Maui Afternoon Snorkeling Tour

EXCELLENT 5.0

Based on 4,621 reviews

Check-in: 12:30 PM | Depart: 1:00 PM | Return: 4:00 PM

Tour Quick Facts

⏱️ Duration: 3 hours (1:00 PM–4:00 PM) 📍 Departs: Maʻalaea Harbor (Slip 64) 🕡 Check-in: 12:30 PM 🍪 Food: Lunch included 🤿 Gear: Snorkel gear + flotation included 🪸 Stop: Coral Gardens 👥 Capacity: Max 65 guests ✅ Cancellation: Free cancel within 24 hours 🛝 Waterslide: Deployed when conditions allow (not at Molokini)

Video description / transcript

Guests check in at Maʻalaea Harbor and board the Lani Kai II for a three-hour afternoon snorkeling tour. Check-in begins at 12:30 PM, and the boat departs at 1:00 PM.

Onboard, the crew helps guests get fitted with sanitized snorkel gear, provides a safety briefing, and explains what to expect in the water. Optional beginner snorkel instruction and flotation devices are available.

The captain typically heads to Coral Gardens or another nearby reef, depending on the day's weather, ocean conditions, visibility, and safety. On rare occasions, conditions may allow the tour to visit Molokini Crater instead.

At the snorkel stop, guests enter the water to explore colorful coral formations and look for yellow tangs, butterflyfish, parrotfish, trumpetfish, sea urchins, and other tropical reef life. Hawaiian green sea turtles may also be seen, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Lunch, water, juice, and soda are included. Guests may also enjoy the Lani Kai II's 25-foot waterslide when the snorkel location and ocean conditions allow. The waterslide isn't used at Molokini Crater.

After snorkeling and relaxing on the boat, the tour returns to Maʻalaea Harbor around 4:00 PM. The exact route, snorkel location, and timing may change based on the captain's assessment of the day's conditions.

Summary

Snorkel without the crowds! Our Afternoon Snorkeling Tour heads to Coral Gardens or another nearby coral reef, depending on the weather conditions. On rare occasions, we'll snorkel at Molokini Crater.

TOUR OVERVIEW

Maui Afternoon Snorkeling Highlights

Highlights

Snorkel at Coral Gardens.
Ride our fast 25-ft waterslide.
Beginner-friendly support with gear fitting, instruction, and flotation options.
Comfortable boat amenities: shade, seating, and restrooms onboard.
Less crowded than morning tours.

Note: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

What’s Included

Sanitized snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel)
Instruction + crew support
Flotation options
Lunch
Drinks (water, juice, soda)
Reef-safe sunscreen

What’s Not Included

Towels
Transportation to/from the harbor
Gratuity
Wetsuits (available as rentals onboard)
Alcohol (BYOB; only after in-water activities)

popular

Price

$ 128

/Adult

limited time offer

$108 / 4-12 years
FREE 3 years & under

Why choose us

The Maui Snorkeling Difference

Max 65 guests

More Aloha, Fewer Crowds

We intentionally limit trips to a maximum of 65 passengers.
More room to relax, gear up, and move around the boat.
More personal attention from our captain and crew.

About the Lani Kai II

53-foot vessel designed for comfort, safety, and fun.
Spacious shaded cabin seating + open sun deck.
Freshwater rinse station and swim steps.
Two clean restrooms onboard.

Safety & Crew Standards

Operated by U.S. Coast Guard‑licensed captains.
U.S. Coast Guard‑inspected passenger vessel.
Crew participates in a random drug‑testing program (USCG regulations).
USCG‑approved safety equipment onboard, including life jackets.
Snorkel gear, flotation options, and beginner support available.

Official snorkeling safety guidance: Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety – Snorkeling Safety

Details

12:30 PM: Check-in at Maʻalaea Harbor. Public Parking is available
1:00 PM: We depart for Coral Gardens
1:15 PM: Deli lunch. Snorkeling for beginners training (optional)
4:00 PM: Arrive back at the harbor

Lunch Includes

Deli Sandwichwith Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, & Condiments

Turkey/Provolone · Ham/Swiss · Roast Beef/Cheddar · Housemade Veggie Patty (for Vegetarian Meal Requests)

Tricolor Pasta SaladMediterranean Style with a Tarragon Herbal Balsamic Vinaigrette

Artichoke Hearts · Red Onion · Sundried Tomatoes · Kalamata Olives · Spanish Olives · Feta Cheese

Quinoa Salad (for Gluten‑Free Meal Requests) Mixed with a Pomegranate Balsamic Glaze

Toasted Quinoa · Cucumber · Red Onion · Red Bell Peppers · Tomatoes

Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Drinks

Water · Soda · Hawaiian Sun

*Please notify us of any dietary restrictions or preferences when making your reservation.

Things To Know About Maui Afternoon Snorkeling

Guests should feel comfortable floating face-down in deep water.
Children must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them at all times.
For your safety, full-face snorkel masks are not allowed.
You might see sea turtles, whales, and more, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Bring your favorite drinks! Alcohol is BYOB and can be enjoyed only after the water activities are done.
Tours may be canceled on short notice due to weather or insufficient passengers.
Actual snorkel locations depend on the weather and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Our waterslide is available at some stops, but not at the crater.
For safety purposes, guests remain barefoot while onboard. We collect footwear upon boarding and return it upon disembarking.
Cancellation Policy: Cancel at least 24 hours before your trip for a full refund.

What you might see at Coral Gardens

Marine Life You Might See at Coral Gardens

Reef Fish at Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is known for vibrant reef life around big coral heads and lava “fingers.” In clear conditions, you can often spot colorful fish cruising the reef, feeding in pockets, and weaving through coral corridors.

Yellow Tangs
Butterflyfish
Convict Tangs
Black Triggerfish
Parrotfish
Schools of Reef Fish

Honu & Reef Creatures

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Coral Gardens is well known for frequent honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) encounters and plenty of “look closer” reef creatures tucked into crevices and ledges.

Honu (Green Sea Turtles)
Trumpetfish
Spotted Moray Eel
Sea Urchins
Triggerfish

Coral Gardens is a West Maui reef known for large coral heads, lava “fingers,” and vibrant reef life. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, please enjoy from a respectful distance. Learn more in our Coral Gardens snorkeling guide.

Google Reviews

Excellent 5.0 4,621 reviews

We did Turtle Town and Molokini Crater Snorkeling. The crew was friendly and very helpful, especially towards the little ones and non-swimmers. Definitely recommend for your snorkeling adventure in Maui!

We had an amazing experience with Maui Snorkeling! Captain Paul kept everyone entertained from start to finish; he’s absolutely hilarious and made the trip so much fun. Sarah, the photographer, did an incredible job capturing the experience while snorkeling and was so friendly and professional.

The entire crew was outstanding. Everyone was smiling, genuinely happy, and incredibly helpful, making sure every guest felt welcome and safe. Their positive energy made the whole excursion even more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a fun, well-run snorkeling adventure with an amazing crew, I highly recommend Maui Snorkeling. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!

This is such a fun and cool experience! The boat crew does a fantastic job. At Molokini Crater, it is like swimming in an aquarium! The water slide is fun too! The sea turtles round out the trip!

We really enjoyed our snorkeling experience. The crew was extremely friendly and helpful. They provided a light breakfast, snacks, and lunch for us. We would highly recommend Maui Snorkeling to anyone.
There was a photographer that did great pictures. He took photos of everyone on the boat as well as in the water!

We had an absolute blast on this snorkeling tour! We swam with sea turtles, flew down the boat’s waterslide, did front flips into the ocean, and enjoyed a delicious lunch. The crew was incredible, friendly, fun, and made the entire experience unforgettable. We’ll definitely be booking this same tour every time we come back to Maui. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an amazing day on the water!

An adventure that will forever be with us!!! The boat size was perfect! The crew was helpful, funny, and fun!! Our captain provided some history and comments as we traveled…and served as DJ with music to match our excursion. Our party of 7 saw many varieties of colorful fish, turtles, octopus, and beautiful coral. We had plenty of time to snorkel at each spot! Beverages, a continental breakfast, and sandwich lunch were included. LOVED it!!!!!

PLEASE READ (Certified Scuba Diver)
My wife and I decided on this charter for our honeymoon and could not have been more happy with our decision!!!!

What stood out to me most with this was the crew. Captain Greg is most comparable to a modern day Jack Sparrow, and his crew (Walker, Dani, Sarah, and Emily) were so fantastic. You can tell they work together day after day and have become what is best described as family. They welcomed us aboard and showed us a fantastic time. They also shared with us the spots around Maui the locals visit and how to get the most out of your time on the island. Not only were we provided with a great dive, but also new friends.

I understand this may sound cheesy and sappy, but check my profile and you will see I almost never leave reviews. This experience was so fantastic I had to get on and do my part because it was such a fantastic experience. Thank you Captain Greg, Walker, Dani, Sarah, and Emily! If ever in Chicago you have two people who would buy a beer and return the favor!

What to Expect

Itinerary

Coral Gardens: A West Maui Reef Snorkel Stop

Coral Gardens is one of West Maui’s most popular snorkeling areas, known for large coral heads, lava “fingers,” and colorful reef fish in clear water. It’s a beautiful reef that often works well for families and first‑time snorkelers because the scenery starts close to the surface and there’s plenty to see without needing to dive deep.

Under the surface, you may spot schools of tropical fish cruising along the reef and possibly Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) gliding through the coral corridors. Conditions vary by day, so your captain may choose the best nearby reef for safety and visibility.

We provide your snorkeling gear, flotation, lunch, and guidance; just bring your sense of adventure!

Coral Gardens reef
West Maui snorkeling
Colorful reef fish
Honu (green sea turtles)
Beginner‑friendly conditions (often)
Gear + lunch included

Learn more: Coral Gardens snorkeling guide

Timing

Why Our Maui Afternoon Snorkel Tour Departs at 1 PM

This tour is designed for travelers who want an easier start to the day. A 1:00 PM departure lets you sleep in, enjoy a morning activity, or take your time getting to Maʻalaea Harbor; then snorkel in the afternoon.

Sleep in/no early wake‑up
Near‑shore reef snorkeling
Captain picks best site

Logistics

Departure and Parking

Check in: 12:30 PM, Maʻalaea Harbor, Slip 64 (101 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793). We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early to park and meet the crew.

Check-in 12:30 PM
Maʻalaea Harbor
Slip 64
Arrive 20–30 min early

Parking: Maʻalaea Boat Harbor Public Parking

Guidelines

Safety and Wildlife Guidelines at Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is a living coral reef along West Maui. Help protect it by avoiding contact with the reef, don’t touch, stand on, or kick coral (even if it looks like rock). We follow reef‑friendly practices and never feed fish.

Please respect wildlife, especially honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Give turtles space - at least 10 ft (3 m) in the water and on shore. Never chase, touch, ride, or block an animal’s path.

Don’t touch or stand on coral
Don’t feed fish
10 ft turtle distance
Use reef‑safe sunscreen

Sources: NOAA guidance DLNR sea turtle info DLNR coral reef rules

FAQs

You don’t need prior snorkeling experience, but you should be comfortable in deep water and able to swim on your own.
Our crew will fit your gear, give a quick lesson, and we provide flotation, wetsuits, and other float aids to help you feel confident.

No. Full-face masks aren’t allowed on the Lani Kai II. We provide standard snorkel gear at no additional cost.

Check-in is 12:30 PM at Maʻalaea Harbor (Slip 64). We'll depart shortly after, and you’ll be back around 4:00 PM (timing may vary slightly depending on ocean conditions).

Parking and check-in are at Maʻalaea Harbor, Slip 64 (101 Maʻalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793). We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early to park and meet the crew. Transportation isn’t provided.

This tour visits Coral Gardens or another nearby reef. On rare occasions, we'll visit Molokini Crater.

Usually. yes. Mornings tend to be calmer with clearer water.

Snorkel gear, instruction, flotation devices, wetsuits (for rent), lunch, and drinks are included. Reef-safe sunscreen is also provided. The boat has restrooms onboard and shaded seating.

Bring:

Towel (not provided)
Swimsuit
Dry clothes for after snorkeling
Hat & sunglasses
Waterproof camera

Seasickness: If you’re prone to seasickness, consider taking your preferred remedy before check-in.

Not included: Gratuity and transportation.

Alcohol policy: Alcohol is BYOB and can only be enjoyed after all in-water activities are complete.

Yes. Our meals include vegetarian choices, and we can often accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. Please call (808) 244-1979 with specific requests.

Safety comes first. Tours may be canceled on short notice due to weather (or if we don’t have enough passengers). If that happens, our team will contact you as soon as possible with the next steps.

Written by the Maui Snorkeling team, operating Molokini, Turtle Town, and Coral Gardens tours out of Maʻalaea Harbor since 1985. Tours are led by USCG‑licensed captains aboard a USCG‑inspected passenger vessel. We spend more days in these waters than on land. Last updated: March 2026.