Help with a snorkel trip

We are thinking of doing a snorkel trip this year to Molikini. The problem: we hate crowds. Do the usual snorkel spots get congested with other boat tours? Are there any smaller boat tours to recommend?

I guess we got spoiled last year with being able to snorkel in a private cove. Even Kapalua wasn%26#39;t bad. We will be there for a week beginning May 7.

Thanks for all your suggestions!! Dazzle D.

Help with a snorkel trip

We have sailed to Molokini with Trilogy on two occasions. (See www.sailtrilogy.com) While the sail, the crew, the food and all was fun, the actual number of fish we saw were few. Yes, there are a number of boats in the Molokini area at the same time, however the crew asks that you stay in a general area. So the only ones you are bumping heads with in the water are your fellow passengers. They also sail over to Turtle Town and we have seen several turtles up close. It%26#39;s all a matter of taste---as some people do not care for this excursion. For an overall good time, we enjoyed it.

Help with a snorkel trip

Thanks for sharing your experience. The tour books imply that the snorkeling is fantastic. I guess it comes down to the whole experience. We are boat and kayak people and so it sounds like it just boils down to tour size. Were there many people on the Trilogy tour?

Stay away from Pacific Whale Foundation if you hate crowds. Their boats are huge and they pack them full. Try a smaller company like Paragon. We were just out at Molokini and if it hadn%26#39;t been for the PWF boat we were on it really would not have been too crowded at all. I noticed the smaller boats stayed a ways away. It looked like a scene from Titanic when everyone was in the water from our boat.

If you are young and adventurous you may look into Blue Water rafting. On their Kanaio coast trip you see areas others do not go. We stopped at the LaPerouse Pinnacle which is not for the faint of heart but probably the most unique snorkel trip we%26#39;ve taken. The only problem is they go to Molokini much later than others which means a high probability of rough water. But the crowds have pretty much moved out. And the other issue is rafts are a pretty rough ride. If you have back or neck problems they are not for you.

http://www.bluewaterrafting.com/

If you want less crowds, look into the smaller boats like Safari Boat Excursions, Maui Adventures Cruises, or Ocean Riders to Lanai instead of Molikini.

www.travelhawaii.com/maui_lanai_snorkel.php

We%26#39;ve decided on Safari Boat Excursions because they go all the way around the island and have a restroom on board (only other one to go around the island is Ocean Riders. They are both smaller boats that hold something like 20 or 30 people, and those will be the only other people snorkeling around you.

We went to Molokini in %26#39;04 on a catamarcn that picks up on the beach at Maui Prince. It goes really early - something like 7AM. So you get the sun rising over the mountains on the way out. It%26#39;s only a 15 minute sail from there.

The beauty of it is your the only boat there. Smaller boats are not the answer - it%26#39;s a matter of not being there at the same time as 5 or 6 other boats of whatever sizes. As you are halfway back to the beach you will see behind you all the other boats converging on Molokini.

Unfortunately I forget the name of the boat. When we were there this year (last week in Feb.) I asked the guy at the beach rental hut about it and he said the boat was temporarily in dry-dock.

A call (or e-mail) to the concierge at the Prince should get you the name of the boat and whether they are in business.

I would say there were about 15 - 20 people on the boat plus the crew who were really good. Some weak swimmers needed some extra security and they were right there with them in the water.

If you want Molokini without the crowd I think that%26#39;s one good way to go - good luck!

OK: I found it. The boat is Kai Kanani. It leaves 6:30 AM to 8:45. They stop at Turtle Town on the way back. On Toms%26#39; Barefoot Tours it was $43.90 for adults and $34 for 12 and under. Plus about 3.50 tax. So this may be a little early for some folks - especially if not staying in South Maui. Looks like they are back in the water and offering this early morning express trip daily.

I went snorkeling this past March at about the same time of morning at Black Rock and was comfortable - but some may enjoy snorkeling this time of day more with a wet suit top. I think a rental is not too pricey at Snorkel Bob%26#39;s. Pretty sure they don%26#39;t have them on the Kai Kanani, but of course have the standard snorkel gear and flotation in the price. Also, juice, coffee and I think some danish or something like that - no booze (hey - a mimosa on the way back wouldn%26#39;t be the worst idea!).

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