Molokini Crater
2020 has begun and with a new decade comes new adventures. Mermaid Dream Retreats is excited to announce an all new one of a kind Maui experience! Teaming up with our friends at Maui Dreams Dive Co. and the Maui Diamond, we are pleased to announce that mermaid tours to Molokini Crater will start January 17th 2020. The experience will be offered every Friday on board the Maui Diamond sailing out of Ma’alaea Harbor on the island of Maui. Be sure to book well in advance as there’s only 5 spots for mermaids on board!
Mermaid viewing a Moray Eel at Molokini
The Maui Diamond is a 40 ft powerboat that offers snorkeling and SCUBA diving tours all throughout the week. The vessel takes out no more than 20 passengers to ensure guests have plenty of room to move around and be comfortable. While on board guests can help themselves to a pastry breakfast, beverages, and a deli style lunch. The boat is also equipped with a freshwater shower and a marine toilet on board.
Molokini Crater is an ash and cinder cone vent of Haleakala, Maui’s dormant shield volcano. It was used as target practice during World War II for the US Military and then converted to a marine conservation district in the 1970’s. Due to the distance from shore, Molokini boasts incredible visibility of 90 feet or more. It is one of the top sites for snorkeling and scuba diving in the world so it’s perfect for mermaids.
Humpback Whale
During the months of December to March, it is common to see humpback whales on the way to Molokini. The North Pacific Humpback Whales migrate thousands of miles from the feeding grounds in Alaska to Hawaii. During this time the whales are not feeding but instead are focused on reproduction and rearing their young. During the peak season it is common to see whales exhibiting a number of behaviors such as breaching, pectoral slapping (slapping their fins), caudal throwing (flinging their tail side to side), and simply milling around at the surface. When we’re lucky, we can even hear the whales singing underwater while we explore the reefs as mermaids.
Green Sea Turtle
This excursion is a two stop tour. The second location for our mermaid experience will take us along the shorelines of Maui in an attempt to swim with the amazing green sea turtles or Honu. The turtles are very friendly and are used to people but we don’t want to approach too closely. Green sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws, harassment or even getting too close to one can lead to a fine or jail time. Your mermaid instructor will be your knowledgeable guide to ensure all encounters are safe for you and the animals.
Check-in time for tours is 6:15 am at the Maui Diamond in slip number 23 in Ma’alaea Harbor. The boat will depart at 7:00 am and return to the harbor around 12:00 pm. Your mermaid instructor will meet you at the boat for check-in and get you properly sized for your tail. Your mermaid guide will brief you on what to expect during your day, your equipment, safety protocols, and how to use the tail. GoPro photos of your time as a mermaid are included in the price of the trip.
It is important to note: Water activities are weather dependent. If the captain deems Molokini to be unsafe, we will go to a different location for our mermaid experience. It isn’t too often that we need to change plans but your understanding is greatly appreciated. We also would like to inform guests that while wildlife sightings are likely, they are not guaranteed.