teach4thgr

Going to Maui in June. We would like to snorkel both Molokini and Lanai. Anyone have any suggestions.
We already have one morning booked with Four Winds II for the trip to Molokini but would like another trip for there as well. We heard it is a one of a kind place.
We also heard Lanai might not be that big of a deal for snorkeling, but we are interested in seeing dolphins too.
We also have the book Maui reaveled to look at for suggestions, but we wanted the opinions of regular people who have made the trip.
thanks,

Suzie

We took 4 winds to Molokini and had a great time. We didn't think the snorkeling was the best on the island though and ceratainly not worth 2 trips. Our best snorkeling was at Ulua Beach. Free and fantastic. Also goo snorkeling at Black Rock in front of the Sheraton. There is free beach parking if you can find it. We were one car of only a few that day. Honolu'a Bay is good for snorkeling but not after a good rain. It gets too murky from the run off.
Olowalu Beach is good even in the afternoon. Sout of Lahiana at mile marker 14.
Ahihi Keanau Reserve south of wailea.

Here's alink to a map with others but we haven't tried them all:
http://www.maui-vacation.net/snorkelmap.html#15

lunabug

Ulua Beach is far better than Molokini. Absolutely right!

RangerRick

I have been to Maui twice and on the most recent trip we purchased "MAUI REVEALED" from the bookstore. It's the best $ we've ever spent. It will tell you where to snorkel, hike, best beaches, hidden hikes and waterfalls, places to eat, etc... It's well worth the small $ to enhance your Maui vacation. We chose not to take the expensive tour boats snorkeling because the Maui Revealed book told us many coves to snorkel for free! Kapalua Beach on the West side of Maui has a great beach, rental equipment and showers. Another place to see dolphins and turtles with a vast variety of fish is the Southern tip of
Maui at La' Perouse Bay. The last portion of the drive is through some lave fields, but well worth the 2-3 mile trip to the end. Kayaks are also rented here. Maps and explanations are all in the Maui Revealed book. Have a great time....

Suzie

I don’t believe they allow the kayak rental at La Perouse Bay any more. The state has declared this unique, ecologically sensitive and overused area off limits to commercial kayaking and other tour operations.
If you see a kayak trip called "The Marine Reserve Explorer" advertised on other websites, they aren't being updated promptly. The Ahihi Kina'u Marine reserve in the La Perouse bay area is no longer open to kayaking. The state has decided to close the reserve to all kayak tour companies. Due to the explosive growth of kayaking companies on the South Shore, some of whom are less than reputable and/or properly equipped and experienced, the state of Hawaii has banned ALL commercial kayak trips in the Marine Reserve. This trip is no longer available with any company. This includes the trips that other companies have sold with some sort of guarantee (or strong insistence) that you will likely be able to swim with dolphins on your kayak trip. Dolphins do frequent the La Perouse bay area in the mornings, but there are no tours

k2rider

I hear all the time on this board and others that Molokini is nothing special and "too crowded". We did the Lanai trip and it was pretty good. We have done much better though by following the advice of the guide books. You may have to hike for 1/2 mile but you are always rewarded. Our favorite place is up near Napili Bay. We've swam with the turtles there every time. Our friends who go every year to Maui love the Black Rock area.

chasechow

Definitely second getting the book "Maui Revealed", otherwise known as the "Blue Bible". Best piece of advice that I received about our trip.

We did a day tour over to Lanai with Paragon and LOVED it. Was a small group of people and a great snorkeling spot. Food/drink was plentiful, including a picnic lunch that you took with you up to the beach area on Manele (sp?) Bay. We were there over Christmas and didn't see dolphins, but we did have whales then.

teach4thgr

Does anyone know about Captain Steves rafting trip or the ultimate rafting trip? We heard you can get up close to the caves etc with them. Thanks to everyone who replied. Keep letting me know. I value you opinions, and I do have the MAUI REVEALED book.
Mahalo,
Can't wait till June.
My son just returned from Iraq, and we are surprising him with this trip.

ajcolorado

For snorkeling, we absolutely loved Honolua Bay when we were in Maui Our group ranged in age from 7 yrs. to 64 yrs. Honolua Bay is north of Lahaina and is a marine preserve so there are lots of fish who are not too worried about people. We saw turtles, eels, and even squid/octopi (I don't know the difference). It is a cove so there was not a strong current when we were there. My guidebook says the snorkeling is best in the morning. My family all agreed that it was like being in a National Geographic special. Take hwy 30 north of Lahaina past D.T. Fleming Beach Park. You'll see a Mokuleia-Honolua Marine Reserve sign near a parking area. Go past this just a little ways and watch for a tiny dirt side road on the left. There will probably be other cars parked there. Park by the road and take the trail/dirt road in. The trail is an easy walk and absolutely lovely. The Snorkel Bob shops may even have a free print out map. We felt so pleased with ourselves for walking in for free when we saw one of those snorkel tour catamarans that people pay a tidy little sum for.

amelie

Honolua Bay!!!!! I think that's the one the blue book gives first place to. We loved it.

Keegan

just got back on the 28th after 2 wonderfull weeks. We snorkled off the beach at napili, black rock as well as honolua bay. We also took a trillogy trip to lanai and snorkled from the beach there. Black rock was very crowded, there were plenty of fish. Honolua bay had some colorfull coral. the best was off of lanai. the water at the other spots was not very clear. Still a lot of fun.

teach4thgr

Keegan, did you snorkel at Molokiniat all? Still wondering if we should skip the four winds boat trip there and just do Lanai and the areas on Maui.
Anyone have an opinion if I should skip Molokini all together or do Lanai, Molokini, and areas like Black Rock, etc. Want to do the best for the buck. It sounds like that would be skipping Molokini. What do you suggest? Thanks again for all info that has been give. It is very helpful, and I will report back as to what we did when we return.

furledleader

We did the Four Winds trip to Molokini last June. Now that we've done it, we wouldn't do it again unless we were with someone who really wanted to experience it. Don't get me wrong, Four Winds treated us great and we saw eels and Octopi as well as all the usual reef fish. They served great food while anchored at the crater, and they set out fishing lines on the way out and back. A pod of porpoise followed us out there for a little ways, and we spent more than enough time in the water (and I'm a snorkel hound).
It was a unique place to snorkel and I'm glad we did it, but it now falls under the category of "been there, done that". If you've never done it, and especially if you've already got reservations, I'd say GO!

Honolua Bay was also great for snorkeling, as was Kapalua Bay. Black Rock was also good, but crowded. I could tell you where the free parking is at Black Rock, but then I'd have to silence you (LOL). Just follow the advice in the Maui Revealed book, and you'll find it. There aren't that many spaces in the free parking area (maybe 15), and your best bet to get one of those spaces is to get there by 8 o'clock in the morning.

heymo

I would definitely avoid a Molokini snorkel trip. We went early one morning, and thought with 20 people on our boat it was a little crowded. After about a half hour in the water, it seemed like there were 500! It's WAY too populated. I would go to Mile marker 14, it has much better snorkeling and you can go in right from the beach.

teach4thgr

???????????Still don't know if we should cancel the Four Winds II trip or not. It will not cost to cancel, but the trip for 4 is like 311.00
Is it worth it or not? ????????
More comments or suggestions from anyone who recently returned would be apprecitated. Thanks again to all who have gave an opinion.
Mahalo,
Teach

logandog

If you are not taking any other boat rides on Maui then take the Molokini trip. Being out on the water on a boat is one of the great pleasures of Maui.

Suzie

We had a great day with our kids on Four Winds. Then we had a great time at Ulua Beach and then another great time at Black Rock and some more fun at Honolua Bay. Hey it's all great! The whole boat trip was just fun. If you go just to snorkel then skip it and go to one of the other places but if you are going for a boat trip then you will have fun.

About mile marker 14. i it's been raining and there is runoff into the ocean it will be murky here.

starrsville

Our Molokini snorkel trip wasn't a big thrill.

chasechow

I researched this subject extensively because snorkeling is my favorite thing to do and all of our vacations are planned around trying to get the best snorkeling experience at our vacation location. There are several spots actually on Maui mentioned here that are great options, but as far as planning an actual boat excursion, I still recommend Lanai over Molokini. I too was torn between Lanai and Molokini. Between books that I've read, various travel forums (fodors & others) and word of mouth by others that have gone either to Molokini, Lanai and in some instances both, the large majority recommended Lanai.

When we go back, we will do both, but if I only had the time to do one or the other, it would be Lanai.

1mauigirl

Hello!!!! CANCEL!!! Way to may people out there. We call it noodle town----everybody is floating around on those bright yellow and pink foam noodles. You will have a much more enjoyable experience just snorleling off the south shore beaches and save yourself the 300 bucks for something else.