Category
Molokini posts
Posts in “Molokini”.
Articles
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Both leave Māʻalaea Harbor for about five hours at Molokini plus a turtle stop.
Photo: NOAA
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Snorkeling Molokini as a couple
Two adults without kids get the most from a boat with a smaller passenger cap and a bar or buffet.
Photo: Three Tree Creative
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Private Molokini snorkel charters
Yes, you can hire a private boat to Molokini. We found eight operators that offer a private charter and most print a boat price.
Photo: Three Tree Creative
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How to snorkel Molokini on a budget
The lowest listed Molokini prices tend to come from short small-boat trips, afternoon boats and online-only sales.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Fall is a good time. September has the warmest water in NOAA's table, and November brings the first humpback whales.
Photo: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries / NOAA, under NOAA Fisheries permit #782-1438, public domain
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Molokini snorkeling and whale watching on one trip
Two companies sell a dedicated snorkel and whale watch combo, and three more mention whale watching on their winter snorkel trips.
Photo: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries / J. Moore, NOAA, under NOAA Permit #15240, public domain
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Family snorkeling in Maui: three boat trips that work for kids
Three kinds of trip suit families: a big catamaran to Molokini, a naturalist-led Molokini trip, and a turtle cruise that skips Molokini.
Photo: NOAA
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A luxury Molokini snorkel sail aboard Aliʻi Nui
The extra money buys food, drink, shade and room on the boat.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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When your Molokini boat is full: the Pacific Whale backup and others
Check other dates and times with the same operator first, then call.
Photo: NOAA
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Calypso Maui: Molokini snorkel and sunset dinner cruise
Calypso runs a morning Molokini snorkel and an evening dinner cruise from the same slip in Māʻalaea.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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The history of Molokini Crater, year by year
Molokini was a volcano, then a named place in Hawaiian tradition, and since 1977 a state-protected reserve.
Photo: Three Tree Creative
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Snorkeling Honolua Bay and Black Rock
Honolua Bay is a state marine life conservation district with roadside parking and no facilities, best skipped in winter surf.
Photo: NOAA
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Scuba diving or snorkeling at Molokini Crater?
Snorkeling needs no certification and covers the shallow reef inside the crater.
Photo: NOAA
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Molokini snorkel tour prices, and how they stack up against a Maui zipline
Listed prices for Molokini trips are not directly comparable, because some include tax and fees and some do not.
Photo: Three Tree Creative
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Thanksgiving and the holidays on Maui: a Molokini plan
Book your Molokini trip before you fly for Thanksgiving week 2026 (Thanksgiving is Nov 26).
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Which Molokini boats offer Snuba
Four Winds, Trilogy and Pride of Maui sell a Snuba add-on, and Aqua Adventures lists it through resellers.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Sustainable snorkeling at Molokini
Three things to watch at Molokini are contact with coral, feeding fish and crowding.
Photo: NOAA
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Snorkeling at Molokini on the Four Winds
Four Winds II plans one snorkel stop, Molokini, weather permitting.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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How to choose a Molokini snorkel tour for your group
No single tour is best for everyone. Choose by who is coming first (kids, older guests, couples, a tight budget), then by boat type and harbor, then compare prices.
Photo: NOAA
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Snorkeling with turtles in Maui
Turtle Town and Turtle Arches are the names boat operators use for turtle stops.
Photo: NOAA
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What is the water temperature in Maui?
NOAA's monthly averages run from about 75°F in February to about 81°F in September.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Snuba lets you breathe underwater through a hose from a tank on a floating raft, with no scuba certification.
Photo: NOAA
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Top 15 tips for snorkeling Molokini Crater
Fit your mask before you leave the dock, wear the flotation, stay near the boat and tell the crew about any health problem.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Are there sharks at Molokini Crater?
Yes. Whitetip and grey reef sharks live around Molokini, and the state's shark incident list names no incident there.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Whale watch or snorkel trip: what is the difference?
A whale watch is a short boat ride, about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, to look at humpbacks from the deck.
Photo: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries / NOAA, under NOAA Fisheries permit #782-1438, public domain
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Reef-safe sunscreen at Molokini Crater
Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Molokini snorkel tours for kids: four boats and the rafts, picked by age
Boats that take toddlers are mostly big catamarans from Māʻalaea Harbor.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Common reef fish and animals of Maui's waters, grouped by what catches your eye, with Hawaiian names and photos.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Top 10 Molokini snorkel questions
Short answers on swimming, ages, check-in, bags, contact lenses, restrooms, tipping, cancellations and insurance.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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Most popular Molokini snorkel tours, and the chart to compare them
No operator, agency or the state publishes booking counts, so nobody can honestly name the most popular Molokini tour.
Photo: Snorkel Molokini
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When to snorkel Molokini Crater, month by month
Any month can work. The hour you go matters more than the month: currents may get stronger in the afternoon, and most boats leave in the morning.
Photo: Three Tree Creative