We're planning a trip to Maui in September and would like to visit Molokai. Any info on the ferry? Any suggestions on how to spend the day there? We'd like to go there and back the same day. Thanks.

Very simple: go to GOOGLE.

Punch in 'Molokai ferry.' Lots of websites. Same for Molokai. Come on lady, do your own research.

My goodness Laurie, Take a deep breath. Posting a question here IS a form of research. You can check websites all day and your best bet is still a recommendation from another traveler that has been there before.

There are so many nasty responses on this site that tell people to go elsewhere for their information that I wonder why they even bother to log on. After all, if we all did our research on google there would be no postings here at all.

Try to be civil and if you don't want to help the poster, just don't respond.

Sorry Carol, I have never taken the ferry to Molokai but hopefully you will get some good information.

I agree - Laurie, lighten up.

I had NO idea that there was a ferry going to Molokai. Now I'm considering taking it for a day trip, the next time I'm in Hawaii.

How would I have ever known about the ferry if not for Carol's post?

Thanks Karen. I do have information on pricing and schedules but I thought that the best recommendations would be from personal experience.

The schedule and rates for the Maui Princess from Lahaiana to Molokai is at:
http://www.mauiprincess.com/molokaiferry/ferry.html

The problem is that the boat leaves Lahaina at 6:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm. It is a 90 minute crossing. That means that you arrive on Molokai at 8 am and by the time you get your rental car it is almost 9 am. To make the return boat at 2:30 you have to return your rental car by no later than 2 pm. This only gives you 5 hours on the island if you do a day trip. This is not nearly enough time. I covered about half the island in 5 hours and that was mostly in the car and very hurried. I plan to go back and stay over for one night, maybe 2.

Laurie: why do you even come to this site? Do you put these kind of rude remarks to everyone who asks a question?

I've been searching through the posts and keep finding all these unpleasant responses to various posts...just some lame people out there, I guess.

As for the ferry, it takes about an hour and a half and I've heard the channel can be very rough. We went to Maui a couple months ago and decided to forgo it and go back to Molokai next summer by flying. If you are not prone to seasickness, then it should be okay. People travel it everyday to go to work on Maui from Molokai.

As for how to spend a day on Molokai, there are a lot of great options. There is a rainforest area but you need to schedule a tour b/c there are no roads to go in there; yet the guided hikes are supposed to be wonderful. There is also a lookout over the peninsula where Father Damian helped the ill who were banished there for a hundred years...there is also a mule ride that I've heard is great down into the peninsula itself. (Of course, there is no risk for disease anymore)
There is the Molokai cattle ranch where you can schedule seeing a cattle drive or ride horses. There is also a beautiful three mile beach (the longest of all the islands) and a black sand beach.
I'm sure there are more options this is just what's been specifically recommended to me by others.

Marilyn, Thanks for the info, especially about the rough waters. Maybe a plane ride will be a better idea.