A Guide to Visiting the Molokini Crater
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Your trip to Maui wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Molokini Crater. Molokini is home to over 250 different species of marine wildlife and is among the leading tourist destinations for underwater exploration and diving. This tiny, crescent-shaped crater has plenty of fun-filled activities that you and your family can enjoy. But with so many places to explore and many adventures to go on, where do you even begin?
This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Molokini crater so you and your family can have the time of your lives.
A Brief Overview of Molokini Crater
The Molokini Crater is a partially submerged volcanic crater located between the islands of Maui and Kahoʻolawe in Hawaii. Researchers believe that the crater formed 230,000 years ago after volcanic eruptions. The waters surrounding the crater are calm and crystal clear, making it a great spot for snorkeling.
Besides being a tourist hot spot, the crater is also beneficial to locals, who fish or work for tour companies in Molokini. However, since the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) declared Molokini a Marine Life Conservation District and Seabird Sanctuary, fishing activities are highly regulated.
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Fun Activities to Get Into During Your Visit
There are lots of fun and exciting activities to do in Molokini. If you’re looking to make the most out of your visit, make sure you do the following:
Snorkeling
The clear waters of Molokini Crater are great for snorkeling. You get to see some exotic tropical fish like the:
- Yellow tang
- Black triggerfish
- Moray eels
- Parrot fish
The guides will help you get into your snorkeling gear and lead you through the entire exercise to ensure your safety. It’s also worth noting that it’s highly unlikely that you’ll encounter any dangerous fish while snorkeling in Molokini. Aside from fish, Molokini is also home to 38 species of coral.
Scuba Diving
If you’re an experienced diver, you will definitely enjoy scuba diving at the Molokini Crater. The crater’s wall extends as deep as 360 feet below the water’s surface, making it an ideal spot for scuba diving. You can scale the crater walls as you dive deeper into the ocean, where you’ll likely see many different types of moray eels and many species of tropical fish.
Whale Watching
The Molokini Crater offers incredible views for whale watching. Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate from Alaska to the warm water of Hawaii to birth and raise their young ones. The whale season usually begins in December and ends in April. Therefore, you will want to book your trip around this time of the year for the best whale-watching experience.
You can choose to go on a guided tour or watch the whales from the shores. Either way, you will still enjoy the experience.
Tips for Enriching Your Molokini Crater Experience
A visit to Molokini is certainly fun, but you can make it more interesting with the following tips:
Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Do your due diligence and plan out the activities you’re most interested in. This will ensure that you have a well-rounded experience at Molokini.
Listen to Your Tour Guides and Instructors
Tour guides know all the ins and outs of Molokini. So listen to them and trust them to give you a worthwhile experience.
Get Discounted Trips in the Afternoon
Some tour guides advise against visiting Molokini crater in the afternoons. That’s because the strong winds blowing from north to east create large waves, making it difficult for boats to access the crater. As such, the morning tours are in high demand, and tour companies charge expensively during this time.
However, sometimes the trade winds aren’t as strong, and tour companies operate normally but offer huge discounts. Be on the lookout for these discounts to save money. And since there will be fewer people visiting the crater, you will have more space to explore and take nice photos.
Brace Yourself for Sea Sickness on Your Journey Back
The ride back to the beach from Molokini is usually rough. Winds can blow as fast as 30 knots, rocking the boat back and forth. You’ll likely get seasick if you’re sensitive to these movements. However, you can always minimize the severity of your seasickness by:
- Drinking plenty of water before getting on the boat
- Getting lots of rest before your trip
- Getting a seat at the center of the boat where the movements are minimal
- Taking antiemetics (for highly sensitive people)
- Eating light, bland foods (crackers, pretzels, plain bread, etc.)
- Not overeating before climbing on board.
Besides sea sickness, the waters from the waves may slap the boat’s bow and splash on the deck. Therefore, put on protective clothes to avoid getting wet.
Don’t Bring a Wetsuit
You can always rent a wetsuit, so there is no need to bring one with you. You can instead use the extra space in your luggage to carry souvenirs or other personal belongings. Renting a swimsuit helps boost the local economy, but only hire one if you’re going to use it.
Do Not Feed the Fish
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) doesn’t allow tourists to feed the fish. Doing so can result in harsh penalties, including hefty fines. The same department also doesn’t allow tourists to step on the corals. Therefore, you should avoid doing these things or you will get into trouble with the local authorities.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Regular sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm the marine environment. Therefore, you want to use coral reef-safe sunscreen when snorkeling or diving at Molokini.
Plan Your Visit to Molokini Crater Today
Molokini Crater is fun and exciting to visit. There are plenty of activities that you and your family can take part in, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching. The best time to visit the crater is between December and March when the humpback whales are back from Alaska. For an enjoyable experience, hire a tour guide who will show you around the crater.