The Best Place To Do Snorkeling

Imagine our world during its infancy. Volcanoes ruled, spewing lava and rock into the atmosphere, forming much of the land we live on today. It was a volatile period, inhospitable to just about every form of life. Over the millennia, many of these volcanoes have been tamed, and only a few are alive enough to offer us a glimpse into the earth’s past.

One such volcano that is teeming now with a different sort of life is Molokini Crater. Located in the Alalakeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, Hawaii, this old volcano has been dormant for thousands of years. One side of the old cone has crumbled away into the sea, allowing it to fill with water. What remains of the cone, a crescent-shaped island that rises over 150 feet above the Pacific, has become a vibrant reef teeming with sea life. The crater provides shelter from the channel’s strong currents, making it a safe place for everyone to snorkel or dive and providing an opportunity to view sea life unlike any other in the world. Not only do you get to see an amazing array of fish and coral, you also get to boast the unique experience of exploring the inside of a volcano.

The Fish Bowl

Molokini Crater is often referred to as “The Fish Bowl” due to its abundance of fish and other sea life. It truly is like swimming inside an aquarium, with its warm waters and unsurpassed visibility.

Daily visibility in Molokini Crater is usually around 100 feet, but on several occasions the visibility has extended as far as 200 feet, which is one of the reasons it is on the list of top 10 dive sites in the world.

The best area for families to swim and snorkel is along the shoreline of the interior of the crater. These protected waters are more shallow, offering the best opportunity to view the colorful reef fish and coral. Since the water is not as deep here, the sunlight is able to shine through and ignite the vibrant colors. Coral turns brilliant white, vibrant yellow, or deep red – a perfect backdrop to view the fish who call these reefs home.

Snorkel Molokini

Not only does Molokini Crater offer protected waters for snorkeling, but there are many great diving opportunities at the crater as well.

The center of Molokini’s cone drops to over 150 feet deep in the center, and is home to many forms of sea life, some of which can be seen nowhere else in the world. There are dives for every level of experience, and the strong currents that surround Molokini offer advanced divers the chance to drift dive through some of the most beautiful underwater scenery in the world.

Any diver should also include the back wall on their list of things to do. The drop off is over 350 feet, and it provides one of the best wall dives to be found anywhere.

Transformed from the violent days of our world’s beginnings to a hospitable sanctuary, a visit to Molokini Crater offers you the chance to step back in time. Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the inside of an old volcano, and visit the friendly, colorful sea life that now calls it home. snorkel molokini .

The Best Place To Do Snorkeling