Molokini Crater Snorkel from Maui: 2-Hour Trip & Gear

Molokini Crater Snorkel: First Boat Out or Sleep In

You board a small boat early or mid-morning, ride 15 minutes to Molokini Crater, and spend over an hour snorkeling in clear water with provided gear and a guide. The boat ride is wet and bumpy, and you'll climb a vertical ladder to get back aboard. You're in and out in two hours, with no separate equipment rental or entry fees to arrange.

Step-by-step itinerary

Molokini Crater Snorkel Trip

• Board boat at 7AM
• Enjoy 15-minute boat ride
• Snorkel in Molokini crater
• Use provided snorkel gear and fins
• Return from snorkel trip

The experience

The boat ride to Molokini is rougher than you'd expect. Fifteen minutes across open water from South Maui, and the captain doesn't slow down. It's wet, it bounces, and if you're sitting on the rail you're getting sprayed. But that's the trade-off for arriving at a crater that sits three miles offshore and stays mostly empty if you pick the right departure time. The 7am slot gets you there before the crowds pile in. The 9:30am option means warmer air and a later start, though the water temperature stays in the mid-70s either way.

Once you're inside the crater, the snorkel trip itself is straightforward. You get over an hour in the water with snorkel gear and fins provided: no rental fees, no scrambling to find equipment that fits. The crater walls drop down and the visibility is what people come for. The water is clear enough that you're not guessing at what's below. Groups stay under 14 passengers, so it doesn't feel like you're sharing the reef with a hundred other people. Your guide is there the whole time, and they know the site well enough to point out where the fish tend to gather and which sections of the crater hold the most color.

The climb back onto the boat is vertical (a ladder, no ramp), so you need to be able to pull yourself up after an hour in the water. The ride back is the same wet, bumpy return journey, which means you'll want a towel and maybe a change of shirt in your bag. Bring water, sunscreen that you reapply before getting in the boat, and something to secure your phone or camera if you're bringing one. The whole experience, from pickup to drop-off, is built around the idea that you're here for the snorkel itself, not for a leisurely cruise.

What’s included

Your trip includes snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel), a 15-minute boat ride to Molokini Crater, 1+ hour of snorkel time inside the crater with an expert guide, and the return boat ride to South Maui. Fins and snorkel equipment are provided for all passengers.

Options for this experience

2 options

7AM DepartureGuide in English · 07:00

9:30 DepartureGuide in English · 09:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 07:00 and 09:30, from US$ 99 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 24 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

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

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (8 to 65 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Redline Rafting

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to snorkel Molokini without renting gear separately or booking a longer half-day tour: the 2-hour window and included equipment mean you're ready to go as soon as you board.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 time do boats leave for Molokini?

Two departure times: 7am (calmer water, fewer crowds) and 9:30am (warmer air). Both trips are 2 hours total.

How long is the boat ride to Molokini Crater?

15 minutes from South Maui to the crater, 3 miles offshore.

How much snorkel time do you get?

1+ hour in the water inside the crater.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes. Snorkel gear and fins are provided for all passengers.

What's the maximum group size?

14 passengers per trip.

Is the boat ride smooth?

No. The ride is described as wet and bumpy, especially in open water.

Do I need to climb back onto the boat?

Yes. You climb a vertical ladder after snorkeling to reboard.

What's the minimum age?

Passengers must be at least 8 years old. Children 8–15 must be accompanied by an adult. 16–17 year-olds need parental waivers.

Who shouldn't do this trip?

Not recommended for people with back, neck, or head injuries; spinal conditions; poor cardiovascular health; seasickness; or pregnancy. Participants must be in good physical fitness.

What should I bring?

Towel, sunscreen, water, and a secure bag for phone or camera. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.