SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 262

Molokini with a second snorkeling spot along the coast of Maui so that you can check
turtles off the list.
Snorkeling at Molokini is such a popular activity that one of the biggest critiques is it
seems there are more humans in the water than fish. One of the best ways to avoid the
mass of humanity is to get on the earliest boat you can. Since this often necessitates a 5am
wakeup, schedule it early in your trip when you're still jet-lagged and waking up early
anyway. If you visited Molokini 20 years ago and are returning for another trip, you might
notice there are fewer fish than the last time you were at the crater. The fish feeding that
was a popular activity during the 1980s completely disrupted the area's natural food chain.
The larger fish drove out the smaller fish, and a handful of species began to take over the
entire reef. In an effort to return the crater to its former health, Molokini is now a tightly
controlled marine preserve, and you will be required to fill out a form which outlines the
rules for visiting. Boat trips from Ma'alaea take about an hour to reach the crater.
Boats to Molokini fall into three categories: small, medium, and large. As you might
expect, the cheaper the ticket to Molokini, the more people there are going to be on the
boat, which also means the more people there are going to be in the water snorkeling with
you. The larger boats can have upward of 100 people on board during the busier months
of the year. All of these large boats are diesel catamarans, but if you would prefer to sail
on your excursion to Molokini, there are three sailboat companies that travel with 20-50
people on board.
Tree raft companies offer group sizes of no more than 24, which get you to Molokini
quickly and easily. These trips can be economical, and the small groups ensure personal-
ized service. However, the food won't be as good as on larger boats, and the bathroom
situation can often be tight.
There are three departure points for reaching Molokini: Ma'alaea Harbor, Kihei Boat
Ramp, and Maluaka Beach in Makena. Notice that Lahaina Harbor is not a departure point
for Molokini Crater. Of the three departure points, nearly all boats leave out of Ma'alaea
Harbor. The only boats starting from Kihei Boat Ramp are the three rafts—Blue Water
Rafting, Seafire, and Redline Rafting—as well as most scuba diving boats. In Makena, the
sailing catamaran Kai Kanani departs directly in front of the Makena Beach and Golf Re-
sort, and its early trip is one of the first boats to arrive at Molokini. Matching the correct
harbor with the correct time of day with the correct boat for your experience comprises the
first three steps in ensuring an enjoyable outing.