Molokini Diving
When you dive Molokini the expectations you should have is for the water to be cool and clear. Expect that the center of the crater will always be calm and protected, but beware of the currents on the outer edge of the crater as they can become dangerous. Morning hours are best suited for snorkeling or diving as the trade winds can whip up in the afternoon.
You should also expect there to be hundreds of other people snorkeling/diving at the same time. During the summer it’s not uncommon for more than 2000 people to dive Molokini in a single day. When you dive Molokini you should also expect to see all manners of sea life from cauliflower coral to manta rays and sharks to over 250 fish species.
The water temperatures at the crate when you dive Molokini will range from the low 70s to mid 80s. The season you visit will affect the water temperature as will the time of day. Water temperature is usually warmest in the months of July through October. Keep in mind, too, the water temperatures in the crater will be cooler than at the Maui beaches. Similarly, the deeper you dive the cooler the water temperatures will become. Air temperatures average from 76 degrees in the coldest month to 81 degrees in the warmest month. Some days may be warmer or cooler, but in general the temperatures are moderate.
All skill levels may dive Molokini from beginners to advanced SCUBA divers. Beginner divers will enjoy the crater basin as it has clear visibility up to 150 feet with a depth of 35 feet. Intermediate divers should dive to the underwater wall within the crater. It has depths that reach 70 feet. The backside of the crater has a long, sharp wall that tapers into caves and other lava rock formations. Only experienced SCUBA divers should dive Molokini’s back wall. The depths are close to 350 feet and the currents can be powerful.
When you dive Molokini the expectations you should have is for the water to be cool and clear. Expect that the center of the crater will always be calm and protected, but beware of the currents on the outer edge of the crater as they can become dangerous. Morning hours are best suited for snorkeling or diving as the trade winds can whip up in the afternoon.
You should also expect there to be hundreds of other people snorkeling/diving at the same time. During the summer it’s not uncommon for more than 2000 people to dive Molokini in a single day. When you dive Molokini you should also expect to see all manners of sea life from cauliflower coral to manta rays and sharks to over 250 fish species.
The water temperatures at the crate when you dive Molokini will range from the low 70s to mid 80s. The season you visit will affect the water temperature as will the time of day. Water temperature is usually warmest in the months of July through October. Keep in mind, too, the water temperatures in the crater will be cooler than at the Maui beaches. Similarly, the deeper you dive the cooler the water temperatures will become. Air temperatures average from 76 degrees in the coldest month to 81 degrees in the warmest month. Some days may be warmer or cooler, but in general the temperatures are moderate.
All skill levels may dive Molokini from beginners to advanced SCUBA divers. Beginner divers will enjoy the crater basin as it has clear visibility up to 150 feet with a depth of 35 feet. Intermediate divers should dive to the underwater wall within the crater. It has depths that reach 70 feet. The backside of the crater has a long, sharp wall that tapers into caves and other lava rock formations. Only experienced SCUBA divers should dive Molokini’s back wall. The depths are close to 350 feet and the currents can be powerful.
Covered in cauliflower coral, the Reef’s End section of the Molokini Crater runs below the water for about 200 yards right at the surface. Remarkable terraces formed where the edge of the crater suddenly ends and drops off into “steps” that continue to 350 feet. Many eels and sharks call the deepest ledges of the terraces home and it’s common to see humpback whales from December until April. This dive is recommended for certified divers who have an 85 feet for 30 minutes dive profile.
The Tako Flats are an incredible place for more advanced divers to enjoy Molokini diving. Speckled with rocks and coral heads there are many octopus that hide here. Many fish live in and around Tako Flats, which is appreciated by the Manta Ray that frequent this area of Molokini.
In the center of Molokini Crater is Middle Reef. This area is protected by the crater, which means the water is calm and there are no waves or strong currents. As a result, many indigenous Hawaiian fish and other exotic fish live here. These include butterfly and trumpet fish. Due to the tranquility of the water, beginners will especially love Molokini diving here. Intermediate and advanced divers can also enjoy Molokini diving in the crater’s center.
Advanced divers may be interested in Molokini diving in the shark condos. The depth reaches 130 feet and there are many underwater caves and terraces where sharks and lobsters hide. White tip reef sharks are found in shallow water while the Maui sharks and lobsters are in the deeper terraces. The view from the shark condos is incredibly due the visibility of the water and the underwater caves and terraces.
At the Edge of the World the crater’s shelf sticks out of the side and then there is water until the bottom 200 feet below. The Molokini Crater’s backside is deepest here at 250 feet. Many of the larger marine animals live here, like sharks and tropical fish, as the area is typically in the shade. The back side is only for highly trained and experienced divers and those with expert buoyancy control. Those interested in Molokini diving on the back side should be prepared for strong currents and amazing sea life. This includes tropical fish, manta rays, and spinner dolphins. The wall dive here is world renowned and part of the reason Molokini diving here is popular.