Snorkeling with Turtles in Maui: The 15 Best Trips

1.Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,221 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $159Our pick

Meet the Malolo crew at Maalaea Harbor for an early catamaran ride to Molokini Crater. You’ll get breakfast, snorkel gear, safety help, lunch, and a second stop at Turtle Town or Coral Gardens, chosen by the captain. Expect about 5.5 hours, two restrooms, easy water access, and a maximum listed capacity of 66 people.

“Bring a sweater or something warm to put on after the snorkeling and definitely brig some bucks to tip these guys they do a great job to make your experience memorable”

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2.Turtle Town Snorkel with Photo and Video

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,916 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $129Top rated

Meet guides such as Joe, Robbie, or Alex at Makena Landing for a small-group swim to Turtle Town. You’ll receive snorkel gear, instruction, a life jacket, guided viewing, photos, and raw video clips. The swim can reach well offshore, so this suits confident beginners and capable swimmers age 7 and up.

“This is amazing and so cool to swim with turtles. We swam with JOE. He is awesome. My husband panicked in the water and Joe went and helped him out. He took time to make sure he was ok to continue. Joe was patient and so kind! Love you Joe!! Thank you!”

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3.Maui Snorkel Adventure: Molokini Crater and Turtle Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,433 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $198

Join Maui Reef Adventures at 8 a.m. for a four-hour ride on the Reef Explorer, a fast custom raft limited to 35 people. Snorkel Molokini Crater, search for Hawaiian green sea turtles at a quieter cove, and watch for whales, dolphins, and flying fish. Guides such as Esteban, Jade, Cat, Brad, and Ryan are praised for helping beginners and adapting to sea conditions.

“Weather was getting poor so captain took us to see the whales. It was a great trip. Recommend, Recommend!!”

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4.Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling aboard Pride of Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,124 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $203

Set out from Maalaea Harbor at 7:30 a.m. aboard Pride of Maui, a spacious power catamaran limited to 90 passengers. Snorkel Molokini Crater and Turtle Town, watch for whales in season, enjoy breakfast and a hot onboard lunch, then relax with included drinks. SNUBA costs extra, and full-face masks are not allowed.

“The crew on Pride of Maui was great! They ensured safety at each point, was very clear and thorough on directions, and very efficient. We went to molokini crater and turtle town. The captain was great and saw wind picking up so got us to turtle town before then and gave us a heads up that if the wind was picking up he’d call us in. Food was decent but the main focus was the whales, dolphins, turtles, and fish we saw!”

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5.South Maui: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling Tour with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 838 reviews · 5h 30m · from $159

Spend about five and a half hours aboard a Malolo catamaran, snorkeling at Molokini and Maluaka Beach, known as Turtle Town. You get breakfast, lunch, drinks, gear, flotation devices, freshwater showers, and an in-water lifeguard. Crews may include Captain Steve and guides such as Sebastian, JJ, or Brandon, though staffing varies.

“A well run tour, two great snorkel spots. Got to swim with turtles. Very safe snorkel areas and well monitored. Good steady boat. A great morning.”

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6.Molokini and Turtle Arches Snorkeling Trip from Ma’alaea Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 812 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $209

Board Pacific Whale Foundation’s 54-foot catamaran at Maalaea Harbor for a five-hour snorkeling trip to Molokini and Turtle Arches. You’ll receive fitted gear, a short lesson, reef and fish guidance, breakfast, lunch, and drinks. Crew members such as Captain Doug have earned praise for safety and clear decisions when weather changes.

“Had a fabulous day with Captain Doug and his team. The snorkeling at Molokini was great for the first-timers in our group as well as the one who was experienced. The crew made sure we were outfitted with everything we needed. By the time we got to turtle arches, it was pretty choppy and no one stayed in the water long. But lunch was great and there was plenty for everyone. On the way back to the harbor, Captain Doug spotted some turtles and stopped so we could all see them from the boat. Gorgeous weather and a fun day for everyone. Thanks especially to Enesyia who was so much…”

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7.Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling From Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 765 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $179

Start at 7am in Kihei for a small-group boat trip to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. Captain Matt, Alex, Lucia, Shelby, and other crew members help fit your gear, explain ocean safety, and point out fish, turtles, whales, and more. Snorkel gear, flotation devices, drinks, snacks, and a light sandwich lunch are included.

“Great snorkeling and some whale watching Matt and Shelby did a great job Turtle bay was fantastic. You got to see turtles all over on the ocean floor and swimming next to you We had a great time.”

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8.Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkel & Waterslide Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 693 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $196

Set out from Wailuku at 6:30 a.m. aboard the 53-foot Lani Kai II for Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. You get breakfast, lunch, gear, drinks, flotation aids, and a 20-foot waterslide. The crew, including captains Greg and Paul, is hands-on with beginners. Whale sightings are possible from November through April.

“The most wonderful day! The captain and crew were the best I’ve ever had and it was a much more personalized experience as they do not cram abunch of people on the boat like other boats do. We had so much fun snorkeling, whale watching, and playing on the slide! Would highly highly recommend this boat and crew to anyone!!!!”

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9.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, or Michael at Makena Landing for a three-hour morning tour over shallow reefs. Paddle a clear-bottom kayak, spot turtles and tropical fish, then snorkel if you wish. The small group, safety focus, snacks, gear, and family-friendly pace make this a strong choice for first-time kayakers.

“Mark was a gentleman and extremely friendly. My wife unexpectedly got sea sick and he was very attentive to her needs. Great guide and experience despite the circumstances”

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10.Maui Snorkeling Boat Tour to Turtle Town Aboard Quicksilver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 542 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99Best value

Cruise from Ma‘alaea Harbor aboard Quicksilver, a double-decker catamaran with shaded seating, a waterslide, restrooms, and a freshwater shower. You’ll snorkel near South Maui at Turtle Town or Coral Gardens for about 1.5 hours, with gear, flotation aids, drinks, lunch, and crew instruction included.

“Probably my misunderstanding. I thought we were going out somewhere besides straight back to the beach at Lahaina. Hoping to see more sea life than we did. Otherwise, a good experience for the money.”

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11.Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 477 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $263

Cruise from Maalaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui’s modern, air-conditioned yacht with Captain Justin and crew. Snorkel at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town when sea conditions allow, then enjoy breakfast, an onboard-grilled lunch, warm showers, and an open bar. The trip welcomes ages 8 and up and carries no more than 40 people.

“What a wonderful experience! Was my daughter’s first time snorkeling and was the perfect trip. The crew was very friendly and kind and and weather was fantastic. Got some good snorkeling in as well as whale watching. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip”

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12.Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Paddle about 1.5 miles across Makena Bay with a small group of up to 10 people, then snorkel among sea turtles, fish, coral, and other marine life. Guides such as Tyler, Jake, John, and Rabbit are praised for calm instruction and local insight. Early morning departures usually offer easier paddling conditions.

“Fantastic! Great snorkelling opportunity close to turtles and a wide variety of fish around the coral. Could even hear the whales singing underwater!!”

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13.From Ma’alaea: Turtle Town Snorkel aboard Quicksilver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 298 reviews · 4h 30m · from $99

Spend 4.5 hours aboard Quicksilver from Maalaea Harbor, heading to Turtle Town or Coral Gardens for guided snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles and tropical fish. The crew supplies gear, flotation aids, lunch, drinks, and safety help. You can also use the jumping platform and waterslide, with weather guiding the final snorkel site.

“Trip was great! Dolphin sightings were pretty minimal and not a lot of effort into that. The tour says Lana'i, but we really didn't do anything that related to Lana'i. The snorkel spot we went was really great. The food was certainly not fantastic, at lunch we had pulled pork sandwiches and we had hamburger buns that literally had no more than 1 teaspoon of meat on two of them, the other couple of sandwiches had a little more meat, but it was pathetic, so do not expect to be fed well. The crew was great and we had a good relaxing time.”

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14.Kayak & Turtle Town Snorkel(Turtles Guaranteed) + Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119

Paddle a tandem kayak from Olowalu with a guide such as Payson, Alec, Billy, Gene, Jon, or Robbie. You’ll snorkel at a turtle cleaning station, watch for humpback whales in season, and enjoy views of four islands and the West Maui mountains. Groups are capped at 10, with photos and videos available for an extra charge.

“Billy was awesome and very knowledgeable. Had a great time kayaking, snorkeling and seeing sea turtles. Would definitely recommend this excursion.”

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15.Ka’anapali Beach: Coral Reef Snorkel and Turtle Spotting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 135 reviews · 2h 30m · from $134

Board Sea Maui’s beach-loading catamaran at Whaler’s Village for a short West Maui snorkel trip. Your English-speaking crew chooses the day’s best site, often near Mala Wharf, where you can see turtles, reef fish, coral, and perhaps an octopus. Gear, drinks, and four hours of parking validation are included.

“Awesome experience! Crew makes you feel right at home. Even took a detour to see some whales.”

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