# MolokiniTickets.com - Molokini Crater snorkel tours from Maui, compared

> Independent guide to snorkel tours to Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii: rafts from Kihei vs catamarans and sailboats from Ma'alaea,
> morning vs afternoon (trade winds), what each trip includes, ages, seasickness, reef rules, 2026 prices and booking.
> Not affiliated with any boat operator, the State of Hawaii, Viator or Tripadvisor.

Site: https://molokinitickets.com
Language: en. Currency: USD. Location: Molokini, 'Alalakeiki Channel, about 2.5 miles off Makena, Maui, Hawaii, USA.

## Verified facts

- Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District since 1977, about 77 acres: no fishing or taking, no feeding fish, no anchoring, commercial use by permit (Hawaii DLNR DAR).
- Molokini islet is a state seabird sanctuary; entry onto the islet is prohibited.
- Commercial ocean operators collect a $1 per person ocean stewardship user fee since 1 January 2024.
- There is no entrance ticket for Molokini; access is only by boat with a permitted operator.
- Boat time: about 15 minutes from the Kihei Boat Ramp (Redline Rafting), 45 to 60 minutes from Ma'alaea Harbor.
- Trade winds usually build from late morning; Four Winds says morning trips reach Molokini about 90% of the time and afternoon trips rarely do. Afternoon trips usually snorkel Coral Gardens (west Maui coast).
- Every listing makes the snorkel site weather dependent; no refund if the boat snorkels elsewhere. Operator weather cancellations: new date or full refund on Viator.
- Humpback whale season in Hawaii: about November to May, peak January to March. Viewing distances (NOAA): whales 100 yards, sea turtles 10 feet.
- Maui County allows only mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) since 1 October 2022.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are Viator affiliate links (pid P00318890). The site earns a commission at no extra cost to the reader and says so at https://molokinitickets.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD per person at the last build (2026-10-28) and move. Every tour listed has free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

- Molokini & Turtle Town on the Calypso (Ma'alaea Harbor, slips 76-78) - from $189 per person, 5.5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then Turtle Town; weather permitting; rated 4.6 from 2,234 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/calypso-molokini-turtle-town-snorkel/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-Snorkeling-Adventure/d671-8569P1
- 2-Hour Molokini Raft Snorkel from Kihei (Kihei Boat Ramp) - from $144 per person, 2 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini only (the one planned stop); weather permitting; rated 4.9 from 963 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/molokini-raft-snorkel-from-kihei/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/2-Hour-Molokini-Snorkel-Trip/d671-5534P1
- Molokini Deluxe Snorkel & Sail on the Ali'i Nui (Ma'alaea Harbor, slip 56) - from $269 per person, 5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then a sea turtle site; weather permitting; rated 4.9 from 138 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/alii-nui-molokini-snorkel-and-sail/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-Deluxe-Snorkel-Excursion/d671-7978P11
- Molokini & Turtle Town on Pride of Maui (Ma'alaea Harbor, by the Coast Guard pier) - from $233 per person, 5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then Turtle Town; weather permitting; rated 4.7 from 1,307 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/pride-of-maui-molokini-turtle-town/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-Crater-Snorkeling-Tour/d671-124957P1
- Early Molokini & Turtle Town on the Malolo (Ma'alaea Harbor, Boss Frog's check-in) - from $160 per person, 5.5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then Turtle Town; weather permitting; rated 4.4 from 2,501 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/malolo-early-molokini-turtle-town/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-and-Turtle-Town-Snorkeling-Adventure/d671-9281P1
- Molokini & Turtle Cove Small-Boat Snorkel (Ma'alaea Harbor, end of the pier) - from $205 per person, 4 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then a turtle cove off Makena; weather permitting; rated 4.9 from 1,543 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/maui-reef-adventures-molokini-small-boat/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maui-Reef-Adventures-Tours-aboard-the-Ocean-Freedom-and-Reef-Explorer/d671-45301P1
- Molokini & Turtle Town Raft from Kihei (Kihei Boat Ramp) - from $194 per person, 3 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then Turtle Town; weather permitting; rated 4.9 from 868 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/makena-coast-molokini-raft-kihei/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/4-Hour-Molokini-Crater-plus-Turtle-Town-Snorkeling-Tour/d671-294859P1
- Four Winds Molokini Sail & Snorkel (Ma'alaea Harbor, slip 80) - from $213 per person, 5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini (one long stop); Turtle Town or Coral Gardens if windy; rated 4.7 from 862 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/four-winds-molokini-sail-snorkel/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-Sail-and-Snorkel-Adventure/d671-5135_W0002
- Afternoon Snorkel: Molokini or Coral Gardens (Ma'alaea Harbor, slip 87) - from $100 per person, 3 hours, snorkel sites: Usually Coral Gardens; Molokini only on calm afternoons; rated 4.4 from 687 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/malolo-afternoon-molokini-or-coral-gardens/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/From-Maalaea-Harbor-Maui-Afternoon-PM-Snorkel-Aboard-Malolo/d671-364498P1
- Molokini Luxury Yacht Snorkel on the Elua (Ma'alaea Harbor, slip 68) - from $318 per person, 5 hours, snorkel sites: Molokini, then a turtle site; weather permitting; rated 5.0 from 651 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/elua-luxury-yacht-molokini-snorkel/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Molokini-Luxury-Yacht-Snorkel/d671-124957P9
- Ma'alaea Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Calypso (Ma'alaea Harbor, slip 76) - from $150 per person, 2 hours, snorkel sites: None, it is a dinner cruise; rated 4.5 from 686 Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. Page: https://molokinitickets.com/tours/calypso-maalaea-sunset-dinner-cruise/ Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maalaea-Harbor-Sunset-Dinner-Cruise-Aboard-Calypso/d671-363981P1

## Guide pages

- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/molokini-snorkel-tour-prices/ - Molokini snorkel tour prices in 2026: from $144 on a Kihei raft to $318 on a yacht, cost per hour, child fares, parking, tips and the cheap afternoon catch.
- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/molokini-morning-vs-afternoon/ - Morning or afternoon snorkel to Molokini: why the trade winds push afternoon boats to Coral Gardens, what guests report, and the earliest boats in 2026.
- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/maalaea-vs-kihei-molokini/ - Ma'alaea Harbor or the Kihei Boat Ramp for Molokini: ride times, boats, parking, comfort and which suits you, with every 2026 departure compared.
- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/molokini-with-kids/ - Snorkeling Molokini with kids: minimum ages on every boat, child fares, life vests and sea boards, seasickness tips and the best family boats in 2026.
- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/what-to-bring-molokini-snorkel/ - What to bring on a Molokini snorkel tour: mineral sunscreen rules, towels, warm layers, seasickness tablets, parking payment and what to leave behind.
- https://molokinitickets.com/guides/molokini-snuba-scuba/ - SNUBA and scuba at Molokini: which boats sell SNUBA, prices, ages and depth, why only certified divers can scuba the crater, and flying after diving.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-28: https://molokinitickets.com/blog/molokini-whale-season-2026-27/ - Humpback season 2026-27 on Molokini snorkel trips: peak months, the 100-yard rule, which boats watch whales on the way and what changes in winter.
- 2026-10-28: https://molokinitickets.com/blog/molokini-rules-2026/ - The rules at Molokini Crater in 2026: what the conservation district bans, the 2024 mooring and permit rules, the $1 ocean fee and turtle etiquette.
- 2026-10-28: https://molokinitickets.com/blog/maui-sunscreen-rules-2026/ - Maui allows only mineral sunscreen: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The state ban, the avobenzone bills, what to buy and what Molokini boats ask.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- 'Molokini guaranteed' is not unconditional: captains move or cancel when wind or swell make the crater unsafe.
- Afternoon Molokini trips usually go to Coral Gardens instead; the listing title often says 'Molokini or Coral Gardens'.
- You cannot land on or walk on Molokini; it is a seabird sanctuary.
- Turtle Town is on the Makena coast of Maui, not at Molokini; it is the usual second stop.
- Snorkel gear is included on every boat listed; hotel pickup is not included on any of them.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant tour page. Prices, departure times and snorkel sites change; verify close to your travel date.