Scuba Diving Maui - Molokini Crater

Overall Rating = 3.75 out of 5

Diving Molokini Crater is one of the best dives if not the best dive in Maui County. This dive site can't be accessed from shore is on the remnants of an extinct volcano. The remaining curved rim of the volcano "cone" rises above the sea some 165 feet. The small island lies in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui and Kahoolawe islands. The open side of the volcano faces the northwest and only a short boat ride from Wailea. If you happen to be interested in some of the history around Molokini Crater there is a short article written by Edward L Caum, entitled "Geology of Molokini" and published in 1930. There happen to be a couple of "plate" photographs incorporated in the article and it is interesting to compare with the crater today. Molokini Crater was established as a Marine Preserve (MLCD) in the summer of 1977 and features one of the most untouched hard coral reefs in Hawaii and is a wonderful site for underwater photography.

Getting to the dive site is easiest from Wailea however the boats are small and in many cases the dive operators dive the second dive along the coast of Maui and not on the crater. The boats out of Lahina Harbor are much preferred but it will take almost 50 minutes to get to the dive site So be careful concerning the operator which you choose. Make certain that you view the reviews and the equipment used by each one of the dive operators. The boats which leave The Wailea side of Maui can be somewhat cramped if the number of scuba divers is greater than ten on the boat and on most of these there is little if any room to move about.

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 definitely the top boat dive on the island of Maui. You need to go to Lanai or Molokai to locate better deep water dive sites. The clarity of the water is typically quite good at Molokini and there are a several dive sites on the volcano on the exterior of the crescent-shaped crater and on the interior of the volcano.

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

Once scuba diving inside the crater one of the better spots is on the eastern edge of the crater - Enenue. On this dive site at roughly 120 feet you can find a sequence of overhangs which tend to accommodate a few White-tip Reef Sharks. While you are swimming down to "shark condos" and back up after visiting the "condos" there is an excellent number of marine animals. You can come across Butterflyfishes, Wrasses, Damselfishes, Eels, and Crustaceans throughout the crater. You will also come across sea turtles on a customary basis and on a very exceptional occasion Humpback whales have been observed by scuba divers at Molokini crater.

The current might be very strong on the exterior edges of the volcano, as a result do not go outside the volcano crater for any reason if your group is scuba diving the "inside". The current at the edges will take a scuba diver quite far in a very short time period. For this reason you must have an emergency flotation device for this dive 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 cone of the volcano protects the interior dive sites very well.

In sandy areas around the volcano you may often discover Freckled Snake Eels, the key is to take some time during this dive and also make sure you "look" into the distance where you can often glimpse different kinds of sharks and during an especially awesome dive you may even observe a Humpback Whale. If you happen to be scuba diving in whale season (December to April/May) be sure you pay attention for the singing of the whales. In February to early April you might hear literally dozens of whales singing to one another. Listening to Whale Song is undoubtedly a marvelous way to pass the time during your dive.

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