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Molokini Crater Snorkeling Review: Is It Worth It? Prices, Tips & What We Experienced
- Alyssa
- May 16, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Snorkeling in Maui is one of the most talked-about island experiences, but is Molokini Crater actually worth it? On a recent trip, a close friend and I booked a Molokini Crater and Turtle Town snorkel tour aboard the Calypso, departing early from Maʻalaea Harbor. This post is based entirely on our own experience. We paid for the tour ourselves, snorkeled both stops, and are sharing exactly what we saw, what it cost, what surprised us, and whether we’d recommend it.
Molokini is an ancient volcanic caldera just offshore that’s now a protected marine reserve, known for its clear water and marine life. Our tour included two snorkeling stops, a light breakfast, buffet lunch, and drinks. We paid $359.90 for two adults, plus $11 for parking. Below is everything you need to know before booking, and our honest verdict.
Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links, which if used, we can earn commission from. These type of links help us make honest reviews for our readers.
Our Molokini Crater Snorkeling Experience
Arriving at Maʻalaea Harbor (Check-In, Parking & Boarding)
This Molokini snorkel tour does not include hotel pickup, so we drove ourselves to the Maʻalaea Harbor meeting point and parked in a paid lot nearby. Pro tip: we accidentally parked much farther away than necessary. If you pull into the main harbor address and keep driving past Buzz’s Wharf, there’s parking much closer to the Calypso dock.
The tour officially starts around 7:30 a.m., and they recommend arriving by 6:45 a.m. We arrived early and checked in with a crew member at the end of the pier. Check-in was straightforward, and as more guests arrived, a small line formed based on order of arrival. Once everyone was accounted for, boarding began.
Calypso Snorkel Boat Review: Seating, Comfort & Amenities
Arriving early paid off. We were able to grab seats at the front of the boat, which included two chairs and a small table, a setup that made the ride noticeably more comfortable. While waiting to depart, we were served a light breakfast of pastries, muffins, fruit, juice, and coffee. Watching the sunrise over the water while eating breakfast was honestly one of the most relaxing parts of the morning. The atmosphere onboard felt calm and organized, and nothing felt rushed during boarding or departure.
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater (What We Saw & Time in the Water)
After a safety demonstration, we began the ride out to Molokini Crater. The trip took long enough to finish breakfast and enjoy the views before arriving. Once anchored, the crew explained how to use the snorkel gear, how to signal if help was needed, and how to indicate you were okay in the water. Snorkel masks, fins, snorkels, and flotation gear were provided. The staff was especially helpful for non-swimmers, several people requested extra support, and the crew handed out waist flotation devices and pool noodles so everyone could feel comfortable in the water.
Getting into the ocean was easy. The Calypso has four wide staircases with handrails, and crew members helped guide people in and out of the water. There’s also a slide from the upper deck, which added a fun, casual vibe to the experience. From the boat, you can clearly see the crescent-shaped rim of Molokini Crater, now a protected bird sanctuary. We had heard it was common to spot reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish. During our visit, we didn’t see sharks or turtles, but we did see plenty of fish, especially Black Triggerfish (Humuhumuʻeleʻele) and Yellow Tang (lauʻipala).
We snorkeled at Molokini for about 45 minutes, which felt like a good amount of time without becoming tiring or cold.
Snorkeling at Turtle Town (Was the Second Stop Worth It?)
After leaving Molokini, the crew served a buffet-style lunch on the way to Turtle Town, including sandwich fixings, chips, and drinks. The built-in tables at each seat made eating easy while cruising. The Turtle Town stop followed the same process: quick safety reminder, gear on, and into the water. This area felt more like open-ocean snorkeling, with a large reef system visible on the ocean floor. Visibility was excellent, and we could easily watch fish swimming through the coral below.
That said, we only saw one turtle, which was a bit underwhelming given the name “Turtle
Town.” It seemed like we caught it on a slower day, as there wasn’t much sea life activity during our time in the water. We spent less time here than at Molokini, and while it was still enjoyable, it felt more like a secondary stop than the highlight of the tour. The crew did their best to point out the turtle, but with many people in the water, it was difficult to get a clear view without crowding it. They also reminded everyone that touching or harassing sea turtles in Hawaii can result in fines up to $100,000, something many visitors don’t realize. After snorkeling, we returned our gear and settled back into our seats for the ride back.
Return Trip, Tipping Expectations & Final Notes
On the ride back to the harbor, the crew passed out complimentary ice cream and handed out comment cards in billfolds. Inside, there was a printed message suggesting that each couple tip at least $20. We’re used to hearing a casual verbal tipping suggestion from the captain or crew, usually delivered in a lighthearted way. This was the first time we’d seen a formal printed tip request, which stood out. While we didn’t mind tipping, it felt more direct than expected and is something worth knowing ahead of time.
Know Before You Go: Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tips
What to Bring for a Molokini Snorkeling Tour
Packing correctly for your Molokini snorkeling tour can make a big difference, especially since the boat leaves early and conditions around the crater can change quickly. Based on our experience, here’s what we recommend bringing:
Reef-safe sunscreen – Required in Hawaii and essential for extended time in the water
Towels – One per person; an extra helps if you want to stay dry on the boat
Flip-flops or water shoes – The deck gets wet and can be slippery
Hair ties – Especially helpful for longer hair once the wind picks up
Light jacket or windbreaker – Maʻalaea Harbor is one of the windiest in the world
Cash – Useful for tipping and any onboard purchases
Everything else, including snorkel gear and flotation devices, was provided.
Do You Need to Know How to Swim?
You do not need to be a strong swimmer to join this tour, but being comfortable in the water helps. The crew was very attentive and offered waist flotation belts and pool noodles to anyone who requested them.
That said, this is open-ocean snorkeling, not a shallow beach entry. If you’re extremely nervous in deep water or uncomfortable wearing a mask in the ocean, this tour may feel overwhelming.
Is Molokini Crater Snorkeling Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Overall, yes, snorkeling at Molokini Crater was worth it for us, and we’re glad we experienced it at least once. The tour was well-run from start to finish, the boat was clean and comfortable, and the crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and consistently attentive in and out of the water.
In total, we spent $390.90 for two adults, which included tour tickets, harbor parking, and gratuities. While we didn’t see as much marine life as we hoped, no turtles or sharks at Molokini and only one turtle at Turtle Town, that’s part of snorkeling in a natural, protected environment. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and we appreciated that the crew focused on safety and respectful viewing rather than overpromising encounters.
Everything the crew could control was handled extremely well. The Calypso felt stable and well-equipped, entry into the water was easy, and staff members were always nearby to assist less confident swimmers. We felt safe and comfortable throughout the entire experience.
Our only real critique was the printed tipping recommendation included with the comment card on the return trip. While we fully expected to tip, the bold, written suggestion felt more direct than the casual, verbal reminders we’ve experienced on similar tours. That said, it didn’t overshadow the overall quality of the experience. We’d recommend the Molokini Crater and Turtle Town snorkel tour aboard the Calypso to travelers looking for a structured, beginner-friendly snorkeling experience in Maui, especially first-time visitors who want an organized way to see Molokini without planning logistics on their own.
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