Molokini Crater
Molokini Crater
4
About
The unique crescent shape and rugged beauty of the Molokini Crater make it a popular day trip for travelers to Hawaii’s Maui island. With stunning reefs and some of the clearest water in Hawaii, the crater has become a snorkeling hot spot—there are more than 250 species of marine life, from colorful fish to stunning coral, and even turtles at Turtle Bay.
Tours will take you by boat to the crater from Maui island, which is also a great chance to spot whales gliding through the water if you keep your eyes peeled. – Tripadvisor
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
739 reviews
Excellent
387
Very good
156
Average
110
Poor
61
Terrible
25
northwestfam
Seattle, WA27 contributions
May 2023
This was probably a breathing taking spot at one time. The abundance of fish I expected was not there. Still a nice variety, but not worth the cost and effort to go out to snorkle at when you can have a same if not better experience just off the coast at any reef.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick R
San Rafael, CA13 contributions
Mar 2022
I give this a poor rating not because of the tour or boat operators, but because the lack of sealife was very disappointing. Keep in mind that this is from a Honolulu boy that now lives in the Continental US and wanted to bring his family to experience it. I had not ever had the chance either.
I think the lack of sea life was probably due to the impact of people on the area and other factors. My older twenty-something kids even commented on it. We found more sea life and better viewing along the shoreline of Maui, especially toward the Makena side.
Maybe we hit it at the wrong time of the year, but it was sad.
I think the lack of sea life was probably due to the impact of people on the area and other factors. My older twenty-something kids even commented on it. We found more sea life and better viewing along the shoreline of Maui, especially toward the Makena side.
Maybe we hit it at the wrong time of the year, but it was sad.
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quotebutt
South Bend77 contributions
Nov 2021
I loved snorkeling here. On the way back saw a few whales which added to the experience! I highly recommend snorkeling here.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brian
3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
In our opinion the site is vastly over rated. Yes you do see lots of fish maybe 4-5 different varieties but was expecting much more after reading reviews on here. It is very crowded as boats set their snorkel areas and are bound to get a flipper to the face lol. We were scheduled to go to turtle town second but the ocean didn’t cooperate so we stayed longer at the crater. Main purpose was to see some turtles which didn’t happen.
Written 29 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia O
Rice Lake, WI31 contributions
Jun 2022
We snorkeled with Boss Frog's on the Malolo. We had a wonderful experience! For people who have never snorkeled this is a perfect set up. The crew was very helpful and put everyone at ease. Food and beverages were just right. We jumped right off the boat at the crater and saw so many fish! The water was so clear, it was an amazing first time experience. We went to "Turtle Town" in search of sea turtles and were not disappointed. We saw 5 huge sea turtles very close up; it was a once in the lifetime experience. After this experience we felt more comfortable snorkeling on our own later in our vacation.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duong N
6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
The guides were very friendly, helpful and accommodating. The site was somewhat crowded and the snorkeling was OK, nothing extraordinary. The reefs were very pretty.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Road376115
19 contributions
May 2022
While you might find areas that have higher fish counts on Maui, Molokini is such a great spot to snorkel simply because of the water clarity.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NC0114
Sheffield, UK78 contributions
Apr 2022
Any experience is rated on what you manage to see; and we saw very little for a lot of money. The sidetrip to Turtle Town was even worse. Perhaps we were just unlucky, but it certainly didn’t meet my expectations.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crys
13 contributions
Mar 2022
We enjoyed snorkeling here. The water was incredible clear. We saw a lot of fish but not a ton of variety. We went at the very end of March and got to see a mom and baby whale on our way out which made the experience even neater.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Old Pro
Seattle, WA2,457 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
If you've done much snorkeling around the world this place is pretty lame by comparison. However it is about all Maui has to offer. There are a few places on the island but this is about the best you're going to find. The problem is it's expensive to get there and sometimes crowded
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber Swain
Golden, CO
How long is the tour?
Rob S
Grapevine, TX111 contributions
We rented and drove a boat ourselves (tons cheaper and you get to do your own thing) so cant speak to tour. We were out for 4 hours on our own.
LouMilanovich
Minneapolis, MN
We have 5-9 years old children, would they be able to snorkel and enjoy the beach?
Andrea Hernandez
Guadalupe, CA12 contributions
Yes! There were a lot of kids the crater you can’t walk on. But the beach around it is calm! There were a lot of kids out there While we did it
andrea91g
19 contributions
Hola! con qué compañía fuiste?
Horserescuer57
Laurel, MT102 contributions
I sent on the Calypso run by Boss Frog, it was fantastic!
shaynaplunkett
Toronto, Canada2 contributions
Do they provide a full face mask for snorkeling?
Golf_Girl_TX
Porter, TX136 contributions
not the company that we used. they did not provide full mask.
We are going to Maui in a few wk. Is this worth a visit with all 5 of us. Mom, dad and 3 teenagers
We live 5 minutes from Pensacola beach so we are familiar with beaches and snorkeling. I
okbakers
Norman, OK40 contributions
I would certainly think so. We had a great time.
Carol E
Henderson, NV
Pride of Maui or Leilani
InToonwithWife
Regina, Canada600 contributions
We did the Calypso snorkel tour. Food was good. Ship was smooth and crew were friendly and helpful!
Charley5758
Frisco, TX41 contributions
I did snorkeling before with Life jacket in Cancun and Cozumel but I am little scared of deep waters and waves, is Molokini still a nice place to snorkel with life Jacket, if it is not can you recommend any other places which are not too deep ...
Horserescuer57
Laurel, MT102 contributions
Sorry, I didn't see this! The inside of the present is relatively shallow where we anchored...water was calm on that day. There were people who couldn't even swim in the water and the guides on board the Calypso were attentive.
michellenatalier
San Diego, CA36 contributions
Hi, michellenatalier. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Hi! We are avid snorkelers and going to Maui at the end of the month. I am researching snorkeling trips and then came upon your review. Do you remember where off the west coast of Maui you snorkeled? Would you say save $300 and skip Molokini?
journey_in_wander
Homestead, FL323 contributions
I snorkeled Molokini in July. I would save the $300 and skip Molokini. It was not the best snorkeling we found on the island.
Honolua bay, on the west side of the island, had much better snorkeling FOR FREE! If you drive out to the site, there is roadside parking, right across from a small (and delicious) food truck. Just a short easy walk through the trees and you are there. Enjoy!
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Claim your listingMOLOKINI CRATER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Molokini Crater
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Molokini Crater:
- Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure Aboard the Malolo (From RM 747.79)
- From Ma'alaea Harbor, Maui: Molokini Snorkeling Adventure Aboard Calypso (From RM 841.29)
- Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Adventure from Kihei (From RM 973.41)
- Maui Snorkeling Molokini Crater and Turtle Town aboard Pride of Maui (From RM 827.50)
- Four Winds II Molokini Snorkeling Tour from Maalaea Harbor (From RM 884.44)
- Hotels near Molokini Crater:
- (8.23 km) Hotel Wailea
- (8.08 km) Ho'olei at Grand Wailea
- (8.10 km) Wailea Beach Villas
- (7.62 km) Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
- (8.41 km) Wailea Elua Village
- Restaurants near Molokini Crater:
- (8.30 km) Honolulu Cookie Company
- (12.16 km) South Maui Fish Company
- (10.66 km) 808 Deli
- (8.36 km) Island Gourmet Markets
- (11.19 km) Kinaole Grill Food Truck