Maui Snorkeling Tours
Maui has more snorkel boats than any island in Hawaii, so the choice comes down to where you want to swim and how big a boat you want. Molokini trips leave from Maalaea or Kihei, and West Maui sails run to Honolua Bay from Kaanapali and Lahaina. The six tours below come from operator sites, with prices only where we saw them on the listing.
Best snorkel tours in Maui
Ranked for the reef as much as for you: group size, briefing, wildlife rules and what the operator gives back.
- 01
Molokini and Turtle Arches Snorkel
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Morning boat trip snorkeling Molokini crater, then a second stop known for green sea turtles and underwater lava arches. Breakfast, lunch and beverages included.
Run by Maui's nonprofit-powered ocean operator; tour revenue supports Pacific Whale Foundation research and conservation, and catamarans run on biodiesel.
- 02
Molokini and Turtle Adventure
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Small-group adventure with drift snorkeling on Molokini's back wall, volcanic coastline, turtles and a search for dolphins and rays, guided by naturalists.
Nonprofit-powered operator guided by expert naturalists, with revenue supporting marine research and education.
- 03
2-Hour Kihei Snorkel Trip to Molokini
by Redline Rafting
Short raft trip from Kihei to Molokini with snorkel gear, float belts and fish identification included, up to 24 passengers. No turtle stop on this itinerary.
Small group of up to 24 and a reef briefing on Molokini's no-fishing, no-touching, no-feeding rules. Bring mineral sunscreen.
From $139Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 04
Molokini Snorkel Tour (Maalaea North Dock)
by Pride of Maui
65-foot catamaran to Molokini Crater, with a Turtle Town stop when conditions allow. Gear, flotation vests, breakfast, BBQ lunch and drinks included. Adult price shown; children 4 to 12 were $158.
Requires reef-safe sunscreen, bans standing on coral and describes reef-care practices. A large catamaran rather than a small group.
From $198Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 05
Honolua Snorkel and Dolphin Sail
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Morning catamaran sail up the West Maui coast to snorkel Honolua Bay, with naturalists, a Snorkel 101 lesson, breakfast and BBQ lunch. Adult price shown during a buy-one-get-one promotion; sites depend on weather and are not guaranteed.
Onboard naturalists, vessels run mostly on biodiesel, food waste is composted and full-face snorkel masks are not allowed. Revenue supports Pacific Whale Foundation.
From $199.95Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 06
Discover Kaanapali Snorkel
by Trilogy Excursions
Sailing catamaran from Kaanapali Beach. The captain picks the site each day, most often Honolua Bay, otherwise Cliff House or Olowalu. Gear, flotation, breakfast and BBQ lunch included.
Provides reef-safe sunscreen if you forget yours and says it follows Dolphin SMART wildlife guidelines. Winter north swell can change the site.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which tours we pick. How we choose tours.
Boat tours vs shore snorkeling in Maui
Boats are the only way to Molokini, and they reach Honolua Bay in rough months and Olowalu without a long swim. Shore snorkeling is cheaper and flexible, and spots like Kapalua Bay, Napili Bay, Ulua and Mokapu are easy from the sand. Pick a boat for Molokini, for a meal and gear, or if you are not a confident swimmer. Pick shore on a calm morning when you want to spend longer in the water. Either way, go early, because the wind builds through the day.
Look. Don't touch.
Leave only bubbles.
Do
- Wear a rash guardOr mineral sunscreen, applied well before you swim.
- Float flat over shallow reefKeep fins up so you never kick coral or stir sand.
- Book a local Guardian guideThey know the rules, the currents and the animals.
Never
- Touch, chase or feed wildlifeLet animals choose how close they come.
- Stand on or grab the reefTired? Float on your back or find sand.
- Take shells, sand or coralPhotos only. Leave it for the next swimmer.
Maui tour questions
What is the best snorkel tour in Maui?
For Molokini, book the earliest departure from Maalaea or Kihei. For West Maui, a sail to Honolua Bay in summer is the pick. A small group and a reef briefing matter more than the brand.
Are Maui snorkel tours worth it?
For Molokini, yes, since it is boat only. Elsewhere you can snorkel from shore for free, but a tour supplies gear, a briefing and access to reefs hard to reach from the beach.
Do Maui snorkel tours require mineral sunscreen?
Maui County allows only mineral sunscreen. Pride of Maui requires reef-safe sunscreen and Trilogy supplies it, so confirm your operator's policy before you book.
Maui spot guides
Turtle Town (Makena)
Green sea turtles graze on algae and rest in the shallows of this Makena lava reef, often within a few hundred yards of the sand. Swim out from shore,…
Molokini Crater
A crescent of volcanic rock rises about 3 miles off Maui's south coast, and its protected inner cove is one of the clearest places to snorkel in…
Honolua Bay
Some of Maui's healthiest coral and busiest fish live in this deep, rocky cove on the northwest coast. In summer the water can be glassy. In winter it…
Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
A reef wall drops along this headland at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, with fish a few kicks from shore. Black Rock, or Puu Kekaa, is the easiest…
Kapalua Bay
A golden-sand crescent sits between two lava points, and the water here is usually the gentlest on Maui's northwest coast. You enter straight off the…
How we researched this page Facts last checked October 22, 2026
We check fees, rules and access against official sources first, then local operators and recent visitor reports. Conditions change, so always follow posted signs and lifeguards. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Maui Reefs: sunscreen laws (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA CO-OPS Kahului water temperature (station 1615680) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Snorkel Bob's Maui tips and beach suggestions (checked 2026-10-22)
- DLNR: Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve (checked 2026-10-22)
- Hawaii DAR: Molokini Shoal MLCD (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Fisheries: Viewing Marine Wildlife in Hawaii (checked 2026-10-22)
- Hawaii Vacation Guide: Best snorkeling near Lahaina (checked 2026-10-22)
- Hawaii Vacation Guide: 11 best snorkel spots on Maui (checked 2026-10-22)
- Star-Advertiser: Health officials say it is safe to surf and swim off Lahaina (checked 2026-10-22)
- PacWhale Eco-Adventures: Maui Molokini tours (checked 2026-10-22)
- Redline Rafting: 2-hour Molokini trip (checked 2026-10-22)