Molokini Crater - Top Ten Dive Site In Maui County

Overall Rating = 3.75 out of 5

Molokini Crater is on the remains of an extinct volcano. The remaining curved rim of the volcano "cone" rises above the sea approximately 165 feet. The small island lies in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui and Kahoolawe islands. The inside wall of the volcano faces the northwest and only a short boat ride from the Wailea side of Maui. In the event you are interested by some history regarding Molokini Crater there is a brief article written by Edward L Caum, entitled "Geology of Molokini" and that was published in 1930. There happen to be a couple of "plate" photographs incorporated into the article and it is fascinating to compare with the crater today. Molokini Crater was established as a Marine Preserve (MLCD) in the summer of 1977 and contains some of the most untouched hard reefs in Hawaii and is a wonderful site for underwater photography.

The ride coming from the Lahina side of the island takes approximately 45 minutes and if you are inclined to become sea sick, it is advisable to drive about forty five minutes or an hour to the Wailea side of Maui where you might take a very straightforward boat ride to the Molokini Crater Lahina Divers is one of the prefered Scuba Diving Operators on the island but when you choose to go with them you have to take a forty five minute boat ride to the Molokini crater. If you prefer you can use a scuba diving operator which departs out of the Wailea side of Maui. If you happen to be staying in Wailea this would certainly be the recommended method, even though the boats tend to be smaller and there is one operator on that side that a lot of people simply refer to as the "Scuba Nazi". The key is to be careful concerning the operator that you choose. Make sure that you read the critiques and the gear utilized by each of the dive operators. The boats that leave the Wailea area are usually quite small and crowded if the number of divers is greater than ten on the boat furthermore on most of these there is not much if any space to move around.

The Dive

Access - Moderate to Moderately Difficult to reach the site; boat only (You should not take a boat from Lahaina if you get seasick - 45 minute boat ride);
Depth to 125+ft
Visibility - good to excellent
Current - mild to extremely strong at the edges of the crater
Marine Species variety - good; normally White-tip Reef Sharks at about 110 feet on the eastern side of the volcano
Reef health - good to very good

Scuba Diving Molokini Crater is without doubt the best boat dive on the island of Maui. You have to go to Lanai or Molokai to discover superior deep water scuba diving sites. The clarity of the water is generally very good at Molokini and there are a several dive sites on the volcano on the exterior of the crescent shape crater and on the inside of the crater.

The Back Side - Outside or on the back of the crescent, Tako Flats - Inside on the western side of the crescent, Enenue - Inside eastern tip of the crescent, Reef's End - Far western end of the crescent and Middle Reef - Inside just to the east of the middle of the crescent and closer to the cone

When scuba diving within the volcano crater one of the best dive sites is on the eastern edge of the volcano - Enenue. On this scuba diving site at approximately 120 feet there is a sequence of overhangs that tend to house a few White-tip Reef Sharks. As you are swimming down and back up after touring the "condos" you will find a great assortment of marine species. You may come across Butterflyfishes, Wrasses, Damselfishes, Eels, along with Crustaceans all around the crater. You should also find sea turtles on a normal basis and on a very extraordinary occasion Humpback whales have been seen by scuba divers at Molokini crater.

The current may be very strong on the outside edges of the volcano, so you should not swim outside the crater for any cause if your group is diving the "inside". The current at the edges can take a diver quite a distance in an incredibly short period of time. Because of this you are required to have a safety sausage with you on this dive site and be acquainted with how to operate it. If you happen to be diving inside the volcano you should rarely have much if any current and even if the ocean is choppy the volcano protects the inner dive sites very well.

In the sand flats of the crater you may frequently see Freckled Snake Eels, consequently take your time on this dive and in addition make sure you "look" into the vast expanse of the ocean away from the volcano where it is possible to glimpse different varieties of sharks and on particularly awesome dive you may even see a Humpback Whale. When you are scuba diving in whale season (December to April/May) make sure you listen for the whale song. In February to around April you may listen to many different whales singing to one another. It surely makes the dive much more compelling.

Explore other underwater images on Smeltzer's website or visit his blog or follow him on Twitter @ images2inspire. The pool is open...