Maui is one of the most coveted tourist destinations in Hawaii because of its abundant snorkeling opportunities. Just 2 miles off the coast of Maui sits the crescent-shaped.
Molokini crater, which sinks down to an average of 14,000 feet.
And in the southern district of Makena, between Nahuma Point and Black Sand Beach, lies the beautiful Turtle Town. The area is known as Turtle Town because of the abundant Green Sea Turtles that reside in its waters.
Going on a small-group Molokini snorkel and Green Sea Turtle Adventure from Maui can be the ultimate way of experiencing the wonders of Hawaii. That can be possible if you get aboard the Small-Group snorkel boat.
Overview
A visit to Molokini and Turtle Town presents a perfect opportunity for you to venture deep into the crystal-clear waters of Maui and explore its abundant marine life. Discover more than 250 marine species that reside in Molokini crater and also take time to explore the
beautiful corals of Hawaii.
After that, you can proceed to Turtle Town to enjoy an encounter with the magnificent Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. Your trip can be more fun-filled when you catch a Small-Group snorkel adventure boat. There is plenty of delicious food, drinks, and amenities on board to keep you entertained throughout the tour.
What To Expect
Departure
The snorkeling tour boat departs from Kihei Small Boat Ramp every day at 7 am. Check-in time is usually 6:30 am. Get into the speedy, military-inspired, and eco-friendly raft as you cruise through the graceful waters to Molokini Crater. You’ll later head to Turtle Town to spot a wealth of Green Sea Turtles and a host of other marine life in the area.
Onboard the Boat Experience
Before you jump into the waters to snorkel, you’ll be served a continental breakfast to fill your stomach. If you’re lucky to catch the first boat, then you can enjoy snorkeling in rather unspoiled waters as Molokini and Turtle Town are less crowded at that time.
Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful sightings of dolphins jumping up and down, especially at La Perouse Bay.
Snorkeling Time
At Molokini, there are more than 250 species of fish and marine life that you can find amazing to explore when you venture into the deep. The waters around the crater are crystal clear, and visibility often goes up to 180 (55 meters) and more.
Some of the marine life you can encounter while snorkeling in Molokini includes eels, monk seals, manta rays, octopus, tropical fish, and more. The unique lava formations in this area are also something magnificent to explore.
If you happen to visit Molokini between December and March, then you might be lucky to spot plenty of Humpback whales, as this is the official whale season.
From Molokini, The Next Prime location to head to is Turtle Town. You can stop along the way to witness some recent lava flows and also catch a glimpse of the Hawaiian spinner dolphins at La Perouse.
At Turtle Town, you’ll get a chance to swim with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles that are abundant in this area. If possible, you can capture photos of the graceful sea green turtles and beautiful corals just to document your underwater adventures.
Back On Board
After an adventurous snorkeling experience, you can get back to the boat to relax as you enjoy a sumptuous lunch. You can be served lots of delicious foods like cooked meats,
salads, cheeses, pickles, and more. The boat also has a comfortable platform for those who wish to sunbathe. So it’s all about unwinding after snorkeling.
What’s The Duration Of The Tour?
The small-group snorkeling trip to Molokini and Turtle Town takes approximately 5 hours. Each of the two prime sites is allocated about half of the total time. Well, that’s plenty of time to explore the beautiful waters of Maui.
When Is The Best Time To Do the Tour?
Any time of the year is really a good time to visit Maui for snorkeling, scuba diving, and SNUBA. But if you want to enjoy sightings of Humpback Whales, then the period between December and March can be the most ideal.
During this season, a sizable number of Humpback Whales usually migrate from Alaska to the Hawaiian waters to fatten up. So apart from exploring the rich underwater scenery, whale watching can be another fun-filled activity to enjoy while on tour to Maui.
What’s On The Menu?
The Small-Group tour boat has a comprehensive menu that includes continental breakfast and deli-style lunch. Breakfast may include sliced bread with butter/jam, cheese, pastries, rolls, and hot coffee. For lunch, you can be delighted with such great meals as turkey
sandwiches, chicken cheese, salad sandwiches, appetizers, and more. There are also
a couple of juices and refreshments that you can enjoy while on board.
What Amenities Are There On Board?
Due to its small size, the Small-Group raft doesn’t really have lots of amenities on board. However, it does have ample seating, a sunbathing pontoon space, and a perfect platform for entering into and out of the water. Snorkeling equipment and other accessories
are also available onboard for those who would wish to explore the waters.
What’s Included In The Tour Package?
- Snorkeling equipment
- Continental breakfast
- Sumptuous lunch
- Local tour guide and instructor
What’s Excluded From The Package?
- Gratuities
- Beers and alcoholic drinks
- Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs
Who’s The Tour For?
The Small-Group snorkeling tour is for anyone who wishes to enjoy the best of snorkeling and whale-watching adventure in Maui. Adults and children (at least 8 years) can join the tour. Even though the raft is quite small, you can still come along with two of your
friends or family members. However, the Small-Group boat tour is not recommended for pregnant women. That’s because it might be uncomfortable to snorkel or put up with the rough seas in such a situation.
Why Should You Do The Tour?
Going for the Small-Group snorkeling tour to Molokini and Turtle Town presents a unique opportunity for you to encounter up close to more than 250 species of marine species and Green Sea Turtles. If you’re an enthusiastic snorkeler or an experienced diver, then Maui is the perfect spot to be. While onboard the Small-Group boat, you can learn a lot of things regarding the marine ecology of the area and the history of Humpback Whale migration from the friendly team of tour guides. That basically gives you a fantastic all-rounded holiday experience.
Pros
- It includes breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
- Supplies snorkeling equipment to those on board
- Provides 5 hours of snorkeling adventure
- Offers a perfect opportunity for group bonding
Cons
- The tour package doesn’t include hotel pick-up and drops off
- Snorkeling tours can sometimes be canceled because of poor weather
- Its price is considerably higher compared to other snorkeling tour providers in Maui
In Conclusion
Now that you know all about the Molokini and Turtle Town snorkeling tour, you can plan for your next trip to Maui. It’s one of the few places in Hawaii that are endowed with crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. Right from snorkeling to diving all through to whale watching, you can never miss finding that one activity in this part of the world that will make your holiday amazing. And Small-Group snorkeling tour can go a long way in ensuring your adventure into the sea becomes perfect.
Have you already participated in the Molokini Turtle Town snorkeling tour? 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.
I love the turtles, and this looks like so much fun! And to get to see all the marine life, amazing! My son and I are heading to Hawaii in December…to Maui. I am not sure where Molokini is. Will we be able to take this snorkeling tour from Maui, or will we have to visit one of the other islands to get to this tour? It looks amazing and definitely something we want to do for sure. I was looking up snorkeling tours, and here is this wonderful article for me! So glad I found your information and I am looking forward to hearing back from you. Thank you so much!
Hi Matt,
That’s wonderful, I am sure you’ll have a good time with your son in Maui. It’s a beautiful place for snorkeling and strolling around. Molokini is about 40 minutes by car to Maui. Yes, the embarkation takes place in South Maui more precisely in Kihei Boat Ramp harbor.There, you’ll sail away to Molokini Crater.
I am glad you’ve found the information you were looking for!
I hope it helped. Let me know if you need to know more info. I am always happy to help!
Thank you for the comment and wish you to have fun in Hawaii!
Hi Daniella
Thanks so much for writing this great article about small group molokini snorkel and green sea turtle adventure.
It looks like a dream made in heaven plan.
I would love to visit Hawaii and take this excursion, I would love to visit it during the whales season.
I will show your article to my husband, you never know, I might get it as a Christmas present.
Hi Alejandra,
You are very welcome, it’s my pleasure!
Yes, Molokini it is a real paradise! If you want to see whales jumping out of the water, then you should do the tour in the winter. Indeed, that would be a great gift for Christmas present:) I am sure your husband will love the idea!
Thank you for this excellent post!
Hi Daniella,
We are wanting to do your snorkel trip but couldn’t through Viator and didn’t want to call and bother anyone IF they answered on Christmas day. Anyway it will be my wife first snorkel trip. Ive read so many trips does your help out the “rookies”?
Also, is there a place to park that you prefer?
Also, what to wear? I saw some say drysuits available? Do you have any masks for folk that wear glasses(just need readers)?
Hop to see you in a few weeks.
Hi Zane,
Thank you for passing by!
The guides on the boat are always willing to help if need it. You can be reassured about this:
But you should anyway be able to swim and to climb on the ladder by yourself.
Near Kamaole beach, there is a big parking where you can park your car. I would recommend you to come very early in the morning so you can find a place.
As for the glasses. It would be best for you to use soft contact lenses, it’s easy to use and to transport. And you don’t have to worry about the mask:)
I hope it helped! Let me know if you need more info.
I wish you a fantastic trip!