There are too many to list! But a few of the big differences are:
- Comfort – We only take 18 people, which makes a huge difference in your snorkel experience. Other boats of our kind take more people on a smaller boat. Do you want to be snorkeling with people or turtles?!
- Custom Adventure Boat – Our boat was specifically designed for Molokini snorkel tours, which means we incorporated things like padded stairs to make getting out of the water easy and safe, storage under each seat for keeping your personal items safe and dry, personal access point into the water (no need to line up to use the stairs if you don’t want to), a full shade cover for your comfort and smart technology for your protection. See our Boat page for more details.
- See More Snorkel Spots – We take you on a ‘seafari’ ™ link to up to 7 snorkel spots, while most other tours only go to 2. We can do this because we can get to the less accessible, more shallow areas where the big boats can’t go, and drift with you from spot to spot.
- Personal Attention – You’ll have two crew members on-board to guide the way and keep everyone safe. This and our focus on quality gear and service is why guests tell us they choose to go out with us again and again. Check out our About Us page for more info!
One of the big advantages of going to Molokini from the Kihei Boat Ramp is its proximity. It’s a short 10 minute ride, which means less time getting there, more time snorkeling!
Green Sea Turtles are abundant at Turtle Town, one of our typical snorkel stops. These magical creatures are very curious by nature and will gently approach the calm and relaxed snorkeler, providing outstanding underwater photo opportunities. Sightings are daily and encounters are very common.
It is important to note that the sea turtles are a protected species. Touching, chasing, riding or harassing them is strictly prohibited. Calmly observing the turtles and allowing them to swim close to you will make your Maui turtle experience truly unforgettable.
Maui waters are home to more than 250 species of fish painted in every color of the rainbow, some of which can be found nowhere else on Earth. We encounter whales seasonally and often dolphins en route to our snorkeling destinations, and our Captain is excellent at making the best of these special encounters with these beautiful, smart and fun marine mammals.
Yes, we are family friendly! And it’s our priority to give the best experience on the water despite age or physical limitations. However, your safety comes first. Our minimum excursion age is 5 years old and is not intended for pregnant women. Due to the nature of the ride, we advise that discretion should be used for those with back or neck injuries or those recovering from a recent surgery.
No, however, it is a very big plus. Being limited in your swimming abilities may limit some of the more adventurous places and conditions where we snorkel. We have flotation devices, swim belts, and a lifeguard on-board, but if we think a snorkel site is above your abilities, we will simply suggest you sit this one out and wait till the next site. Always safety first!
In terms of physical fitness you need to be able to step on and off of the boat (we will assist you) and climb up and down angled, padded stairs to get in and out of the water (this is different than the ladder you see on most boats). Most of our snorkel spots are very calm and do not require strong swimming skills, especially when using floatation devices, which we provide. If we visit a snorkel site that we believe is above your abilities, we will simply suggest you sit this one out and enjoy the view in the shade. Fortunately we stop at several sites so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the magic underwater!
We provide high-quality snorkel equipment, including flotation devices, and reef-safe sunscreen. Some guests prefer to use their own masks and snorkel and bring a refillable water bottle.
Yes we offer prescription masks at no additional charge.
We provide a light snack. However, you are welcome to and we recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks.
All you really need is a towel and a swimsuit. We recommend also bringing a camera (underwater, if possible), a light jacket, a change of clothes, a reusable water bottle, and cash for crew gratuity, at your discretion. We provide reef friendly sunscreen for your convenience. Please, no spray on sunscreen as it is damaging to the reef and the boat.
Our snorkel adventure is 4 hours. Check-in time is 6:45 am, we depart at 7:00 am and we return around 11:00 am.
The weather reports found online come out of Honolulu and can be inaccurate for Maui. If the weather is bad, don’t fret – most weather systems pass through Maui quickly, so if we haven’t called you, please show up for your scheduled tour. All of our destinations are weather permitting and our Captain may choose another location that is more suitable. In the event that we do have to cancel, we will give you the option to reschedule or a full refund. We will never take you out in unsafe conditions.
Occasionally unexpected events might happen during your vacation and for this reason we can provide a full refund with a 48-hour cancellation notice. Changes made within 48 hours of your tour require a $25 change fee.
We leave promptly at 7 am. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before departure time, as we use this time to custom fit your snorkel equipment. If you arrive late, but before the boat leaves, we can accommodate you-snorkel equipment will be issued on board and options will be limited.
Yes. There is plenty of parking above the truck and trailer parking area and parking is complimentary. Meet the crew for check-in at the picnic tables. You can spot them wearing black and white shirts.
Our hard working crew greatly appreciates cash gratuities. Since our Captain is also the owner, so unlike most boats, all gratuities are directed to the crew. Unfortunately, a gratuity cannot be given on a credit card at this time. If you think that the Maui Snorkel Charters team took care of you on your trip, please thank them!
