Molokini

Molokini is a small tuff cone island between Maui and Kaho’olawe. The ocean has eroded away the Northern half of the island, so Molokini is a crescent shape. The part above the water is a seabird sanctuary and the undersea part is a marine sanctuary. It’s a good spot to snorkel because nobody is allowed to stand on the coral here (or on the island itself) and the island is too small for streams to cloud the water with runoff.

We took a boat trip there yesterday and snorkled. The water is around 3-10 meters deep where most of the coral and fish are. I never saw such pretty coral in all shapes and colors. There were lots of different kinds of fish, including humuhumu nukunuku apua’a. The boat company fed us breakfast on the way out and lunch after we were done snorkelling. Visibility is amazing. It’s at least 30 meters, probably more.

We had a lot of fun and I think this is a better overall snorkelling experience than Hanauma Bay on O’ahu. Jess was the motivation behind doing this snorkel trip and now that I’ve been, I’m glad she made me go.

Update 2007-06-27: Added pictures.

Molokini itself:

A closeup of Molokini with snorkelers:

Water and fish from the boat:

A dolphin we saw on the way back from Molokini: