Redline Rafting · Kihei Boat Ramp
A 35-foot raft leaves the Kihei Boat Ramp and reaches Molokini in about 15 minutes, so most of your two hours is spent in the water rather than on deck. Pick it if you want the crater early, with a small group, and you don't need breakfast, shade or a restroom.
Redline's raft is the quickest way to Molokini on this site. It launches from the Kihei Boat Ramp in south Maui, about 15 minutes from the crater, against 45 to 60 minutes for the big boats out of Ma'alaea. The group is capped at 24 (one October guest counted 11), the guides run a proper safety briefing on breathing through the snorkel, and you get the crater before the morning crowd builds. Snorkel gear is included. Water, towels and sunscreen are not, and Redline's FAQ confirms there's no restroom on the 2-hour trip.
Viator calls it "Molokini Guaranteed". Read that as "Molokini is the only planned stop", not as a promise: the same FAQ says snorkel locations may change when necessary. In September 2026 one group was offered a refund or a rebooking before leaving because the water was choppy, and a July trip was cancelled outright when a hurricane swell clouded the water. The refund went through Viator.
The ride is the catch. A raft that covers the channel in 15 minutes bounces, and you sit on the tubes. The listing rules out anyone with back or neck problems, heart conditions or pregnancy, and you must climb a vertical ladder out of the water. Prone to seasickness? Book a big catamaran instead. If you like the speed but want a turtle stop too, the 3-hour Makena Coast raft leaves from the same ramp.
Park in the lots by South Kihei Road and walk down to the ramp. On the 9:30 AM trip, wait at the picnic tables above the dock until the captain collects you.
A fast, bumpy run across the channel. Sit near the front if you can: guests say it's the best ride.
Briefing, gear check, then time in the water inside the crescent. Sometimes the crew moves you to a second spot if the fish or turtles are elsewhere.
Climb the ladder, dry off with your own towel and ride back to the ramp.
★★★★★Only 11 of us on the boat, quick ride over to the reef and plenty of time in the water to see all of the fish! The guides were great, knowledgeable and friendly, would definitely recommend.
★★★★★Did the 2 hour, 7am. Dani and Josh were great! Made us feel safe and went over procedures pre, during and after. It is a bumpy ride as they get you to the crater in 15 min so I don’t recommend if you’re prone to motion/ sea sickness or prepare ahead of time.
★★★★★When we got into the water, the undersea views took our breath away. Innumerable types of fishes, and we saw a moray eel and an octopus, too!
★★★★★The water was a bit choppy but the tour guides warned us before we left and offered a refund or to re-book the participants who weren’t comfortable with the weather/water conditions. It was a fun excursion!
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Molokini is the only planned stop, which is what the title means. Redline's FAQ still says snorkel locations may change when necessary, and trips are cancelled when the sea is unsafe. A cancellation by the operator gets you a new date or a full refund on Viator.
About 15 minutes on the raft, against 45 to 60 minutes on a catamaran from Ma'alaea. Our Ma'alaea or Kihei guide compares the two harbors.
No. Redline says only its 5-hour tour has a restroom. Use the facilities before you check in.
Guests who can't swim well have done it with the crew's help, and one 5-star reviewer had never snorkeled. You do need to climb a vertical ladder from the water, and the minimum age is 8.
Ready to book
Fifteen minutes from Kihei to the crater, so most of the two hours is snorkel time, in a group of 24 at most.
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