The writers at World Guides to Travel can say with complete confidence that the snorkeling at Molokini Crater in Maui is world-class.

Not only is Molokini snorkeling the best in Hawaii, but in our writers’ opinions, it’s some of the best snorkeling in the world. Don’t miss it while you’re there.

There is an abundance of coral reefs, marine life and the visibility is impeccable. Seeing the giant Green Sea Turtle is definitely one of the best things to do in Maui, and a life-changing event for those who love nature.

Here is an overview of our favorite Maui snorkel tours with full reviews and our snorkeling guide to Maui below.

Best Maui & Molokini Snorkeling Tours

	Maui: Eco-Friendly Molokini & Turtle Town Tour w/ Lunch	Maui: Molokini Snorkel & Performance Sail w/ Lunch	Maui: Afternoon Snorkel to Coral Gardens or Molokini Crater
Departure Point:	Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store	Ma’alaea Harbor, Slip #72	Next Beach Bums BBQ & Grill
Departure Time:	7:00 AM	7:30 AM	Variety Available
Duration:	5 hours (approx.)	5 hours (approx.)	3 hours (approx.)
Includes:	Snorkel gear, snorkeling instruction, reef-safe sunscreen, continental breakfast, grilled lunch, refreshments	Snorkel gear, instructions, opportunity to sail the catamaran, reef safe sunscreen, continental breakfast, buffet lunch	Snorkel gear, freshwater rinse
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 8 Best Maui Snorkel Tours For 2024

1. Maui: Eco-Friendly Molokini & Turtle Town Tour w/ Lunch
2. Maui: Molokini Snorkel & Performance Sail w/ Lunch
3. Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkel w/ Deli Lunch
4. Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel w/ Lunch Buffet
5. West Maui Snorkeling Adventure
6. Small-Group Molokini Snorkel and Green Sea Turtle Adventure
7. Maui South Shore Kayak and Snorkel Tour
8. Mala Xpress Snorkel

Maui Snorkel Tour Reviews

#1 Maui: Eco-Friendly Molokini & Turtle Town Tour w/ Lunch

A certified marine naturalist will be boarding the vessel with you not only to teach you about the history and nature of the snorkeling destinations you will visit but also to take you on two amazing, guided underwater tours. For the kids on board, the Junior Naturalist Program is perfect.

The center of a volcanic crater is where you will head first, a location only accessible by boat. This guided tour will help you learn more about the marine life in the area as well as why it’s so important to help protect it.

The second snorkeling destination is Turtle Town. Here, turtle sightings are quite common, hence the name, and the underwater lava formations are a unique backdrop for those pictures you will be taking. Also seen in this area very often are eels, octopus, and scores of various types of reef fish.

When you head back on board, it’s time to enjoy a freshly grilled lunch of both chicken and hamburgers with delicious salads on the side. This is a great way to spend a few hours snorkeling in Maui. Additional gear, as well as underwater cameras, are available for rent.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#2 Maui: Molokini Snorkel & Performance Sail w/ Lunch

You’ll get to enjoy the underwater world of Molokini as well as enjoy sailing on one of the fastest catamarans in Maui. As you head out to Molokini, a complimentary, continental breakfast is served while you also learn more about how to use your snorkeling gear and get set up for the water.

The location you will be snorkeling in is located inside a natural marine preserve. This means it’s important to keep your distance from any underwater wildlife and also wear reef-safe sunscreen. This sunscreen is available on board for your use.

Molokini is a volcanic crater that is partially submerged in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Because of the shallow waters here, it is easy to snorkel and offers stunning underwater views. Over 250 species of tropical fish call this crater home.

While sailing back and enjoying your buffet lunch that includes both beer and wine, you may be able to see a humpback whale or two in the area. Whale season is from December to May. If you choose to rent one of the underwater cameras that are onboard, you might want to snap a pic of a whale too.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

#3 Maui: Afternoon Snorkel to Coral Gardens or Molokini Crater

Molokini is a legendary snorkeling destination and people from all over the world come to experience many species of tropical fish in their natural environment. In fact, there are over 250 species of fish that call Molokini home. These shallow waters are nestled in the crater left behind from a volcano.

After exploring Molokini, it’s time to head to Turtle Town. In addition to swimming with the rare and protected Green Sea Turtles, you’ll also get up close and personal with the lava rock that was formed when molten lava ran into the waters or bubbled up from the sea floor.

While you are in the water, at either snorkeling destination, there will be a trained and certified lifeguard in the water with you.

Back on board your cruise vessel, it’s time for a deli lunch and a refreshing soda. Beer and Mai Tai mixed drinks are available for purchase as well, for adults only. On the trip back, you can relax in the cool shade of the cabin or choose to tan on the bow of the boat.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#4 Molokini Snorkeling Adventure Aboard Calypso

Highlights:

Of the 5 Maui snorkeling tours reviewed here this one stands out in reviews and the first hand experience of one of our writers. Molokini is a fabulous little gem of a crater islet located just two miles offshore from Maui. It is accessible by a short boat trip.

The unique snorkeling spot is the result of a sea life-rich channel combined with a lack of surrounding sand to impede visibility. If you go you’ll be glad you chose to experience the Molokini Crater snorkel.

The Molokini crater is literally one of the clearest places to snorkel in the world. Looking all around in the sapphire blue water the guest will be amazed at the large variety of sea life. A crescent shape protects from wind and waves and the sea life flourishes in the environment.

There is also a magnificent bird preserve on the islet itself. A researcher’s permit is required to go ashore but a lot of majestic birdlife can be seen onshore from the snorkel boat. This makes for a great feature if some participants won’t be snorkeling.

You’ll be able to search for some of the 200 species of fish that live in the waters of Molokini Crater. Among these are manta rays, eels, sea urchins or possibly even a shark or two.

You’ll also stop at Turtle Town off the the Maui coast. There, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim alongside the giant Hawaiian Green sea turtles.

In the winter the tour cruises up the coast looking for dolphins or Humpback whales. You’ll enjoy a buffet lunch and relax onboard while cruising to the snorkel sites.

The tour departs from Maalaea Harbor enroute to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. This is a short and easy ride that includes a complete breakfast and a lunch of Hawaiian barbeque.

The crew is a comprised of a professional captain and mate. You’ll learn about the area from these knowledgeable locals. All things considered, we consider this to be the best Molokini snorkel tour.

What an ideal day on the pristine waters off of Maui’s shore. Molokini is located 2 miles off the south shore of Kihei and situated in 300 feet (91 meters) of water, Molokini is truly a unique wonder of nature. This tour provides a chance to see hundreds of species of Hawaiian marine life.

The tour also cruises the south shore of Maui. Here, the informative captain gives commentary about Maui history, volcanoes and even homes owned by celebrities onshore in Maui. There are restrooms on the boat for your convenience.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#5 West Maui Snorkeling Adventure

Highlights:

Leaving from Whaler’s Village on Ka’anapali Beach this 4.5 hour tour is geared toward locating the best snorkeling for the day based on weather conditions, tides and fish movements. The trip may stop at a number of “hot spots” depending on the captain’s information for the day.

There are many snorkeling sites and attractions in Maui, and this excursion will see the best of them.

Mala Wharf, Oluwalu, Cliff House and Honolua Bay are among the amazing stops of the tour that you may experience.

It’s a relaxed pace and the crew makes every effort to accommodate special requests from the guests.

Experiencing sea nature is among the top things to do in Maui. The sea life that is abundant around Maui includes: Giant Green Sea Turtles (Honu), Tropical Eels, Spinner Dolphins, Bottle Nose Dolphins and even Humpback Whales when they’re in sesaon.

And don’t forget the schools of colorful tropical fish that congregate near the coral reef heads.

A unique feature of the West Maui Snorkeling Adventure is an onboard staff videographer and onboard HD video review of the day’s sights and sounds while snorkeling and cruising.

Still images, as well as videos of the day’s activities , are available for purchase onboard. There are non-alcoholic beverages included onboard and also beers or cocktails for purchase.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#6 Small-Group Molokini Snorkel and Green Sea Turtle Adventure

Highlights:

For a guaranteed to be uncrowded snorkel tour take a look at the Small-Group Molokini Snorkel and Green Sea Turtle Adventure from Maui. Leaving from the small boat ramp at Kihei very early morning in a speed military-type raft you are whisked to one of the most incredible snorkeling spots in the world – Molokini Crater.

Molokini Crater has unique characteristics making it the jewel of a marine life sanctuary that it is. Its crescent shape blocks sea current and prevents practically all sand and silt from impeding visibility. This wonder of nature ranks high among Maui things to do.

Molokini rises out of the 300 feet of water depth and visibility is often sufficient to see for 200 feet or more. Of all the activities on the various Molokini tours, snorkeling is a not to be missed experience.

The tour ensures maximum snorkeling time in the water with a small group and a speedy water craft making this among the best Molokini Crater tours.

Other snorkeling destinations will be included with the tour offering other looks at this diverse and beautiful undersea world.

This snorkeling adventure will take you to some of Maui’s top sites. You’ll stop at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Maui where you’ll have your chance to spot the giant Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.

Then you’ll look for dolphins at La Perouse Bay and enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#7 Maui South Shore Kayak and Snorkel Tour

If you happen to be staying on the South Shore of Maui then this tour is another great option for a snorkeling excursion.

Using sea kayaks you’ll explore the beautiful and peaceful Makena coastline.

This section of shoreline is protected from wind and waves making for great kayaking, swimming and snorkeling visibility.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#8 Mala Xpress Snorkel

On this “walk-in” 2-hour snorkeling excursion you’ll be guided to safely visit the Mala Wharf. It’s an old pier that is now used as an underwater reef and marine refuge.

Mala Reef is home to tropical fish, eels, starfish and turtles. You’ll spend all of your time in the water and enjoy an intimate encounter with the giant green Hawaiian sea turtle or “Honu.”

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Guide to the Best Molokini & Maui Snorkeling Tours

• Snorkeling 101
• The Ideal Snorkeling Trip
• Snorkeling in the Hawaiian Islands
• Know Your Limits – Snorkel Safely

So, where is the best snorkeling in Maui? And which are the best Maui snorkel tours that will get you there? Some great snorkel spots are easy to access from the beach. But for the most dramatic panorama of sea life, it’s the Maui snorkel charters that can deliver on the premier Maui snorkeling.

In the reviews that follow you’ll see the tours that we chose for our top picks along with our Editor’s Choice. First, let’s take a look at the 5 best snorkeling tours in Maui with the highest customer satisfaction reviews in the Hawaiian Islands along with details of each.

Snorkeling 101

Since childhood we’ve been fascinated by the prospect of staying underwater and still being able to breath.

It was fascinating. For as long as we dared we could stay facedown in a swimming pool and experience a whole other world – an underwater world – without concern for holding our breath or “running out of air”.

As we ventured into the natural world of lake or ocean snorkeling it became a challenge to experience adequate water clarity and also reasonably calm surface conditions.

And if conditions were just right then an incredible array of wildlife could be experienced including fish, shellfishes, crabs, coral and marine plantlife.

Weather conditions have a lot to do with underwater visibility and the overall quality of any snorkeling excursion.

Fortunately, the snorkeling adventures listed above are all available on a trip to Maui in the Pacific paradise of the Hawaiian Islands. There, visibility is excellent – nearly swimming pool clarity. And an abundant diversity of sea life flourishes.

Snorkeling Class for Beginners

An Ideal Snorkeling Trip

For those who have experienced great snorkeling it’s a fact that visibility is the number one factor to the quality of the experience and what’s in the water to be experienced is a close second.

And for these reasons coral reefs are the most popular attraction for snorkelers. This is because reefs offer color, diversity and of course – marine life – including fish, plants, eels and shellfish.

Even eels like the menacing looking moray eel, along with its relatives, inhabit and hunt in and around the reef.

The living ecosystem of a coral reef has long fascinated scientists and naturalists – ever since the first underwater excursions discovered reefs using diving helmets in the 1800s.

Pristine blue waters that reveal a living, growing coral reef below the water’s surface is a priceless thing of natural beauty.

Like visibility, water depth, plays a major role in the snorkeling experience. If marine life is deep below the surface of the water then it’s unlikely it will be fully-visible using just snorkeling apparatus.

And similarly, if a man-made structure like a shipwreck or sunken pier is too deep to be accessed by snorkeling, then it’s necessary to look for snorkeling sites which are more shallow. We’ll talk more about depth in the following section called “Be Safe – Know Your Limits” below.

The very best conditions for an excellent snorkeling experience are when visibility (water clarity) and manageable water depth are present, (anywhere between about 4 feet and 25 feet) and there is interesting marine life or man-made structures to view.

The exception is when a reef (or wall) extends many, many feet below the surface and visibility id excellent as it is in the Hawaiian Islands. Visibility around Maui and the other islands of Hawaii can be over 200 feet.

Some examples of underwater terrain which makes for good snorkeling:

1. Coral reef structures

2. Rocky outcroppings along shorelines

3. Offshore rocks and formations reaching the water’s surface

4. Man-made structures (piers, sunken concrete and debris)

5. Man-made shipwrecks (ships, boats, barges)

Snorkeling in Maui and the Hawaiian Islands

Among the top things to do in Maui, snorkeling consists mainly of viewing the coral reefs that encircle the island. This fringe of coral contains a variety of hard corals, marine plant life and fish of many species.

As well, the reefs attract dolphins, turtles and sharks. There are many reef structures at around 15 feet or less below surface – ideal for snorkeling.

There are said to be some 800-900 species of sea creatures living on the reefs surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Depending on your mode of accessing the reefs, as well as the seasonal weather conditions, your snorkeling experience can vary greatly.

But with some insider information you can be well-equipped with knowledge on how to get the most for your time and money.

Although the high season for tourism is Winter and Spring, the more favorable time to experience the reefs is in Summer. It will be hotter and humid in Summer, but the seas are also warmer, clearer and more calm.

Winter months can bring 20 foot sea swells and the shoreline becomes disrupted and less visible. The Summer “mini high season” is middle of June through August so check rates for June and September if you’re on a budget.

The Hawaiian Islands are a one-of-a-kind natural wonder. And as you seen in the snorkel tour reviews above going underwater is among the incredible things to do on Maui. The ecosystem of living coral is a fragile organism.

It is strictly prohibited to stand on reefs or to touch live coral. Touching coral will break it, which separates it from the coral farm and kills the organism. Always be respectful of the reef system and obey these guidelines to ensure the future of the ecosystem for generations to come.

Know Your Limits – Snorkel Safely

Being described as a “good swimmer” is a relative term. When you’re snorkeling in open waters such as the Hawaiian Islands always be respectful of the physical stamina required, as well as the possible dangers of the water. When snorkeling in windy conditions and choppy seas snorkeling can be physically demanding.

As mentioned above, some underwater sites are too deep in the water to see using just a mask, snorkel and fins. Such features are better suited to scuba diving. It is important to establish how deeply you can free dive, and how long you can hold your breath safely.

It’s a good rule of thumb to snorkel within your limits. And until you’re comfortable with more depth and duration just hang on the surface taking short dives until you’re completely comfortable.

Not too many snorkeling incidents are reported. But, it’s good practice to stay safe and be respectful of your own limits. A great day on the sea (and under the sea) shouldn’t be a laborious outing.

In fact a lot of the marine life in the Hawaiian Islands that lives on the reefs can be spotted just floating above the reef at the surface. Please be safe and have a wonderful time snorkeling in the Hawaiian Islands.

If your new to snorkeling, see our beginners guide on how to snorkel and what gear you need.