Maui Snorkeling Guide: Molokini Crater

Molokini Crater is—without a doubt—one of the best places to snorkel on Maui!

Every visitor to Maui should include a Molokini snorkeling tour on their list of Maui activities. The water here is clear as gin, and teems with over 250 species of Hawaiian marine life and fish.

You’re also likely to see Humpback whales while motoring to the crater in winter, and it’s easy to see why this Maui snorkeling tour is one of our most popular trips.

Location 

Three miles off Maui’s southern coastline from the towns of Wailea and Makena, and one hour by boat from Ma’alaea Harbor

Depth

6-50 ft.

Good for seeing

Commonly sighted marine species include humuhumuele’ele (black durgeon), unicornfish, parrotfish, humhumunukunukuapua’a, whitespotted moray eels, octopus, lowfin chubs, Hawaiian spiny lobster, jacks, butterflyfish, slate pencil urchins…the list goes on and on!

Given Molokini’s pelagic location, however, nearly anything is possible, and manta rays, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, whale sharks, white tip reef sharks, and even humpback whales have been known to pay visits to the crater!

Best time of year to snorkel at Molokini Crater

Due to its offshore location Molokini Crater offers amazing snorkeling during all seasons of the year.

Reasons we might not snorkel here: 

Although unaffected by south swells in the same way the shoreline of Maui is, Molokini can often become too windy during the afternoon hours to snorkel (which is why all of the boats visit in the morning).

Occasionally the tradewinds will blow from the north, which makes Molokini too rough and inaccessible for snorkeling. During this time we will choose another location such as Nahuna (“Turtle Town”) or Olowalu.

For more information on Maui’s wind and weather patterns, see our related post “Understanding Maui’s Wind, Weather and Waves”.

History

Molokini Crater has a lengthy history which ranges from a bombing range to a marine sanctuary. For more information, see our related post on the history of Molokini Crater.

Trips offered to Molokini Crater 

Our Discover Molokini tour sails to Molokini Crater 7 days a week from Ma’alaea Harbor. and it’s also the perfect place to try SNUBA!