Dive Site Map

Molokini Crater

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Reef's End - Reef's End is an extension of the rim of the crater, which runs for about 200 yds. underwater, barely breaking the surface. Reef's End is shallow enough for novice snorkelers and exciting enough for experienced divers. the end and outside of this shoal drop off in dramatic terraces to beyond diving range. In deeper waters there are shark ledges at varying depths and dozens of eels including moray eels, dragon eels, snowflake eels, and garden eels. In the shallow waters, the reef is covered with cauliflower coral and in bright sunlight is one of the most dramatic underwater scenes in Hawaii. Almost every kind of fish found in Hawaii can be seen living here or passing through these crystalline waters.
Tako Flats - "Tako" is Japanese for octopus. The inside of the sand channel is cluttered with scattered coral heads and rubble, which is also a favorite hiding place for octopus. This area is normally explored as a part of a larger dive plan since it immediately adjacent the lush "Mid Reef". At times during the year manta rays will frequent this area to feed on the swarms of tiny fish larva that are so thick they milk the water.
Mid Reef - The inside of Molokini is formed like a bowl, shallower around the edges and deeper in the center. The center is also very protected from heavy seas by the island surrounding it. This has allowed the "Mid Reef" to form into one of the most extensive and healthy hard coral reefs in Maui County. Many of the rarer species of butterfly fish are found in abundance here. Divers marvel as they swim through acres of living coral.
Shark Condos - The maximum recreational dive depth (according to our PADI insurance) is 130 feet. At slightly less than this depth is the beginning of a series of shelves that create narrow voids back into the island. The shallowest, and largest, often houses a number of White-tip reef sharks. It is not uncommon to see lobster in these caves as well.
Due to the depth, we offer this site only to advanced dives. Our "Three Tank Adventure" trip is the best way to experience this area.
Enenui Side - Named after common chub, or rudder fish, this site gently slopes from the surface to about 60 ft. then drops rapidly to deeper waters. The shallower area is an easy dive with lots of butterfly fish. It's also an excellent place to photograph models surrounded by colorful tropical fish. Enenue side is often done as a live boat ( drift ) dive to extend the range of the tour. Diving depths vary. We usually do a 50 ft. dive but on occasion will invite advanced divers to drop to the 130 ft. level to visit the shark condos.
Flying Sea Cliffs - There are many unique ledges and shelves breaking up the vertical outer wall of Molokini. "Flying Sea Cliffs" begins in about 50' as a shelf, but as divers descend beyond the lip, they find a shear undercut that drops vertically to the bottom 130 feet below. The underside of the shelf is covered with tube corals and red sponge that burst in color when our high powered lights illuminate the wall. Cracks hide many creatures like the ghost shrimp.
Edge of the World - One of the most dramatic areas along Molokini's backside is "Edge of the World." At about fifty feet a shelf juts out and creates an overhang and descending wall that plummets to almost 250 feet. It is the deepest drop-off along the "Backside", and since it is also in the area usually shadowed from the sun, it is the spookiest. We often see larger fish, and sharks below us. If you dive here, make sure you have control over your buoyancy!
Photo-Zoom Images by Randsco