Snorkel Molokini, home
Aerial view of Molokini's curved islet of pale rock, its cove turquoise and the open sea deep blue around it, with Kahoʻolawe faint behind

Molokini Crater snorkeling tours, side by side

Pick a Molokini snorkel trip by harbor, boat, length and what you want from the morning, with prices dated and sourced.

Compare tours and prices Find your boat

20 operators, prices checked

By Redline Rafting, a Molokini raft company that runs this site

Photo: Snorkel Molokini

Find your boat

Three taps to a short list

Tell us who’s coming, where you’re staying and what you want from the day. You’ll get a few boats and the reasons for each, or see all 20 compared.

Who’s coming?
Where are you staying?
What kind of trip?

Your list shows here as soon as you tap.

Your harbor

Which harbor works for you?

You can only reach Molokini by boat. Trips leave from three places on Maui’s south coast. Distances are straight lines from official coordinates, so boats travel a little farther. Ride times are what each operator’s own trip page quotes, read Nov 4, 2026.

Illustration, not a navigation chartIllustrated map of Molokini and the three departure points on Maui’s south coastStraight-line distances to Molokini: Mākena (Maluaka Beach) 3.5 miles, Kīhei Boat Ramp 6.2 miles, Māʻalaea Harbor 11 miles. Illustration, not a navigation chart.MAUIHaleakalā’s lower slopesWest MauiKAHOʻOLAWEMāʻalaea BayʻAlalākeiki ChannelWaileaMolokinicoveBack WallMolokini, enlarged ×63.5 mi6.2 mi11 mi1MākenaMaluaka Beach · 1 operator2Kīhei Boat Ramp5 operators3Māʻalaea Harbor12 operatorsMaui · area shownN024 mi
Coastline from the Hawaiʻi Statewide GIS Program (derived from USGS line graphs). Points: USGS place names, NOAA chart 19350 and Redline Rafting’s published pin. Map: Snorkel Molokini

Kīhei Boat Ramp

To Molokini
6.2 mi in a straight line
Ride time
About 15 minutes (Redline Rafting, Maui Snorkel Charters); 20–25 minutes (Pro Diver Maui)
Address
2800 S Kihei Rd, Kīhei, HI 96753
Boats
Rafts and smaller snorkel and dive boats.

Operators:

  • Redline Rafting
  • Seafire Charters
  • Blue Water Rafting
  • Maui Snorkel Charters
  • Pro Diver Maui

Nearer isn’t automatically better. Start from where you’re staying and the kind of boat you want.

Compare

Molokini tours compared

Molokini snorkel operators: 20 listed, 17 sailing, 1 paused, 2 not confirmed, with the same fields for each. Pick two or three to see them side by side.

Each price is the lowest adult price printed on that operator’s own public site, with its date. Redline’s too. How we check prices · Spot a wrong price? Tell us

Filter the comparisonNo filters on
Leaves from
Boat type
Trip length
Children
Stops

17 operators sailing and 1 paused with later dates on sale. At the end of the list: Aqua Adventures and Koa Kai, not confirmed

Order: departure point, then our own order. Redline Rafting, our boat, is listed first at Kīhei. Paused operators sit at the end. You can also sort by lowest price or shortest trip. Many operators sell some dates below their listed price.
Operator and boatTrip lengthLowest adult priceAges and child faresWho it may suitContact
Kīhei Boat Ramp6.2 mi to Molokini in a straight line · 5 operators
Redline RaftingRaft, up to 24 guests2 or 5 h Stops: 1 (Molokini); up to 3 on its other tripsFrom$129adultBefore tax and feeson Redline Rafting’s site, checked Participants must be 8 or older. No unaccompanied children between 8 and 15Participants must be 8 or olderA 15-minute ride, 7:00 and 9:30 a.m. starts and a Molokini-or-full-refund promise on the 2-hour; a 5-hour with breakfast and lunch(808) 698-5837redlinerafting.comOur own tours page
Details
Stops
1 (Molokini); up to 3 on its other trips
Ages and child fares
Participants must be 8 or older. No unaccompanied children between 8 and 15
Who it may suit
A 15-minute ride, 7:00 and 9:30 a.m. starts and a Molokini-or-full-refund promise on the 2-hour; a 5-hour with breakfast and lunch
Seafire ChartersS.A.F.E. boat, up to 22 people3 h Stops: 3 (Molokini, South Maui coast, Turtle cleaning station)$110adultTax not statedon Seafire Charters’ site, checked One price per person shownOne price per person shownA small boat with stops beyond Molokini(808) 879-2201seafirecharters.com
Details
Stops
3 (Molokini, South Maui coast, Turtle cleaning station)
Ages and child fares
One price per person shown
Who it may suit
A small boat with stops beyond Molokini
Blue Water RaftingRaft2, 3 or 5½ h Stops: 1 (Molokini inside, outer reef and/or back side); up to 4 on its other trips$129adultTax not statedon Blue Water Rafting’s booking calendar, checked No children under 4No children under 4The widest choice of lengths from Kīhei, up to a 5.5-hour Kanaio Coast trip(808) 879-7238bluewaterrafting.comTour page
Details
Stops
1 (Molokini inside, outer reef and/or back side); up to 4 on its other trips
Ages and child fares
No children under 4
Who it may suit
The widest choice of lengths from Kīhei, up to a 5.5-hour Kanaio Coast trip
Maui Snorkel ChartersNo Ka Oi, 40-ft custom boat, max 202 or 5 h Stops: 1 (Molokini); up to 5 on its other trips$129adultBefore taxon Maui Snorkel Charters’ site, checked Kids must be 5 or older. No unaccompanied children between 5 and 15Kids must be 5 or olderA small group (max 20) with a Molokini-or-reschedule promise; the early 2-hour trip is back by 8:30 am(808) 270-8776mauisnorkelcharters.com
Details
Stops
1 (Molokini); up to 5 on its other trips
Ages and child fares
Kids must be 5 or older. No unaccompanied children between 5 and 15
Who it may suit
A small group (max 20) with a Molokini-or-reschedule promise; the early 2-hour trip is back by 8:30 am
Pro Diver MauiPro-Diver II, Kilikina II (dive and snorkel boats)Length not stated Stops: 2 (Molokini, One of the "Turtle Towns" on the South Maui coast)$169adultBefore tax and feeson Pro Diver Maui’s site, checked For swimmers of all ages; experience preferred, not requiredFor swimmers of all agesSnorkelers happy to share a dive boat; two sites(808) 875-4004prodivermaui.com
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, One of the "Turtle Towns" on the South Maui coast)
Ages and child fares
For swimmers of all ages; experience preferred, not required
Who it may suit
Snorkelers happy to share a dive boat; two sites
Māʻalaea Harbor11 mi to Molokini in a straight line · 12 operators
Pacific Whale FoundationOcean Explorer and fleet (catamarans)5 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Arches)$119.95adultTax not statedon Pacific Whale Foundation’s site, checked Child 5-12. Children 4 and under freeChild 5-12Nonprofit-owned catamarans; under-5s ride free on Turtle Arches(808) 249-8811pacwhale.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Arches)
Ages and child fares
Child 5-12. Children 4 and under free
Who it may suit
Nonprofit-owned catamarans; under-5s ride free on Turtle Arches
MaloloMalolo, 55-ft power catamaran5½ h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town or Coral Gardens)$159.95adultTax not statedon Malolo’s site, checked Children 4-12. One child 0-3 free per paying adultChildren 4-12A 6:30 am start, or a 3-hour afternoon trip(808) 270-0885molokinimaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town or Coral Gardens)
Ages and child fares
Children 4-12. One child 0-3 free per paying adult
Who it may suit
A 6:30 am start, or a 3-hour afternoon trip
Price source
Malolo’s site
Maui Reef AdventuresReef Explorer, custom raft4 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Cove)$175adultBefore taxon Maui Reef Adventures’ site, checked Kids 4-12. Children must be 4 or olderKids 4-12A raft from Māʻalaea with two restrooms(808) 244-7333mauireefadventures.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Cove)
Ages and child fares
Kids 4-12. Children must be 4 or older
Who it may suit
A raft from Māʻalaea with two restrooms
Maui Snorkeling (Lani Kai II)Lani Kai II, 53 ft, max 655 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)$178adultTax not statedon Maui Snorkeling’s site, checked Youth 13-17. Child 4-12Youth 13-17A single-boat company with a 25-ft water slide(808) 244-1979mauisnorkeling.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)
Ages and child fares
Youth 13-17. Child 4-12
Who it may suit
A single-boat company with a 25-ft water slide
CalypsoCalypso, triple-deck catamaran5½ h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)$178.95adultTax not statedon Calypso’s site, checked Child 4-12. One child 3 and under free per paying adultChild 4-12Three decks and two water slides(808) 856-4260calypsomaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)
Ages and child fares
Child 4-12. One child 3 and under free per paying adult
Who it may suit
Three decks and two water slides
Price source
Calypso’s site
Maui Classic ChartersFour Winds II, 55-ft catamaran; Maui Magic5 h Stops: 1 (Molokini); up to 2 on its other trips$180adultBefore tax and feeson Maui Classic Charters’ site, checked Child 4-12. Infant under 4 freeChild 4-12A glass-bottom viewing room and slide; an afternoon option(808) 879-1571fourwindsmaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
1 (Molokini); up to 2 on its other trips
Ages and child fares
Child 4-12. Infant under 4 free
Who it may suit
A glass-bottom viewing room and slide; an afternoon option
Pride of MauiPride of Maui, 65-ft power catamaran; ʻElua5 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)$198adultTax and fees includedon Pride of Maui’s site, checked Child 4-12. Infant 0-3 freeChild 4-12A large power catamaran with one all-in price(808) 242-0955prideofmaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)
Ages and child fares
Child 4-12. Infant 0-3 free
Who it may suit
A large power catamaran with one all-in price
Aloha Blue ChartersHokua 2, 46-ft power boat, limited to 36Length not stated Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)$199.49adultTax and fees includedon Aloha Blue Charters’ site, checked Children 0-12Children 0-12A smaller boat (limited to 36) with an all-in price(808) 249-2583alohabluecharters.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town)
Ages and child fares
Children 0-12
Who it may suit
A smaller boat (limited to 36) with an all-in price
Sail MauiAkialoa, 54-ft sailing catamaran, max 495 h Stops: 1 (Molokini)$200adultTax not statedon Sail Maui’s site, checked Children 3-12. Infants 2 and under freeChildren 3-12Performance sailing, limited to 49 guests(808) 244-2087sailmaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
1 (Molokini)
Ages and child fares
Children 3-12. Infants 2 and under free
Who it may suit
Performance sailing, limited to 49 guests
Price source
Sail Maui’s site
Trilogy ExcursionsSailing catamarans, 55 to 65 ft5 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Second stop, often Turtle Town or the Molokini back side)$219adultBefore tax and feeson Trilogy Excursions’ booking calendar, checked Youth 13-17. Child 3-12Youth 13-17Sailing, with 7 am and 8 am departures and a SNUBA add-on(888) 225-6284sailtrilogy.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Second stop, often Turtle Town or the Molokini back side)
Ages and child fares
Youth 13-17. Child 3-12
Who it may suit
Sailing, with 7 am and 8 am departures and a SNUBA add-on
Aliʻi NuiAliʻi Nui, 65-ft sailing catamaran5 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, A second sea turtle site)From$249adultTax not statedon Aliʻi Nui’s site, checked All ages. No child price printedAll agesA 65-ft sailing catamaran with an open bar(808) 875-0333aliinuimaui.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, A second sea turtle site)
Ages and child fares
All ages. No child price printed
Who it may suit
A 65-ft sailing catamaran with an open bar
Maui Diamond Sea SportsMaui Diamond, 46-ft dive boat6 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Second site for turtles)$189adultTax not statedplus a required $299 guide fee per snorkel groupon Maui Diamond Sea Sports’ site, checked Snorkelers and non-entering passengers must be 10 or olderSnorkelers and non-entering passengers must be 10 or olderA dive charter that takes snorkelers 10 and up(808) 879-9119mauidiamond.com
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Second site for turtles)
Ages and child fares
Snorkelers and non-entering passengers must be 10 or older
Who it may suit
A dive charter that takes snorkelers 10 and up
Paused, with later dates on sale1 operator with no near dates. Listed so you know.
Kai KananiKai Kanani II, 65-ft sailing catamaranNo November dates; December on sale, per its booking page on Nov 4.3½ h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Second site along the Mākena coast)$269adultTax not statedon Kai Kanani’s site, checked Child 2-12. Infant 0-1 freeChild 2-12The only beach-loading departure, at Mākena(808) 879-7218kaikanani.comTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Second site along the Mākena coast)
Ages and child fares
Child 2-12. Infant 0-1 free
Who it may suit
The only beach-loading departure, at Mākena
Not confirmedListed so you know. They drop out when you filter.
Aqua AdventuresAqua Adventure, boatWe could not confirm this trip is running, checked 4½ or 5½ h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Arches)Not confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedNo working site foundTour page
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Arches)
Ages and child fares
Not confirmed
Contact
No working site found
Koa KaiKoa Kai, raftWe could not confirm this trip is running3 or 4 h Stops: 2 (Molokini, Turtle Town if Molokini is not accessible)Not confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmedNo working site found
Details
Stops
2 (Molokini, Turtle Town if Molokini is not accessible)
Ages and child fares
Not confirmed
Contact
No working site found

A price with no check inside 14 days (60 for the ones a person checks by hand) comes down until it’s checked again.

Family total

What would your family pay?

Listed prices for your group, for each boat whose own site gives child fares with age bands, or one price with a minimum age. We don’t estimate tax or fees: each total says whether they’re in it, if the operator says. Totals with different labels aren’t like for like.

Not in this total: Aliʻi Nui, Maui Diamond Sea Sports, Pro Diver Maui and Seafire Charters. Their own sites don’t give a fare and an age rule that cover every age, or they add a per-group fee; their youngest ages and adult prices are in the comparison.

A snorkeler holding a large dome-port camera at the waterline, Molokini's pale cliff above and clear water below
A split-level shot at the waterline below the cliff.Photo: Snorkel Molokini

The place

What Molokini looks like from above

A crescent of old volcano, about 3 miles off Maui’s south coast. Boats tie up to moorings inside the crescent, where the water is sheltered. Outside, the Back Wall drops away into deep water.

  • Conservation district (approximate edge): no taking, feeding or anchoring.
  • Molokini islet: a seabird sanctuary, no landing.

Read the Molokini guide

Illustrated chart of Molokini Crater and the three departure points Molokini’s crescent opens to the north. Inside the crater is a sheltered cove that slopes to about 100 feet. A shallow reef under 30 feet runs north from the islet’s northwest point. The Back Wall, the south face, drops past 200 feet. The islet is a closed seabird sanctuary, and a dashed line marks the approximate edge of the Marine Life Conservation District, where taking, feeding and anchoring are prohibited. Lines point to the departure points: Mākena (Maluaka Beach) 3.5 miles, Kīhei Boat Ramp 6.2 miles and Māʻalaea Harbor 11 miles in a straight line. MĀʻALAEA HARBOR11 mi KĪHEI BOAT RAMP6.2 mi MĀKENA3.5 mi Inside the craterSheltered cove, slopes to about 100 ft Shallow reefUnder 30 ft The Back WallSouth face, drops past 200 ft Molokini isletSeabird sanctuary: no landing Conservation districtNo taking, feeding or anchoring N Illustrated chart of Molokini Crater and the three departure points Molokini’s crescent opens to the north. Inside the crater is a sheltered cove that slopes to about 100 feet. A shallow reef under 30 feet runs north from the islet’s northwest point. The Back Wall, the south face, drops past 200 feet. The islet is a closed seabird sanctuary, and a dashed line marks the approximate edge of the Marine Life Conservation District, where taking, feeding and anchoring are prohibited. Lines point to the departure points: Mākena (Maluaka Beach) 3.5 miles, Kīhei Boat Ramp 6.2 miles and Māʻalaea Harbor 11 miles in a straight line. MĀʻALAEA11 mi KĪHEI6.2 mi MĀKENA3.5 mi Sheltered coveto about 100 ft Shallow reefunder 30 ft The Back Walldrops past 200 ft N
Illustration, not a navigation chart Islet outline from the Hawaiʻi Statewide GIS coastline; depths and rules from Hawaiʻi DLNR. Harbor lines show direction and straight-line distance (USGS and NOAA coordinates), not to scale.

Before you book

Know before you choose

Four facts that shape every Molokini trip, whichever boat you pick.

  • Boat access only

    There is no sand beach and there are no facilities on Molokini: every visit is by boat.

    Source: Hawaiʻi DLNR, HAR 13-31, read

  • Mornings are calmer

    Most trips go early. The state says currents can strengthen inside the cove in the afternoon, when the wind picks up, and names 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. as the busiest stretch.

    Sources: Hawaiʻi DLNR, HAR 13-31; Board of Land and Natural Resources, read

  • A Marine Life Conservation District

    No taking, no feeding fish and no anchoring. Boats tie up to state day-use moorings for two and a half hours at most.

    Sources: Hawaiʻi DLNR, HAR 13-31; HAR 13-257, read

  • No landing on the islet

    Molokini is a closed state seabird sanctuary. ʻUaʻu kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) nest there.

    Sources: Hawaiʻi DLNR, HAR 13-126; Maui Offshore Islet Seabird Sanctuaries, read

Molokini from high above: the full crescent of the rim around a dark blue cove
The whole crescent from high above. Photo: Three Tree Creative / Redline Rafting

Further reading

The questions worth answering before you book

Guides

Get to know Molokini

Molokini is a small half-moon of rock a few miles off Maui’s southwest shore, and only boats go there. The Molokini crater guide has the depth, moorings, rules and what a visit is like.

What usually costs extra

Read the operator's page for each of these before you book.

  • Wetsuit rental. Several boats rent them, for example $10 on Four Winds, and some include one.
  • Snuba or an underwater camera. Some larger boats sell these as add-ons.
  • Drinks. On some boats beer, wine and cocktails are included. On others adult drinks are sold separately.
  • Parking. Blue Water Rafting and Redline Rafting both say parking at the Kīhei Boat Ramp is free. At Māʻalaea some harbor parking is paid: Trilogy's page lists about $1 an hour.
  • Tax and fees. The price basis differs by operator: before tax, plus tax and fees, all-in, or not stated. The price method explains how we record this.
  • Crew tips. Ask whether they are included.

Who should take extra care

Take extra care if you are older, a weak or rusty swimmer, or have not snorkeled in years. Tell the crew before you get in, wear flotation, and stay near the boat. Many operators have health limits of their own, so read the age and health notes on each trip. The in-water safety tips have the full list, and the shark guide answers the other question people ask.

Questions

Molokini snorkeling questions

Which trip fits my group?

Start with the Find your boat box near the top of this page. Tap who is coming, where you are staying and what kind of trip you want, and it gives a short list with reasons. Trip pages and the comparison table show ages and child fares for each boat.

What will it cost me, and does that price include tax and fees?

Each price in the comparison is the lowest adult price on that operator's own site, with the date we checked it. Some prices are before tax, some include tax and fees, and some operators do not say. The note under each price tells you which. The family total tool adds up a group only where the child fare is sourced.

Where do boats leave from, and how do I get there from my hotel?

Boats leave from the Kīhei Boat Ramp and Māʻalaea Harbor, plus Maluaka Beach in Mākena when Kai Kanani is sailing (it is paused: no November dates, December on sale, per its booking page on Nov 4). The harbor chooser near the top shows all three with addresses and the operators at each. We do not quote drive times from hotels, so check a map for your own starting point.

Will the boat actually reach Molokini on my day?

Not always. Several operators word the stop as weather permitting. Most trips go in the morning; separately, the state says currents inside the cove can get stronger in the afternoon when the wind picks up. Read the operator's page for what happens when a trip cannot reach the crater.

Will a weak swimmer cope?

Many operators list flotation gear, and some say life vests or belts are available on request. Tell the crew you are a weak swimmer before you get in. The Who should take extra care section of this page links to in-water tips.

Can a real person help me choose, by phone or email?

Yes. Each row in the comparison shows the operator's phone number where it lists one, and the contact page on this site has an email address.

How this works

How this guide compares tours

Same fields and the same basis for every boat, so you can judge it yourself. Spot something out of date? Tell us, and we date the fix.

Latest price check: . About this guide

Who is listed

Operators selling a Molokini snorkel trip, 20 right now, each with the same fields: departure point, boat, trip lengths, the lowest adult price on its own site, child fares, stops and a phone number. Dive-only boats aren’t listed.

How prices are checked

A small program reads each operator’s public page, once a day at most. How we check prices

The differences

Same fields for every boat, as each operator shows them (checked ).

On a phone, two boats at a time. Tap a name to swap it in.

Prices change often: confirm them on each operator’s own site before you book.