Best things to do at the Molokini crater from Maui

Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater that is one of the most famous sites in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its position as one of the top diving spots in the world is mainly due to the crystal clear waters that allow for amazing visibility of Hawaii's native marine species.

Molokini is located just 4.8 kilometres off the southwest coast of Maui. Scientists believe that the small mound, which occupies a space of approximately 8 hectares and rises 50 metres above the reef, was formed approximately 150 million years ago.

Consequently, seeing Molokini is considered one of the best things to do on Maui during your holiday. Below I explain in detail everything you should know before organising this visit so that you can enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Visiting Molokini Crater on an organised tour from Maui is the perfect alternative for all travellers visiting the island on holiday.

You usually depart by boat from a port on Maui to reach the rock formation located almost 5 kilometres offshore, inland from the ocean. This makes the Molokini transfer adventure one of the best boat trips on Maui.

You'll find numerous local companies offering this type of adventure to hikers. The choice of one or the other will depend largely on your personal preferences, but also on the starting point of the excursion in relation to where you're staying.

The specifics of the experience may vary slightly depending on the company you choose to hire. However, many tour operators on Maui offer, in addition to round-trip transportation, one or more of the following facilities: the necessary equipment for snorkelling in Molokini Crater, a captain in charge of the crew and support staff, professional lifeguards and safety equipment.

Please note that if you intend to snorkel in Maui or look for kayaking spots in Maui, it is a mandatory requirement to be able to swim in order to join the experience.

During the boat or catamaran ride aspects such as public restrooms, showers, refreshments and food are included. The inclusion of lunch or snacks may vary depending on the tour you book and also the duration.

Finally, note that most Molokini Crater tours depart from the harbour at Maalaea Bay in the central part of the island of Maui.

Depending on where or where you are staying on Maui, getting to Maalaea Bay may involve different alternatives. Here are the most common ones.

From the west coast of Maui

If you are staying on the West Coast of Maui, this includes tourist areas such as Kaanapali, Kapalua and Lahaina, you can get to Maalaea Bay by private car or public transport.

The journey by private car or taxi will take between 20 to 40 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.

To get to the small town of Maalaea you can use the Maui bus service; specifically bus numbers 20 and 28. Depending on where you are the journey can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.

From Maui's Southwest Shore

If you are staying on the southwest coast of Maui, including the beautiful Kihei area or the Wailea-Wakena area, you can get to Maalaea Bay by private vehicle or public transport. The drive from Wailea takes 30 minutes, and from Kihei only 20 minutes.

If you want to go to Maalaea by public transport you can use the Maui bus service. Lines 15 and 10 run punctually through the area. The trip from Wailea will take 1 hour 30 minutes to complete, while the trip from Kihei only takes 30 minutes by bus.

Useful Information

• Price: A trip to Molokini Crater costs between €130 and €200 depending on the company you hire and the itinerary of activities included.
• Duration of the trip: The Molokini Crater adventure can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the itinerary and the company you hire for the experience.
• Recommended if... You are looking for one of the best tours and activities in Maui. This activity is one of the most popular with visitors, so booking in advance is often the best option.

One alternative to consider is to visit Molokini Crater on your own. To do so, you must have the financial resources, proven sailing experience and family or friends to accompany you.

This alternative is undoubtedly much more expensive and complicated than the organised tour and requires a lot of planning on your part, although you'll find companies on Maui that rent boats, kayaks, snorkelling equipment, surfboards and everything else you might need for a sea adventure.

Maui boat rental service

There are a few local companies on the island that rent boats to visit Molokini Crater. Among them, Aloha Outdoors Boat Rentals is one of the most prominent.

The boats are located at the Kihei Boat Ramp, where you will receive a general orientation before boarding and departing. The time is coordinated at the time of booking, although staff are available from 07h in the morning to serve early risers.

This meeting point is only a 20 minute sail from Molokini Crater.

Please note that the state of Hawaii requires all boaters to take a specific safety course to navigate the waters of the archipelago. In addition to the briefing, other requirements must be met in order to rent a boat:

• Own and operate a boat over 6 metres in length elsewhere.
• Alternatively, you must have 100 hours of total sailing time, with at least 10 hours at the helm in the open ocean.

Useful information

• Price: The price to pay for chartering a small boat in Maui starts at €700 for 5 hours of use. The capacity of the boat is approximately 6 people.
• Recommended if... You are looking for an alternative that allows you to go at your own pace and you have plenty of sailing experience.

Both the shape and location of the islet known as Molokini Crater create the perfect conditions for enjoying Maui's marine life nearby. This is due to the isolation system that protects the corals and small fish species from other large sea creatures.

Travellers looking to see the local wildlife should keep in mind that Molokini is one of the best places to snorkel in Maui.

Also, I highly recommend it if you're holidaying in Maui with kids and are looking for safe, fun and interesting activities. Just remember that your children must have some experience and meet the minimum age requirement.

This is best done with expert advice, either in the form of a private tour or a group tour.

Local companies in Maui have decades of experience that allow tourists to experience the best adventures in the safest possible way. If you are celebrating a special occasion, such as an anniversary or honeymoon in Maui, you can ask about special packages for couples.

In order to make your Molokini adventure more fun and enjoyable, here is a list of the most useful tips. Take note of them and keep them in mind before and during your visit.

The time of the trip is the most important thing.

To make the trip as pleasant and safe as possible, Molokini Crater tours from Maui are organised during the morning hours, as most of the year access to Molokini Crater in the afternoon is difficult due to the strength of the trade winds blowing from the north or east.

If for some reason you decide to sail on your own, take this important safety advice into consideration.

The return trip will be the toughest.

Because of the incidence of the winds as the day progresses, the return journey from Molokini Island to Maalaea Harbour will be more uncomfortable than during the early morning hours. This varies depending on the time of year but during the summer the condition is true almost every day.

My recommendation? If you are one of those who get seasick quite easily, inform the organisers to take a seat in the most protected area, which is usually at the back of the boat.

You don't need a wetsuit, almost never.

If you want to go snorkelling in Maui's waters you may be wondering whether or not to wear your favourite wetsuit.

Winter water temperatures in Maui rarely drop below 22 degrees Celsius and during the summer they remain at a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius. For this reason, a wetsuit is not usually a mandatory requirement to enjoy the experience.

Feeding the fish is forbidden.

Molokini Crater, the surrounding waters and corals are part of a strictly controlled and protected marine reserve on Maui. Consequently, feeding the fish and mistreating the corals carries heavy penalties. Be careful!

Combine this experience with other adventures on Maui

It is important to keep in mind that there are no sea turtles on Molokini. This is why many local companies combine a trip to Molokini Crater with a turtle watching adventure on Maui, as Turtle Town is within walking distance of the rock formation known as the crater.

So, if you're looking for ways to save money on your holiday or if you're simply contemplating a short stay on the island, 5 days on Maui or less, a great way to combine similar adventures is to book one of these tours.