Malolo Molokini Turtle Town Snorkel Tour: 5-Hour Catamaran Trip with Breakfast and Lunch, $160
Quick answer
The Malolo Molokini Turtle Town trip is a 5 to 5.5-hour catamaran snorkel from Ma'alaea Harbor with breakfast, lunch and gear for $160 per person.
Tips, parking, towels and hotel pickup are extra, no departure time is listed, and GetYourGuide rates it 4.3/5 from 969+ reviews.
Malolo Molokini Snorkeling Charters
South Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling Tour with Meal
4.3 (969) · from $160
The Malolo Molokini Turtle Town snorkel tour is the mid-priced full-morning option out of Ma'alaea Harbor: $160 per person for two snorkel stops, a continental breakfast and a deli lunch, run by Malolo Molokini Snorkeling Charters. That works out at about $30 per hour, well under the $56 median of the 15 Maui boat tours on this site.
The detail that changes the decision is weather rather than price. The captain picks the snorkel sites after reading that morning's sea, so the name on the ticket is a plan, not a promise. A state-hosted survey adds that boats do most Molokini snorkelling before the afternoon wind. Check the sea forecast the day before.
I compare it with the other snorkel boats in my Maui snorkeling tour guide, and the boat tours hub covers every trip type. The home page lists the other cities.
| Operator | Malolo Molokini Snorkeling Charters (activity provider on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat | Catamaran with shaded cabin, bow deck, 2 restrooms and freshwater showers; capacity not stated |
| Price | $160 per person, taxes and fees included |
| Duration | 5 to 5.5 hours |
| Departure time | Not stated on the listing; ask Boss Frog's on (808) 661-3333, the number on bossfrog.com |
| Meeting point | Varies by option, per the listing; the Malolo sister trip checks in at Boss Frog's, 300 Ma'alaea Rd |
| Snorkel stops | Molokini Crater then Turtle Town off Maluaka Beach, weather permitting |
| Food and drinks | Breakfast and lunch included; beer or a Mai Tai from $3 after snorkelling, 21+ with ID |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 2 days before, full refund |
| Rating | 4.3/5 from 969+ reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town snorkel tour and what do you see?
It is a shared catamaran morning with two snorkel stops: the sunken volcanic crater at Molokini, then Turtle Town on the Maui coast, where green sea turtles feed around the lava rock.
- Molokini: an extinct volcanic cone about three miles off Maui's southwest coast, per the state's land and natural resources department; the listing counts around 250 fish species.
- Turtle Town: the second stop, where green sea turtles, a protected species, swim over coral and lava ledges.
- Marine life named: triggerfish, tang and parrotfish at Molokini; spinner dolphins are often seen on the crossing.
- Safety: a lifeguard stays in the water while guests snorkel.
Wildlife is likely but not guaranteed, and the listing says so. One October reviewer missed the turtles even though the crew tried to find them.
Where does the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town trip leave from?
The listing gives no fixed address, saying only that the point differs between options, but the sister Malolo listing checks guests in at Boss Frog's at 300 Ma'alaea Road, and two reviewers here mention Boss Frog's too.
Pick the option on the booking page and read the voucher the day before. The Malolo afternoon listing tells guests to check in 30 minutes before departure at Boss Frog's, Building 2, Shop 2N, where a crew member walks them across the road to the slip. I would assume the same routine for this boat and confirm it.
| From | To | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Maui Ocean Center car park | Boss Frog's check-in, Shop 2N | Walking route |
| Boss Frog's check-in | Ma'alaea Harbor boat slips | Walking route |
| Harbour | Overview of the area | Ma'alaea Harbor on Google Maps |
What is the route, stop by stop?
The route has five legs: the harbour, the channel crossing, Molokini, a second snorkel stop at Turtle Town, and the return along the coast.
| Leg | What happens |
|---|---|
| Ma'alaea Harbor | Check-in, boarding, continental breakfast under way |
| ʻAlalākeiki Channel | Crossing toward Molokini; dolphins sometimes seen |
| Molokini | First snorkel stop, with gear and flotation supplied |
| Turtle Town (Maluaka Beach) | Second snorkel stop with turtles; deli lunch on board |
| Return | Back to Ma'alaea; beer and Mai Tais on sale, bow deck open |
The distances matter for seasickness. A 2004 state-hosted survey puts Molokini about ten miles from Ma'alaea Harbor, while the department's own page says it lies about three miles off the coast. The channel crossing is the rougher part, and the listing's own know-before list sells Dramamine at two tablets for $5.
4 hours of boat use a day is typical at Molokini, with twenty hours of rest, according to a state-hosted industry survey.
How long is the trip, and when does it sail?
The listing gives 5 to 5.5 hours but no clock time, so a morning start is the only reasonable assumption for a trip with breakfast.
The survey above says Molokini activity "mostly" happens in the early morning because trade winds sweep into the crater by noon, and that snorkellers go in for up to an hour before an early lunch. That matches this itinerary, with breakfast on the way out and lunch after the second stop.
- Check-in and boarding at the harbour, with breakfast served on the crossing.
- Molokini snorkel, the first stop, in the calmest part of the day.
- Turtle Town snorkel and lunch on board.
- Return to Ma'alaea, with drinks sold only after the snorkelling is over.
I cannot give a departure hour from the listing. Boss Frog's, which the sister listing names as the check-in point, publishes (808) 661-3333 on bossfrog.com for questions.
What is on board and what is included?
The fare covers the catamaran, snorkel gear, flotation, two meals and soft drinks; tips, towels, parking and hotel transfers are not in it.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Catamaran cruise and crew | Tips (bring cash) |
| Continental breakfast: pastries, muffins, fruit, coffee, tea, juice | Hotel pickup and drop-off |
| Deli lunch: turkey or veggie-burger sandwiches, potato salad, chips, fruit and cookies | Parking fees |
| Unlimited soda, juice and water | Towels (bring your own) |
| Snorkel gear, flotation, freshwater showers, 2 restrooms | Beer or Mai Tai, $3 each, 21+ |
Rentals and extras listed in the know-before section: wetsuits $10, underwater cameras $85, Dramamine 2 tablets $5 and T-shirts $20. Dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free or other requests, have to be phoned in at booking.
The include list on the listing ends with hotel pickup, parking, towels and tips. Because it also tells you to bring a towel, I read those four as items that are not included.
How does the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town tour compare with other Maui snorkel boats?
It is the cheapest of the full-morning Molokini trips, and the other three boats trade a higher price for a bigger boat, a shorter outing or a sailing format.
| Trip | Price | Length | Rating | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malolo morning, Molokini and Turtle Town (this page) | $160 | 5 to 5.5 h | 4.3 (969) | Catamaran, breakfast and lunch |
| Malolo afternoon, Coral Gardens or Molokini | $100 | 3 h | 4.3 (792) | Catamaran, lunch |
| Calypso Molokini adventure | $190 | 5.5 h | 4.6 (481) | Triple-deck catamaran, slides |
| Gemini snorkel and sail | $192 | 4 h | 4.8 (137) | Sailing boat, buffet |
The extra $30 for the Calypso buys a higher rating and slides rather than more time in the water. The Malolo afternoon trip is the choice if you cannot manage an early start, with the caveat that Molokini is less likely once the afternoon wind builds.
Is the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town snorkeling cruise worth it vs the other boats?
Yes, if price and two snorkel stops matter more than a top rating, because it has the lowest price per hour of the full-morning boats.
- Price per hour: $30.5 here, $34.5 on the Calypso and $48 on the Gemini sail.
- Value score: GetYourGuide's value-for-money sub-score is 4.1, the lowest of this trip's three scores (guide 4.6, transportation 4.5).
- Rating: 4.3 from 969 reviews, 0.3 below the Calypso.
- Complaint pattern: GetYourGuide's summary of 69 reviews says the boat can feel crowded.
Take it if you want the cheapest way to see both Molokini and the turtles. Pick the Calypso if a bigger rating and a more spread-out deck are worth $30.
When is the best time to snorkel Molokini with the Malolo?
Any month works for water temperature, but mornings beat afternoons for calm water at every time of year.
| Month | Avg high 2025 | Rain days | Sea temp | Wave height | Daily max wind | In the water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80 °F | 6.5 | 78 °F | 3.3 ft | 10 mph | Calm mornings; wetsuit useful |
| Feb | 78 °F | 8.5 | 78 °F | 3.3 ft | 7 mph | Calm mornings; wetsuit useful |
| Mar | 81 °F | 7.3 | 78 °F | 3.1 ft | 8 mph | Good; wetsuit useful |
| Apr | 83 °F | 6.7 | 78 °F | 3.1 ft | 8 mph | Good |
| May | 83 °F | 3.8 | 79 °F | 3.1 ft | 10 mph | Good |
| Jun | 84 °F | 2.1 | 80 °F | 3.0 ft | 10 mph | Good; warmest water ahead |
| Jul | 86 °F | 2.4 | 81 °F | 3.0 ft | 10 mph | Warm water |
| Aug | 87 °F | 4.6 | 82 °F | 3.2 ft | 10 mph | Warm water |
| Sep | 86 °F | 2.9 | 82 °F | 2.9 ft | 9 mph | Warmest sea of the year |
| Oct | 86 °F | 4.4 | 82 °F | 2.7 ft | 9 mph | Warm water, light wind |
| Nov | 82 °F | 4.0 | 80 °F | 3.2 ft | 9 mph | Good; rain days rise |
| Dec | 82 °F | 7.1 | 79 °F | 3.4 ft | 8 mph | Cooler; wetsuit useful |
September has the warmest sea at 82 °F and January the coolest at 78 °F, per the 2025 marine record. Rain days are few outside winter: June has 2.1 and December 7.1. The same Open-Meteo record puts the mean daily maximum wind between 7 and 10 miles per hour in every month.
Today's forecast UV index is 7.7, high enough to burn within an hour on the open bow. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, which the listing recommends as biodegradable.
What do passengers say about the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town trip?
The pattern is a friendly crew and good food, with scattered complaints about price, crowding and rough water.
- Crew (8 of 10): reviewers call the guides helpful and watchful in and out of the water.
- Food (4 of 10): breakfast and lunch are described as good.
- Wildlife (3 of 10): turtles and fish praised by three; one reviewer did not see turtles.
- Cost: one reviewer called it expensive but in line with other Hawaii excursions.
- Sea state: one reviewer said the water was rough on the way back to port.
Two cautions. All 10 sampled reviews are 5-star under the "Recommended" sort, and one of them says it was a trip on the Calypso, so this listing's review feed appears to mix boats. I rely on the 4.3 average and the AI summary more than on any single comment.
Who should skip the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town trip?
Skip it if you have heart problems, get seasick easily, cannot swim at all, or want a calm, uncrowded boat.
- Heart conditions: the listing says the trip is not suitable for people with heart problems.
- Weak swimmers: basic swimming ability is recommended, though flotation devices are supplied.
- Seasick travellers: the open-water crossing is the roughest part; consider the shorter afternoon Malolo trip.
- Anyone wanting a guaranteed Molokini stop: the captain chooses the sites that day, so a windy morning can mean a different reef.
Look at the sunset cruises if a calmer evening trip suits your group better.
How do you book the Malolo Molokini Turtle Town trip?
Book through the link below, choose the date and option, and read the voucher for the exact check-in location and time.
- Pick a morning date with a light wind forecast.
- Confirm the meeting point on the voucher, because the listing says it can vary.
- Phone in any dietary needs at the time of booking.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, cash for tips and a copy of your ID.
5 to 5.5 hours of catamaran snorkelling at Molokini and Turtle Town with breakfast and lunch for $160 per person, free cancellation up to 2 days before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat ride to Molokini Crater?
The listing does not give a crossing time. A 2004 state-hosted survey puts Molokini about ten miles from Ma'alaea Harbor, and tour boats normally reach it first thing in the morning.
Is it worth going to Molokini Crater snorkeling?
Yes for clear water and fish: the listing cites 150-foot visibility and around 250 species. The Malolo morning trip adds Turtle Town for $160, about $30 an hour.
How much does it cost to go to Molokini Crater?
This Malolo trip costs $160 per person including breakfast, lunch and gear. Other Molokini boats on this site range from $100 for a 3-hour afternoon trip to $190 for the Calypso.
Can you snorkel Molokini Crater on your own?
Only with your own boat. Hawaii's land department requires a permit for commercial snorkel tours there, and the crater lies miles offshore, so most visitors join a tour.
Do you see sharks at Molokini Crater?
Reef sharks are possible but not promised; the listing names fish, turtles and sometimes dolphins, and a sister Malolo review mentions a whitetip shark.
What is the best snorkeling tour for Molokini in Maui?
For two stops and the lowest hourly price, it is this Malolo morning trip. For the highest rating among full-morning boats, it is the Calypso at $190, rated 4.6.
Is breakfast and lunch included?
Yes. A continental breakfast and a deli lunch are included, and so are soda, juice, water, coffee and tea.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The listing's include list ends with hotel pickup, parking, towels and tips, which I read as not included.
Can you drink alcohol on the boat?
Yes, beer and Mai Tais cost $3 each, but they are served only once snorkelling is finished, and you must be 21 with photo ID.
What if the weather is bad?
The listing says the captain chooses the sites that day from the conditions. Cancellation is free up to 2 days before, and the sister listing offers a full refund or new date if the operator cancels for weather.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 73061 and the Malolo afternoon listing 170349 (checked 2026-10-17); Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Molokini Shoal MLCD (location, commercial permit rule); The Hawaii Boat Industry 2003, state-hosted PDF, 2004 (rest and use hours, morning winds, ten miles); Boss Frog's (phone); Open-Meteo archive, marine and forecast APIs; Nager.Date API.
