Maui is renowned for its crystal clear waters and abundant sea life, making it a top destination for snorkel and scuba excursions.
The Pacific Whale Foundation operates its own tour services through PacWhale Eco-Adventures. Their excursions include snorkel tours, dinner and cocktail cruises, star gazing, and whale watching. 100% of the proceeds from all tours go back to the Pacific Whale Foundation to fund ecological research and education initiatives.
We departed for their 5-hour snorkel trip early in the morning from the Ma?alaea harbor on the south coast of the island.
Our destinations were the Molokini Crater and the area known as Turtle Arches, which is a large coral area that provides shelter for many fish and sea turtles. Luckily, we were also traveling during whale season, which runs in Maui from November through May. Our boat made several stops throughout the excursion to allow for nearby whales to pass, giving everyone countless views of both adult and young humpback whales.
The first stop of the morning’s tour was at Turtle Arches, a short 30 min ride across the bay. During the ride over, staff on board shared facts of the island and points of interest along the way, while also serving nice breakfast platters with pastries and fresh fruits. Upon arrival at Turtle Arches, beginners were given a brief lesson on snorkeling and then allowed to jump into the crystal clear waters. Crew members also were in the water on paddleboards to answer any questions or provide assistance if needed. Below the surface was a magical underwater world. The famous green sea turtle residents of Turtle Arches were prevalent throughout the snorkel and provided many with close encounters. In addition the corals and fish life were also abundant.
After about an hour with the turtles, we loaded up and headed to the iconic Molokini Crater, a large crescent-shaped islet known for its diverse marine life and crystal waters and depths up to 150 feet. Molokini is a protected conservation area and is only accessible to tourists through approved tour operations. Over 250 species of fish and 38 species of coral have been identified in the crater. We departed the ship again for another hour or so of snorkeling fun and had the chance to see many of the colorful fish and coral that make Moloniki their home. After our last stop, a tasty barbecue lunch was served as we headed back to port. Again on the trip to port we encountered several more whales.
There are many companies offering snorkel tours off the coast of Maui, but PacWhale Eco-Adventures is different. Its mission isn’t like other tour companies. The goal is to conserve the beautiful ecosystem of the islands and educate guests through exploration. The level of care and concern shown through each step of the tour made it evident where this organization’s commitment lies. For us, this was a win-win situation. We got to experience the ocean at its finest thanks to people who are working every day towards keeping it clean and thriving.