At Seafire Charters, we provide a one-of-a-kind snorkeling experience at Molokini Crater, a marine sanctuary known for its crystal-clear waters and thriving marine life. Molokini Crater is home to vibrant coral reefs and over 250 species of fish, making it an ideal spot for snorkelers of all skill levels. Our Molokini Snorkel PLUS adventure not only takes you to this world-renowned site but also includes a visit to Turtle Town, where you can swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles. During the winter months, from December to May, guests can also enjoy the bonus of whale watching, as humpback whales migrate through Maui’s waters.
What Your Snorkel Adventure Includes
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, Seafire Charters ensures you have everything you need for a memorable adventure. We provide the necessary snorkel gear and even offer learn-to-snorkel instructions to help you feel confident in the water. Our tours are perfect for individuals, families, and small groups, and we take pride in providing personalized attention to each guest.
Snorkeling at Molokini
Explore the breathtaking underwater world of Molokini Crater, where you’ll encounter a variety of marine life in crystal-clear water.
Swimming with Sea Turtles
At Turtle Town, you’ll have the chance to swim alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles as they glide gracefully through the water.
Dolphin and Whale Sightings
Depending on the season, guests may spot playful dolphins and witness majestic humpback whales breaching and tail-slapping.
Fresh Snacks
Enjoy delicious Maui pineapple, muffins, and cold drinks to refresh yourself during the trip.
Gear Provided
We supply all snorkel gear, including flotation devices and wetsuits, to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
Why Snorkel at Molokini?
Molokini Crater is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in the world, and for good reason. Its unique crescent shape creates a natural barrier against waves, keeping the water calm and ideal for snorkeling. With visibility often exceeding 150 feet, snorkelers can easily observe a variety of tropical fish, coral reefs, and occasionally, more elusive marine creatures like manta rays, whale sharks, and blacktip reef sharks. The sheltered environment makes it perfect for both beginners and intermediate snorkelers, offering a safe yet exciting underwater experience.
Swimming with Sea Turtles at Turtle Cleaning Station
One of the highlights of the Molokini Snorkel PLUS adventure is the visit to Turtle Cleaning Station, where Hawaiian green sea turtles gather to be cleaned by smaller reef fish. At this unique spot, you can observe the fascinating interaction between the turtles and the fish as they nibble away algae and parasites from the turtles’ shells. This is a rare opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants and capture stunning photographs of them surfacing for air.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
On your journey to Molokini Crater, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter playful dolphins riding the wake of the boat, adding excitement to your trip before you even reach the snorkeling site. From December to May, the waters around Maui are also a haven for migrating humpback whales. Witnessing these enormous creatures breach the surface or perform graceful tail slaps is a breathtaking experience that will leave you in awe. Your tour with Seafire Charters might just provide the perfect combination of snorkeling and whale watching, offering a truly unforgettable day on the water.
Back Wall of Molokini
For the more adventurous snorkelers, Seafire Charters sometimes ventures to the back wall of Molokini, where the ocean floor dramatically drops over 300 feet. The back wall offers a more advanced snorkeling experience, where guests can see a completely different underwater ecosystem. Here, you may encounter species like black coral, schools of butterfly fish, and larger pelagic species like manta rays. The incredible visibility makes this spot a must-see for those seeking a deeper and more thrilling adventure.
Important Information
Tour Duration: The snorkel adventure lasts approximately 3 hours, departing at 7:30 AM from the Kihei Boat Ramp.
Location: Conveniently located near both Wailea and Kihei resorts, the Kihei Boat Ramp is just a short ride away, providing easy access to Molokini.
Safety: Our S.A.F.E. boats are designed for maximum safety and comfort, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride for all participants.
Restrictions: We recommend that pregnant women, children under 4 years old, and individuals with back or neck issues exercise caution before booking due to the nature of the boat ride.
Book Your Snorkel Adventure Today
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the best that Maui has to offer with Seafire Charters. Whether you’re snorkeling in the pristine waters of Molokini Crater, swimming alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles, or watching humpback whales breach, Seafire Charters is dedicated to making your day unforgettable. Book your adventure today by calling 808-879-2201 or emailing [email protected]. Let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime!
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It was my first time snorkeling as a poor swimmer, but I felt safe and comfortable with the crew. They are patient and understanding, giving me confidence to get into the water. Tips for first time snorkelers, bring enough towels and sweaters, because it could get cold on the boat with wet clothes. Most importantly, you should inform the crew of your confidence level, and they will take good care of you.
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My wife and I had a fantastic time out to the Molokini crater. All of the staff was awesome. The size of the boat made it less likely that either of us experienced seasickness.
We were able to see some whales in the distance, which was really cool. Once we arrived at the crater, we were able to swim with a monk seal, which was very playful. We enjoy exploring the creator and checking out all the cool fish.
Since it was a smaller boat, we were able to also go to the backside of the crater and experience the elevator. This is when the water lifts and drops you near the crater. We could hear the sounds of whales underwater which was awesome.
On the way back, we stopped at the turtle cleaning station and saw some beautiful turtles. Such a great excursion and at a reasonable price, we plan to return next time to Maui.
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The whole crew were amazing, from Vicci who assisted with logistics, ie checking us in, sending text messages, Don the Captain who had worked for the Coast Guard, Kelly and Malissa. Kelly and Malissa were our life guards, in and out of the water, were very knowledgeable of the sea life, enthusiastic and personable. I was surprised they could remember my name even after I was in the water with my snorkel gear donned. Originally I was going to take 5 hour tour, however this 3 hour tour allowed plenty of snorkel time. On the return trip we were pleasantly surprised to see a large school of Spinner Dolphins swimming close to our boat for about 10 minutes. They performed aerial spins and back flips for our entertainment. Highly recommend this tour. You will not be disappointed!
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First class all the way! We went out for snorkeling and were so extremely impressed. Being pretty unsure about snorkeling, the two lovely ladies Kelly and Dawn went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable, safe and knew exactly what we were doing. The 3 places we snorkeled were absolutely breathtaking. Captain Don also stopped for a good bit so we could see some whales. We even got to feed the little birds. Worth every penny and then some!
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These guys are the sh*t! I’ve been on lots of boats to Molokini over the years. And every time I go, I think it’s going to be another boon doggle. Most boats have a safety briefing, dump you off, and tell you when to get back on. These guys? They get in the water with you. Yes, mask, snorkel, fins, showing you the different sea life. Who does that? Seafire does. Dan actually got in with a novice snorkeler, towed her around with a safety device, to the point where she didn’t want to get back in the boat. I signaled Kelly and told her there were sharks under the boat, she jumped in with her gear and followed them with me. They are the best. I hope they stay around awhile, they are a good operation, practice safety, take you to see the sea life, and care about the reef. Amazing! Just awesome!
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What a wonderful time. Kristy, the deck hand, was extremely knowledgeable on the wildlife. And really knew how to show us the beauty of each location. A few of us got sick and Captain Don was quick to help soothe the tummy. At the end was a neat treat, feeding the birds as they met us upon our arrival back to the dock area. They literally feed out of your hand. Their instructions on when and where to meet where spot to and easy to follow. Vicki was great on the phone walking us through the registration and pre-visit info. Also meeting at the dock area for our short and informative briefing along with the necessary waiver forms. They even provided a before and after snacks. I would highly recommend this smaller charter. They are less intimidating than the bigger groups. Thank you for an awesome experience!
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What an amazing snorkel tour we had with Seafire! They are a small company with great service. Captain Don and his wife have been doing this for over 40 years. He was in the coast guard and knows how to drive the boat in the big swells. Their boat is the only boat that is not filled with air. It’s formed with foam like the coast guard boats. It can’t be punctured or flipped. Certainly made us feel safe on a high swell day. Kelly and Don were his crew and our guides. They were so friendly and helpful. As we headed out they let us know what to expect and informed us of all we needed to know. Kellie and Dan guided us all over as we snorkeled and showed us so many beautiful fish, octopus, eels and many other sea creatures. Because of the weather we couldn’t go to turtle town. Instead we got a whale watching tour which was AMAZING. Kellie was so educational about the whale migration cycle. As well as the fish and the coral reef. They had great snacks, water and juice for us. This was our second time with Seafire and I highly recommend them. 5 stars!