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Māʻalaea · Kīhei · Kāʻanapali

Molokini Snorkel Tours, Compared

A sunken volcanic crater three miles offshore, protected since 1977. Go early, before the wind comes up.

See our picks Compare all 7
  • 7 tours compared
  • 7 with free cancellation
  • Live prices from Viator

Molokini is a crescent-shaped crater about three miles off South Maui. DLNR protects its 77 acres of reef and sand channels as a no-take Marine Life Conservation District: no fishing, no anchoring, and a cap on how long boats stay on its moorings.

Operators agree that the water is calmest and clearest in the early morning, before the trade winds build. Every boat here may switch to another Maui reef if wind or swell makes the crater rough. The second stop is usually “Turtle Town” along the South Maui coast.

Big catamarans leave from Māʻalaea Harbor and suit families and non-swimmers. Rafts leave from the Kīhei boat ramp, get to the crater fastest, and suit confident swimmers who can climb a ladder.

Our picks

The right tour for how you travel

We compared every listing on itinerary, group size, reviews, and price. These are the ones we’d book.

Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Pride of Maui (tour photo) Best for families 5 hours

Pride of Maui

Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Pride of Maui

4.73(1,294 reviews)

Māʻalaea Harbor, 130 Māʻalaea Rd, Māʻalaea

Free cancellation

From$233
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: A large catamaran sailing at about half its Coast Guard capacity, breakfast, lunch and drinks, optional SNUBA, and help in the water for newer snorkelers.

Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Raft Snorkel from Kīhei (tour photo) Earliest to the crater 5 hours

Redline Rafting

Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Raft Snorkel from Kīhei

4.95(1,648 reviews)

2800 S. Kīhei Rd, Kīhei

Free cancellation

From$199
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: A small-group raft (up to 24) leaving Kīhei at 7 a.m., so you snorkel Molokini at its calmest before Turtle Town. Ages 8–65, and the ride is bumpy.

Small-Group West Maui Snorkel Boat from Kāʻanapali (tour photo) Skip the drive (West Maui) 4.5 hours

The Magic Merman Snorkel Charters

Small-Group West Maui Snorkel Boat from Kāʻanapali

4.99(965 reviews)

Kāʻanapali Beach (2435 Kāʻanapali Pkwy), Kāʻanapali

Free cancellation

From$173.85
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Why: Staying in Kāʻanapali? This small boat (up to 20, every seat shaded) boards from the beach and snorkels West Maui reefs instead of Molokini.

Side by side

Molokini Snorkel Tours: every option side by side

  • Best for families

    Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Pride of Maui

    Pride of Maui

    Length
    5 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.73
    From
    $233

    Groups who want an all-inclusive big-boat day with drinks

    Check dates

  • Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel on a Triple-Deck Catamaran

    Calypso Charters

    Length
    5 to 6 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.65
    From
    $189

    Families who want slides and plenty of room on a big boat

    Check dates

  • Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove Snorkel by Super Raft

    Maui Reef Adventures

    Length
    4 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.90
    From
    $205

    Snorkelers who want a faster, smaller boat than the big catamarans

    Check dates
  • Earliest to the crater

    Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Raft Snorkel from Kīhei

    Redline Rafting

    Length
    5 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.95
    From
    $199

    Strong swimmers staying in Kīhei or Wailea who want a quick ride to Molokini

    Check dates

  • Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Raft Snorkel from Kīhei

    Makena Coast Charters

    Length
    3 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.87
    From
    $193.80

    Active snorkelers short on time who want a small group

    Check dates

  • West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Sail from Kāʻanapali Beach

    Sea Maui

    Length
    4 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.89
    From
    $204.39

    Kāʻanapali guests who want to skip the drive to Māʻalaea

    Check dates
  • Skip the drive (West Maui)

    Small-Group West Maui Snorkel Boat from Kāʻanapali

    The Magic Merman Snorkel Charters

    Length
    4.5 hours
    Rating
    ★ 4.99
    From
    $173.85

    Families with kids 6+ who prefer a small boat

    Check dates

Ratings, review counts, and from-prices are live from Viator and refresh daily. Prices are per person unless the listing says otherwise and change with the date you pick. Booking links go to Viator, where availability and cancellation terms are shown before you pay. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Ratings across review sites

How each tour rates on Viator and Tripadvisor

Viator lists reviews from its own travelers and from Tripadvisor. Here they are separately, so one site can’t hide a weak score on the other.

Tour ratings by review site
TourViatorTripadvisorAll reviews
Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Pride of MauiPride of Maui4.74831 reviews4.71463 reviews4.731,294 reviews
Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel on a Triple-Deck CatamaranCalypso Charters4.661,541 reviews4.61685 reviews4.652,226 reviews
Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove Snorkel by Super RaftMaui Reef Adventures4.90744 reviews4.90798 reviews4.901,542 reviews
Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Raft Snorkel from KīheiRedline Rafting4.92403 reviews4.961,245 reviews4.951,648 reviews
Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Raft Snorkel from KīheiMakena Coast Charters4.85323 reviews4.89543 reviews4.87866 reviews
West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Sail from Kāʻanapali BeachSea Maui4.86703 reviews4.91701 reviews4.891,404 reviews
Small-Group West Maui Snorkel Boat from KāʻanapaliThe Magic Merman Snorkel Charters4.98167 reviews5.00798 reviews4.99965 reviews

Figures from Viator’s partner API, refreshed daily. Google reviews aren’t included.

More options

Also worth a look

Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel on a Triple-Deck Catamaran (tour photo) 5 to 6 hours

Calypso Charters

Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel on a Triple-Deck Catamaran

4.65(2,226 reviews)

Māʻalaea Harbor, 101 Māʻalaea Rd, Māʻalaea

Free cancellation

From$189
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove Snorkel by Super Raft (tour photo) 4 hours

Maui Reef Adventures

Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove Snorkel by Super Raft

4.90(1,542 reviews)

Māʻalaea Harbor, 101 Māʻalaea Rd, Māʻalaea

Free cancellation

From$205
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Raft Snorkel from Kīhei (tour photo) 3 hours

Makena Coast Charters

Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Raft Snorkel from Kīhei

4.87(866 reviews)

2800 S. Kīhei Rd, Kīhei

Free cancellation

From$193.80
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Sail from Kāʻanapali Beach (tour photo) 4 hours

Sea Maui

West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Sail from Kāʻanapali Beach

4.89(1,404 reviews)

Kāʻanapali Beach (2435 Kāʻanapali Pkwy), Kāʻanapali

Free cancellation

From$204.39
Check availability

Booked securely on Viator

Catamaran or raft?

  • Catamarans (Pride of Maui, Calypso) take all ages, have shade, restrooms, food, and slides, and leave Māʻalaea around 7:30 a.m. Calypso’s glass-bottom room suits anyone who won’t get in the water.
  • Rafts (Redline, Makena Coast Charters, Maui Reef Adventures) are faster and smaller, with age limits (typically 5–65 or 8–65) and a vertical ladder to climb back aboard. Not for pregnancy or back problems.
  • West Maui boats (Sea Maui, Magic Merman) board right on Kāʻanapali Beach and snorkel nearby reefs. Expect wet feet getting on.

Reef rules

Molokini is a no-take reserve: look, don’t touch. NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 feet from sea turtles and 50 yards from spinner dolphins. Some operators ban full-face snorkel masks and spray sunscreen; use a mineral sunscreen or a rash guard.

Hotels in South Maui

Sunny, dry and close to the best south-shore snorkeling

Search on Booking.com

FAQ

Questions people ask before booking

What is the best time to snorkel Molokini?

Early morning. Operators consistently report the calmest, clearest water before the trade winds build; afternoon trips are more often rerouted.

What happens if Molokini is too rough?

The captain picks another snorkel site along Maui’s coast. North winds in particular can make the crater inaccessible. Every operator here says sites depend on the day’s conditions.

Is Molokini good for beginners?

Yes, on a big boat with flotation and crew in the water. The crater is deep, so nervous swimmers should wear a flotation vest. Rafts suit stronger swimmers.

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Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Pride of Maui

From $233

Check availability