Snorkeling Molokini Crater & Turtle Town from Maui

Snorkel two of Maui's richest reefs before most boats arrive

A five-hour small-group snorkeling trip from Kihei, Maui to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town with a local guide, equipment and meals included. The boat departs early enough to reach Molokini before other vessels, giving you uncrowded water and visibility that often exceeds 180 feet. You swim with tropical fish, rays and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at two separate sites, then return to the Kihei Boat Ramp by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Molokini Crater2h
2. La Perouse Bay1h

Snorkeling adventure at Molokini and Turtle Town

• Depart from Kihei Boat Ramp
• Speed to Molokini Crater
• Enjoy continental breakfast on board
• Snorkel at Molokini Crater
• Relax on boat pontoons
• Snorkel backside of Molokini Crater
• View Maui coastline and lava flow
• Watch for Hawaiian spinner dolphins at La Perouse Bay
• Snorkel at Turtle Town with sea turtles
• Have deli lunch on board
• Return to Kihei Boat Ramp

The experience

Five hours on the water starts at 7am from the Kihei Boat Ramp, where you board a military-inspired raft built for speed and stability. The boat reaches Molokini Crater first (a natural reef sanctuary about three miles offshore), so the water is still clear and uncrowded when you enter. Visibility often reaches 180 feet, which means you see the reef structure, the fish moving through it, and the rays resting on the bottom. You snorkel the main crater wall, then the backside, a section most visitors never reach because slower boats arrive too late in the day.

Between sites, the boat hugs the Maui coastline toward La Perouse Bay, where you might spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Breakfast (cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit) comes early, right after the first snorkel. At Turtle Town, you enter the water again to swim alongside Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles in their natural habitat. The turtles are accustomed to snorkelers and move at their own pace. You follow their lead in the water. After the second snorkel, a deli lunch refuels you before the return trip to Kihei.

All snorkeling equipment is provided and fitted to your size. A local guide and instructor leads the group and stays in the water with you, pointing out species and managing the pace so nobody gets separated. The boat carries a small group, not a crowded charter, which means easier entry and exit from the water, more attention from the guide, and less chaos on deck between sites.

What’s included

• Local guide and instructor in English.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• world-famous Maui cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit for breakfast.
• deli sandwich with chips for lunch.
• bottled water and soda throughout the day.

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 232.50 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Another 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 to9h 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. 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 effort

Operated by Redline Rafting

Is this one for you?The 7am departure and early arrival at Molokini mean you snorkel uncrowded reefs while other boats are still loading. The pace is steady water time, not a leisurely morning, so book this if you want to maximize what you see rather than sleep in.

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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.

How clear is the water at Molokini Crater when we snorkel there?

Water visibility at Molokini Crater often exceeds 180 feet (55 meters), which is exceptional for Hawaii and means you can see the reef structure and marine life clearly from the surface down.

Will we actually see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at Turtle Town?

Turtle Town is a natural habitat for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and the snorkeling there is designed around swimming with them. They are accustomed to snorkelers and move at their own pace in the water.

What time do we need to arrive, and when does the boat return?

Guests must arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat leaves at 7am and returns to the Kihei Boat Ramp by early afternoon after the five-hour experience.

What's included in the meals, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Breakfast includes world-famous Maui cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit. Lunch is a deli sandwich with chips, all individually packaged, plus bottled water and soda throughout the day.

Do I need snorkeling experience, or is this suitable for beginners?

The guide and instructor are in the water with you, and all equipment is provided and fitted to your size. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness and be comfortable climbing a vertical ladder to re-board the boat after snorkeling.