Maui Snorkel Charter Review

Rafting to Molokini

I have always, always wanted to learn how to sail a boat. Personally, having never been seasick and generally opting for activities on the ocean rather than in it, sailing seems like the perfect equalizer between me and the big blue Pacific.

I grew up on Maui, so I’ve been to Molokini more times than I can count. But out of all my visits, my trip with Maui Snorkel Charters stands out the most.

Why? Because this locally-owned company offers a ton of value for your time and money. Yes, you’ll visit Molokini, but you’ll also visit a handful of other epic snorkel spots. The itinerary completely depends on the day’s conditions, so you never know where you might end up – which is half the fun.

There’s a lot to love about Maui Snorkel Charters. Here’s what you need to know about a snorkel trip with them — and what stood out to me.

The Departure Location

Maui Snorkel Charters leaves from Kihei Boat Ramp.

Personally, I prefer tours that leave from the boat ramp for a few reasons.

One, it’s much closer to my house than any other boat launch. And two, Kihei Boat Ramp is only 15 minutes from Molokini Crater (versus about an hour from Maalaea).

And lastly, it’s a more chilled-out experience than leaving from Maalaea. Parking is free and plentiful (at least early in the morning), and finding your boat is never an issue – especially with Maui Snorkel Charters. Just look for the yellow and black raft.

The Early Arrival at Molokini Crater

We got to the boat ramp a little before the 6:45 a.m. check-in. Check-in was a breeze, and by 7:00 a.m., we were leaving the boat ramp en route to Molokini Crater.

By 7:20, we were all in the water, snorkeling our hearts out. Since we arrived so early, only about 2-3 other boats were in the crater. By mid-morning, there are usually over a dozen boats at Molokini, so having it almost to ourselves was a huge blessing.

The “Seafari”

After a while, more boats arrived at the crater, and we decided to move on.

My favorite thing about Maui Snorkel Charters is their “Seafari” approach. After Molokini, the crew seeks out the best snorkel spots for the day and visits as many as possible.

On this particular day, we got extremely lucky. Our next stop was Molokini’s back wall, where conditions rarely allow for snorkeling. But today, the ocean was flat as a lake, and conditions were pristine.

Snorkeling here was an incredible experience. We explored a shelf with some unique corals and got a glimpse of the back wall plunging hundreds of feet to the ocean floor below. It’s something I’ll never forget.

Soon, we were off to our next snorkel spot off Pu’u Olai called Pu’u Point. Pu’u Point is a hard-to-reach spot, so I had never snorkeled here. We were the only boat in sight, and the snorkeling was out of this world. We even saw two spotted eagle rays and several turtles.

After a bit of snorkeling at Pu’u Point, we clambered back into the boat, thinking the tour was over. But we had one more stop in store.

Our last stop was a glorious reef between the boat ramp and Kamaole III. I had seen people snorkeling here before, but I was always too nervous to attempt it because of the boat traffic in the area. Going with a tour eliminated that fear, and wow – this reef really delivered.

The Small Group Size

Several times throughout the day, I found myself feeling grateful for the small size of the group onboard. There were only about 18 passengers, plus a few crew members.

The crew was able to give us all personalized attention and connect with each and every one of us, making the experience that much more memorable.

Plus, I had been on boats that felt a bit cramped in the past, which was not at all the case with Maui Snorkel Charters. Their tours operate below capacity, so there’s extra space for everyone onboard.

The Incredible Crew

Lastly, the crew is just amazing. I can’t say enough good things about them. They are all clearly very passionate about the ocean and providing amazing service.

Maui Snorkel Charters is family-owned and operated, so there’s a really fun dynamic among the crew. They kept us entertained all day.

And for those who were new to snorkeling, the crew was quick to help them with their gear or give them snorkeling tips.

This charter is able to pack a ton into just four hours without ever feeling rushed. Just chalk it up to an awesome crew who knows their stuff.

Maui Snorkel Charters is all about giving you the best day ever, and they’re pretty spot on. This trip was certainly one I will remember for a long, long time.

By the time we got back to the boat ramp at 11:00 a.m., I was already thinking about my next snorkel trip with Maui Snorkel Charters. This boat will be my go-to whenever family comes into town or when I just need a fun snorkeling fix. I can’t wait to do it again.

Mahalo nui loa, Maui Snorkel Charters!