Winter Snorkelling off Maui
#1
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Winter Snorkelling off Maui
Can anyone speak to their experience snorkeling in Maui in early March? I am an avid snorkeler and sometime scuba-er and would love to take a day tour to Molokini from Ma'alaea
I know there are a zillion different tour companies who offer full morning tours, but I'm hesitant to spend big bucks if the winter surf is always going to be too high to go to Molokini. I know that tour companies will always have a back-up snorkeling spot if the seas are too rough to go to the crater, but I would rather just save the money and go to the shore-accessible places on my own.
Also: if anyone does have a highly recommended early tour (ends by 1pm-ish) I'd love to hear!
Cheers!
I know there are a zillion different tour companies who offer full morning tours, but I'm hesitant to spend big bucks if the winter surf is always going to be too high to go to Molokini. I know that tour companies will always have a back-up snorkeling spot if the seas are too rough to go to the crater, but I would rather just save the money and go to the shore-accessible places on my own.
Also: if anyone does have a highly recommended early tour (ends by 1pm-ish) I'd love to hear!
Cheers!
#3
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I would only book the first boat out in the morning. The sea will be flatter, and Molokini will have more fish than boats and people; the reverse is true later. Boats depart from Maalaea and the small boat launch in South Kihei near the border with Wailea.
#5
I recommend the trip to Molokini based mostly on the pure pleasure of being at sea in Maui. Eight times out of ten it will be very choppy in the afternoon.
Better snorkeling (free) is to be found at Ahihi Reserve and Kamaole beaches 2 and 3.
Better snorkeling (free) is to be found at Ahihi Reserve and Kamaole beaches 2 and 3.
#7
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I have been to maui 21 times and going again in april. I have to admit that molokini is extremely disappointing. I hate taking the 2 hour long boat ride out to a crater and being dropped off in the middle of a deep ocean with tons of other boats and tourists. Also the drive back to Kaanapali from maalea harbor takes forever in the afternoon since most flights from the mainland land then. I would stick to Kapalua and black rock and napili.
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Thanks for your thoughtful input.
Can anyone specify what was so disappointing about Molokini? I can understand choppy water or a bad tour operator, but it seems like many of you were disappointed with the site itself. I'm just really surprised that it's such a popular activity and one highly recommended by guide books...but you all seem to agree that it's overrated.
Can anyone specify what was so disappointing about Molokini? I can understand choppy water or a bad tour operator, but it seems like many of you were disappointed with the site itself. I'm just really surprised that it's such a popular activity and one highly recommended by guide books...but you all seem to agree that it's overrated.
#9
The underwater topography is boring and lacks color contrast.
You are anchored in water that is too deep to see the bottom well.
We have done some great scuba dives there. The wall on the seaward side and the slope of the volcanic cone on the leeward are spectacular.
Take a dive boat from Kihei harbor.
You are anchored in water that is too deep to see the bottom well.
We have done some great scuba dives there. The wall on the seaward side and the slope of the volcanic cone on the leeward are spectacular.
Take a dive boat from Kihei harbor.
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Wren55
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Jan 20th, 2012 06:28 PM