Wailea-Makina: Sea Caves, Molokini Snorkel & Turtle Town

Embark on a snorkeling adventure to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town on a boat tour from Kihei. Cruise along the Kanaio Coast and see the sea caves, and enjoy breakfast and lunch on board.

Depart from Kihei and cruise to the protected waters of La Perouse Bay, frequently encountering a pod of spinner dolphins, including babies, along the way or in the bay itself. Named for their acrobatics, these playful mammals will frolic in the wave produced by the boat sometimes only a few feet from the bow.

On many occasions, snorkelers have been approached by dolphins while in the water. This experience has been described as spiritual and is a visual and auditory experience that one never forgets.

Enjoy a continental breakfast and a remote snorkeling site may be offered such as the La Perouse Pinnacle which is teeming with fish. After departing La Perouse Bay, head for Molokini, a short 20-minute ride from the bay. There, generally, up to three unique sites are offered including the inside rim, the outer reef, and the backside of the crater.

Drift snorkel the outer reef, one of the many highlights of this tour. Imagine snorkeling one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, drifting gently along with the current as your boat follows nearby for your safety. Glide past a variety of butterfly fish, wrasses, black and pink-tailed durgeons, all posing against a backdrop of beautiful coral only 3 feet below.

For an exciting panoramic view, venture over to the edge to witness an awesome 200 ft. drop. It’s like looking off the edge of the world. Time and conditions permitting, another drift snorkel may be offered on the backside of Molokini, a favored dive site for advanced scuba divers. The depth here is about 300 ft. but the lighting and the view of the vertical wall of rock, coral, and fish is phenomenal.

Departing Molokini, make one more stop in Makena where lunch is served, and snorkel with sea turtles and spotted eagle rays near pristine lava fingers. These turtles, although endangered and protected, are accustomed to seeing snorkelers and do not mind being photographed as they surface for air just a few feet away.