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The first time I snorkeled at Molokini Crater, I was eight years old and I was blown away by both the fish (beautiful!) and the slide off the boat (the stuff an eight year old’s dreams are made of). 

Since then I’ve gone on nearly a dozen trips and tours to find the best Molokini snorkeling tour experiences. And I’ve found some great ones. 

Molokini crater is a partially submerged volcanic crater that is home to a marine life sanctuary as well as a bird sanctuary. The crater is thought to have been formed from a volcanic eruption 230,000 years ago. The island crater is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving as the crater has crystal clear water and great visibility as well as a large and varied fish population. 

Want to jump right into the recommendations without reading the whole thing? We’ve got you covered with some of the best Molokini snorkeling tours:
– Our absolute favorite tour departing from Wailea
– Jump aboard a power raft from Kihei
– This Molokini Catamaran tour from Ma’alaea Harbor in Central Maui is wonderful
– A larger boat from Ma’alaea but really family friendly experience
Plus we have more listed below!

Molokini Snorkeling Tour FAQs

Are snorkeling tours worth it?

We love snorkeling tours and think they are definitely worth it for a few reasons:

• Get instruction and head out with an experienced guide: this is helpful and important whether you are new to snorkeling or you’ve done it a few times. A great guide can help make the experience even better and they can help you learn precautions that will keep you safe in the ocean.
• Keep the reef safe: when snorkeling from the shore, it is easy to inadvertently damage coral and rock if you’re not careful. The coral is delicate and has been growing for thousands of years. It’s important to keep it safe!
• Have a great time on the water: getting a view of Maui from the water is such a different perspective. Relaxing on a boat and getting to enjoy a few hours on the water with a knowledgeable guide talking story gives you memories you can take home. 

Note: the only way to visit Molokini Crater is with a snorkeling tour. You cannot get there from the shore. Molokini Crater is a highlight of a trip to Maui (check out the other 32 things on our list of best things to do on Maui).

What is the best time of day to snorkel Molokini Crater?

Normally, you’ll find that it’s best to snorkel Molokini Crater in the morning. Most tours leave in the morning in hopes of finding the calmest waters. In the afternoon, the tradewinds can kick up and the ocean conditions get rougher. 

If you’re headed to Maui, make sure you review our ultimate Maui Guide. It has nearly everything you need to know to help you plan your trip. And it’s all free.

How long is the boat ride from Kihei to Molokini?

The great thing about leaving on a snorkeling trip from Kihei or Wailea is the ride to Molokini is really quick. From Wailea, the ride is around 15 minutes and from Kihei the ride is around 20 minutes! 

Compared to a 45 minute ride from Ma’alaea Harbor, leaving from Kihei or Wailea is fast and efficient. 

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Where do Molokini snorkeling tours depart from?

Molokini snorkeling tours depart from three different locations on Maui: Ma’alaea Harbor, Kihei Small Boat Ramp, and Maluaka beach in Wailea. 

Ma’alaea Harbor is in central Maui and is the furthest away from Molokini Crater but the most number of boats leave from there. 

Kihei Small Boat Ramp and Maluaka Beach in Wailea are closer to Molokini Crater and are much more convenient for anyone staying in South Maui, but there are fewer boats that leave from there. 

We give you options for snorkeling tours departing from each location.

Is Turtle Town the same as Molokini Crater?

Many Molokini Crater snorkeling tours add on a second stop on their trip at Turtle Town. But Turtle Town is not the same as Molokini Crater. Turtle Town is a snorkeling spot famous for turtle sightings that is located off the coast near Makena Landing. This stop is a nice compliment to Molokini Crater as you won’t see any sea turtles in the crater — but you will see fish, eels, and if you’re lucky, an octopus. 

Best Molokini Snorkeling Tours from Kihei

There are two great options that leave from the Kihei Small Boat Harbor. And both are small boats — get ready for an adventure on a power raft. 

Redline Rafting

Redline Rafting’s two hour tour feels like an express ride in the best possible way. Jump on the raft and you’ll be out to the crater in 20 quick minutes. Once there you’ll have plenty of time to snorkel in the crater with your small group (the raft only holds 11 passengers!). 

Their five hour tour includes a little more excitement. Not only do you snorkel in Molokini Crater but you are also able to head to the backwall of the crater (weather permitting), which is an adventure. And you’ll spend some time at Turtle Town as well before having lunch and heading back to Kihei. 

Check out our video of our snorkeling trip with Redline Rafting:

Makena Coast Charters

Also aboard a raft, Makena Coast Charters offers two tours. 

During their two hour tour, it’s similar to the Redline Rafting two hour tour. This is an express route for people who are excited to get in the water at Molokini Crater. After a 20 minute ride to the crater, you’ll get an hour or more to explore the water. 

Their four hour tour loops in a stop at turtle town. You’ll first get roughly an hour to snorkel at Molokini Crater followed by another hour of snorkeling at Turtle Town. After snorkeling you’ll enjoy a meal and beverage service before they return you back to the small boat harbor. 

Best Molokini Snorkeling Tours from Wailea

I don’t like to play favorites because all of the tours on this list are excellent, but we absolutely love the sunrise snorkel with Kai Kanani. While it is a very early departure, you get to spend some time in the crater before anyone else gets there. After snorkeling in the crater you head to Turtle Town. 

Kai Kanani leaves right from Maluaka Beach (which is stunning), but you should expect to get a little wet during the beach loading. Once you’re on board, you’re off on a luxurious adventure. The crew is fantastic and you’re treated to breakfast, hot drinks, and a beautiful catamaran.

If you’re not an early riser, they also have a mid-morning snorkel which is also fantastic. The same tour just a few hours later. 

In case it’s not clear, we just love this tour and so do our kids. Check out our experience with them (and our stay at the Grand Wailea).

Best Molokini Snorkeling Tours from Ma’alaea

A trip to Ma’alaea is a further drive from South Maui and it takes longer to get to Molokini Crater on the boat, but it’s a great option for people who like a larger boat (no rafts!), or need an easier accessible boat (no beach loading). 

Sail Maui

We’ve done a number of Sail Maui tours and we’ve had an excellent time every time. Their Molokini Snorkeling tour is no exception. Leave for the 4.5 hour tour from Ma’alaea Harbor aboard their Paragon II boat. While the boat ride to Molokini is longer from Ma’alaea, they make use of it by offering you a delightful breakfast. After snorkeling at Molokini Crater, enjoy lunch on your ride back to Ma’alaea. 

This is a great option for passengers of all ages as the boat is comfortable and getting onboard from the harbor is easy. 

Fair Winds II

Family fun is the focus on the Four Winds Molokini Crater tour. It’s the largest boat on this list, but they have some specific amenities that can make going with a larger group totally worth it. Note: their boat capacity is 149 people but they advertise that they keep their tours smaller than that to ensure comfortability. 

On their Molokini snorkeling tour, you’ll get to snorkel Molokini Crater but kids are front and center on the tour. There is a waterslide (that even adults enjoy), a glass-bottom viewing room, cookies, temporary tattoos, and more. In the glass bottom room, a few kids or adults can take a peek at what’s underwater, without actually having to get into the water. 

Best Snorkeling Tours in Kihei and South Maui (that aren’t to Molokini Crater)

While we love snorkeling to Molokini Crater, sticking closer to shore is also a great option. We have two suggestions for snorkeling tours that don’t include a boat, but still have great snorkeling. 

Maui SUP and Snorkel Adventures

Get in some morning exercise along with a snorkeling tour on an SUP adventure and snorkeling tour. This two hour tour is private and includes both your SUP rental as well as your snorkeling gear. Head out from Makena Landing (near Turtle Town) and paddle the scenic coastline. As it’s a private tour, it can be geared to your personal activity level so you can go as fast (or as slow) as you want on the SUP. If you haven’t tried SUP yet, your guide will give you a lesson and help you navigate the new skill as you head out onto the water. 

Maui Snorkel Tours

This is a unique guided snorkeling tour. They offer shore-based tours, meaning no boats are involved at all. You’ll head out in a very small group with a guide (or a private tour) after a briefing on land about marine biology and how to snorkel. 

Why is a shore-based excursion so great? On a tour boat, there’s no one available to give you 1:1 guidance for how to properly snorkel. With a guide, they are taking you step by step through how to snorkel, where to snorkel, and equipping you with the knowledge that you can use on future shore snorkeling trips. 

Once you’ve mastered your snorkeling skills, you may feel comfortable enjoying some of the other best snorkeling spots on Maui.

Plan the Rest of Your Maui Trip

Want to figure out how to fit snorkeling in with all of the other things you want to see on Maui? We have a done-for-you itinerary that takes you to all of the top snorkeling spots and other things that you’ll want to see in that area. Plus, we include restaurants to enjoy nearby when you’re done snorkeling. 

Thank you so much for your itineraries.  Just got the Maui and Oahu ones and man oh man are you guys a life saver.  

I’m surprising my wife for her 40th to Oahu for 3 days then hopping over to Maui for 7 more days and have booked exclusively off your recommendations!  Cannot thank you guys enough for all this.  

– YouTube Comment from @jonesings