Your Trip to Maui: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Helicopter Tours of Maui Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Maui's Best Parks Top Beaches on Maui Best Hiking on Maui Where to Shop Top Restaurants on Maui Maui's Nightlife Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Guide to Maui's Airports Best Hotels Where to Stay on Maui Driving on Maui Six Days on Maui Maui's Best Snorkeling Tours Your Trip to Maui: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Hawaii The 5 Best Maui Snorkeling Tours of 2023 By Megan Romer Megan Romer Facebook Twitter Megan Romer is a travel writer focused on southern Louisiana. She has a background in tourism marketing and has written for TripSavvy since 2011. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/20/22 Fact checked by Michelai Graham Fact checked by Michelai Graham Michigan State University American University Michelai Graham is a technology and business reporter who has written for The Urban Institute and Scoop News. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Getty Images / Branislav Novak-EyeEm The Rundown Best Molokini Crater Tour: Small-Group Molokini Snorkel – Buy Tickets at Viator "The water is calm and clear and you can see hundreds of feet in each direction." Best South Side Tour: South Maui Kayak and Snorkel Tour with Turtles – Buy Tickets at Viator "Known for its calm waters, teeming reefs and frequent visits by giant green sea turtles." Best Maui-to-Lanai Tour: Lanai Island Dolphin and Snorkel Cruise From Maui – Buy Tickets at Viator "Dig into an island-style breakfast of pastries and fruit while watching for the dolphins and humpback whales." Best Tour for Families: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure – Buy Tickets at Viator "Challenge your kids to spot Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a — or heck, just to say it!" Best Eco Tour: Molokini Wild Side: Snorkel and Cruise from Maui – Buy Tickets at Viator "Depending on conditions and seasonal migrations, the tour may also swing through La Pelouse Bay to search for spinner dolphins." Best Molokini Crater Tour: Small-Group Molokini Snorkel Viator Buy on Viator.com The Molokini Crater—the crescent-shaped top edge of a long-extinct volcano off the western coast of Maui—is one of the world’s greatest snorkeling destinations. The shape of the old volcano crater creates a natural reef-filled lagoon, where the water is calm and clear and you can see hundreds of feet in each direction. This five-hour, small-group tour leaves at the crack of dawn from the Kihei Small Boat Ramp and zips passengers out to Molokini on a small, eco-friendly craft. Because of the early start time, participants are generally alone in the crater for their first snorkel. The boat makes three more snorkel stops, at the untouched back side of the Molokini Crater, at the dolphin-filled La Perouse Bay and at the aptly named Turtle Town. Light breakfast and lunch are served on board and snorkeling gear is provided. Best South Side Tour: South Maui Kayak and Snorkel Tour with Turtles Getty Images Buy on Viator.com If you’re staying at one of the many resorts on Maui’s southern end, in the Wailea or Makena area, consider this small-group tour, which combines kayaking and snorkeling for a full morning of fun. The tour, which is appropriate for all levels of kayaker and snorkeler, leaves from Makena and explores the Turtle Town stretch of beach, known for its calm waters, teeming reefs and frequent visits by giant green sea turtles (sightings are guaranteed). Kayaks and snorkeling equipment are provided. Best Maui-to-Lanai Tour: Lanai Island Dolphin and Snorkel Cruise From Maui Viator Buy on Viator.com Departing from Lahaina harbor, this boat tour chugs across the short strait between Maui and the tiny island of Lanai. During the 45-minute crossing, guests dig into an island-style breakfast of pastries and fruit while watching for the dolphins and humpback whales that swim through these waters. Once at a coral reef-packed area of the untouched Lanai shoreline, the boat moors up and guests spend 2.5 hours swimming, snorkeling and even sliding down the boat’s onboard waterslide into the sparkling blue waters. On the ride back to the harbor, the crew breaks out the BBQ for a simple buffet lunch of burgers, hot dogs, salads and cookies. Post-snorkel cocktails are available, as well. Snorkeling equipment is provided. Best Tour for Families: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure Getty Images Buy on Viator.com If you have kids in tow, consider this tour, which specifically caters to all ages, providing all sizes of snorkeling equipment, plus flotation devices, instruction and even a lifeguard, so the whole family can relax and enjoy the breathtaking underwater views. The boat leaves early in the morning from the harbor at Ma’alaea and heads out to the spectacular Molokini Crater, where the whole family can enjoy swimming near turtles and hundreds of species of tropical fish. (Challenge your kids to spot Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a—or heck, just to say it!) The day’s second snorkeling stop is at either Turtle Town or, dependent on conditions, an area called Coral Gardens. At the end of the trip, enjoy a deli-style lunch while you cruise back to the harbor. Best Eco Tour: Molokini Wild Side: Snorkel and Cruise from Maui Viator Buy on Viator.com A certified marine naturalist will be your tour guide on this freeform small-group eco-adventure that sails out of the Ma’alaea Harbor on a single-deck catamaran. The tour visits the inside of the Molokini Crater for a snorkel in its thriving reef and also swings around the less-visited backside of the crater’s wall, where your guide will point out seabirds and geological formations. Depending on conditions and seasonal migrations, the tour may also swing through La Pelouse Bay to search for spinner dolphins or humpback whales, Turtle Town for a snorkel with sea turtles, or a number of other sites for nature-spotting, above and below the water. A healthy continental breakfast and BBQ lunch with vegetarian options are provided, as are snorkeling gear and training. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 5 below.