Has anyone taken the snorkel trip to Molokini from the Maui Prince Hotel location? I would like to try it (staying there March), but husband insists its a waste of money. Any comments?
thanks JW

Sorry, but I'm with your husband on this one. Not far from your hotel is Turtle town, a snorkling spot that is wonderful. I'd consider a kayak trip or just winging it on your own before heading to Molokini. Too many tourists. I was lucky to take a sailboat there...2 crew and 4 guests, a couple of years ago....the sail was great...the snorkling was completely mediocre to blah.......just my humble opinion............Ah Makena Beach!! Embrace it for me!!!

I have no idea about the Prince trip, but we took a Molokini snorkeling trip there last summer and LOVED it! The snorkeling was wonderful, and easily surpassed all the shore snorkeling we did on Maui and the Big Island.

Well there you have it coldincanada....2 completely honest conflicting opinions!!! Good luck.

We did a Molokini snorkel trip in December. It was disappointing. The snorkeling was not great, and there were lots of people. I wouldn't do it again. Snorkeling from the beach at Ulua was just as good, if not better.

There's very good snorkeling along much of the coast in south Maui, from Keawakapu to Makena and beyond. Ulua can be very good. It gets very crowded after 8:00 a.m. Parking is limited. Po`olenalena can be better.
I also was disappointed at Molokini, though the boat trip was pleasant and you should see humpback whales in March, itself worth a cruise. Much better snorkel trip to Lana`i. Clear, calm water and many fishes.

Thanks Everyone!
I knew there was a reason I married my sweety! It sounds as though he was right about this one. Grrrr, another romantic fantasy bites the dust...
Coldincanada

Ahhh! Here's to romantic fantasies! When they still allowed kayak trips to Fishbowl and Aguarium, I spent months convincing my husband to ocean kayak with the hopes of swimming among spinner dolphins, and the best snorkling ever. Alas, he finally gave in days before the planned adventure....high seas, meant 4 hours of severe aerobic, muscle crumbling paddling, mediocre fish spotting, and no dolphins came out to play! I was exhausted and completely spent for the rest of the day. At least I didn't get seasick like one of our kayakmates...poor guy was really trying to put a good face on his misery. And that sail back from Molokini?????the first 50 tacks were fine, the last hundred....enough already.....2nd windiest channel in the world! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Prince!

Thanks for all the advice.
Back from trip to Maui.
The Prince Hotel boat Kai Kanani now has a special "Express" trip to Molokini that is only $44. so I decided to try it, otherwise I know I'd always wonder what I had missed. The trip was about 15 minutes to get there and we were the first boat. We had the whole place to ourselves for an hour. The water was extremely clear, there were many different fish from the ones I saw on shore. The crew were efficient and I think it was definately worth the price. It leaves early 6:30 am and has you back by 9 am to enjoy the rest of the day. That being said, I could easily imagine that if the conditions weren't as nice it could be disappointing. One of the crew said the water hadn't been that clear for two weeks and we were lucky.

My husband and two teenage kids swam out to turtle town from Makena (Prince Hotel) and joined all the tourists who had arrived on one of the big boats. They saw tons of sea turtles, my daughter was surprised by one that came up to the surface right beside her. They were all over the place. The next day same time I went out with my daughter and the water was murky, and all we saw was a turtle waving goodbye!

The best place we found for snorkeling was just down the road from the Prince just before you get to la Perouse Bay, at the Ahihi fish reserve (small cove) the fish are abundant and as soon as you put your mask in the water you come face to face with them!

Also there for the early Kai Kanani trip to Molokini in March with a similar notable excursion as noted in day 11 of T.R.: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34581411
Mahalo for sharing!

I guess early April is not the best time to go sailing, Molokini was clear but the fishes were not abundant, turtle town was murky- the guide said this is about normal visibility, with 2 turtles in view and the sea was rough, we got soaked silling on the outside of the catamaran.

Many conflicting opinions about Molokini. I'm a snorkeler, but I've never been to Molokini. However I'm sure one person's interpretation of 'a lot of fish' or 'clear water' is different from the next person. If you're a novice snorkeler, you probably are going to feel different than the veterans. Remember that when making your decision. Have fun.

Hi, - yay another early planner!
I agree with some of the others, that you will find plenty of awesome snorkeling along the coast of Maui and this extra trip might be a waste. But coldincanada's description of the express trip sounded nice! You just never know what your experience will be like.

Are you going to Kaua'i at all? We saw sea turtles there at Ke'e Beach.

And... there will be PLENTY of romantic moments on Maui! Have fun!

Snorkeling at Molokini felt like Disneyland on a busy summer day. I was kicked in the head a couple of times and the water was cold. I don't like to snorkel with hundreds of people. La Perouse Bay had the best snorkeling I have found on Maui. Quite a hike across lava to find it though! We had it to ourselves. And it was free! No currents either because it was in lava pools.