BBQ lunch, juices & sodas; open bar after snorkeling
Onboard amenities: restrooms, warm showers, freshwater rinse, indoor cabin & open-deck seating, water slide
Crew & safety: trained lifeguards, safety orientation, reef-safe sunscreen only, no standing on coral (coral reef care)

From our Māʻalaea Harbor slip, we set out on a five-hour snorkeling adventure.

  • Boarding & briefingMāʻalaea Harbor, North Dock. Meet the crew, collect gear, and hear a quick ocean-safety & reef-care talk.
  • Molokini Crater — Anchor inside the crater for high-visibility snorkeling among colorful reef fish and coral. SNUBA groups enter with a certified guide.
  • Turtle Town (conditions permitting) — Gentle reefs with the chance to see honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). BBQ lunch is served after the second swim. Return to Māʻalaea Harbor.
    • Swimsuit, towel, and a light cover-up or dry shirt
    • Sun protection: Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, and polarized sunglasses
    • Photo ID
    • Motion comfort remedy if you’re prone to seasickness
    • Waterproof phone case or camera

    Breakfast

    Freshly baked muffins, tropical fruit, croissants with guava jelly, and Kona coffee.

    Lunch

    BBQ lunch with hot items (e.g., burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers) and quick bites. (Selections vary day-to-day.)

    Beverages

    Juices (POG, pineapple, cranberry) and sodas; open bar after snorkeling with beer, wine, and signature Mai Tais.

    Special Requests

    Vegetarian or vegan in your party? Please call 808.242.0955 at least 72 hours before your tour.

    • Harbor: Māʻalaea Harbor, North Dock
    • Parking: Paid parking is available near the harbor. Arrive early on busy mornings
    • Map: Your confirmation email includes a Google Maps link and check-in details

    Your safety is our top priority. Our captains and crew are CPR-trained and provide a comprehensive safety orientation plus snorkel tips right on board. We post lifeguards in the water and on deck, and our vessel carries USCG-required safety equipment.

    Common questions

    • Are safety instructions provided? Yes. Every trip starts with a safety & reef-care briefing plus gear guidance.
    • What equipment is on board? All USCG-required safety gear and emergency equipment.
    • Which regulations do you follow? United States Coast Guard rules and Hawaiʻi maritime regulations.
    • Is the vessel certified? Yes. Pride of Maui is USCG-certified and operated by an experienced crew.

    Please also read: Snorkeling safety tips.

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    Why
    Molokini?

    Pride of Maui arriving at Molokini Crater for a morning snorkel.

    Couple snorkeling above coral reef at Molokini.

    Aerial view of Molokini Crater’s crescent reef off Maui.

    Pride of Maui waterslide in use near Molokini Crater.

    SNUBA operator of the-year badge

    What is Molokini Crater?

    Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic islet and a marine life conservation district. Thanks to its protected shape and offshore location, Molokini often delivers crystal-clear water with visibility that can exceed 100 feet.

    What you might see

    Over 250+ reef fish species (many endemic), healthy coral, and—at Turtle Town—the chance to spot honu (green sea turtles). (Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.)

    Note: Turtles are viewed at Turtle Town, not inside Molokini’s crater.

    Try SNUBA

    SNUBA lets confident swimmers explore deeper than snorkeling with no scuba certification required. You’ll be connected to a raft-mounted air tank and guided by a certified instructor. Spaces are limited; reserve during booking.

    Why choose Pride of Maui for Molokini

    • Space & stability
      Large catamaran, easy ramp boarding at Māʻalaea Harbor (North Dock).
    • Safety & support
      Trained lifeguards, clear briefings, in-water assistance for first timers.
    • Easy day on the water
      5-hour morning tour, Molokini Crater + Turtle Town (conditions permitting), breakfast, BBQ lunch, open bar after snorkeling.

    Snorkeler gliding over clear water and reef at Molokini. Snorkeler gliding over clear water and reef at Molokini.
    Molokini Crater with Maui in the distance on a calm morning. Molokini Crater with Maui in the distance on a calm morning.
    Two snorkelers on deck aboard Pride of Maui with Molokini in the background. Two snorkelers on deck aboard Pride of Maui with Molokini in the background.
    Reef fish near Molokini’s coral slope. Reef fish near Molokini’s coral slope.
    Parent and child floating with noodles during a snorkel stop off Maui. Parent and child floating with noodles during a snorkel stop off Maui.
    Cheeseburger lunch plate served aboard Pride of Maui. Cheeseburger lunch plate served aboard Pride of Maui.

    FAQ

    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 staffed with experienced professionals.

    Both Lanai and Molokini offer fantastic snorkeling opportunities. There isn’t a way to directly compare them because they are both unique. Molokini can only be reached by boat and is easily experienced for those staying on the Island of Maui. If you’re visiting Lanai, make sure to research the best local snorkel tour guides.

    Yes, Molokini Crater is excellent for snorkeling! It’s one of only a few volcanic islets of its kind in the world, and is famous for its diverse underwater ecosystem. Molokini is also a rare sea bird refuge. Take advantage of every opportunity to snorkel at Molokini when visiting Maui.

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

    Yes, Molokini is safe for kids. The safety of all of our guests, both in and out of the water, is our #1 priority. Our guests visit this rare volcanic islet in comfort and under the care of our professional staff. We have the insider’s perspective to help make your Maui snorkel tour one of the most memorable moments of your life!

    The waters surrounding the island of Maui are known for their sea turtle population. However, Molokini Crater has fewer turtles than other snorkel spots on Maui. While encountering turtles at Molokini is uncommon, it remains a possibility. For the best Molokini snorkeling experience, consider booking a morning tour when the ocean is calm. These tranquil conditions provide better underwater visibility to see decorative reef formations and a host of tropical fish and marine species in their natural environment.

    This tour is a 5-hour snorkeling adventure that stops at both Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. It includes a delicious and fresh breakfast, lunch, and an open bar, and all of your snorkel gear and flotation devices. Please keep in mind that we also offer SNUBA as an add-on to this trip.

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    rating of guests 5.0

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