Many people who have been to Maui know about Molokini. Molokini is a volcano crater partially sunken below the sea. The special feature of the volcano crater is the crescent shape. The crescent shape of the volcano crater offers protection against the currents from the sea. Molokini is ranked as one of the top diving sites. The back wall of the Molokini crater reaches up to 300 feet. It is not inhabited by people and is used mainly as a tourism attraction spot. The area of the Molokini volcanic crater is about 23 acres.

You have to take a speedboat or kayak at the coast of Maui to reach the Molokini volcano crater. Beneath the Molokini, there are many corals and colorful fishes. More than 200 species of fishes live under the water. Tourists usually come to Molokini to carry out snorkeling activities. The water in this area is clear and not polluted. You can have a clear view of the underwater world. You can view up to 150 feet of marine life creatures. Molokini is actually a large piece of rock. There is no soil on Molokini. Because there is no soil on Molokini, the water cannot become murky when the soil is washed away into it. The sunlight can penetrate into the water and lit up the underwater world. From time to time, there will be small offshore current. The small offshore current will flush away the sediment that exists on the rock.

If you dive in the Molokini water, you will find algae’s living inside the corals. The sunlight helps to enhance the photosynthesis of the algae in the coral reef. You can swim along with school of fishes. You will also encounter whales and dolphins when diving underneath the Molokini water. Although Molokini is a rock, there are more than 50 plant species on the slopes. Most of the plants on the slopes of Molokini are native plants. You can find two types of nesting birds at the volcano crater including wedge tailed shearwaters and Bulwers petrels. All kinds of sea birds can be found on Molokini including brown boobies, frigate birds and etc.

Every day, many boats come from the south shore of the Maui to go to Molokini. The Hawaii State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District protect the area. The Hawaiian State Division of Boating and Recreation have set up a few mooring buoys in Molokini.