Maui: Molokini Snorkel & Turtle Arches, Kids Free

Two Reef Stops, One Boat, Kids Ride Free on Maui's Top Snorkel Day

You board at Maalaea Harbor, snorkel two reef sites (Molokini Crater and Turtle Arches) with a naturalist guide, get breakfast and a full BBQ lunch with one drink included, and return by early afternoon. Kids 12 and under ride free with a paying adult. Bring your own towel and reef-safe sunscreen, or buy it onboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel at Molokini and Turtle Arches

• Depart from Maalaea Harbor
• Snorkel at Molokini Crater
• Snorkel at Turtle Arches reef
• Use provided snorkeling gear and flotation devices
• Enjoy swim steps and water slide
• Return to Maalaea Harbor

The experience

The boat leaves Maalaea Harbor in the early morning, and you're moving toward open water almost before you've found your spot on deck. Molokini Crater rises ahead: a crescent-shaped volcanic rim jutting from the channel between Maui and Kahoʻolawe, and the water around it runs so clear you can see the reef structure from the surface. The crew runs a quick snorkel 101 lesson before anyone gets in, which matters if you've never done this before. They hand out fitted masks (including optical ones if you wear glasses), fins, and a flotation device, and the wide swim steps and water slide make entry feel less like jumping off a boat and more like walking into a pool. Once you're down, the reef holds more than 250 fish species, and the naturalist on board points out what you're seeing: the shapes, the colors, the small movements that tell you what's alive down there.

After Molokini, the boat heads to Turtle Arches, a second reef site known for the underwater lava formations and the green sea turtles that drift through them. The water is calm enough that even newer snorkelers can manage the second stop without feeling rushed. Between the two sites, you're eating: continental breakfast before departure (banana bread, pastries, fresh island fruit), then a full BBQ lunch with free-range chicken, hot dogs, vegan burgers, and sides. One premium drink comes with it (Ocean Vodka, Fy Gin, Kula Rum, or Maui Brewing Co. beer), plus unlimited soda, juice, and water. The crew is trained in marine research and sustainable practice. They've been running these trips for 40 years, and it shows in how they handle the reef and how they talk about what you're seeing.

The pricing is the thing that catches people: for each paying adult, up to three children 12 and under go free. That's not a discount. They ride at no cost, eat the same lunch, get the same gear and instruction. You do need to bring your own towels and a credit card for any extras (reef-safe sunscreen is $13 if you didn't bring your own, and the boat is cashless except for tips). Full-face masks aren't allowed for safety reasons, but the standard snorkel gear they provide is high quality and fits most people. The whole day runs from early morning through early afternoon, and you're back at the harbor with salt in your hair and the kind of tired that comes from being in the water and the sun.

What’s included

All snorkel gear (mask, fins, flotation device), optical masks for eyeglass wearers, snorkel instruction and fish ID class, continental breakfast, full BBQ lunch with free-range chicken and vegan options, one premium beverage per adult, unlimited soda and juice, wildlife interpretation by onboard naturalists, and guided reef tours at both Molokini Crater and Turtle Arches. Kids 12 and under ride free with a paying adult.

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 09:00 and 08:00, from US$ 198.15 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday and Sunday: 09:00Tuesday to Saturday: 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 70

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pacific Whale Foundation

Is this one for you?Book this if you want two reef sites, a full day of food and drinks, and the ability to bring kids at no extra cost. The free-child pricing is what makes a family snorkel day affordable, and the naturalist guides and 40 years of eco-tour experience mean you're not just getting wet, you're learning what you're seeing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the meal?

Continental breakfast (banana bread, pastries, fresh fruit) before departure, and a BBQ lunch with free-range chicken, hot dogs, vegan burgers, potato-mac salad, and Asian edamame slaw. One premium beverage per adult (beer, rum, gin, vodka, or tropical seltzer), plus unlimited soda, juice, and water.

Is snorkel gear provided?

Yes. The tour includes professionally-fitted snorkel gear, optical masks for eyeglass wearers, fins, and a flotation device. A snorkel 101 lesson is included if you're new to it.

How long is the tour?

The tour departs early morning and returns by early afternoon. You snorkel at two sites (Molokini Crater and Turtle Arches) with time for breakfast and lunch in between.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your own towel and reef-safe sunscreen. The boat is cashless except for gratuities. Bring a credit card for any onboard purchases like extra sunscreen ($13).

Are sea turtles guaranteed at Turtle Arches?

Turtle Arches is known for green sea turtles and underwater lava arches, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The reef is active and worth exploring regardless.

Can I use a full-face snorkel mask?

No. Full-face masks are not permitted for safety reasons. The standard snorkel gear provided is high quality and fits most people.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The crew provides a snorkel 101 lesson, flotation devices, and plenty of support. Wide swim steps and a water slide make entry easy.