I later saw that there were specific scuba diving tours for the back wall of Molokini Crater when enough advanced divers show up, but their price was 164 USD (dont forget + tax/fee/tip). 
I did a 2 tank dive just south of Lanai. Location: Molokini Back Wall and Carthaginian Wreck. What is visible from above water is a half-circle crater which is a sanctuary to Hawaiis sea bird population. No cattle boat feel, wonderfully personal and no setting of 40 minute bottom times. I did 4 dives with them in November and will doing that many again in a couple of months. The owner, Guyton refurbished his grandma house into this cosy luxury hostel which is right on the beautiful beach of Lahaina. You can expect to find cool nudibranchs, pipefish, and endemic reef fish. . The Enenui dive site at Molokini Crater is located on the opposite end of the cresent from Reefs End. It was docked for years in Lahaina harbor before being sunk to create a semi-penetrable wreck. They know their stuff, love to pass on their knowledge, and just care while still having fun. Moving with the current, if there is one, divers are treated to lava rock formations, caverns, corals and the wonderfulHawaiian Green Sea Turtle. The Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species and must not be touched or harassed. Our 2 Tank Back Wall and Carthaginian Dive is a world class wall, drift, and wreck dive for advanced divers. 
This site should be called Five Names as it has been known as Five Caves, Five Graves, Turtle Town, Makena Landing and Nahuna Point. from the resort areas on the south of Maui. I was staying in Kihei with my friend Delphine, a private tour guide in Maui, a seaside town almost in front of Molokini Crater. . Is it any wonder? Last but not least, do your part to keep Molokinis aquatic world safe! Warmly recommended! While in Hawaii, I rented cars for 30 USD a day with discounthawaiicarrental.com as they allow free cancellation to rebook at any better last-minute deal. The scenery there is meant to be fantastic and the beaches really cool too. Molokini Crater was the first dive site of Hawaii I added to my bucket list. A study showed[when?] Molokinis Mid-Reef is in the center of the crater while Reefs End and Enenui are on opposite points of the crescent. These tips will help maximize your overall underwater experience at Maui. Remnants of World War II, the Tank and Landing Craft wrecks are in 60 feet of crystal clear water off the coast of the Makena Golf and Beach Resort. Search for PADI dive shops online here. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Our BCDs have integrated weights and regulators have dive computers so you are comfortable in the water. that over 300,000 visitors visited Molokini crater annually. 
All Rights Reserved. . In Hawaiian legend, Molokini was a beautiful woman. The Molokini Back Wall is about an hours boat ride from Mala Ramp off the coast of South Maui. Puu o lai is a site that we dive as a drift dive, moving from the bay just off the Makena Golf and Beach Resort toward Big Beach and Little Beach of the Makena Coast. Best dive ever. We were welcomed with a yummy breakfast as we started an extensive dive briefing. The visibility drops to 20-30 m (66-98 ft) but still, it is more than enough to realise how impressive the 110 m (360 ft) wall is. One catamaran even leaves from the shore at Maluaka Beach, in Makena. Eagle rays, dolphins, and whales (when they are in season) are frequently seen swimming past the wreck in the blue. Maui is surrounded by some of the best spots for snorkelers and divers. My buddy and I spent 25 minutes exploring the backside of Molokini Crater. If you go out with a group like ProDiver they get their before the crowds. Here are 8 main Molokini snorkeling and dive spotsand why you should gear up to plunge below the surface: Nestled within the U that comprises the bay of Molokinithe eroded remnant of an old tufa cone (as geologists report), rests the world-renowned Tako Flats. The highlight of this reef is the number of Green Sea Turtles that gather here to be "cleaned" by a fish known as the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse. A must do charter for experienced divers, this advanced charter combines 2 of the most stunning dives in Maui County. The waters of Molokini contain 38 hard coral species and approximately 100 species of algae. Prices at resorts start around 400 USD a night, the price includes the resort fees, but you need to add the tax and tips. Maximized bottom time, your air and your deco rule your dives. During whale watching season on Maui (from December May) youll dive to the soundtrack of whale song as it echoes off the crater. 
They usually pick a different part of the backside. Hawaii is famous for its challenging surf spots, mesmerising volcanoes, and relaxing jungle waterfalls, but as a scuba diver, there is even more to experience. Wear eco-friendly reef-safe sunscreen (chemical-based sunscreen contributes to coral bleaching). As we went down to 20 m, we were surrounded by thousands of Pyramid Butterflyfish and Scissortail Sergeant fish. We often encounter white tips, black tips, and even rarer tiger, Molokini Crater Back Wall + Carthaginian Wreck 2 Tank, best Molokini drift and Carthaginian wreck dive on Maui. Dont stand on coral and it ought to go without saying, dont litter. There you can book a room at: Do you need more information to plan your dive trip to Maui? The back wallof the crater was covered in Finger Coral and Red Slate Pencil Urchin. 
By the way, dont forget to bring a UV protected rashguard and reef friendly sunscreen, the sun hits hard in Hawaii. Besides, the difference in cost between the snorkelling tour and the scuba diving tour, especially if you have your own gear, was only 32 USD. The dive trip remains one of my best diving memories so far. Molokini Crater being onlyrock with no soil washing down, the visibility is much better than on the shores of Maui, it was about 40 m. As I started to look at the coral reef, a Giant Trevally just swam by me. During our surface interval we will travel back towards Lahaina and do our second dive at the Carthaginian, a semi penetrable wreck that rests at 100 feet near the harbor. Our Molokini Back Wall and Carthaginian Wreck 2 Tank Trip is for experienced divers in good physical condition who hold an Advanced Certification, have 25 logged dives, and have been boat diving in the last 6 months. Our last stop, Turtle Town, was near Makena Landing, a famous shore diving site. Since 1977, it has become a protected nature reserve, both for birds and marine life. We made sure to have our scuba diving gear bag ready so we could just wake up, put our swimsuits on and go! With a check-in time at 6.30 am at Maalaea Harbour with Maui Reef Adventure, be prepared for an early-bird day! . Eagle rays, dolphins, and whales (when they are in season) are frequently seen swimming past the wreck in the blue. On especially auspicious days, you may witness a whale shark: a solitary, slow-moving, often-elusive creature that reaches 40 feet or longer (rendering it the largest fish on the planet)! 
1223 Front StreetLahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761Tel: (808) [email protected], About Dive MauiBook NowBuy PhotosWhale WatchingShore DivesBoat TripsDive Courses, During our surface interval we will travel back towards Lahaina and do our second dive at the Carthaginian, a semi. Search for discarded shells outside holes in the reef this may be a sign that youre drifting near a lair that belongs to an octopus! This resulted in a public outcry. IF YOU PREFER TO ORDER BY PHONE:Toll Free (US only): 1- 800-542-3483 Ext. Additionally great frigatebirds have been observed on Molokini islet. A typical dive at the St. Anthony includes watching turtles leisurely swim to the surface for air and then settle back down on the deck of the wreck while schools of Weke, goat fish, circle and dart in synchronicity around the divers. Our group sizes are small, no more than 7 divers per guide, so youll receive personalized attention from your instructor who will guide you on two exceptional advanced dives and answer your questions about marine life. The back wall of Molokini Crater is a spectacular dive, as the sheer wall of the crater drops from 200 feet above the surface to over 300 feet below! I loved every bit of this and now I need to go snorkeling and visit Maui. This dive is reserved for advanced or experienced scuba divers as expert buoyancy control is a must! A deep wreck dive with tons of aquatic life. The visibility is almost always 100-200 feet and water temps of 74-82 degrees. Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater which forms a small, uninhabited islet located in Alalkeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, within Maui County in Hawaii. . Prodiver is the first to leave the dock at Kihei at 6 am sharp every morning and the first on side with a 6 pack of divers. Dont forget to pin this Maui snorkeling guide for later! Maalaea is also very close for those staying on the south side, but there are a few options even closer. [13] This will limit the number of visitors to the crater and help to preserve marine wildlife. The Carth, as it is affectionately called, is a replica of an old whaling ship. #feelsl, Summer time in Seattle is incomplete without a day, Theres snow place like the mountains! It did mean an early wake-up time since the boat leaves around 7 oclock to avoid the swell coming at around 10 oclock. As a result, my buddy and I saved approximately 62 USD (x2) by freediving at the back wall instead of scuba diving, enough to celebrate these incredible two days with a nice dinner! Out of one corner of that crescent is an underwater of reef that extends the edge another quarter of the way around, as if a 3/4 circle. Molokini is a crater three miles off the coast of Makena, Maui, and offers excellent scuba diving! Dont despair if you must stay drytheres plenty to potentially see, including Humpback whales in season, spinner dolphins, and the calderas magnificent birds, which range from Bulwers petrels to wedge-tailed shearwaters. [citation needed] Most commonly observed among these are the black triggerfish, yellow tang, Moorish idol, parrotfish, raccoon butterflyfish and bluefin trevally. 
lanekat: Avg Viz: 101-110ft/31-34m. 
The greatest fun for you will be outside the crater, along its back wall. Today, the emerged part of Molokini forms a 9.3 ha crescent-shaped island. Here the crater goes into a gentle slope to approximately 15 m deep. Most Molokini vessels leave from Maalaea Harbor, which is a convenient spot to depart from if youre staying on the west side, Central Maui, or the North Shore. [10] In 1977 Molokini islet, the crater, and the surrounding 77 acres (31ha) of underwater terrain were declared a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).[11]. If you can afford these fabulous locations budget, you can also certainly afford to rent a car or to take a taxi, so between right next to the dive centre is not the main criteria. 
[9] As a result of the extensive target practice, the southwest rim of the islet is damaged. 
I was there again for several dives in late October and early November diving with ProDiver Maui. A deep wreck dive with tons of aquatic life. The crater houses a reef with visibility as deep as 150 feet (46m). While we have tried to offer it as a regular attraction, the visibility and conditions have made it challenging to provide on a consistent basis. And they also offer snorkelling excursions, giving you the opportunity to see both inside the crater and the back wall. Whilst I didnt encounter any pelagics, I saw the largest concentration of longfin bannerfish and red pencil urchins. Divers must have good buoyancy control and air consumption and be able to easily enter and exit the water wearing their dive gear. Instead, well provide you with a reusable bottle made of recycled plastic, for you to use during our trip and keep as a souvenir once the excursion is over. Molokini is home to about 250 species of fish, many endemic (see Ecology below). The Carthaginian Wreck, at 100 feet, is a slice of Lahainas whaling history. I was staying in Kihei, which is only a 15 minute boat ride to Molokini, and a 45 minute cross over on the large scuba diving boats, which leave from Maalaea Harbour. Its crescent shape protects divers inside it from waves and the channel's powerful currents, though diving also takes place off the 300-foot (91.5-meter) sheer outer wall. (C) 2020 - Ankur Khemani. Conscious of human impact on wildlife, weve sworn to do everything we can to protect what we call our second home the ocean by implementing the best possible practices in all of our diving trips. Tips To Choose The Right Molokini Crater Tour, Heaven on Earth!? 
Ancient Hawaiians used such corals to build heiau (sacred temples dedicated to fishing). For the first time, I made good use of my dive computer in freediving mode to see if I could dive a little bit deeper. Current rental equipment. The islet has an area of 23 acres (9.3ha),[2] a diameter of about 0.4 miles (0.6km), is 161 feet (50m) at its highest point,[3] and is located about 2.5 miles (4.0km) west of Makena State Park and south of Maalaea Bay. [8] In 1975 and 1984, the Navy detonated in-place unexploded munitions found within the crater, resulting in the destruction of large areas of coral. . Just a short distance off Mauis shore, under the stunning Pacific blue water, lies a slice of history. Dubbed as such for the octopi (tako) that roam its parts (including sand octopus, white-striped octopus, and dayor hee maulioctopus), this flat sand channel contains myriad nooks such as rocks and coral heads.
I did a 2 tank dive just south of Lanai. Location: Molokini Back Wall and Carthaginian Wreck. What is visible from above water is a half-circle crater which is a sanctuary to Hawaiis sea bird population. No cattle boat feel, wonderfully personal and no setting of 40 minute bottom times. I did 4 dives with them in November and will doing that many again in a couple of months. The owner, Guyton refurbished his grandma house into this cosy luxury hostel which is right on the beautiful beach of Lahaina. You can expect to find cool nudibranchs, pipefish, and endemic reef fish. . The Enenui dive site at Molokini Crater is located on the opposite end of the cresent from Reefs End. It was docked for years in Lahaina harbor before being sunk to create a semi-penetrable wreck. They know their stuff, love to pass on their knowledge, and just care while still having fun. Moving with the current, if there is one, divers are treated to lava rock formations, caverns, corals and the wonderfulHawaiian Green Sea Turtle. The Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species and must not be touched or harassed. Our 2 Tank Back Wall and Carthaginian Dive is a world class wall, drift, and wreck dive for advanced divers. This site should be called Five Names as it has been known as Five Caves, Five Graves, Turtle Town, Makena Landing and Nahuna Point. from the resort areas on the south of Maui. I was staying in Kihei with my friend Delphine, a private tour guide in Maui, a seaside town almost in front of Molokini Crater. . Is it any wonder? Last but not least, do your part to keep Molokinis aquatic world safe! Warmly recommended! While in Hawaii, I rented cars for 30 USD a day with discounthawaiicarrental.com as they allow free cancellation to rebook at any better last-minute deal. The scenery there is meant to be fantastic and the beaches really cool too. Molokini Crater was the first dive site of Hawaii I added to my bucket list. A study showed[when?] Molokinis Mid-Reef is in the center of the crater while Reefs End and Enenui are on opposite points of the crescent. These tips will help maximize your overall underwater experience at Maui. Remnants of World War II, the Tank and Landing Craft wrecks are in 60 feet of crystal clear water off the coast of the Makena Golf and Beach Resort. Search for PADI dive shops online here. Water Temp: 71-75F/22-24C. Our BCDs have integrated weights and regulators have dive computers so you are comfortable in the water. that over 300,000 visitors visited Molokini crater annually. All Rights Reserved. . In Hawaiian legend, Molokini was a beautiful woman. The Molokini Back Wall is about an hours boat ride from Mala Ramp off the coast of South Maui. Puu o lai is a site that we dive as a drift dive, moving from the bay just off the Makena Golf and Beach Resort toward Big Beach and Little Beach of the Makena Coast. Best dive ever. We were welcomed with a yummy breakfast as we started an extensive dive briefing. The visibility drops to 20-30 m (66-98 ft) but still, it is more than enough to realise how impressive the 110 m (360 ft) wall is. One catamaran even leaves from the shore at Maluaka Beach, in Makena. Eagle rays, dolphins, and whales (when they are in season) are frequently seen swimming past the wreck in the blue. Maui is surrounded by some of the best spots for snorkelers and divers. My buddy and I spent 25 minutes exploring the backside of Molokini Crater. If you go out with a group like ProDiver they get their before the crowds. Here are 8 main Molokini snorkeling and dive spotsand why you should gear up to plunge below the surface: Nestled within the U that comprises the bay of Molokinithe eroded remnant of an old tufa cone (as geologists report), rests the world-renowned Tako Flats. The highlight of this reef is the number of Green Sea Turtles that gather here to be "cleaned" by a fish known as the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse. A must do charter for experienced divers, this advanced charter combines 2 of the most stunning dives in Maui County. The waters of Molokini contain 38 hard coral species and approximately 100 species of algae. Prices at resorts start around 400 USD a night, the price includes the resort fees, but you need to add the tax and tips. Maximized bottom time, your air and your deco rule your dives. During whale watching season on Maui (from December May) youll dive to the soundtrack of whale song as it echoes off the crater. They usually pick a different part of the backside. Hawaii is famous for its challenging surf spots, mesmerising volcanoes, and relaxing jungle waterfalls, but as a scuba diver, there is even more to experience. Wear eco-friendly reef-safe sunscreen (chemical-based sunscreen contributes to coral bleaching). As we went down to 20 m, we were surrounded by thousands of Pyramid Butterflyfish and Scissortail Sergeant fish. We often encounter white tips, black tips, and even rarer tiger, Molokini Crater Back Wall + Carthaginian Wreck 2 Tank, best Molokini drift and Carthaginian wreck dive on Maui. Dont stand on coral and it ought to go without saying, dont litter. There you can book a room at: Do you need more information to plan your dive trip to Maui? The back wallof the crater was covered in Finger Coral and Red Slate Pencil Urchin. By the way, dont forget to bring a UV protected rashguard and reef friendly sunscreen, the sun hits hard in Hawaii. Besides, the difference in cost between the snorkelling tour and the scuba diving tour, especially if you have your own gear, was only 32 USD. The dive trip remains one of my best diving memories so far. Molokini Crater being onlyrock with no soil washing down, the visibility is much better than on the shores of Maui, it was about 40 m. As I started to look at the coral reef, a Giant Trevally just swam by me. During our surface interval we will travel back towards Lahaina and do our second dive at the Carthaginian, a semi penetrable wreck that rests at 100 feet near the harbor. Our Molokini Back Wall and Carthaginian Wreck 2 Tank Trip is for experienced divers in good physical condition who hold an Advanced Certification, have 25 logged dives, and have been boat diving in the last 6 months. Our last stop, Turtle Town, was near Makena Landing, a famous shore diving site. Since 1977, it has become a protected nature reserve, both for birds and marine life. We made sure to have our scuba diving gear bag ready so we could just wake up, put our swimsuits on and go! With a check-in time at 6.30 am at Maalaea Harbour with Maui Reef Adventure, be prepared for an early-bird day! . Eagle rays, dolphins, and whales (when they are in season) are frequently seen swimming past the wreck in the blue. On especially auspicious days, you may witness a whale shark: a solitary, slow-moving, often-elusive creature that reaches 40 feet or longer (rendering it the largest fish on the planet)! 1223 Front StreetLahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761Tel: (808) [email protected], About Dive MauiBook NowBuy PhotosWhale WatchingShore DivesBoat TripsDive Courses, During our surface interval we will travel back towards Lahaina and do our second dive at the Carthaginian, a semi. Search for discarded shells outside holes in the reef this may be a sign that youre drifting near a lair that belongs to an octopus! This resulted in a public outcry. IF YOU PREFER TO ORDER BY PHONE:Toll Free (US only): 1- 800-542-3483 Ext. Additionally great frigatebirds have been observed on Molokini islet. A typical dive at the St. Anthony includes watching turtles leisurely swim to the surface for air and then settle back down on the deck of the wreck while schools of Weke, goat fish, circle and dart in synchronicity around the divers. Our group sizes are small, no more than 7 divers per guide, so youll receive personalized attention from your instructor who will guide you on two exceptional advanced dives and answer your questions about marine life. The back wall of Molokini Crater is a spectacular dive, as the sheer wall of the crater drops from 200 feet above the surface to over 300 feet below! I loved every bit of this and now I need to go snorkeling and visit Maui. This dive is reserved for advanced or experienced scuba divers as expert buoyancy control is a must! A deep wreck dive with tons of aquatic life. The visibility is almost always 100-200 feet and water temps of 74-82 degrees. Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater which forms a small, uninhabited islet located in Alalkeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, within Maui County in Hawaii. . Prodiver is the first to leave the dock at Kihei at 6 am sharp every morning and the first on side with a 6 pack of divers. Dont forget to pin this Maui snorkeling guide for later! Maalaea is also very close for those staying on the south side, but there are a few options even closer. [13] This will limit the number of visitors to the crater and help to preserve marine wildlife. The Carth, as it is affectionately called, is a replica of an old whaling ship. #feelsl, Summer time in Seattle is incomplete without a day, Theres snow place like the mountains! It did mean an early wake-up time since the boat leaves around 7 oclock to avoid the swell coming at around 10 oclock. As a result, my buddy and I saved approximately 62 USD (x2) by freediving at the back wall instead of scuba diving, enough to celebrate these incredible two days with a nice dinner! Out of one corner of that crescent is an underwater of reef that extends the edge another quarter of the way around, as if a 3/4 circle. Molokini is a crater three miles off the coast of Makena, Maui, and offers excellent scuba diving! Dont despair if you must stay drytheres plenty to potentially see, including Humpback whales in season, spinner dolphins, and the calderas magnificent birds, which range from Bulwers petrels to wedge-tailed shearwaters. [citation needed] Most commonly observed among these are the black triggerfish, yellow tang, Moorish idol, parrotfish, raccoon butterflyfish and bluefin trevally. lanekat: Avg Viz: 101-110ft/31-34m. The greatest fun for you will be outside the crater, along its back wall. Today, the emerged part of Molokini forms a 9.3 ha crescent-shaped island. Here the crater goes into a gentle slope to approximately 15 m deep. Most Molokini vessels leave from Maalaea Harbor, which is a convenient spot to depart from if youre staying on the west side, Central Maui, or the North Shore. [10] In 1977 Molokini islet, the crater, and the surrounding 77 acres (31ha) of underwater terrain were declared a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).[11]. If you can afford these fabulous locations budget, you can also certainly afford to rent a car or to take a taxi, so between right next to the dive centre is not the main criteria. [9] As a result of the extensive target practice, the southwest rim of the islet is damaged. I was there again for several dives in late October and early November diving with ProDiver Maui. A deep wreck dive with tons of aquatic life. The crater houses a reef with visibility as deep as 150 feet (46m). While we have tried to offer it as a regular attraction, the visibility and conditions have made it challenging to provide on a consistent basis. And they also offer snorkelling excursions, giving you the opportunity to see both inside the crater and the back wall. Whilst I didnt encounter any pelagics, I saw the largest concentration of longfin bannerfish and red pencil urchins. Divers must have good buoyancy control and air consumption and be able to easily enter and exit the water wearing their dive gear. Instead, well provide you with a reusable bottle made of recycled plastic, for you to use during our trip and keep as a souvenir once the excursion is over. Molokini is home to about 250 species of fish, many endemic (see Ecology below). The Carthaginian Wreck, at 100 feet, is a slice of Lahainas whaling history. I was staying in Kihei, which is only a 15 minute boat ride to Molokini, and a 45 minute cross over on the large scuba diving boats, which leave from Maalaea Harbour. Its crescent shape protects divers inside it from waves and the channel's powerful currents, though diving also takes place off the 300-foot (91.5-meter) sheer outer wall. (C) 2020 - Ankur Khemani. Conscious of human impact on wildlife, weve sworn to do everything we can to protect what we call our second home the ocean by implementing the best possible practices in all of our diving trips. Tips To Choose The Right Molokini Crater Tour, Heaven on Earth!? Ancient Hawaiians used such corals to build heiau (sacred temples dedicated to fishing). For the first time, I made good use of my dive computer in freediving mode to see if I could dive a little bit deeper. Current rental equipment. The islet has an area of 23 acres (9.3ha),[2] a diameter of about 0.4 miles (0.6km), is 161 feet (50m) at its highest point,[3] and is located about 2.5 miles (4.0km) west of Makena State Park and south of Maalaea Bay. [8] In 1975 and 1984, the Navy detonated in-place unexploded munitions found within the crater, resulting in the destruction of large areas of coral. . Just a short distance off Mauis shore, under the stunning Pacific blue water, lies a slice of history. Dubbed as such for the octopi (tako) that roam its parts (including sand octopus, white-striped octopus, and dayor hee maulioctopus), this flat sand channel contains myriad nooks such as rocks and coral heads.