Molokini Crater — Attraction in Hawaii

The trip to the crater was absolutely amazing. The ship we took was The Calypso. Best boat so far. My sister and I have done snorkeling on three different boats now and the Calypso was the best so far. They had breakfast and lunch for us, the staff was amazing and friendly. They laugh and provide information about the area and carry on conversation with you. They keep a clean boat and are a wealth of knowledge.

My sister and I are both strong swimmers and one thing that is annoying to us is when a company requires a floatation device before you're even allowed in the water. The Calypso allows you to make that decision on your own. They provide belts, noodles, kick boards with view screens, and possibly life jackets (will need to double check that one), if you feel you need it. However, you're also allowed to just jump in and swim around. They also provide snorkels and masks, if you don't bring your own. They also have rash guards, Dramamine, reef-safe sunscreen, and other odds and ends for sale, if you forget yours. The alcoholic drinks were only $2 per cup, so while they weren't provided for free, they aren't terribly expensive.

This is a great experience!! I realize this turned into an advertisement for The Calypso, but truly, they made our trip to Molokini even better. My sister and I got to snorkel around first (and Snuba later). This is where we snapped the pictures of the Moray Eel you see. Unfortunately the rest of my underwater pictures are on a different device, so maybe I'll rate this twice just to get the rest of the pictures on here.

Words cannot describe the color of blue the water is. It is clear and beautiful. The fish are used to tourists, so they don't swim away and hide from you, when you show up. The Moray Eel likes to hang out at one of the anchor points for the Calypso, so if you follow the rope down, you'll see the hole where he likes to hide. Remember, DO NOT feed any of these fish! I've watched a Moray take the finger clean off a person before. But they are beautiful!

My sister and I decided to sign up for Snuba while on the boat, since our trip was lucky enough to have an entire second group open for Snuba. This is not normal, so if you want to do it, it is highly recommended. As previously mentioned, we've done snorkeling and Snuba on other boats before, and this was the cheapest we've seen it and it is worth it. Especially if you have an underwater camera (and if you don't, the Calypso has them for rent, including GoPros). Our Snuba guide was Anne and she was so sweet and so much fun! She had a little magnet board she brought with her so she could tell us the fish we were looking at. We got lucky and were the only two in our group, so we got to putter around at our pace. If you've never done Snuba, it's a great introduction to underwater. The tank is in a raft on the surface, you are connected by a 10 foot hose. Usually there's only two of you connected to one raft. You're given a weight belt so you can sink easier, and the hose gives you something to hold on to so you can descend slowly and equalize as you go. If you do this, remember to equalize BEFORE you feel pressure on your ears. If needed, just go back up the hose a little bit and THEN equalize before going down again. You swim with just your legs, allowing your hands free to snap pictures! No certifications needed and the guides are usually very helpful and alert. Definitely a recommended experience!

Overall, Molokini is absolutely a destination spot I recommend and for about $130 plus tax, per person, the Calypso is ABSOLUTELY worth it!!! Not recommended for small children, as the current can be a little strong. But even if you're not a strong swimmer, anyone about 14 and older is usually strong enough to avoid injury (and that's a week 14 year...

Molokini Crater had the SAME fish selection you'll find on most of the reefs extending from the beaches along Wailea but greater quantities and calmer waters during snorkeling ( although the boat ride can be trying if the swells are rolling or the wind is causing chop ) - so you can get a similar experience for free or do the Crater or do both. I think the real draw is the one stop guarantee of seeing an active beautiful reef, being able to do it all together with you family or friends and for it being safe and easy for any skill level or age as compared to the reefs coming off the island beaches being less predictable and more exposed to surf etc.

We reached Molokini Crater ( or Bikini Bottom if your kids like sponge bob ) by the FOUR WINDS II (Maalea harbor, Ocean Side slip 80 ) . . . Offering a simple all inclusive top notch professionally run excursion company for a fair price . . . Done similar on cruises etc and this was smaller and more intimate, not a drunken party boat. All the crew were flawless at their responsibilities and were excellent at their specialty whether it be SNUBA ( thanks, photography, lunch and drink prep, life guarding, or skippering. Really wonderful morning. Take a half of a dramamine or bromine for the ride out just to be sure you don't " BREAK THE SEAL " and avoid using the head or Room of Doom as they called it. Gear was okay quality ( mask, snorkle, fins included . . . You are permitted to use your own if you have it ) and half body wetsuits available for $10 cash which are nice if you are a younger one or skinny as they do help retain body heat and reduce sunburn and add to your buoyancy . . . air filled snorkel vests were NOT available but the cove was like a pool so they weren't needed unless you are a poor or inexperienced swimmer but in that case there were vinyl coated yellow waist rings as well as boogie boards and these cool plastic shell float boards that you could lay atop of and see through a hole ( think massage table ), they had a small kiddie slide into the water that was not thrilling but fun. Lunch was a pre-ordered selection of pulled pork or chicken thigh sandwich or hotdogs or a veggie option plus chips drinks and a homemade chocolate chip cookie . . . Not extravagant but welcomed after a couple hours paddling around. The downsides . . . If you opt onboard for the $75 SNUBA it comes at the cost of 35 minutes less snorkeling time, the masks are okay, and we ended up not buying digital pictures because of inefficiencies . . . in order to review pics you had to wait in line then scroll through 100s of out of order pics of the whole boat on his iPad . . . yet there was a TV right next to him where he coukd have displayed the pics with their numbers and whomever was interested cojkd have watched and recorded the pic number on a piece of paper and then had a list ready for confirmation and faster checkout OR he could have used any myriad of websites like smugmug or similar to allow low res viewing and ordering.

Molokini Crater is very much worth it for so many reasons and the company that took us is among the best quality, safety, and value, and of course...

Snorkeling at Molokini Crater in Maui is an experience like no other. This crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. With visibility often exceeding 150 feet, it's a diver's paradise. The crater is home to over 250 species of fish and stunning coral formations, making every snorkel session an underwater adventure.

Tours to Molokini Crater typically depart from Maalaea Harbor or Kihei Boat Ramp. It's essential to book a tour in advance, as the area is protected and only accessible by boat. Many tours also include a stop at Turtle Town, where you can swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles.

Parking at Maalaea Harbor can be challenging during peak times, so arriving early is advisable. The harbor parking is managed by Secure Parking Hawaii and requires payment either via a pay station or online, ensuring your vehicle is safe while you're out on the water.

The boat ride to Molokini is usually smooth, but the real magic happens once you dive into the water. The clarity and tranquility of the crater make it an ideal spot for both novice and experienced snorkelers. Additionally, many tours provide snorkeling gear, breakfast, and lunch, making for a convenient and enjoyable day out.

Overall, snorkeling at Molokini Crater is a must-do activity in Maui. The unique geological formation, combined with the rich marine biodiversity, offers an unforgettable experience that highlights the natural...