Hawaii is stunning, with numerous gorgeous islands, countless pristine beaches, and a fascinating historical culture. While there are many activities to enjoy on the islands, we will look today at one in particular: the Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Friendly Molokini and Turtle Town Tour, and review the activities, the hosts, the price, and even the food.
This was our experience on the Pacific Whale Foundation Molokini and Turtle Town Tour. There may be variations in activities or prices based on what time you go or the season, but our group went in June.
Everyone met at the Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store to check in and for a briefing before walking to the boat and boarding. We were delighted to hear that the boat could fit around 140 guests, but there were only around 50 on board, which meant we wouldn’t be elbow-to-elbow.
Breakfast was served to everyone, and they did an introduction speech along with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. It was a beautiful and memorable moment of silence and respect for the Hawaiian lands and culture before setting sail.
We ate our lovely, no-frills breakfast as we sailed to the first snorkeling stop in Molokini, with the hosts giving information about the area. Other tours were happening in the Molokini crater, but our boat managed to get a fantastic spot. We disembarked with our fins and goggles and spent around an hour viewing all the gorgeous fish and coral in the Molokini area. At both Molokini and Turtle Town, there were several tour guides in the water during the snorkeling to ensure everyone was safe and that nobody got too close to the coral or the wildlife.
After some great snorkeling, everyone got back into the boat for a short jaunt over to Turtle Town, Lahaina for some more snorkeling at a beautiful coral reef. Turtles are a frequent sight, and we happened to see a pretty gigantic turtle come to the surface, say hello, and dive back into its cave home. We were reminded at several points during the tour that the animals get to set the pace for the interactions and it is our responsibility to maintain a safe and respectful distance, which was a valuable and necessary tip for those who may not be used to getting so close to wild animals.
After spending about an hour at Turtle Town, everyone boarded for lunch as we made our way back to the harbor. Lunch was chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, and plentiful sides. Coffee was available for the whole trip, and the hosts routinely walked around with water for the guests. Cookies were passed out prior to arrival back at the harbor. It was clear that extra precautions were taken to make sure the food situation was as sanitary and seamless as possible. There was an extra educational show for the children onboard.
After arriving at the harbor, everyone disembarked, and the crew waved everyone off.
Overall, what were the best and worst parts of the tour?
Without question: Yes!
There are many options for day trips and boat tours on Maui, but we highly recommend this one above the rest. Why? Because the sustainability aspect is so, so important. We love Hawaii, and we want to see its resources protected. Sustainable tourism is a big part of making that happen.
Respect for the lands and the indigenous culture makes this a no-brainer.
We loved how thoughtful the tour guides were and how much they emphasized having fun while respecting the coral reefs and the animals. Plus, it was a great feeling to know that the proceeds of the tour went back into educating and supporting the local Hawaiian community and its youth.
See their website to learn more about the Pacific Whale Foundation and the work that they do.
Asher has been traveling the world since he left Australia to study in the USA in 2004. He received a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2013. He has lived all over the globe including India, Europe, Hawaii, and mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry, loves being a dad, cooking & eating delicious food, photography (took many of our photos), surfing big waves on Maui, camping trips and walking barefoot on the earth.
