Molokini Snorkel Tour (AM, 5 hr)

Five-Hour Molokini Snorkel Adventure

Book Molokini Snorkel Tour

An experience for the whole family.

5 Hour Tour

RegularOnline$241$159Adults
13+$221$115Children
4-12yFREEFREEInfants

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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

What’s Included

• 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)

Itinerary

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

Boarding & briefing — Māʻalaea 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.

What to bring

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

Directions

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

Safety & Reef Care

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.

Why
Molokini?

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.

Molokini Crater with Maui in the distance on a calm morning.

Two snorkelers on deck aboard Pride of Maui with Molokini in the background.

Parent and child floating with noodles during a snorkel stop off Maui.

Cheeseburger lunch plate served aboard Pride of Maui.

FAQ

Is Molokini Crater snorkeling worth it?

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.

Is Lanai or Molokini better for snorkeling?

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.

Is Molokini Crater good for snorkeling?

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.

How long does it take to snorkel at Molokini?

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.

Is Molokini Crater safe for kids?

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!

Are there sea turtles at Molokini Crater?

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.

What does the Molokini Snorkel Tour include?

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.

rating of guests 5.0

TESTIMONIALS

The pride of Maui went above my expectations. The staff was exceptional. I have snorkeled several times on my travels and never had a person in the water telling us the type of fish and the colors to look for especially the ones that were specific to Hawaii, not to mention the awesome turtles swimming right by us! We also loved having the wet suit jacket it definitely was a plus in the chilly water. I will highly recommend this excursion to anyone headed to Maui. Thanks for a very special memory with my family.

We were on Maui last week celebrating our 50th anniversary with our extended family of 11. We booked the Snorkeling Molokini Crater and Turtle Town trip. This was the first time any of us had been snorkeling. It was perfect! Every one of the crew we interacted with was very helpful. The breakfast and the grilled lunch were great, as was the “happy hour” on the return trip.
This trip was exactly as described. I would highly recommend it to everyone!

Wonderful experience from start to finish. We went as a group of 8 (4 adults and 4 kids ages 11, 14, 16 & 18). The boat was clean and staff was wonderful. Started with a delicious continental breakfast then on to snorkeling and a wonderful lunch. Was really impressed with the comfort of the boat as well as how uncrowded it was. Definitely felt more personalized than just uncomfortably shoving as many people on the boat as would fit. Five star experience from start to finish! Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or book again!