[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Written by the Maui Snorkeling team, operating Molokini and Turtle Town tours out of Ma\u02bbalaea Harbor since 1985. We spend more days in these waters than on land!<\/p>\n
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Last updated: December 2025<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_module=”2336″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Every year on the boat, we hear a lot of:<\/p>\n
\u201cWOW. Did that really just happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2025, those moments came fast and often: surprise whale breaches on the way to Molokini, glass\u2011calm mornings, turtles cruising past snorkelers, rainbows over Haleakal\u0101, kids taking their first-ever breaths through a snorkel.<\/p>\n
The best part? None of those things are one\u2011time only. These are the kinds of experiences Maui keeps serving up, season after season, if you show up at the right places with the right mindset.<\/p>\n
Here are 10 of our favorite guest \u201cwow\u201d moments from 2025 that you can absolutely still have in 2026\u2014plus a few links if you want to dig deeper or start planning your own!<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll hear it before you see it:<\/p>\n
\u201cTURTLE! TURTLE! TURTLE!\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the biggest \u201cwow\u201d moments of 2025\u2014especially for first\u2011timers\u2014was that quiet instant when a honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle<\/a>) glides into view at Turtle Town<\/a>, totally unbothered by the bubbles and flippers.<\/p>\n Guests went from nervous and clingy with their noodles to floating calmly, watching a turtle cruise by like they\u2019d been snorkeling for years.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely. Turtles are year\u2011round residents, and Turtle Town remains one of the most reliable places to see them if you\u2019re patient, respectful, and follow your guide\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/turtle5.png” alt=”Hawaiian Sea Turtle in Maui’s Waters Maluaka Turtle Town” title_text=”Hawaiian Sea Turtle in Maui’s Waters” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some mornings in 2025, Molokini looked like someone had poured blue glass into the ocean!<\/p>\n No wind. No chop. Just:<\/p>\n You could hear people laughing through their snorkels because it felt like snorkeling in a swimming pool\u2014if your pool had parrotfish, yellow tangs, and moorish idols.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yep. While conditions vary<\/a>, early\u2011morning Molokini trips<\/strong> are designed to hit that calmer, lighter window. When the trade winds cooperate, those \u201cglass\u201d days happen multiple times per season.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Book your Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tour<\/a> today!<\/p>\n January\u2013March 2025 gave us more than a few \u201cARE YOU SEEING THIS?!\u201d moments on the channel.<\/p>\n More than once, guests booked a snorkel trip and accidentally got a whale watch as their commute:<\/p>\n We cut the engines, drifted, and just watched. Instant core memories.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. Maui\u2019s whale season<\/a> repeats each winter\u2014roughly December through April<\/strong>, with a sweet spot January\u2013March. You can see whales from shore, but being eye\u2011level with a breach from the boat is on another level.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/maui-whale-season-2025-breach.png” alt=”Humpback whale breaching during Maui whale season 2025 near Maalaea” title_text=”maui-whale-season-2025-breach” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There\u2019s something about Maui that loves to show off with rainbows.<\/p>\n One of our favorite 2025 \u201cwow\u201d combos:<\/p>\n Phones came out. So did the quiet \u201cwhoa.\u201d<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Rain + sun is practically a personality trait here. Short showers, especially in winter and spring, are super common\u2014so are rainbows. You can\u2019t time them, but you can embrace them: stay outside and look up.<\/p>\n Some of our biggest staff \u201cwow\u201d moments in 2025 weren\u2019t about animals\u2014they were about people.<\/p>\n We lost count of the kids (and adults) who:<\/p>\n Sometimes the breakthrough came after a quick mask refit. Sometimes it took a crew member holding their hand for the first 30 seconds. But the look on their faces when it clicked? Unreal.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Every. Single. Day. As long as guests show up willing to listen, breathe slowly, and take it step by step, these breakthroughs never stop!<\/p>\n Snorkeling for the first time? Check out our Maui Snorkeling for Beginners<\/a> guide!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/maui-snorkeling-for-beginners.png” alt=”maui snorkeling for beginners on maui snorkeling tour” title_text=”maui snorkeling for beginners on maui snorkeling tour” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If 2025 had a color, it might be yellow.<\/p>\n At Molokini and other reefs, we saw huge schools of yellow tang<\/a> and other reef fish<\/a> drift past like living confetti. One second you\u2019re looking at coral; the next you\u2019re in the middle of a bright yellow cloud.<\/p>\n Guests would pop their heads up and say, \u201cI didn\u2019t realize it would be THAT colorful.\u201d<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. Reef fish populations do their own thing, but tangs are consistent residents when reefs are healthy. Choosing areas like Molokini\u2019s protected marine life conservation district increases the likelihood of these scenes.<\/p>\n We never chase dolphins. But in 2025, we had several mornings when spinner dolphins<\/a> chose to ride alongside us as we transited to or from a snorkel site.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes\u2014with the same caveat: it\u2019s up to the dolphins. When it happens, it\u2019s a pure bonus. When it doesn\u2019t, you focus on the reef life at your actual destination.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/spinner-dolphins-at-molokini-crater.png” alt=”Spinner dolphins passing the boat near Molokini” title_text=”spinner-dolphins-at-molokini-crater” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some of the loudest \u201cwow!\u201d moments in 2025 didn\u2019t happen in the water at all\u2014they happened on the waterslide.<\/strong><\/p>\n We watched:<\/p>\n The slide turned a regular snorkel stop into recess\u2014and the photos and videos that came out of it might be some of our favorite memories from the whole year!<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely. As long as conditions are right and the captain gives the go\u2011ahead, the slide is open for business. You can snorkel, warm up with a bit of boat time, then cool off with a big splash\u2014no extra skill required.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Please keep in mind that we don’t inflate the slide at Molokini!<\/p>\n Some of the most significant \u201cwow\u201d moments from 2025 weren\u2019t about whales or turtles\u2014they were about courage.<\/p>\n We saw so many guests have a quiet victory on the ladder:<\/p>\n Then, one step at a time, they:<\/p>\n That tiny personal breakthrough often hits harder than any wildlife sighting.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely\u2014and honestly, this might be the most reliable wow of all. You don\u2019t need to be fearless or experienced; you just need to be willing to listen, move at your own pace, and let the crew support you.<\/p>\n One underrated wow moment from 2025: the afterglow.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the moment it sinks in that you didn\u2019t just look at Maui\u2014you were in it.<\/p>\n Still possible in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely. Plan for it:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lani-kai-ii-waterslide-snorkel-afternoon-maui.png” alt=”Guest splashing from the Lani Kai II waterslide at a sheltered reef after snorkeling” title_text=”lani-kai-ii-waterslide-snorkel-afternoon-maui” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#0C71C3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You can\u2019t script whales or rainbows. You can\u2019t force a shy turtle to show up on cue.<\/p>\n But you can stack the odds in your favor:<\/p>\n When you\u2019re ready, we\u2019d love to help you turn your own 2026 \u201cmaybe someday\u201d into a 2026 \u201cwow, I can\u2019t believe that just happened\u201d on the water! \ud83e\udd3f<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Maui Snorkeling Tours” button_url=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.tripworks.com\/widgets\/tripBuilder?showDetail=1&defaultView=gallery&language=en” button_text=”Book Molokini Crater Snorkeling!” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/monkseal2.png” animation_style=”slide” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#8300E9″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Snorkel and slide into Maui’s crystal-blue waters! Turn the wow moments from 2025 into 2026!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u6bce\u5e74\u3001\u8239\u4e0a\u3067\u306f\u6b21\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306a\u8a71\u3092\u3088\u304f\u805e\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n \u201c\u300c\u3046\u308f\u3042\u3002\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u305d\u3093\u306a\u3053\u3068\u304c\u8d77\u3053\u3063\u305f\u306e\uff1f\u300d\u201d<\/p>\n 2025\u5e74\u306b\u306f\u3001\u305d\u3093\u306a\u77ac\u9593\u304c\u6b21\u3005\u3068\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u30e2\u30ed\u30ad\u30cb\u5cf6\u3078\u5411\u304b\u3046\u9014\u4e2d\u3067\u7a81\u7136\u30af\u30b8\u30e9\u304c\u30b8\u30e3\u30f3\u30d7\u3057\u305f\u308a\u3001\u30ac\u30e9\u30b9\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u9759\u304b\u306a\u671d\u3001\u30b7\u30e5\u30ce\u30fc\u30b1\u30ea\u30f3\u30b0\u3092\u3059\u308b\u4eba\u305f\u3061\u306e\u6a2a\u3092\u6cf3\u304e\u56de\u308b\u30a6\u30df\u30ac\u30e1\u3001\u30cf\u30ec\u30a2\u30ab\u30e9\u306b\u304b\u304b\u308b\u8679\u3001\u30b7\u30e5\u30ce\u30fc\u30b1\u30eb\u3067\u521d\u3081\u3066\u547c\u5438\u3059\u308b\u5b50\u4f9b\u305f\u3061\u3002.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":27820,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,64,7],"tags":[81,77,80,78,82,79],"class_list":["post-27804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-snorkeling","category-molokini-crater-snorkeling","category-to-dos","tag-maui-marine-life","tag-maui-snorkeling-guide","tag-maui-whale-season","tag-molokini-crater","tag-snorkeling-highlights","tag-turtle-town-maui"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27804\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mauisnorkeling.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}2. Glass-Calm Molokini Mornings<\/h2>\n
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3. Surprise Whale Breaches on the Way to Snorkel<\/h2>\n
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4. Rainbows in the Middle of a Sunshower<\/h2>\n
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5. Kids Snorkeling Confidently for the First Time<\/h2>\n
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6. Getting Surrounded by a Swirl of Yellow Tang<\/h2>\n
7. Spinner Dolphins Riding the Bow Wake<\/h2>\n
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8. Guests Laughing Down the Slide Into Crystal-Blue Water<\/h2>\n
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9. The \u201cI\u2019m Actually Doing This\u201d Moment on the Ladder<\/h2>\n
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10. Ending the Day Sun\u2011Tired and Salt\u2011Happy<\/h2>\n
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How to Make These \u201cWow\u201d Moments From 2025 Your Own in 2026<\/h2>\n
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