Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling Cruise with Meals Maui
- Duration5.5 hours
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Overview
This Molokini and Turtle Town snorkelling cruise sails from South Maui to two of the island's best snorkelling spots: the crescent-shaped Molokini crater and the reef of Turtle Town, where green sea turtles feed. A continental breakfast, lunch on board, unlimited soft drinks, juice and water, and all snorkelling equipment are included. Choose a smaller, more intimate catamaran for a quieter day, or a larger triple-deck catamaran with water slides and a glass-bottom room, depending on the option you pick. Allow about five to five and a half hours for the whole trip.
Highlights
- Snorkel at Molokini crater and Turtle Town in a single morning cruise
- Continental breakfast and lunch on board, with unlimited soft drinks, juice and water
- Snorkelling equipment and flotation devices included for all abilities
- Choose a smaller catamaran for a quieter day or a larger triple-deck boat with water slides
- Freshwater showers and toilets on board
- Easy water access, with a swim step on the smaller boat and several swim steps on the larger one
- Live guide and crew who help beginners and families
Full Description
Molokini crater
Molokini is a small, crescent-shaped volcanic crater that rises out of the sea a few miles off Maui's south coast, and it is protected as a marine life conservation area. The curved rim shelters the inside from waves and current, so the water is calm and the visibility is often excellent. A Molokini snorkelling cruise is the most popular way to see its coral gardens and the schools of tropical fish that live around the walls.
Many visitors ask whether Molokini is worth it. For most people it is, because the clear water and abundant fish make it one of the best snorkelling sites in Hawaii for beginners and experienced swimmers alike. Boats go early in the morning, when the sea is calmest, which is why this tour starts at dawn.
Turtle Town in South Maui
After Molokini, the cruise moves along the Makena coast to Turtle Town, a stretch of reef where Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, come to graze and rest. Snorkelling here is easy and relaxed, and you may see several turtles drift by, along with parrotfish, butterflyfish and fields of coral. For many travellers this is the highlight of a Maui snorkelling trip.
Turtles are protected by law, so the crew asks everyone to keep a respectful distance and never touch or chase them. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the reef is a regular feeding ground and chances are good.
The catamarans: smaller boat or larger boat
The smaller catamaran carries up to sixty-six guests and offers a quieter, more personal day with an easy swim step, a deli-style lunch and a cruise of about five and a half hours. The larger triple-deck catamaran carries up to one hundred and forty-nine guests, has two water slides, a glass-bottom room for looking at the fish without getting wet and several swim steps, and serves a hot lunch on a cruise of about five hours.
Both boats include breakfast, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, juice and water, snorkelling gear and flotation devices, freshwater showers and toilets. Hotel pickup, parking fees and towels are not included on either, so bring your own towel. Which boat suits you depends on whether you want quiet or a livelier day with slides.
Best season and sea conditions
The best time to visit Molokini is in the calm months from late spring to autumn, when the sea is gentlest and visibility is often best, though the trip runs all year. In winter, from December to April, the swells can be larger and you may even see humpback whales on the crossing, which is a welcome bonus.
Mornings are almost always calmer than afternoons because the trade winds build later in the day. If you are prone to seasickness, take tablets before the trip and sit near the middle of the boat. The captain may change the order of the stops if the sea or current makes it safer.
Itinerary
- Check-in at the South Maui harbourArrive early at the meeting point and board the catamaran; details are confirmed after booking.
- Breakfast on the way outEnjoy a continental breakfast with coffee, tea and fruit as the boat crosses the channel.
- Molokini crater snorkelSnorkel in the calm, clear water inside the crescent-shaped crater with fish and coral.
- Cruise to Turtle TownSail along the Makena coast to the reef where green sea turtles feed.
- Snorkel at Turtle TownSnorkel with turtles, with crew nearby to help and flotation devices if you need them.
- Lunch on boardEat lunch, a deli-style meal on the smaller boat or a hot lunch on the larger boat, with unlimited soft drinks, juice and water.
- Return to the harbourSail back and finish about five to five and a half hours after departure.
What's included
- Catamaran cruise
- Continental breakfast with coffee and tea
- Lunch on board
- Unlimited soft drinks, juice and water
- Snorkelling equipment and flotation devices
- Freshwater showers and toilets on board
- Smaller, more intimate boat with an easy swim step
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Parking fees
- Towels
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–12
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Travellers who are afraid of deep water and unwilling to wear a flotation device
- People with serious heart or breathing problems
- Anyone prone to severe seasickness who has not taken advice
- Very young children who cannot be supervised in the water
Meeting point
Meet at the harbour in South Maui; exact check-in details are confirmed after booking. Hotel pickup is not included, and parking fees and towels are not included, so please plan your transport and bring your own towel. The smaller catamaran departs early in the morning and the larger boat a little later, as shown in the booking panel.
Important information
- Arrive in good time for check-in; boats leave on schedule.
- Bring a towel, swimwear, reef-safe sun protection, a hat and a light jacket for the ride back.
- Seasickness tablets are worth taking beforehand if you are prone to motion sickness.
- Snorkelling gear and flotation devices are provided, so you do not need your own.
- Hotel pickup, parking fees, towels and tips are not included.
- Stops can be changed by the captain for safety, depending on the sea and wind.
- Child fares apply to ages 4 to 12; the booking panel shows the age bands.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Molokini and Turtle Town cruise cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, as the smaller and larger catamarans are priced differently. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to the harbour. Parking fees and towels are also not included.
How long is the Molokini snorkelling cruise?
The smaller catamaran trip lasts about five and a half hours, and the larger catamaran trip about five hours.
Are breakfast and lunch included?
Yes, both options include a continental breakfast and lunch on board, along with unlimited soft drinks, juice and water.
What is the difference between the options?
The smaller catamaran is quieter, with an easy swim step and a deli-style lunch. The larger triple-deck catamaran has water slides, a glass-bottom room, more swim steps and a hot lunch.
Do I need to be a good swimmer?
No. Flotation devices are provided and the crew helps beginners, but you should be comfortable in the water.
Is the cruise suitable for children?
Yes, families enjoy it, with child fares for ages 4 to 12. Children must be supervised in the water.
Can I book the cruise for tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Check the booking panel for open dates and departure times.
What should I bring to Molokini?
Bring a towel, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket. Snorkelling gear is provided.
Will I see turtles?
Turtles are wild, but Turtle Town is a regular feeding area and sightings are common.
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