Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling on Maxi Catamaran

Two World-Class Snorkel Sites, One Uncrowded Boat

You board a spacious catamaran at dawn, snorkel two exceptional sites (Molokini Crater and Turtle Town) with plentiful marine life and calm water, then return to an open bar and lunch cooked onboard. The boat runs at half capacity, so you're never crowded. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out. Check in at 7:30am.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling at Molokini and Turtle Town

• Board the Pride of Maui catamaran
• Snorkel at Molokini Crater
• Snorkel at Turtle Town lava formations
• Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard
• Relax with open bar after snorkeling
• Kids play on super water slide

The experience

The boat pulls away from the harbor while the sun is still low, and you're standing on a deck that doesn't feel packed. Pride of Maui runs at just 60% of its Coast Guard capacity, which means you're not shoulder-to-shoulder with a hundred other people trying to get into the water. The catamaran is the largest on Maui. There's actual room to move, to breathe, to sit without someone's backpack in your face. Check-in is 7:30am, thirty minutes before departure, and the crew handles the safety briefing while the boat is still docked, so you're not wasting time on the water.

Molokini Crater comes first, and it's one of only three sunken volcanic calderas in the world. The water there is so clear and calm that you can see straight down. The visibility is the kind of thing that makes the whole trip worth it. Colorful tropical fish are everywhere, and the reef structure is intact because it's protected. After you've had your fill, the boat heads to Turtle Town, a series of underwater lava formations where Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles actually live and feed. You're not chasing them. They're just there, moving through the water like they own the place, which they do. Both sites are included in the snorkeling tour, and the crew stays in the water with you, not hovering, but present, making sure everyone is safe and knows what they're looking at.

Between snorkels, there's breakfast waiting, and then a lunch that's cooked onboard, not reheated from a cooler. After you're done in the water, the open bar kicks in: micro-brewed beer, Napa wines, mai-tais, sodas if you want them. If you have kids, there's a water slide on the boat. If you're nervous about snorkeling, the crew offers in-water guidance for newer swimmers, and SNUBA is available for an additional charge if you want to go deeper without certification. The whole day is built around not rushing you, and that's the difference between a boat that cares about the experience and one that just wants to move bodies through the water.

One thing to know: the crew mentions it clearly. There are two boats on opposite sides of the harbor, and you need to park and check in at the right location. It's a long walk to the other side if you get it wrong. Also, full-face snorkeling masks aren't allowed for safety reasons, so bring or rent a traditional mask. On windy or high-swell days, the captain may swap in an alternate Maui snorkel site to keep the water clearer and safer, which is the kind of call that shows they're thinking about your actual experience, not just the itinerary.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup (check with the operator for your location), breakfast, snorkeling at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town with crew support and in-water guidance for newer swimmers, lunch cooked onboard, an open bar with micro-brewed beer, Napa wines, mai-tais and sodas, use of the water slide, and all USCG-required safety gear.
• SNUBA is available for an additional charge.
• Full-face snorkeling masks are not permitted.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 90 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

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 levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Pride of Maui

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want two world-class snorkel sites in one morning without the crowds. The boat's 60% capacity is what keeps the experience unhurried and the water accessible. Plan for an early start (7:30am check-in) and a full morning and early afternoon on the water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): 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 snorkeling tour?

Breakfast, lunch cooked onboard, snorkeling at both Molokini and Turtle Town, open bar with beer, wine, and mai-tais, soda, and use of the water slide. SNUBA is available for an additional charge.

How many people are on the boat?

Pride of Maui operates at 60% of its Coast Guard capacity, so the boat is uncrowded compared to other tour vessels on Maui.

What time does the tour start?

Check-in is 7:30am, thirty minutes before departure. The boat leaves at 8:00am.

Can I snorkel if I'm a beginner?

Yes. The crew offers in-water guidance for newer snorkelers at no extra charge. SNUBA is also available if you want to go deeper with equipment support.

What if the weather is bad?

On windy or high-swell days, the captain may choose an alternate Maui snorkel site to provide safer and clearer conditions.

Are full-face snorkeling masks allowed?

No. Full-face masks are not permitted for safety reasons. Bring or rent a traditional mask instead.

Is the boat USCG-certified?

Yes. Pride of Maui is USCG-certified and operated by an experienced crew with over 40 years of experience. All required safety gear and emergency equipment are on board.

Where do I park and check in?

There are two boats on opposite sides of the harbor. Make sure you park and check in at the correct location, as it's a long walk to the other side.