Planen Sie einen Schnorchelausflug bei Molokini-Krater oder Schildkrötenstadt? Here’s a quick, experience-based guide to the Meereslebewesen auf Molokini you’re likely to see (and how often), the best time to go, and respectful viewing rules that keep wildlife safe.
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Molokini Crater (Molokini Marine Life & When You’ll See It)
Meeresschutzgebiet nur für Boote (ca. 5 km vor der Küste). Im Kraterinneren: ruhiges, kristallklares Wasser zum Schnorchler; die Außen-/Rückwand ist tiefer und vor allem für Taucher geeignet.
Wahrscheinlich
- Yellow & Convict Tangs
- Falterfisch (raccoon, longnose, ornate)
- Maurisches Idol
- Schwarzer Drückerfisch
- Hawaiianischer Sergeant
- Papageienfisch
Gelegentlich
Selten für Schnorchler (häufiger für Taucher)
- Weißspitzen-Riffhai
- Manta
- Walhai
Beste Zeit: Morgens ist es normalerweise ruhiger und klarer.
Tipp: Stay with your group; inside-rim currents can increase near the points.
Mehr erfahren / buchen: Schnorcheln im Molokini-Krater
Turtle Town (Mākena / Maluaka)
Lava fingers and coral gardens along Mākena/Maluaka; boat tours go here regularly, and shore entries are possible when conditions allow. Famous for honu (green sea turtles).
Wahrscheinlich
- Grüne Meeresschildkröte (Honu)
- Gelber Doktorfisch
- Falterfisch
- Hawaiianischer Sergeant
- Sträfling Tang
Gelegentlich
Selten
- Hawaiianische Mönchsrobbe (resting)
Beste Zeit: Morgens: Überprüfen Sie vor dem Einlaufen die Dünung/Welle.
Tipp: Give turtles space to surface and breathe.
Mehr erfahren / buchen: Turtle Town Tour
Marine Animal Spotlights (Molokini & Turtle Town)
Grüne Meeresschildkröte (Honu)
Turtle Town: Likely · Molokini: Gelegentlich
Gentle grazers that cruise reef edges and surface for air every few minutes. At Turtle Town, watch for turtles gliding over lava fingers and sandy patches; at Molokini, sightings are occasional inside the crater. Give turtles space—stay at least 10 ft / 3 m away in water and on land.
Gefleckter Adlerrochen
Molokini: Occasional · Turtle Town: Gelegentlich
Graceful “underwater birds” with long tails and white spots. They like clear water near reef edges and sandy drop-offs. Glide parallel—never chase—and enjoy a brief pass as they wing by the reef.
Weißspitzen-Riffhai
Molokini: Rare for snorkelers
A nocturnal reef shark that often rests on the bottom by day. Divers see them more frequently along Molokini’s deeper edges; snorkel sightings are uncommon but memorable. Observe calmly and give wide space.
Hawaiian Day Octopus (Heʻe Mauli)
Both sites: Occasional
Masters of camouflage that hunt by day—especially early morning and late afternoon. Look for rapid color and texture changes as they move between coral heads.
Muräne
Both sites: Gelegentlich
Shy ambush predators peeking from rock crevices; the open-close mouth is breathing. Never reach into holes or under ledges—observe from a distance.
Maurisches Idol
Molokini: Likely · Turtle Town: Wahrscheinlich
Iconic black-white-yellow fish with a trailing dorsal streamer. Patrols reef edges and coral heads—common in calm morning conditions.
Gelber Doktorfisch
Both sites: Wahrscheinlich
Algae-grazing surgeonfish that brighten shallow reefs. Watch small groups “mow” algae on sunny slopes and coral gardens.
Spinner Dolphins & Humpback Whales (from the boat)
Transit sightings
Spinner dolphins occasionally pass near boats—by federal rule, do not swim with or approach within 50 yards. Humpback whales visit seasonally; keep a 100-yard distance by sea or land.
Hawksbill Turtle (Honuʻea) — Rare
Much rarer than green sea turtles in Hawaiʻi—roughly 100 to 1 fewer—hawksbills feed on sponges along healthy reefs. If you’re lucky enough to see one, enjoy calmly from a distance; hawksbills are endangered and only about 20–25 females nest in Hawaiʻi each year.
When You’ll See More (Season & Time of Day)
Mornings usually bring lighter winds and clearer water at both sites, which is why our Molokini trip departs early—you’ll snorkel the calm inner rim before tradewinds build.
Whale season: In Hawaiʻi, humpback whales are generally present from November to April, with a peak in January to March. Sightings are from the boat while transiting—give whales 100 yards of space and enjoy the show.
Dolphins: We occasionally see spinner dolphins from the boat. It’s illegal to swim with or approach them within 50 yards.
Want help choosing the time of day? See our full morning vs afternoon snorkeling guide.
Why Molokini Is So Protected
Molokini Shoal is an MLCD about three miles offshore—boat-only access. Fishing and collecting are prohibited, and commercial boats tie to day-use moorings instead of dropping anchors to protect coral. Anchoring is restricted by rule in the day-use mooring area.
Landing on the islet is prohibited because it is a state Seevogelschutzgebiet; we enjoy Molokini only from the water.
Verantwortungsvolle Tierbeobachtung (Kurzregeln)
🐢 Sea Turtles: Halten Sie mindestens 3 m Abstand—on land and in water.
🐬 Spinner Dolphins: it’s illegal to swim with, approach, or remain within 50 yards.
🐋 Humpback Whales: Halten Sie mindestens 100 Meter Abstand mit allen Mitteln.
🦭 Hawaiian Monk Seals: bleib mindestens 50 Fuß entfernt (150 Fuß für Mütter mit Welpen).
🌞 Sunscreen: choose mineral formulas; Hawaiʻi bans the sale of oxybenzone & octinoxate sunscreens. (Gesetz 104 (2018).
FAQs
Gibt es Haie auf Molokini?
Yes—whitetip reef sharks live around Molokini. Snorkel sightings are uncommon (divers see them more often on deeper sites like the outer rim/back wall). They are generally not aggressive when observed respectfully.
Werde ich Strahlen sehen?
Gefleckte Adlerrochen tauchen gelegentlich an beiden Standorten auf. Mantas und Walhaie sind seltene Leckerbissen. Betrachten Sie jede Rochenbegegnung als Bonus.
Can I land or hike on Molokini?
No. Molokini Islet is a state seabird sanctuary, and landing is prohibited; we snorkel from moorings inside the crater.
Is Turtle Town a single exact spot?
“Turtle Town” describes the Mākena/Maluaka coastline’s lava fingers and coral gardens. Conditions and turtle behavior change, so captains select the calmest, clearest area that day.
What sunscreen is allowed?
Within Maui County, only mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) may be sold, distributed, or used without a prescription. Hawaiʻi also bans the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate statewide.
Why do we go in the morning?
Morning trips usually offer calmer winds and the clearest visibility at Molokini and Turtle Town—better for wildlife viewing, photos, and comfort on the water.
Möchten Sie den Fisch identifizieren, den Sie gesehen haben? Entdecken Sie unsere Fischidentifizierung auf Maui (Fotos und Tipps)
Abschluss
Every trip beneath Maui’s waves tells a story. Whether you’re exploring the calm, clear waters during our Molokini snorkeling tour or swimming alongside sea turtles at Turtle Town, you’ll discover a world full of color and movement. From bright butterflyfish and curious parrotfish to gentle honu gliding above the reef, each encounter reminds you why the Hawaiian Islands are so special.
Bewegen Sie sich langsam, respektieren Sie die Tierwelt und tragen Sie riffsichere Sonnencreme auf, um dieses Unterwasserparadies zu schützen. Nehmen Sie noch heute an einer Schnorcheltour auf Maui teil und erleben Sie die Magie von Meereslebewesen auf Molokini and Turtle Town for yourself—two of the most unforgettable snorkeling spots in Hawaii!
