Molokini Crater One of the World's Best Dive Spots
Snorkeling and snuba diving at an offshore volcanic crater near Maui, Hawaii.
Molokini is the southern rim of a partially sunken volcanic crater located just a couple of miles off Maui's southern shore. An underwater coral reef sanctuary, Molokini is often listed among the top ten dive spots in the world and offers beginner level snorkeling as well as advanced snuba diving opportunities.
Beginners enjoy the basin of the volcanic caldera which is only about 35 feet deep. Intermediate divers can explore an underwater wall reaching depths of about 70 feet, while experts can go hundreds of feet deep on the back wall of the crater. No matter which dive you choose* you are in for a colorful kaleidoscope of marine life.
The area within and around the volcanic crater of Molokini provides a home for a wide array of colorful creatures including more than 250 species of fish including parrotfish, butterfly fish, jacks, snapper, various species of tang, damselfish, and even the state fish called humuhumunukunukuapuaa, or the reef trigger fish.
The crater shielding the area from open ocean turbulence, the abundance of fish and marine life, and the exceptional visibility all combine to make Molokini one of Hawaii's finest dive locations. The fish tend to be quite accustomed to snorkelers and divers and are not easily frightened away from viewing areas.
Conditions at Molokini are particularly good in the very early morning when visibility is generally best and the fish are most active. However, the visibility in general is good at Molokini virtually all of the time.
In addition to the many tropical fish at Molokini are various other species of marine life including an array of marine invertebrates as well as reef sharks, crustaceans, and even eels. Dolphins and humpback whales have also been seen in the crater waters.
The whole Molokini Islet area has now been preserved as a Hawaii State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District. The diameter of Molokini Crater is about four-tenths of one mile.
The water inside Molokini Crater has great visibility, often up to about 150 feet, making it a great site for beginner to intermediate snorkelers. The back side of the crater, which is known as the "Back Wall," drops off precipitously to more than 300 feet below sea level providing advanced diving opportunities for expert scuba divers*.
