My husband and I are going to Maui and would like to take a snorkeling trip to Molikini. There are so many boats offering what looks like the same thing. Does anyone have any recommendations?

You may wish to try www.pacificwhale.org, a serious (501 (c) (3)) research institute based in Lahaina that sponsors numerous water related activities, including Molokini snorkeling and whale-watching trips. We last used them for Molokini in 1994. Looking at them again for upcoming trip.

We went in Nov of this year and had a really great time on the Four Winds II. We took our kids so we didn't want to go a small craft that might have people who are vacationing without their kids. The Four Winds is a large sized boat but has a really open feel and a terrific crew.

The captain let the younger kids steer the boat while he socialized with the passengers. The kids had a really great time with this. The crew spent time passing out food and checking to make sure everyone had snorkel gear that would work for them.

When we arrived at Molokini there was a mad dash for the water and the crew started the BBQ immediately. If I were going on this trip again I'd stay behind while everyone snorkeled and have lunch. This way I'd be sure to get some of the very limited Mahi Mahi. Then when the passengers are all aboard eating lunch I'd snorkel virtually alone and undisturbed. There is plenty of time to do this as the stop is about 2 hours. Unless you have a wet suit it's hard to stay in the water that long. The one hour after lunch was plenty.

From there we went to an area known to have an abundance of turtle. We sure saw plenty when we were there. They don't stop to snorkel with them, you just get to see them from the boat. They serve beverages nearly the entire trip back and what's really strange is you've done a days worth of sightseeing and it's only noon when you return.

We did notice some really dumpy looking boats taking off a little earlier than we did. I imagine they are the trips that make a second stop after Molokini. We were really glad we picked Four Winds. They also gave us a reduced rate because we mentioned that we saw them recommended in the Maui Revealed book which lists their rate as lower than the current rate they charge.

Have fun no matter which tour you take!

I was in Maui earlier this month. We took a snorkel trip to Molokini on the Maui Magic. A brand new boat that has three snorkeling spots. It was $99 a person, but worth it.

I checked out pacificwhale and it looks like they only go until Dec 15th.

I am hoping for a smaller crowd where the trip will be more relaxing and beautiful than rowdy.
Anyone else?

The Maui Dive Shops have excursions they claim leaves earlier than the other outfitters so that you get more alone time in the water without worrying about running into other boats and swimmers. Check them out. BTW, they reason they all look like they're offering the same thing is because they are offering the same thing. If you don't mind sitting through a time share presentation, you can get the trip one heck of a lot cheaper than buying it at retail.

Janey,

Try Paragon Sailing, we went with them and had a great time. I believe they take 36 passengers max and unlike most of the other cats, they actually sail rather than motor. It's a nice relaxing sail and not too crowded on board. Their website is www.sailmaui.com

If you want a smaller crowd that that, there are some boats that operate out of Kihei that take around 12-14 passengers. I haven't used any of them so there isn't one that I can recommend specifically.

Hope this helps.

Janey, we used Maui Dive Shop for our trip to Molokini a couple of years ago and would definitely use them again. They are NOT a party boat but they leave earlier than the other boats, only carry about 12 passengers and use smaller craft that are faster so you arrive before most of the other boats. Their prices are reasonable and the guides are very knowledgeable. If you also want to do some snorkeling on your own, they have a numer of convenient locations on Maui where they rent gear.

I booked a snorkeling trip with Whale Fondation. They are still doing trips. My family and I going 02-14-03. I can't wait. I'm going to Maui, thought I would rub it in.

Thanks. I hate to get up to God awfully early on vacation, but it sounds like it might be worth it to beat the crowd.

BC:

[hit some key on accident]
BC: I can relate to wanting to rub it in. I have told everyone I know about 100 times, "Did I tell you I'm going to Hawaii." I can't wait either. I'm one of those people who loves the planning and the anticipation too. Will be there in late Jan, early Feb. Will beat you there, thought I'd rub it in.

Janey: The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a Molokini/Turtle Arches snorkel trip from Dec.1 until May 15. The Foundation is a research institute that conducts those trips to raise money for its research activities- doesn't seek and would discourage a rowdy crowd. Nice facilities/boats.

If you keep in mind the time difference, even 6:30 a.m. Hawaii time is late morning (or early afternoon on the east coast). Book it early on your trip before you start to adjust to the time difference. (The operators that run the Haleakala bike tours pick people up at 2:30 a.m.-again mid-morning to the east coasters).

Janey, I am so excited for you. Please let us know how your trip goes. I'm driving my family nuts over this Maui trip. It is all I talk about. I love the trill of planning vacations. It is so much fun.

We used Maui Dive Shop and thought it was excellent.