Our Favorite Molokini Crater Snorkel Tour from Wailea (sunrise and mid-morning tours)
We’ve done this trip so many times and it’s always excellent. Sail with Kai Kanani on a luxury sunrise snorkel to Molokini crater and Turtle Town from Makena (South Maui). Head out for an early or mid-morning snorkeling trip to Molokini and Turtle Town (conditions permitting). The Kai Kanani operates their catamaran from South Maui, making them the first tour boat to arrive daily at Molokini Crater. The snorkel trip includes excellent food and beverages (coffee! hot chocolate! open bar!), a convenient south Maui location, and a fun, knowledgeable crew.
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Activity Overview
Molokini Crater Snorkel Highlights
- 3.5 hour duration
- 6:15 am sunrise tour and 9:45 am mid-morning tour
- Convenient beach loading from Makena (just a few minutes from Wailea)
- Snorkel at Molokini crater and visit Turtle Town
- Food and beverages are provided on board
- All ages welcome; infants (under 1 year old) are free!
Our Experience
Every time we board the Kai Kanani II, we meet group after group who go with Kai Kanani every time they visit Maui. I love the beach loading, Erica loves the exclusivity of Molokini Crater thanks to Kai Kanani’s South Maui location, and Henry loves their food. Our toddler doesn’t care that it is locally sourced, but we do.
Beach-loading off of Maluaka Beach in Makena, Kai Kanani II is a 5-10 minute ride from the Wailea resorts. With this mid-morning snorkel, you will enjoy the deep blue ocean while the sun is high. Kai Kanani is proud to call South Maui home and you won’t forget the experience they provide!
Find the date and time that’s right for you
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What to Expect with a Molokini Snorkel Tour
Kai Kanani offers Sunrise and Mid-Morning tour times, so just pick which tour works best for your party!
Departs from South Maui
Kai Kanani leaves from Maluaka Beach (click here for directions) for a boat loading. This is in Makena, just south of the Wailea resorts.
Shuttle Service from Wailea Resorts
Kai Kanani offers shuttle service from Wailea Resorts to and from their check-in location at Maluaka Beach. Space is limited so contact them to reserve your spot.
Molokini Sunrise Tour
You’re up and at ’em early for this sunrise snorkel trip on the Kai Kanani. But the early bird certainly gets the best experience here — you’ll get to see Molokini before any other tour boat. Molokini Crater is a partially submerged volcanic crater that is a marine sanctuary and a popular snorkeling spot, accessible only by boat. You’ll also visit Turtle Town on the tour, conditions permitting.
The trip lasts 3.5 hours, which means you’ll be back to shore by 9:45, leaving you the rest of the day to explore or relax by the pool. Kai Kanani offers free transportation to the boat from select hotels (you’ll need to book transportation when booking your snorkel).
Have Molokini to Yourself
Due to their South Maui location, loading at Maluaka Beach in Makena, Kai Kanani is the first snorkel boat into Molokini in the morning, enjoying 45 minutes of pristine solitude in the clearest water in Hawaii, with up to 200 feet of visibility. Then you’ll head back to Maui and snorkel with the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle at the world-famous Turtle Town.
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Check-in at 6 AM and departure at 6:45 AM. The trip lasts 3.5 hours, which means you’ll be back to shore by 9:45, leaving you the rest of the day to explore or relax by the pool.
Molokini Mid-Morning Tour
If rising early is not in the cards for you or your group, you’re still taken care of with their mid-morning tour, departing at 9:45am.
Leisurely Dining
Enjoy a bountiful spread of locally-sourced food throughout the day, finishing with a gourmet lunch. After snorkeling, enjoy an open bar with Kona beers on tap and local spirits. Take in the stunning views of Makena, Haleakala, and South Maui on a leisurely cruise to finish up the tour.
Molikini Crater + Turtle Town
The Signature Deluxe Snorkel is their most popular tour, with two snorkeling locations, placed in the heart of the day when the Maui sun lights up the colors of the fish and coral below and you can take in the full spectrum of the beauty of Molokini’s incredible reef. Then snorkel along the Makena Coast to swim with the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Molokini Snorkel Tour FAQ
If you have questions, we have answers on Molokini Crater snorkeling with Kai Kanani.
Know Before You Go Snorkel Safety
Swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean should not be taken lightly. To keep you safe, please know your health limits, swim with a buddy, never turn your back on the ocean, and read and obey posted signs. Check HIOceanSafety.com for ocean conditions at lifeguard beaches.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made after the grace period for your group size will result in a 100% charge being incurred (no refund). All notification of cancellation must be received by phone at (808)879-7218 for the following timeframes based on group size. Parties adhering to this policy will receive a full refund. Any notice given with less than the following notice before the tour time will NOT be considered valid and NO refund will be offered.
- For groups of 5 or fewer, notification of cancellation must be received at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour time.
- For groups of 6 to 9, notification of cancellation must be received at least 7 days prior to the scheduled tour time.
- For groups of 10 or more, notification of cancellation must be received at least 14 days prior to the scheduled tour time.
Does Kai Kanani provide transport from my resort?
Kai Kanani offers a Mercedes shuttle service from select Wailea Resorts to and from their launching point at Maluaka Beach. Space is limited, so contact Kai Kanani to reserve your space.
Can I bring a good camera?
Absolutely! Bring a GoPro or another suitable water camera to get underwater shots. You can also bring your fancy camera but there may be light spray so make sure you can keep it dry.
Kai Kanani also welcomes you to bring your phone, camera, electronic keys, etc. but first, make sure they are not in your pockets during boat loading. They highly recommend you bring a waterproof bag to put these items in. If you do not have one, don’t worry, they are happy to provide you with a small plastic bag before the tour begins. If you have a waterproof camera – even better. Be sure to hold those bags nice and high as you are walking through the water.
What should I expect with beach loading?
Beach loading has its challenges: it takes experienced captains and crew to ensure the tour is fun and safe. Kai Kanani has been at it for more than 30 years and has the most experienced beach-loading crew on the island, with each one specially trained to deal with the specific conditions that occur at pristine Maluaka Beach.
- The crew will have you form two lines for their two boarding steps.
- The crew will point out any potential hazards, such as the white cross beam that taller passengers will need to duck under
- The crew is there to assist you with bags, children, and adults who need a hand.
- You’ll hear the crew giving instructions. Please listen to them! They might see something you don’t. If they say, “Stop!” it’s for a good cause.
- If you need any assistance, ask! That’s what they do best.
While going up and down the ladder, most people are so excited looking down at the water that they forget to look up. As you’re boarding the ladder, grab onto those metal handrails with both hands and make sure to avoid the cross beam above you.
What is the Health and Safety policy?
Your health is their top priority and Kai Kanani have put special measures in place to keep all guests safe both during and after your activity.
- Stringent Cleaning – They’ve increased the frequency of disinfecting surfaces and high traffic areas between each tour, and hand sanitizer will be available to all of their guests.
- Social Distancing – Guests will stay at a safe 6-foot distance during all points of the tour. They also ensure that all staff members will be wearing the necessary PPE.
- Wellness Checks – Employees receive daily wellness checks to ensure they are healthy and symptom-free. If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, they will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour.
What do I need to wear?
They recommend swimwear on all of their trips, including the Adventure Sunset Sail. Clothes that can be worn over swimwear are great but you’ll want to take those off when you board and disembark the vessel. Once onboard, feel free to put clothes over your swimwear.
Footwear: You will be asked to walk barefoot across the sand before boarding to ensure that a sneaky wave won’t take your shoes off or they don’t inhibit your progress as you step onto Kai Kanani II. Once onboard, feel free to wear your footwear.
Towels: They ask that you bring your own towels to snorkel tours. They provide towels on the Adventure Sunset Sail. Those towels stay with them so it’s good to keep a towel in your car or an extra in your bag for when you disembark.
Are there shaded areas on the boat?
Yes, there is a large shaded area with benches and tables in the hull.
Will I get seasick?
The Kai Kanani II is a performance catamaran so it causes less seasickness than other types of boats. However, as a precaution, motion sickness medicine should be taken the night before the tour to solve all worries.
About
Kai Kanani is a Native Hawaiian family-owned company that has been in operation for more than 30 years. They operate their catamaran tours out of South Maui, and you can hop aboard for a snorkel trip, sunset sail, or whale-watching adventure. Kai Kanani supports local farmers and small businesses by shopping locally for the meals and drinks they serve onboard. Their attention to detail, fun and knowledgeable crew, and excellent customer experience have earned them more than 1,300 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
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