snorkel cruises

Click on a date to highlight available cruises.

Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Watch
Lanai Wild Side Eco-Tour
Molokini & Lanai Snorkel
Molokini & Turtles Arches Snorkel
Molokini Eco Express
Molokini Wild Side

Snorkel Cruises

SNORKEL MOLOKINI
The mid-ocean, crescent-shaped islet known as Molokini is one of Hawai'i's finest snorkel and dive sites. It's an extinct volcanic crater located about 2.5 miles from Maui's south shore. Inside its protective u-shaped walls is a thriving coral reef, home to more than 250 fish species and 38 species of coral, including species found nowhere else on earth but Hawai'i.

Molokini is considered a tuff cone, a type of volcanic crater formed when ashfall chemically reacted with rainwater and hardened into rock. There is little or no soil to run off into the sea, which is why the visibility is excellent for snorkeling.

To protect this vibrant little ecosystem, the State of Hawai'i designated Molokini as a Marine Life Conservation District. There's no other place quite like it…you'll certainly want to check it out during your Maui vacation!

SNORKEL LANA'I
Lana'i was the summer home of King Kamehameha and today is known as the “enticing island” for its rugged, largely undiscovered beauty. The coastal areas are a treasure trove of wildlife – vibrant reefs, sea turtles, wild dolphins, whales and thousands of fish. The views from sea include thousand foot red sea cliffs and bays ringing azure blue ocean. Because Lana'i is so dry (just 37 inches of rain per year), there's little soil run off, leaving the island's nearshore waters remarkably clear. Some of Hawaii's best and most unspoiled snorkeling is found off the shores of Lana'i.

Molokini & Turtles Arches Snorkel

Snorkel with our expert team at world-famous Molokini, plus a second vibrant reef that’s frequented by gentle sea turtles.

Your adventure begins at Ma’alaea Harbor, where you’ll board one of Pacific Whale Foundation’s high-tech, smooth-riding catamarans and be professionally fitted with snorkel gear.

As you cruise to Molokini, enjoy a tropical style continental breakfast with freshly brewed Maui coffee and sparkling juices. There’s also a complimentary learn-to-snorkel class and educational talks by our naturalists. In the winter, whale sightings are an added bonus.

We’ll moor at Molokini -- with plenty of time to explore this remarkable mid-ocean oasis! Our wide swim steps and water slides make it easy (and fun) to get right in. Next stop is Turtle Arches, a beautiful reef known for its underwater lava arches and abundance of green sea turtles. Enjoy a free guided reef tour led by one of our naturalists, who will point
out sights you might miss on your own.

Includes:
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Reef-safe sunscreen
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (locally grown fruits, Kula zucchini muffins, banana bread, coffee and juices.)
* Barbeque lunch: chicken tenders (marinated in teriyaki sauce), hot dogs, garden burgers, marinated Kula cucumber salad, 3 Bean Salad (kidney, Black and Garbonzo), Kaiser rolls, plus double chocolate chip cookies made with organic flour. (Note: deli lunch offered on select trips.)
* Refreshments: sodas, tropical juices and filtered water. (After snorkeling, complimentary beer, wine and Mai Tais for adults 21+, must have valid picture i.d.)
* Free marine wildlife poster and wildlife watching guide

Available:
* Affordable rentals of wet suit shirts, underwater cameras and
binoculars.
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the
week for a small additional fee.

Departs: Daily at 7:00 a.m. from Ma’alaea Harbor
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure:
- Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at the Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center). Parking is free.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Molokini & Lanai Snorkel

For the ultimate in adventure, this exclusive Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventure offers a full day out on the water with two snorkel sites at two different islands.

Our first stop is world-famous Molokini crater. The snorkeling in this sheltered islet offers opportunities to view a wide array of wildlife. In fact, Molokini is home to more than 250 species of fish!

Next, we’ll cross the channel to snorkel off the scenic coast of Lana’i. The reefs surrounding Lana’i are known for their health and diversity, and the surrounding area is known for its populations of wild spinner, spotted and bottlenose dolphins. Wild dolphin sightings are likely, and we often encounter a curious sea turtle or two. Whale sightings are an added bonus in winter.

Includes:
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Reef-safe sunscreen
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (locally grown fruits, Kula zucchini muffins, banana bread, coffee and juices).
* Barbeque lunch: chicken tenders (marinated in teriyaki sauce), hot dogs, garden burgers, marinated Kula cucumber salad, 3 Bean Salad (kidney, Black and Garbonzo), Kaiser rolls, plus double chocolate chip cookies made with organic flour. (Note: deli lunch offered on select trips.)
* Refreshments: sodas, tropical juices and filtered water. (After snorkeling, complimentary beer, wine and Mai Tais for adults 21+, must have valid picture i.d.

* Free marine wildlife poster and wildlife watching guide

Available:
* Affordable rentals of wet suit shirts, underwater cameras and
binoculars.
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the
week for a small additional fee.

Departs: Daily at 8:30 am from Ma’alaea Harbor
Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure:
- Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at The Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center). Parking is free.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Molokini Eco Express

Summer Ecotour: Available May-October

This three and a half hour cruise, offered exclusively by Pacific Whale Foundation, provides the most economical way to visit Molokini during the morning, when the conditions are best. Added bonus: you get to sleep in a bit!

You’ll cruise straight to Molokini on one of Pacific Whale Foundation's ultra-smooth, comfortable catamarans. Because this cruise arrives at Molokini after the crowds have departed, the snorkeling is very relaxed. Explore for an hour or more – and if you want help locating any of the unique fish and marine life found at Molokini, join the free guided reef tour offered by our knowledgeable marine naturalists.

Includes:
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Reef-safe sunscreen
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program
* Complimentary bbq lunch.
* Free marine life poster and wildlife watching guide

Available:
* Affordable rentals of wet suit shirts, underwater cameras and
binoculars.

Departs: Tuesdays through Saturdays
Duration: Approximately 3 ½ hours
Check-in: Please check-in 45 minutes prior to departure:
- Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at The Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea
(next to Maui Ocean Center).

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Watch

Snorkel off the island of Lana’i and watch dolphins in the wild – all in one trip!

Discover why Lana’i has been rated as one of the top 10 snorkel and dive spots in the world as you explore dazzling coral reefs, home to abundant fish and sea turtles. Wild dolphins are found here too, including spinner, spotted and bottlenose dolphins, and occasional toothed whales. Sightings of humpback whales are common in winter. If you do not see whales or dolphins, we will provide you with a fully transferrable "Just A Fluke" certificate good for a free Whale Watch or if you prefer, we can offer you 50% off another Lanai Wild Dolphin & Snorkel trip!

Includes:
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Reef-safe sunscreen
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program.
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (locally grown fruits, fresh-baked pastries, coffee and juices)
* Barbeque lunch: chicken, hot dogs and veggie burgers, plus pasta salad. (Note: deli lunch offered on select trips.)
* Refreshments: sodas, tropical juices and filtered water. (After snorkeling, complimentary beer, wine and Mai Tais offered for adults 21+, must have valid picture i.d.)

* Free marine wildlife poster and wildlife watching guide

Available:
* Affordable rentals of wet suit shirts, underwater cameras and
binoculars.
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the
week for a small additional fee.

* Duration: Approximately 5 hours
* Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure:
- Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at 612 Front Street, Lahaina.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Molokini Wild Side

Pacific Whale Foundation has been offering quality ocean eco-adventures to Molokini for more than 30 years. We are pleased to offer a new small group Molokini eco-adventure that travels off the beaten path. It includes a Sea Turtle Photo Safari, with instruction in underwater photography and the opportunity to learn about sea turtle research. There's no trip like it on Maui.

As with all of our Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures, this new trip is led by our team of knowledgeable Certified Marine Naturalists and a professional U.S. Coast Guard certified captain. It's based on our decades of marine research, including an extensive study of Molokini's fish, corals and wildlife.

We depart in the morning from Ma'alaea Harbor and head for Molokini. After snorkeling this remarkable mid-ocean reef, we'll cruise around Molokini's rugged red rock back wall. Birdwatchers be ready: we often sight seabirds such as Wedge-tailed shearwaters and Great frigatebirds that roost here!

And then we'll set off to explore, stopping to view wildlife at sea turtle and dolphin habitats. We'll also choose a reef that offers the clearest and calmest conditions for our second snorkel site. Explore on your own or take part in a guided reef tour led by our knowledgeable naturalist.

Learn tips and techniques for underwater photography during a hands-on photo workshop at sea. You'll also learn how we identify individual sea turtles using photo identification -- we know you'll find it to be fascinating! You'll also learn about research techniques used to assess the population of turtles in this area.

Our Molokini Wild Side Eco-Adventure is offered on our 54-foot single deck catamaran, Ocean Explorer. With comfortable armchair seats arranged grandstand style on the bow, plus a shaded back deck, shower and onboard bathrooms, Ocean Explorer combines comfort with the thrill of being closer to the water and ocean wildlife. It's U.S. Coast Guard certified for just 49 passengers, but we'll carry just 40 people, so there's plenty of room for everyone.

From April 1 through April 15, this tour will take place on our vessel Ocean Liberty. This smartly designed, 65-foot eco-adventure yacht has a snorkel platform, swim steps and freshwater shower, plus men's and women's bathrooms, and lots of open-air shaded seating, plus a sunbathing area on the bow. Alcohol is not available on Ocean Liberty. We are pleased to offer each of our guests a complimentary rental of a wetsuit top in lieu of alcoholic beverages that are normally served on this cruise.

Includes:
* Expert narration by our Certified Marine Naturalists
* Free underwater photography workshop
* Opportunity to learn about sea turtle research
* Snorkeling at Molokini and a second site
* Professionally fitted, premium snorkel gear (including optical masks for eyeglass wearers)
* Flotation devices
* Wetsuit tops available for rental
* Reef-safe sunscreen
* Free learn-to-snorkel class
* Free fish i.d. class
* Free guided reef tour
* Free Jr. Naturalist program.
* Tropical-style continental breakfast (coffee, juices, fruits and pastries)
* Barbeque lunch with pasta salad
* Fresh-baked cookies
* Maui Brewing Co. beer and wine (after snorkeling, for adults ages 21 and over; must have valid picture i.d.)

* Refreshments: sodas, tropical juices and filtered water
* Free marine wildlife poster and wildlife watching guide

Available:
* Affordable rentals of underwater cameras and binoculars
* Rental of wetsuit tops
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the
week for a small additional fee.

Duration: Approximately 6 hours
Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure:
At Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store at Ma'alaea Harbor Shops (next to Maui Ocean Center)

For ages 8 and over only. This eco-adventure is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with back problems.

Destinations subject to change due to sea or weather conditions.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.

Lanai Wild Side Eco-Tour

Summer Ecotour: Available May-October

The thrills never end on this personalized, small group rafting adventure to the island of Lana’I for snorkeling, dolphin watching and an on-island discovery tour to Lana’i City, a quaint plantation town.

Your adventure includes:
* Cruising along Lanai's scenic coast. View red volcanic rocks cliffs, blowholes and incredible rock formations.

* Snorkeling at TWO beautiful reefs, with a free guided reef tour by one of our expert naturalists.

* Watching dolphins in the wild with expert interpretation of the dolphins’ social and acrobatic behaviors. Species typically sighted are spinner, spotted and bottlenose dolphins.

* Landing on Lana’i, with complimentary Lana’i City Discovery Tour and admission to the Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center, plus time for browsing galleries and shops.

Also includes:
* Continental breakfast with fresh island fruit, pastries, coffee
* Chilled refreshments (soda, juice, filtered water) throughout your trip
* Deli lunch and cookies
* All snorkel gear, flotation devices and optical masks, with learn-to-snorkel class for beginners
* Reef safe sunscreen
* Complimentary use of dry bag
* Free poster and wildlife watching guide

Our vessel: Ocean Freedom
* Brand-new, high tech raft (launched 2011)
* Features innovative “anti-slamming” design and ultra-smooth ride
* Includes swim ladders and onboard bathroom
* U.S. Coast Guard certified to carry 31 people, but we limit the number of passengers to just 24 on this cruise.

Our staff:
* Professional captain: U.S. Coast Guard certified
* Marine Naturalists: Professionally certified by Pacific Whale Foundation and the National Association for Interpretation, with lifeguard, first aid and CPR certification

Available:
* Wetsuit top rentals
* Affordable rentals of underwater cameras and binoculars.
* Love the snorkel gear? You can arrange to rent it for the week for a small additional fee

Trip schedule:
* Departs at 7:30 am from Lahaina Harbor
* Returns at 2:30 pm
* Please check in 45 minutes prior to departure at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store, 612 Front St., Lahaina.
* Available Tuesday through Saturday

What to wear/bring:
* Towel, hat, sunglasses
* Swim suit (under your clothing)
* Bring a light wrap or jacket for our visit to Lana'i City, which is at a higher elevation and has a cooler climate.

Special notes:
For ages 8 and over only. This eco-adventure is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with back problems.

Destinations subject to change due to sea or weather conditions.

Online booking price is at least 10% off.