With white, sandy beaches and a peaceful, small-town atmosphere, Maalaea, Hawaii, is the perfect place to unwind if youโre in need of some downtime. Once youโre done surfing those waves or taking an early morning walk through the harbor, why not head out on the Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel Adventure? As one of Maalaeaโs greatest attractions, the trip definitely has something for everyone to enjoy.
Overview
From your first step of the Maalaea harbor, you can expect the next couple hours of your life to be jam-packed with adventure. With friends and family, youโll be able to explore the marine life that lurks along the Molokini Crater while also be treating to a delicious meal and refreshments.
What To Expect
The departure time for the trip is at seven-thirty a.m., but itโs recommended that you show up at least thirty minutes early for check-in. Once youโve actually boarded the 55-ft catamaran, youโll be served a tasty continental breakfast while you watch the boat sail through the waters.
During the hour-long trip to Haleakala volcano, youโll be able to glimpse some of Hawaiiโs native fish through the glass bottom viewing area of the catamaran.
After arriving at the volcanic crater, youโll get a chance to go snorkeling and explore the crystal clear waters and interact with the marine life. The final stage of the trip includes a BBQ lunch and open bar on the ride back to the Maalaea harbor.
Duration Of The Tour
Approximately the trip lasts about five hours. Once you depart at seven-thirty a.m., you can expect to be walking back onto the Maalaea harbor by 12:30 pm.
When Is The Best Time To Do The Tour?
Since the tour takes place all year long, the best time to take the trip really depends on personal preference. During Hawaiiโs winter months (November to March), you canโt expect to see too much cold weather under seventy degrees, but you should plan on seeing plenty of rain. If youโre looking to go when the water is at its warmest, August is typically Hawaiiโs hottest month. If the weather is too poor for your scheduled date, the tour will be canceled for that day and your ticket will be rescheduled.
What Amenities Are There On Board?
The catamaran youโll be boarding is equipped with many amenities to keep your stay there as comfortable as possible. One of the biggest perks has to be the open bar that you can enjoy on the way home. Permitted that youโre over the age of 21, youโll be able to enjoy a nice relaxing glass of wine or beer as you take in the sights. Other than that, both the continental breakfast and hot lunch are added bonuses and can be enjoyed as you peer out at the fish from the boatโs glass bottom.
Whatโs On The Menu?
To start off your day, you can enjoy fruits, bagels, and a steaming cup of Kona coffee or juice. By the time lunch rolls around and youโve worked up an appetite again, the BBQ lunch includes chicken breasts, pulled pork, hot dogs, or garden burgers for vegetarians as well as chips and a choice of dessert. To top it off, there are plenty of beverages to enjoy from the open bar.
Whatโs Included?
- Mouthwatering continental breakfast
- BBQ lunch
- Unlimited beverages such as wine and a variety of soft drinks
- Set of snorkeling gear
Whatโs Excluded?
When going on the tour, you should definitely have a plan for transportationโthe trip does not include:
- Hotel pick-ups or drop-offs.
- (Optional) Tip for the crew
What Can Be Purchased On Board?
- SNUBA guided experience on board for $59
- A wetsuit rental for $5
- A video for $30
- Underwater digital camera for $40.
Keep in mind, if you do plan on purchasing any of these things, the accepted form of payment is a credit card.
Who Is This Tour For?
The better question to ask here isโwho isnโt the tour for? Even those who have never snorkeled before in their lives can feel secure with professional gear and a crew of trained, patient individuals at the ready. Families, couples, and lone travelers are all welcomeโthough children who are extremely young wonโt be permitted to snorkel in the waters.

Why Should You Go On This Tour?
Though other tours may offer the chance to snorkel with marine life off the coast, not many can compare to the experience of swimming through Molokiniโs crystal clear waters. With perfect clarity, youโll get a superb shot of a partially-submerged volcanic crater and the colorful coral reef inhabited by over 250 species of fish. Even those who donโt plan on snorkeling at all still have the chance to see some of these beautiful sights through the glass bottom of the catamaran.
What To Bring?
Itโs safer to take some stuff on board in case you need it!
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- swimsuits
- Change of clothing.
- Waterproof Dry Bag
- Polarized sunglasses
Pros
Obviously, there are tons of pros that come with attending this special trip.
- Youโll get to meet fellow adventurists
- Explore an impressive volcanic crater
- Swim with the kind of sea life you only ever get a glimpse of in aquariums.
- Not to mention, youโll get two delicious meals out of it and a chance to sail through the sparkling waters of Hawaii.
Cons
Perhaps the biggest con of this trip has to do with individuals who have large families with small children.
- While small children are permitted, their tickets will be $85, and extremely young children wonโt be able to experience the best part of the adventure.
Conclusion
Whether youโre planning your next vacation or in desperate need of some time off from a stressful job, taking this tour is the right answer. You wonโt be disappointed by the incredible sights you see, the tasty food you eat, or the interesting people you meet. For five hours, youโll be gifted an incredible memory and experience that will last a lifetime.
# See More Details About The Tour
Have you already been on the Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure? If so, you are welcome to share your experience in the comments below.

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
My son and I are heading to Maui, Hawaii this winter to stay at my dadโs timeshare. I donโt know where Molokini is from Maui, and really donโt know the geography of Hawaii at all. Can you tell me, will we need to go to a different island to do this tour? I really like this one in particular, and the volcano with the sea life sounds amazing. I also have just one concern. I see there is an open bar, and granted my son is 17, but I donโt want to expose him to a bunch of adults getting drunk. Since this is in the morning, I am hoping that this will not be the case?
Hi Matt,
Thatโs great, you and your son will have a good time, there. Molokini is about 20 minutes by car from Maui if there is no traffic. These tours take place in Molokini and Maui because they are the most popular tourist spots in Hawaii. If these islands are too far away, then you may also check other islands for sailing and snorkeling trips. Such as Napali coast, Kona, Honolulu, Lahaina, Honalo, Kaanapali, Eleele, Kailua Kona, etc..
Donโt worry about the open bar, it is forbidden for teenagers:) People donโt get drunk on the boat, they just enjoy a refreshing beer or a glass of wine, but thatโs all.
I hope it helped! Let me know if you need more info. I am always happy to help:)
Thank you for the comment and wish you a fantastic day!
Wow, this looks amazing. I did a trip similar to this in Key West. It was an amazing day. I can only image how great this would be in Maui.
The videos on this page are incredible. The first video make me want to book my plane tickets right now. It would be so much fun to go snorkeling. Iโve been to Hawaii twice and absolutely love it. But I have not been to Maui so hopefully next time I can do this trip.
Hi Steve,
Yes, it is amazing and I would recommend this tour to anyone who visits in Hawaii!
Key West is beautiful, I am sure you had a good time, there! Maui is a fantastic island and the marine life is even more beautiful. Next time you go to Hawaii, take the chance to do this tour, you will enjoy it very much!
Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day!
I absolutely enjoyed reading your Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel Adventure.You did not leave anything to imagination but gave a comprehensive account of everything you saw from outdoor activities, the food and its menu. I do agree that the place has something for everyone.
Are you seeing yourself returning in the near future or you have a different place you would want to visit?
Hi Zegu,
I am glad you liked the article, thank you!
The field of imagination is vast and unlimited. I am sure there is still something left to your imagination:).
To answer your question, Yes! And the next trip will be in Paris very soon!
Thank you for the comment and wish you a fantastic day!