The easiest way to get up close and personal with Hawaiian wildlife is to jump in the ocean. We LOVE the water so we decided to take full advantage of a boat trip to the Molokini Crater, which is an island marine sanctuary, and one of the best places in the Hawaii to snorkel! We chose the Pride of Maui half day trip to the Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. This was the final activity we had scheduled for the Maui part of our Honeymoon, and we are so glad we saved it for the end.
It was an easy 20-minute drive from Kihei to the Maalaea Harbour. We were so lucky that it was another gorgeous cloudless Maui morning, and we really enjoyed the trip to the pier in our rented Jeep Wrangler. There was lots of parking available and the check-in process was quite painless. Once we boarded the boat, there was a continental breakfast of croissants and jam, and coffee and juice.
We gathered with the other Snuba-ers for an overview on how to use your breathing apparatus and other safety tips. I was a bit hesitant about the Snuba part, to be honest. I love being in the water, but have a tough time snorkeling when the water is choppy for fear of getting water in my snorkel tube and panicking under pressure. Weirdly, the Snuba experience was soooo much easier for me than snorkeling. You have an oxygen mouthpiece attached to a tank that floats above you. The line is 15-20 feet long so you are able to get much lower than snorkeling, but you’re never too far from the surface – and you don’t have a huge tank or other gear attached to you. Being able to “breathe” underwater was way more calming to me than gulping while skimming the surface. We were able to get closer to the fishies, too!
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- Snorkel Action!
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- Using the Noodle
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- A Quick Slip n’ Slide
We snorkled/snubaed at the Molokini crater for about an hour (actual Snuba time was 20 min) and then set sail for Turtle Town. We were able to capture some awesome pics of the turtles on our Go Pro! A BBQ lunch was served and the bar opened for those who would not be going in to the water again.
On the way back to Maalaea, we were able to take in some impromptu whale watching, and even managed to catch a full breach! Super cool.
This tour costs $96 USD per adult or $62 USD per child if you book online. The Snuba was an extra $50 USD for about 20 minutes of underwater time. We rented wetsuit tops for $10 each which was the best $10 I spent, lol. That water was chilly, even to us cold-blooded Canadians 🙂 If you would like to learn more about Snuba, click here. It has all sorts of useful info for you.
The tour runs from 8am-1pm, and is an awesome way to spend the day on the ocean!
{ Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary passes for this awesome excursion, but that in no way affects my opinion or review. Just thought you should know 🙂
Florence C
We visit the Big Island in December. No water even though. Mostly crater hikes, pools and beaches.
Tara Betterley
That would be so awesome. I am not sure if I would have the guts to do it.. I have a fear of just going into a body of water – fear that the fish will touch me.. (LOL).. My kids would love to do it tho.. it would be a dream trip
Kelsinwonderland
Tara BetterleyLOL – yes the fish might touch you, but I think more often than not they are just confused as to why you are there 😉
Brandee H
This looks like a lot of fun. I used to love scuba diving but have never tried snorkelling. I really should!! And yet another reason to buy a GoPro 🙂
Kelsinwonderland
Brandee HSnorkeling might be too easy for you then, haha. But maybe you would be able so different marine life closer to the surface? I have never been scuba diving 🙂
Jen
I would love to go there! I love snorkelling (have not tried scuba) – this looks amazing!
Kelsinwonderland
JenThe snuba was really cool! Very easy to learn.
Karen S
Oh I love Hawaii! I’ve only been once, but I can’t wait to go back.
Kelsinwonderland
Karen SWhere did you go in Hawaii??
Marlene J
Not a underwater person – but it’s fun to see others
Kelsinwonderland
Marlene JIt’s definitely not for everyone 🙂
Cheryl
What a dream trip that would be!!! My sister went to Hawaii a few years back and “ran” into a turtle while swimming in the water in front of her resort. She said it was the size of a coffee table and almost gave her a heart attack ! lol
Kelsinwonderland
CherylLOL! That would be quite a shock – they can get huge!! In the water they are so peaceful 🙂 Thanks for your comment.