"It was a fantastic day full of turtles, different fish and whales. It was the perfect package."
Verified Review
This 2-hour snorkel tour (extended to 2.5 hours in winter months) begins in South Maui at the Kihei Boat Ramp, where you’ll board a 37-foot speed-raft for a quick, scenic ride out to Molokini Crater—a submerged volcanic caldera known for having some of the clearest water in all of Hawai‘i. Once anchored, you’ll slip into a protected reef teeming with colorful marine life, from parrotfish and butterflyfish to moray eels and sea turtles. With premium snorkel gear provided, plus snacks, juice, and a laid-back crew, the trip blends just the right amount of adrenaline and ease. Group sizes are kept small (maximum 19 guests), giving the whole experience an intimate, high-energy feel without the crowds.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 6+, group size limited to 19 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Calm snorkeling
WHAT TO BRING
A light jacket or cover,
Reef-safe sunscreen
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 24 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.8★ from 920+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests rave about how fast and fun the ride is, describing it as the perfect short adventure for seeing Maui’s underwater life without a big group crowd. Reviews highlight the friendly crew’s focus on safety and comfort, plus their knack for finding clear water and calm reefs when conditions change. Many mention spotting schools of fish, the crystal visibility at Molokini, and the bonus whale sightings in winter months. The snacks and laid-back vibe make the two-hour window feel like a full ocean day, compressed into one easy outing.
This ancient volcanic crater is home to a diverse array of marine life and vibrant coral reefs, making it an unforgettable experience for ocean enthusiasts. Take an exhilarating adventure with Makena Mele II, our delightful 37-foot Speed-Raft designed for an unforgettable snorkeling and ocean adventure in Maui.
Our 2-hour snorkeling is extended to 2.5 hours from Dec 15 – Apl 15 and includes a whale-watching tour and complimentary snacks, tropical juice, bottled water, and high-quality snorkeling gear. Brace yourself for a wet and bumpy ride at times, but rest assured, it’s all part of the excitement!Makena Coast Charters is a small Maui-based operator that’s been taking ocean lovers out to Molokini Crater for decades. Known for intimate, adventure-style trips on their bright red speed raft, they bring small groups straight into the protected waters of Molokini’s ancient volcanic crater. The local crew prides itself on knowing where conditions are best and keeping the experience safe but full of life — from surprise turtle sightings to playful surface rides when the seas are bumpy. It’s a quick morning escape that feels both wild and carefully looked after.
Location: Kihei Boat Ramp, 2800 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
Check-In: Arrive by 10:00 a.m., look for the red Makena Mele II raft boat. Complete the waiver before boarding. The boat departs promptly at 10:30 a.m., so allow time for parking and walking down the dock.Cancellation Policy:
• Full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time on all daily cruises.
• Comprehensive 72-hour cancellation policy on all private charters.
• Comprehensive 72-hour cancellation policy on specialty cruises.
No refunds can be honored if canceled inside the grace period.
All cancellations must be submitted via email through our booking system or your agent, not via calls or texts.
Cancellations due to health restrictions will be honored with a doctor’s note. However, only guests with health-related complications will be refunded—not the entire party.
Cancellations due to non-health-related issues (like newly instated travel restrictions after you have reserved your charter) will be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
Cancellations due to weather-related or mechanical-related issues—even within the grace period—will be honored automatically.
Though we will release your funds immediately, please allow between 5 to 15 business days for full refunds to be processed through each bank or credit service.
A refund notification will be issued through email on the day of cancellation.
As a courtesy – we will take every measure to rebook you on another charter or place you with our affiliated partners - to get you on the water!
Special Notice: We require minimum bookings for this tour. Makena Coast Charters reserves the right to cancel due to a low customer count.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Inside Molokini: Snorkeling the Hidden World of a Sunken Crate
There’s something surreal about approaching Molokini Crater by speed-raft. One moment, you’re bouncing across open water, the wind pulling at your jacket, and the next, the crescent-shaped crater rises out of the sea—an ancient caldera with impossibly clear water inside its walls.
The crew of the Makena Mele II makes it all feel easy. As we drift to a stop, they pass out snorkel gear and gently coach a few first-timers. Then it’s quiet. You slip overboard and everything changes. The water is warm, glassy, and startlingly clear—visibility that feels almost unreal. Schools of yellow tang drift past coral shelves, a curious pufferfish hovers near your fins, and in the distance, a sea turtle floats, serene and slow like an old monk.
“Inside Molokini’s sunken crater, the world goes quiet—just reef, light, and the slow drift of sea life.”
You can feel the crater’s curve around you, sheltering the reef from waves and currents. It feels ancient, still, protective. When your head breaks the surface again, it’s hard not to whisper. Everyone floats a little quieter, like they’ve entered a cathedral made of light and water.
Back on the raft, sandwiches and granola bars pass between sun-damp hands. The ride home is slower, full of salt and smiles. You watch the coastline reappear, already missing the silence of the reef. Not all adventures need hours or miles. Some just need a crater, a mask, and a clear morning.
