greecube

We are traveling to Maui and Big Island, and family wants to take a snorkel cruise. We have narrowed potential sites to Molokini Crater off Maui or Kealakekua Bay in BI. I'm leaning toward Molokini, but the majority is (are) in favor of Kealakekua Bay. Help me convince them I am right. Comments welcome, and I am open to alternative sites as a possible compromise.

bluefan

Kealakekua Bay. IMO, the best snorkel site in the state of Hawaii.

Besides, there's plenty of nice snorkel sites from the shores of Maui.

But Molokini can only be reaced by boat whereas you can kayak K-bay.

greecube

Thanks Bluefan for your fast response. Now you have me leaning toward Kealakekua Bay.

fdecarlo

Bluefan is right: if you can manage to rent your own kayaks, and go to Kealakekua very early in the morning, the experience is far beyond anything you'll get at Molokini.

Most commercial tours to both locations don't arrive until late morning/midday, when most fish species are elsewhere.

If it turns out you do go to Molokini, try and find a tour that dives on the outer/ocean side of the crater. These tours aren't easy to find, but the snorkeling here is *much* better than inside the crater.

Ashley24

My husband went on a boat tour to Molokini Crater and was not impressed at all. We are going to the BI in a few weeks and are going to Kealakekua Bay. It sounds like the BI has the best snorkeling (from what I've read)but I can't say for sure until I get back.

JohnD

Another vote for K-bay, and all Kayacking aside, we enjoyed and recommend the Fairwind (to K-bay) or Sea Quest (see $) coupon)raft trip to both Honaunau Bay & Kbay.
www.seaquesthawaii.com/snorkel.html

rjscott

Haven't done Molokini, but have done K Bay twice and loved it. Our first time there, we used King's Trail Rides of Kona. Horseback ride down the mountain, lunch and snorkel, ride back up. Last time we used Sea Quest and thought they were great.

SuzieTrue

DH and I have done both Molokini and K Bay. Prefer K Bay, which we kayaked to both times. Liked having fewer people around, until the tour boats arrived.

horatio

You need to watch Molokini..my husband and son did a catamaran snorkel/cruise from the Prince in Wailea and the waters were too rough so they had to snorkel somewhere else closer to shore. Apparently this happens a lot.

sceneisle

While I agree that K-Bay is a better snorkeling site than Molokini, there is a recent thread in the T.A., discussing the possibility that the State of Hawaii might close K-Bay to all except licensed tour operators (due to environmental concerns). Have not read the entire thread but a decision on this issue is due soon.

GloriaE

I believe there is a meeting on June 30th concerning Kealakekua Bay, but not sure of the date. I have snorkeled at both Molokini and Kealakekua Bay and the snorkeling at Kealakekua was far better. Much more variety of fish. Have a great time!

sylvia3

Molokini is too crowded, too much diesel from all the boats.

MaureenB

We've also snorkeled both spots. They both get too many boats, especially K Bay. Molokini is nice if you prefer a longer boat ride and a full day adventure, and the feeling of being out in the ocean. K Bay is right there, I'd think there's some way to walk down to it?? Either one gets so many tourists.

For a smaller, more accessible, place on Maui where there are lots of fish, years ago we stayed at Napili Point condos and the little cove there is wonderfully full of fish. Not many people knew of it at the time, anyway. I think it's called Hanakeana Cove. Very protected little place with tons of colorful fish.

On the Big Island, another place to drive to is at the Mauna Kea. They issue passes to keep it from getting overcrowded on any one day. It's a good place to go, too.

ajcolorado

We absolutely loved Honolua Bay when we were in Maui last June. 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 and calm spring, summer, & fall. 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.

beachgirl86

We did Molokini last year, and will do K. Bay next month on our 2nd trip to Hawaii. I have to say that we absolutely loved Molokini when we went. We had a perfect day, conditions wise, however. The water was still, calm, and clear, and it was amazing how many beautiful fish we could see from the boat -- before we even got in the water! That's how clear the water was. It was absolutely a highlight of our 2 week trip to the islands. We are also looking forward to trying K/ Bay for the first time next month, and then will be able to compare the 2. Molokini was so gorgeous the day we were there, but I keep hearing K. Bay is much better!

Some other spots we enjoyed snorkeling from the shore on Maui were: Black Rock, Honolua Bay, and Kapalua Beach, all in West Maui.

cawhite

Another vote for Kealakekua Bay!!

greecube

Wow. Thanks everyone for their imput. Looks like K-Bay is favored 4 to 1 over Molokini, and a strong recommendation for Honolua Bay on Maui.

pdxgirl

I have done a snorkel cruise to both Molokini and K-bay. K-bay wins, hands down. It was much, much less crowded and had way more fish than Molokini. Molokini was a disappointment. We have also kayaked to Kealakekua and that was fun as well.