Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkel, 3 Hours & Small Groups

Three hours, two reefs, and sea turtles that let you get close

You snorkel inside and outside Molokini Crater, then move to Turtle Town where sea turtles surface nearby. Equipment, fruit, juice, and a sandwich option are included. The tour runs three hours with small groups, so you see the reefs without the crowds that come with larger boats. Daily departures mean you can fit it into your Maui schedule whenever the conditions look good.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Molokini Crater1h
2. La Perouse Bay1h

Snorkel Molokini and Turtle Town

• Snorkel inside Molokini Crater
• Snorkel outside Molokini Crater
• Snorkel back side of Molokini
• Snorkel at Turtle Town
• See turtles and coral reef

The experience

There's something about the moment you realize you're about to swim with endangered sea turtles, not in a tank, not behind glass, but in the actual water where they live. That's what pulls people back to this Maui snorkel tour, running daily since 1985. You get Molokini Crater first, the submerged volcanic crater that sits about three miles offshore, and then you move to Turtle Town at La Perouse Bay, where the turtles surface for air just a few feet from where you're floating. The whole thing takes three hours, which sounds short until you're actually in it and realize how much reef, how much life, and how many turtles fit into that window.

The boat stays small. That's the whole point. You're not crammed onto a 100-person catamaran where half the people are seasick and the other half are fighting for a spot to see anything. Most days the crew can snorkel you on the back side of Molokini too, which is where the coral gets thicker and the fish don't expect as many visitors. If it's whale season, you'll stop and watch them pass. The snorkel equipment is there waiting for you, the water and Hawaiian juice stay cold in a cooler, and they've got a fruit platter that actually tastes fresh, not the sad, pre-cut stuff that sits in the sun. You can order a sandwich beforehand if you want: turkey and provolone, ham and swiss, vegan, or gluten-free versions of any of those.

The turtles themselves are used to snorkelers, so they don't bolt when you show up. They surface, they breathe, they let you photograph them from a distance that feels real, not staged. You're seeing coral reef, other fish, the whole ecosystem, not just the turtles, though that's what you came for. The boat leaves early enough that the water is usually calm, and by the time you're back on shore, you've had a full morning in the ocean without having to arrange your own boat, your own gear, or your own timing.

What’s included

• Your three-hour tour includes snorkel equipment for both Molokini Crater and Turtle Town, a fruit platter with chopped fruit, Hawaiian juice, and bottled water throughout the day.
• You can choose your sandwich in advance: turkey and provolone, ham and swiss, vegan, or any of these as gluten-free.
• The boat is small and departs daily, so crowds stay manageable and you get time at both snorkel sites without rushing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (12 to 16 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 24

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

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Blue Water Rafting

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see sea turtles and coral reef without arranging your own boat or gear, and you prefer a smaller group where you're not competing for space or visibility: the three-hour window and two dedicated snorkel stops are what make both things possible.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 16 years); Child (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

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.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear?

Snorkel equipment is provided and included in the tour price, so you don't need to bring your own.

What if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll be in the water with equipment and the crew, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Will I definitely see sea turtles?

Turtle Town is a known habitat where turtles surface regularly, and the tour includes a stop there specifically for this. Sightings depend on conditions, but they're common enough that the tour has run daily since 1985.

What's included in the price?

The 3-hour tour includes snorkel equipment, a fruit platter, Hawaiian juice, bottled water, and your choice of sandwich (turkey and provolone, ham and swiss, or vegan).

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, including transportation and all areas of the boat.

When do we leave and return?

The tour runs daily, but specific departure times aren't listed in the standard itinerary. Check with the operator for your preferred date.

What happens during whale season?

If it's whale season, the boat will make a stop to watch whales pass, in addition to the Molokini and Turtle Town snorkel stops.