Resting peacefully just south of Maui is a crescent-shaped islet that lures people in with its calm waters, beautiful marine life, and promise of adventure. This is Molokini Crater, one of the top snorkeling locations in Hawaii.
If you’re looking for an aquatic adventure during your Hawaii vacation, a Molokini excursion could be just the thing for you. It’s a great chance to get out into the water, experience a unique place, and see incredible marine life.
But there is more to Molokini Crater than just snorkel charters. This land mass holds incredible cultural significance, great environmental value, and an intriguing history. Read along to learn more about Molokini and our top tips for visiting.
What Is Molokini Crater
Molokini is an islet about 3 miles off Maui’s southeastern coast. It’s located just between Maui and Kahoolawe, which is an uninhabited Hawaiian island. Molokini is part of an extinct volcano’s crater, with its crescent-shaped peak sitting above the water and its floor submerged between its points. That submerged floor is a rocky area with a coral reef and abundant fish life.
Nobody lives on Molokini – it’s small and has minimal vegetation. And while visitors don’t go ashore onto the crater, they’ll spend hours snorkeling through the clear waters.
The Draw of Molokini
One of the most distinct things about Molokini Crater is its nearly perfect crescent shape. From above, it looks like a moon resting in the ocean.
It’s also famous for its many fish and coral. The crescent shape of the islet typically serves as a barrier from the ocean’s rough conditions, creating a snorkeling oasis. Each day, teems of boats arrive to the calm waters of Molokini Crater, bringing visitors to one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii.
History: Volcanic Origins, an Explosive Past
The history of Molokini Crater dates back 230,000 years ago, when a volcanic eruption formed a cinder cone off the coast of Maui. A number of Hawaiian legends outline the origins of Molokini – almost all versions of the story include the wrath of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess who turned the objects of her jealousy into the crater.
The earliest Hawaiians visited Molokini to fish and harvest eggs from the many seabirds at the crater. But this place of beauty and Hawaiian traditions met a dark fate at the hands of the U.S. Military. During World War II, Molokini was used for bombing practice. Its shape and isolated location seemed like the ideal target for new U.S. pilots training to bomb Japanese warships.
The bombings at Molokini destroyed the area’s pristine waters, coral population, and fishing grounds long after the World War II training missions ended. Unexploded ordinances were left behind, and controlled detonations of them in the 1970s and 1980s further damaged the area’s ecosystem.
Activists worked hard – and sacrificed their lives – to end explosions and military activity on Molokini and Kahoolawe, and the remaining ordinances were manually removed.
Molokini Crater was declared a conservation area in 1977, and over the decades, some coral and fish life has returned.
What was once a pristine place for Native Hawaiian fishing and gathering now mostly looks like a tourist hotspot, but it still holds great cultural value. And understanding that can make your visit to Molokini even more special.
How to Visit Molokini Crater
A snorkel trip to Molokini Crater is one of my favorite activities in Hawaii. Sure, you can snorkel along shorelines for free, but visiting the crater and spending time in this unique setting is unbeatable.
If you want to take a trip to Molokini, here is what you need to do:
1. Decide how much time you’d like to spend on your trip.
Tours range anywhere from about 2 hours to all day long, so you have many options. Most boat trips will provide meals if you’re with them for breakfast or lunch, and they may include other stops along the journey as well.
2. Figure out where you’ll depart from.
You’ll only visit Molokini Crater if you’re vacationing on Maui. Boats from the other major islands won’t take you there. Once on Maui, you may leave from Kaanapali, Maalaea, Kihei, or Makena. Makena and Wailea will be the closest to Molokini. But if you’re staying on the West Side of the Island, a boat trip leaving from there will allow you to take the journey by sea instead of driving yourself 45 minutes or more round trip.
3. Choose Your Vessel
Most people take a catamaran to Molokini Crater. This allows you to ride comfortably and have lots of space to enjoy the scenery from onboard. However, many people opt for a Zodiac-style raft boat, which will get you there more quickly and feels a bit more adventurous.
There are also a couple of companies that offer a kayak tour of Molokini. This is a 9-mile round-trip journey through a lot of open water. You definitely don’t want to attempt the trip by yourself. But, if you do want a unique (and tiring) way to experience Molokini, a guided tour could be a good option for you. It won’t leave much time or energy for snorkeling, but completing the journey feels like a big accomplishment.
4. Book Your Tour
There are lots of different companies that offer Molokini excursions. Hawaii Aloha Travel can help you narrow down your options and get you reserved for the best fit.
5. Enjoy Your Excursion!
Visitors of all ages and swimming abilities have a great time at Molokini. It’s fantastic to get out on the ocean, find a spot within the crescent-shaped crater, and see the beautiful marine life that resides there.
FAQ About Molokini
There’s still a lot to know about the wondrous place of Molokini. Ahead are some of the top questions about the crater and how to enjoy your visit there.
How Old is Molokini Crater?
The volcanic eruption that formed Molokini Crater likely occurred 230,000 years ago. Previous estimates put its age at about 50,000, but newer research shows that it’s actually much (much, much!) older than that.
What Does “Molokini” Mean in Hawaiian?
Molokini translates to “many ties” in Hawaiian.
Can You Visit Molokini Crater?
Absolutely! There are so many boat charters that take visitors to the coral reef within the boundaries of Molokini Crater. Here, you can snorkel and look at the many fish that call this area home. Your boat trip will likely leave from Maalaea, but some also depart from Kaanapali, Kihei, and Wailea.
Do I Need to Be An Experienced Snorkeler to Enjoy Molokini?
Most tour companies don’t require any experience for you to swim at Molokini Crater. They’ll provide swim noodles, life jackets, and floats to help make you comfortable in the water. Many visitors also enjoy the scenery from onboard the boat if they don’t wish to snorkel as long as the rest of the group.
As you book your excursion, just make sure that they welcome first-time snorkelers, weak swimmers, or onboard sunbathers (or whatever applies to you!).
How Much Does a Molokini Tour Cost?
Molokini tour prices typically range from $175 – $225 per adult, but some are a little less or a little more. You are paying for an entire experience, and it definitely is a memorable time. Your agent at Hawaii Aloha Travel can help you navigate the different pricing options and advise if it’s worth the investment.
What Will I See During My Tour?
Fish and coral! Lots of colorful fish of all sizes. Some snorkelers also see reef sharks and other marine life.
Many boat tours also stop at sea turtle hot spots between Maui and Molokini, so you may be able to see turtles during your trip as well.
During the boat ride, you may get to see dolphins swimming alongside the vessel. And in winter months, you will likely see a whale (or many whales!) breaching in the water.
You’ll also get great views of Maui (it’s neat to see the island from the water). And you’ll be pretty close to Kahoolawe, too.
The Magic of Molokini
For lots of visitors, an excursion to Molokini is a one-and-done experience. They’ve seen it, they enjoyed it, but they may not return to it during their next Maui vacation.
For others, it’s an absolute dream that they want to relive again and again.
Either way, Molokini offers a unique experience: a little bit of adventure, a lot of beautiful scenery, and a touch of Hawaii charm that most visitors adore.
What do you think? Will you be visiting Molokini Crater during your next Hawaiian vacation? Let us know your plans, and how we can help create the vacation of your dreams!
