Snorkel· Molokai· Hawaii

Molokai South Shore Fringing Reef

21° 3.2′ N · 156° 55.2′ W · approximate

Hawaii's longest continuous fringing reef, nearly 30 miles of coral, turtle cleaning stations and blue holes sheltered by Lanai and Maui along Molokai's south shore.

Practical

Coordinate is approx, a point on the reef about 0.3 nm offshore of Kawela between the GNIS-mapped Kakahaia and Kawiu fishponds (checked against the OpenStreetMap coastline); the reef extends up to about a mile offshore (Coast Pilot 10). Best reached by boat on the outer edge, as the inner reef flat is a shallow, murky mud flat. Molokai Fish and Dive runs two-site snorkel trips (2026 adult price $119) and two-tank dives ($229) from Kaunakakai, and reports frequent green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, manta rays and occasional monk seals and dolphins. From your own boat, anchor only on sand outside the reef edge in settled weather, and watch for coral heads that bare at low water. Mornings are calmest; trades build by midday.

Molokai South Shore Fringing Reef

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