Top ten famous places in the world
Molokini Crater
Located approximately 2.5 miles off of Maui’s south shore, Molokini Crater is an underwater volcano islet. Listed as a Marine Life Conservation District Seabird Sanctuary, this partially submerged, crescent shaped volcanic crater is like no other snorkeling location in the world. It’s also one of the very few volcano islet’s in the world!
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- Location South Maui
- Marine life density
- Area size Large
- Depths (ft) 0 – 40´
- Exposure Open
- Entrance Vessel
Ecologically, Molokini is the perfect environment for marine life feeding and breeding, and the islet hosts over 250 species of endemic Hawaiian tropical fish. Within the volcanic walls you will find a host of tropical marine life and colorful reef formations including Manta Rays, Black Triggerfish, Yellow Tang, Raccoon Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Moorish Idol, Moray Eels, and even the occasional small White Tip reef shark. The Pacific waters surrounding Molokini Crater have over 100 species of algae and approximately 35 hard coral species.
The crystal-clear water (average of 150-feet of visibility) at Molokini Crater is what makes this one of the best Maui snorkeling locations on Maui.
Molokini is a popular location for beginning and experienced snorkelers alike, and most popular for morning snorkel tours in Maui. The waters surrounding Molokini Crater are also one of the most popular locations for scuba diving in all the Hawaiian Islands.
Turtle Town
Justly named, Turtle Town is the best place to go snorkeling on Maui if your goal is to see the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles in action! Thanks to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), this stretch of ocean is home to a particularly dense population of the beloved Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle.
- Area size Small
- Depths (ft) 0 – 30´
Thanks to current government protection and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), this stretch is home to a particularly dense population of the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles. There have been some questions as to precisely where Turtle Town is located, but the general knowledge is that Turtle Town is located on the southern coastline of the island, between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach. Best visited on a Maui boat tour, Turtle Town is well known for providing some of the best snorkeling in Maui, particularly if these large lumbering sea creatures are your sightseeing target. When enjoying a Maui snorkel tour at Turtle Town, guests can expect to see turtles gently approaching swimmers with curiosity, as well as an abundance of colorful marine life.
Turtle Town is a top place to snorkel on Maui for many reasons including a chance to view the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles in their natural habitat. There’s always calm wind conditions, clear waters, and all will be inspired when they see the gentle slope which allows all snorkelers to find an ocean depth that they’re comfortable with. In addition, snorkelers can also see the Wrasse fish cleaning the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles’ shells, and find Butterflyfish, Perch, Chub, Triggerfish, Snapper, Goatfish, Big Eye Scad, Needlefish, Moray Eels, Crustaceans, Trumpet Fish, and a common appearance by the former Hawaii State Fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens in Hawaii is located near the center of the West Maui shoreline. This awesome snorkeling location is home to a large number of brightly colored fish, breathtakingly gorgeous coral reef formations, and the occasional Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle.
- Depths (ft) 0 – 12´
- Exposure Partial
- Entrance Sandy
At this secret Maui snorkeling gem, guests will have an opportunity to see a plethora of Hawaiian tropical fish and marine life like Angel Fish, Butterfly Fish, Parrot Fish, Triggerfish, Octopus, Crabs, Moray Eels and more. During the Winter months, this location has also been noted to provide an underwater glimpse of the North Pacific Humpback Whales during their annual migration to Maui waters (roughly between December and April).
