Maui- Molokini Crater
Snorkeling the Molokini Crater was at the top of many Maui travel sites. The crescent shaped landform is all that’s left from a volcanic eruption that occurred over 200,000 years ago. The retired volcanic crater turned Marine Life Conservation District and Bird Sanctuary is now protected by the U.S. Government and it’s one of the most popular places to snorkel in Maui.
We booked our three-hour expedition for the Molokini Crater through Seafire Charters only a few days ahead of time. Many of the tours offered are extensive, half or full day tours and they book up quicker. We preferred the three-hour tour because the other options require you to be out on the water for the better portion of your day. On the day of our expedition, we woke up early, and caught our boat full of approximately 14 passengers (comfortably) at around 7:00 am. The ride out to the Molokini Crater takes about 30 minutes. If you are prone to seasickness then pack your Dramamine. Because the shorter tours use smaller boats the ride gets a little bumpy. The Dramamine proved useful for a few folks on the boat. The crew (one captain, two instructors) kept us entertained, educated, and nourished during the ride. They offered refreshments to fuel us for our journey, but never bananas. We learned that bananas being bad luck on boats is a superstition that started back in the 1700s when trade ships navigated the Caribbean.
As we got closer to our destination the instructors schooled us on the intricacies of snorkeling as well as the history and conservation of the Molokini Crater. We also learned what we could expect to see while under water, what to be careful of, what to do, and what not to do. We reached the crater, received our snorkeling gear (goggles, snorkel, flippers, a pool noodle to help stay afloat), and were given instruction on what zone we were to stay in. The crater is visited by various charter tours and each group is restricted to a designated area. As we submerged we were able to explore the reef life: Various sizes of Moorish Idol (Kihikihi); Black Durgoen/Triggerfish (Humuhumu'ele'ele) aplenty; a rare sighting of a Trumpetfish (Nunu); one tiny Cornetfish (Nunu Peke); Yellow Tang (Lau'ipala) at a distance; Red Pencil Urchins (Ha’uke’uke ‘ula’ula) that stayed tight to the reef; the almost neon glow of Pinktail Triggerfish (Humuhumuhi'ukole); and one Moray Eel (Puhi) close enough to make your breath shorten, but far enough away to know you were safe. As our visit concluded, we were taken to the crater drop off where the water gets colder as it gets darker. The unfathomable depths of the sea left us with an uneasy feeling that reminded us just how big the ocean really is. For a couple who loves Shark Week, we were rather timid about being in the reefs. But the Molokini Crater snorkeling tour ended up being a safe pick.
