Snorkel with Turtles
on
Maui
Price includes more space with limited capacity, freshly prepared BBQ lunch, open bar, and snorkel gear.
Taxes and fuel surcharge included in price.
Call Guest Services at 808.242.0955 for Military, Senior, Kama’aina, Group, and Special Rates.
Requests
If you have vegetarians or vegans in your party, please give us a call on our customer service line at 808.242.0955, at least 72 hours in advance. Mahalo!
Please note: Our destinations are weather dependent. Mother Nature nearly always cooperates. On days of inclement weather, the captain may choose an alternate location that is safer and offers the best overall conditions.
Turtle snorkel tour
Splash into
an ocean
of fun
Late risers, sleep in, then join us for an afternoon of exceptional snorkeling. We routinely snorkel with the turtles at Turtle Town or enjoy a variety of colorful marine animals at Olowalu or Coral Gardens, depending upon which location is calmest, with the best water clarity.
Please note: While turtle sightings are very common, the sea turtles are wildlife so they can be unpredictable at times. Therefore, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Turtle snorkel tour
Hawaiian
green sea
turtles
The Hawaiian green sea turtle is actually not green at all. The majority of these turtles have dark brown hard shells or carapaces. The younger ones, called hatchlings, will have black hard shells. Then, as they grow, orange and yellowish tints appear. Sometimes, they develop olive, gold, and reddish brown shades, or swirls and other irregular patterns.
Numerous studies by marine biologists around the world indicate that the green color is due to the algae that the animals eat. The algae, which is called limu (Hawaiian), is abundant in and around Maui’s coral reefs.
Although they can stay underwater for more than two hours, the turtles tend to go to the surface to breathe air every few minutes. Imagine observing these beautiful animals in their natural environment where they can reach up to 400 pounds.
Snorkel with Sea Turtles
Snorkeling
Snorkel at Turtle Town and have a chance to swim and snorkel with the amazing Hawaiian green sea turtles. At Turtle Town, the local turtles are used to the frequent human visitor. They enjoy the experience just as much as our guests do!
The friendly turtles are playful and swim close, allowing for perfect snorkeling photo opportunities.
Please note: The Hawaiian green sea turtles are an NOAA-protected and endangered species. It is illegal to touch them, feed them or harass them in any way. The best way to experience our Hawaiian sea turtles is by respectfully observing.
Molokini and Turtle Town are home to a multitude of more amazing snorkeling locations to explore. The stunning reef formations and lava fingers boast remarkable ocean wildlife. All around the Valley Isle, there is a host of tropical fish species, Maui marine life, and colorful reef configurations living in some of the clearest tropical waters you have ever seen. Snorkeling in Maui is most definitely a world-class experience. You will surely enjoy observing the behaviors of tri-colored Moorish idols, raccoon butterflyfish, ornate angelfish, saddle wrasse, triggerfish, and more marine beauties while making lasting memories on your Maui vacation.
Turtle Snorkel Tour
Why Choose Us?
We’re a world-renowned Maui tour company offering exceptional snorkeling and whale-watching tours. We’re highly rated for our state-of-the-art catamaran, expert crew, and prime snorkeling and whale-watching locations, making us the best choice for Maui snorkeling and Maui whale-watching tours!
We stand out due to our commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation. We use eco-friendly practices, provide informative and educational experiences, and actively support marine conservation efforts in Maui.
We visit pristine Maui snorkeling spots like Molokini Crater and Coral Gardens. Our guests will experience crystal-clear waters, a rich marine ecosystem, and opportunities to encounter colorful fish, turtles, and other marine life.
The best time for whale watching in Maui is from December to April (peak season is February and March), when the North Pacific humpback whales travel to Maui for their annual winter migration. Guests can witness these magnificent creatures breaching, tail-slapping, and socializing during this period.
The whales most commonly seen by visitors on a vacation to Maui are the North Pacific humpback whales. Many other species of whales are known to frequent the waters surrounding Maui though, like the False Killer Whale, Pygmy Killer Whale, Pilot Whale, and Orca. There have also been recorded sightings of Sperm Whales, which are extremely rare!
Pride of Maui offers tours suitable for guests of all ages and skill levels. Snorkeling equipment and guidance are provided, making it an accessible and enjoyable experience for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike.
Our guests enjoy a comfortable and well-equipped catamaran with amenities like a spacious sun deck, an indoor cabin area, a freshwater shower, snorkeling gear, and flotation devices. We also have a professional and friendly crew who will provide safety instructions and assist with snorkeling equipment. Don’t forget to ask about SNUBA®!
To book a tour with Pride of Maui, you can make your reservations on our site or call us at 1-808-242-0955.
If you need to cancel a boat tour, please make sure to do so at least 48 hours in advance to receive a refund. Reservations that result in a no-show will not be eligible for a refund.
Rates may be different during peak seasons and holidays. Please check your booking price before confirming a reservation.
Turtle Snorkel Adventure
Destinations
Turtle Town
Turtle Town is an ideal snorkel location along Maui’s Southern coast. It is commonly considered the premier snorkeling spot for encountering Hawaiian green sea turtles in all their magnificence and splendor.
Green sea turtles are the largest hard-shell turtles in the world. In Turtle Town, you’ll have the opportunity to closely observe them in their natural habitat while snorkeling.
Curious by nature, these wonderful marine animals will gently approach a slowly moving snorkeler, providing outstanding photo opportunities.
The sea turtles are a protected species. This is why Maui snorkelers are reminded to always respect their space. The law prohibits touching, chasing or riding the turtles. Simply observing the turtles and allowing them to swim close makes for a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
Molokini Crater
Molokini Crater is the most sought after Maui snorkel spot. One of the primary reasons Molokini snorkeling is so fabulous is the reliable clarity of the water. With visibility often more than 150 feet, it is a must do on your list of Maui tours.
When the weather cooperates, we’ll even take you to Molokini Crater, and because of our size and stability, Pride of Maui provides a boastfully smooth ride.
There are only a few partially-submerged volcanic cones like Molokini in the entire world. At this offshore marine sanctuary, the sparkling waters are just the beginning of a truly rare experience you will not soon forget.
The Pride of Maui has the best mooring location at Molokini, away from the nest of other vessels and off to the south end of the Crater. The shallow coral reef is teeming with a vast array of colorful and fascinating fish and other marine animals. Familiar with divers and snorkelers, the friendly marine life on your Molokini snorkel provides a perfect opportunity to observe their behaviors closely.
Olowalu
The coastal waters of Maui boast some of the highest concentrations of Hawaiian green sea turtles anywhere in the world.
The turtles position themselves at strategic locations on the reef, where the cleaner wrasses swim all around them, removing unwanted buildup from their shells and appendages. Cleaning stations are found in shallow waters on the coral reef, which creates the opportunity for you to enjoy the beauty of the natural reef and incredible underwater lava formations while observing this natural relationship between sea turtles and cleaner fish. Olowalu is also home to a wide variety of colorful tropical fish and other unique marine animals.
Olowalu is usually calm, as it is protected by the West Maui Mountains from the afternoon trade winds. This sheltering effect creates visibility often more than 50 feet, and since the reef offers a gently sloping bottom to about 50 feet of depth, it is the ideal location for all experience levels.
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens is protected from the afternoon trade winds by high cliffs, with a gently sloping bottom terrain that gradually descends to a depth of about 40 feet. It is a great snorkeling location for beginner and intermediate snorkelers.
When Turtle Town, Molokini, and Olowalu are blown out by wind and waves, Coral Gardens often provides calm conditions, making it the best location for relaxed and enjoyable snorkeling. The underwater visibility at Coral Gardens is second only to Molokini Crater, which of course features the best clarity. The shallow waters of Coral Gardens allow the sunlight to penetrate and brighten up the reef, bringing out the vibrant colors and textures.
Coral Gardens is teeming with fish and other colorful marine life. Turtle sightings are possible at Coral Gardens, though they are not as plentiful as they are at Turtle Town.
Turtle Snorkel Tour
Hot off
the grill
BBQ Lunch
If you have vegetarians or vegans in your party, please give us a call on our customer service line at 808.242.0955, at least 72 hours in advance. Mahalo!
Please note: Our delicious BBQ lunch is typically served around 3:30pm-4pm after our water activities.
You’ll enjoy big, juicy burgers, grilled chicken breasts, and jumbo hot dogs with all the best topping options, cooked right on board and served hot off the grill. Ours is a hearty lunch paired with delicious homemade white chocolate macadamia nut cookies for dessert.
Open Bar
Our Open Bar includes micro-brewed beer from local favorite Maui Brewing Company (Bikini Blonde Lager, Big Swell IPA, and Coconut Hiwa Porter) on tap, tropical cocktails featuring hand-crafted spirits, juices, filtered water, and soda.
Requests
If you have vegetarians or vegans in your party, please give us a call on our customer service line at 808.242.0955, at least 72 hours in advance. Mahalo!
FAQ
Our Turtle Town Snorkel Adventure is a shorter trip that runs from 2 pm to 5 pm and takes you out to one snorkel location of the captain’s choice based on the weather conditions. We typically stop at either Turtle Town, Olowalu, or Coral Gardens, and sometimes make it out to Molokini Crater. On this trip, we’ll provide you with a fresh hot lunch, an open bar, and all of your snorkel gear and flotation devices.
Turtle Town, Olowalu, Molokini or Coral Gardens. The captain will pick the best spot based on the weather and water conditions for that day.
It is 3 hours long, and runs from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Yes, we serve a fresh lunch hot off the grill, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, and marinated chicken breasts. They come served with all the fixings, along with pasta salad and a vegetable crudité platter. For vegan or vegetarian options, please give us a call on our customer service line at 808.242.0955, at least 72 hours in advance.
Yes, once the snorkeling part of the trip has come to a close, we invite you to enjoy our open bar. We offer local Maui beers, wine, Mai Tais, and more!
The winds tend to pick up in the afternoon, which is why we leave it up to our captain to decide which snorkeling spot we will visit. Our captains have years of experience and will always make sure to get you out to an area where the water conditions are as safe and comfortable as can be.
We will always do our best to get our guests out to the best places see them but due to the nature of wildlife, sightings can’t be guaranteed. As unpredictable as Hawaiian wildlife may be though, there are always amazing sights to see!
Snorkel & Explore Molokini Crater near Maui
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