There are other spots on the island you can go for free from shore that has amazing views. I think the crater is overrated and there wasn’t much of anything unique to see there. The fish were average and only a couple different varieties. Not a terrible adventure and if you are looking for something unique it’s fun to say you did it, it’s just a lot of money for what you get.

Based on some other reviews and sources, I wondered if it was worth taking the trip to Molokini. Several reviews indicated the coral was in poor shape and that one was far better off saving one's money and just going to some of the snorkel spots one can access from the coast of Maui. That last point has some validity; one can snorkel at places like Ahihi-Kinau and see just as good fish without incurring the cost of a boat excursion. But there is value on being out on the ocean on a boat, seeing the coast of Maui from the ocean, approaching Molokini from the ocean, and having professionals take you right to a great place for snorkeling and (at the 2nd stop) swimming with sea turtles without your having to figure it all out on your own. While the coral at Molokini was not mind-blowing, it was healthier and more interesting than I had expected from some reviews/comments I had seen. Our guide explained that Covid was actually great for the Molokini coral; the lower volume of visitors gave the coral a chance to recover; perhaps some of the reivews I had read were before this recovery period.

The distinguishing feature of snorkeling here is not the coral, which is very basic, and not the sea life, which is scant populations of fish (and not much more unless you are very lucky), but the tremendous depth of crystal clear water over which you are snorkeling. The rocky and sometimes sandy bottom is 100 feet down yet your view of it is as if it is 5 feet down, the water is that crystal clear. Snorkeling gives the sensation of flying. If you are not interested in that, skip the trip as snorkeling elsewhere (eg, shore of Maui) will produce better coral and more interesting sea life If you do go, pick your weather very carefully. The crater is exposed to the north, so any wind (as distinct from a slight breeze) with a northerly component will wip up the water surface and detract from your snorkeling experience. Ditto for any northerly sea swell. Mornings are a far superior time to go than afternoons when the wind usually picks up. Tour operators will try to sell the option of snorkeling behind the crater wall where it is sheltered from northerly winds but assess this carefully as if there is a southerly swell, it is very uncomfortable and the snorkeling view is very limited - just a sheer wall of rock with not much coral plummeting to the depths (about 300ft) with no bottom in sight. Finally, it is a long day. Morning cruises get away early (7am) but provide a crude breakfast and also lunch. Take warm clothes as after you snorkel, you will be cold and will suffer in the wind as the boat returns to Maui unless you are in dry warm clothes. A further tip is to bring or use boat-supplied floatation gear as the water is so deep, it will give you more confidence snorkeling in the rocky water which has some currents.

Molokini is an average snorkeling spot. Not worth the money, in my opinion. I did see two Pennant Fish. But I’ve been at much better spots without paying a couple hundred bucks. Also, the surf can get serious and cutoff your trip. About 30 minutes in the waves got big. We only spent about 50 minutes on site. Two people were seasick on the way back.