A snorkeler swims next to a green sea turtle in clear blue water, a common sight on Molokini snorkel tours

Maui, Hawaii · 23 trips compared

Molokini snorkel tours: every boat on Maui compared

By Kai Rauch · Updated November 14, 2026

Molokini is the rim of an old volcano off the south coast of Maui. Inside the half-moon the sea is calm and clear. We compared 23 boats from Maʻalaea Harbor and Kihei, so you can choose the trip that fits you.

See our picks Compare all 23 trips

Booked most oftenMaui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town

This is the trip with the most reviews of all 23 trips we compared.

4.4 · 2,512 reviewsfrom $160

23trips that we compared
16,353reviews from guests
$99is the lowest price per adult
$0extra: same price as on the partner site

The short answer · updated November 14, 2026

The most booked trip to Molokini Crater is “Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town” with 2,512 reviews, a rating of 4.4 and a price from $160. The best rated trip is “Maui: Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht Snorkel” with 5.0 out of 5. The cheapest well-rated trip is “2-Hour Molokini Guaranteed Snorkel Trip from Kihei” from $99. Prices start at $99 per adult, and half of all 23 trips cost between $161 and $221. Most trips last between 3 h and 5 h. The best months to go are December to April.

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Our picks for 2027 · All trips compared · How we compare

Our picks for 2027

The best trips to Molokini Crater, by what you need

We chose these trips from the numbers alone: reviews, rating, price and length. No operator paid to be on this list.

Most booked

Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town

from $160 per person · ★ 4.4 from 2,512 reviews · 5.5 h

2,512 guests have reviewed this trip, more than any other trip on this page. They rate it 4.4 out of 5.

See dates and prices

Best rated

Maui: Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht Snorkel

from $318 per person · ★ 5.0 from 661 reviews · 5 h

Guests give it 5.0 out of 5 in 661 reviews. No other trip with at least 300 reviews is rated higher.

See dates and prices

Best value

2-Hour Molokini Guaranteed Snorkel Trip from Kihei

from $99 per person · ★ 4.9 from 968 reviews · 2 h

At $99 per adult, this is the cheapest trip with at least 100 reviews and a rating of 4.5 or more.

See dates and prices

Short trip

Maui: Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling From Kihei

from $194 per person · ★ 4.9 from 873 reviews · 3 h

It lasts 3 h and is the most booked of the trips that take three hours or less.

See dates and prices

Small group

Molokini & Turtle Adventure: Small Group from Ma'alaea Harbor

from $210 per person · ★ 4.8 from 127 reviews · 5 h

The operator sells it as a small-group trip, so there are fewer people in the water. It has the most reviews of the small-group trips.

See dates and prices

Best months

When the sea is at its best

Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters from about November to May with a peak from January to March, so a winter trip to Molokini often includes whale sightings on the boat ride. The numbers show the average temperature of the sea in each month.

Jan77°F25 °C

Feb76°F25 °C

Mar76°F24 °C

Apr77°F25 °C

May78°F25 °C

Jun79°F26 °C

Jul80°F26 °C

Aug80°F27 °C

Sep81°F27 °C

Oct81°F27 °C

Nov80°F26 °C

Dec78°F26 °C

Best months to goSea temperature: long-term monthly average

A smiling snorkeler in clear blue water in front of an anchored tour boat.

Your morning at sea

Two stops: the crater and the turtles

Most boats leave early in the morning, when the sea is often calmer than in the afternoon. The first stop is the crater. You snorkel above the reef inside the rim, where the water is often very clear.

On the way back, many boats stop at a place called Turtle Town along the coast. Here green sea turtles rest on the reef and come up to breathe. In winter you may also see humpback whales from the boat.

On the Big Island, you can also snorkel with manta rays at night in Kona.

Facts

Molokini Crater in numbers

Every fact comes from an official or published source. You find the sources on our page about how we compare.

Molokini lies about three miles (about 5 km) off the southwestern coast of Maui.
Molokini is the southern rim of an extinct volcanic crater, and the shallow inner cove is the crater's flooded floor.
The Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District was established in 1977 and covers about 77 acres (31 hectares).
Inside the crater the cove slopes down to about 100 feet (30 m), while the back side of the islet drops to more than 200 feet (60 m).
Molokini islet is a state seabird sanctuary, so visitors snorkel in the water and do not go ashore.
Visitors at Molokini snorkel and watch the fish without feeding them, and tour boats tie up to day-use moorings so that no anchors touch the reef.

Kinds of trips

Which trip fits your day?

We sorted all trips to Molokini Crater by what they offer. The big number shows how many trips of each kind you can book. One trip can belong to more than one kind.

All trips

Every trip to Molokini Crater, side by side

The table is sorted by the number of reviews. More reviews mean that more guests have been on this trip. Prices are per adult unless the trip is private.

Trip	Length	Rating	From, per adult	Booking
Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle TownMaui, Hawaii	5.5 h	4.42,512 reviews	$160	See dates and prices
Maui Snorkeling Adventure From Ma'alaea Harbor to MolokiniMaui, Hawaii	5.5 h	4.62,242 reviews	$189	See dates and prices
Molokini Crater + South Maui Coast Adventure from Kihei, MauiMaui, Hawaii	5 h	5.01,653 reviews	$199	See dates and prices
Molokini Crater Snorkel and Turtle Cove High Quality Adventure!Maui, Hawaii	4 h	4.91,547 reviews	$205	See dates and prices
Maui: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling aboard Pride of MauiMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.71,328 reviews	$233	See dates and prices
2-Hour Molokini Guaranteed Snorkel Trip from KiheiMaui, Hawaii	2 h	4.9968 reviews	$99	See dates and prices
Maui: Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling From KiheiMaui, Hawaii	3 h	4.9873 reviews	$194	See dates and prices
Four Winds Molokini Snorkeling Tour from Maalaea HarborMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.7864 reviews	$213	See dates and prices
Molokini Snorkel + Kids Go FREE! (Two Snorkel Spots)Maui, Hawaii	5 h	4.6836 reviews	$198	See dates and prices
Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkel & Waterslide AdventureMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.8737 reviews	$197	See dates and prices
Maui Afternoon Snorkel Aboard Malolo to Molokini or Coral GardensMaui, Hawaii	3 h	4.4694 reviews	$100	See dates and prices
Maui: Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht SnorkelMaui, Hawaii	5 h	5.0661 reviews	$318	See dates and prices
Maui \| Molokini Luxury Snorkel Sail on Akialoa: Breakfast & LunchMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.8224 reviews	$221	See dates and prices
5 Hour Molokini Snorkel & Turtle Tour in MauiMaui, Hawaii	5 h	5.0217 reviews	$239	See dates and prices
Maui: Molokini Snorkel & Whale Watch Tour From KiheiMaui, Hawaii	2.5 h	4.9206 reviews	$161	See dates and prices
The Best Maui 3 Hour Molokini and Turtle Town SnorkelMaui, Hawaii	3 h	4.9175 reviews	$216	See dates and prices
The Best 2 Hour Molokini Express SnorkelingMaui, Hawaii	2 h	4.8149 reviews	$147	See dates and prices
Molokini Crater Snorkeling Trip 2-Hour 10:30am StartMaui, Hawaii	2.5 h	4.7142 reviews	$154	See dates and prices
Molokini Crater Deluxe Snorkel and Sail - Half Day ExcursionMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.9138 reviews	$269	See dates and prices
Molokini & Turtle Adventure: Small Group from Ma'alaea HarborMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.8127 reviews	$210	See dates and prices
Maui Magic Adventure Snorkel: Molokini Crater and Turtle StopMaui, Hawaii	5 h	4.744 reviews	$224	See dates and prices
Two Site Snorkeling Adventure featuring the Molokini CraterMaui, Hawaii	3 h	4.99 reviews	$176	See dates and prices
2 Hour Molokini Snorkeling Tour with BreakfastMaui, Hawaii	2.2 h	5.07 reviews	$179	See dates and prices

Prices, length and reviews: Viator, checked on November 14, 2026. Sorted by number of reviews.

A snorkeler floats over shallow turquoise water

Hawaii · Maui

The calm water inside a volcano

The crater shields its inside from the open sea. This is why you can often see the bottom from the surface, even where the water is deep.

What you may see: Yellow tang, Black durgon (black triggerfish), Moorish idol, Moray eel, Octopus.

Questions

Good to know before you book

What is the best Molokini snorkel tour in 2027?

It depends on what you need. “Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town” is booked most often (2,512 reviews, 4.4 out of 5). “Maui: Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht Snorkel” has the best rating. “2-Hour Molokini Guaranteed Snorkel Trip from Kihei” is the cheapest well-rated trip at $99.

How much does a Molokini snorkel tour cost?

Prices for the 23 trips we compared start at $99 per adult. Half of all trips cost between $161 and $221. Private boats cost more, because you pay for the whole boat.

When is the best time to go to Molokini Crater?

The best months are December to April. Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters from about November to May with a peak from January to March, so a winter trip to Molokini often includes whale sightings on the boat ride.

Which harbor should I choose for Molokini?

Boats leave from Maʻalaea Harbor and from Kihei. From Kihei the ride is shorter, so the trips are often two to three hours. From Maʻalaea many trips take five hours and include breakfast and lunch.

When is the best time of day?

Go in the morning. The sea is usually calmest before noon. Afternoon trips are cheaper, but the wind can make the water rougher.

Do I need to be a good swimmer?

You should be able to swim. The crews lend you fins, mask, snorkel and usually a floating vest or noodle, and a guide stays with the group.

Is it worth it to snorkel in Molokini Crater?

For most guests, yes. The crater has been a protected marine life conservation district since 1977, the water inside the crescent is shielded from waves, and fish such as yellow tangs, Moorish idols and black triggerfish live on the reef. If the wind is too strong, some boats go to a calmer spot along the coast instead, and the tour page says if a trip has such a backup plan.

Is snorkeling at Molokini safe?

Inside the crater the water is usually calm. The boats tie up to fixed moorings, the crew lends you flotation, and a guide watches the group. If the sea gets rough, the captain moves to a calmer spot.

Can you scuba dive at Molokini Crater?

Yes. Inside the crater the bottom slopes down to about 30 meters (100 feet). The back side of the islet drops to more than 60 meters (200 feet) and is a dive for experienced divers only. Snorkelers stay inside the crescent.

More reefs