Maui Redline Forbidden Coast & Molokini Raft Top Tips
Are you looking for a unique, thrilling, and intimate rafting adventure? Then the Maui Redline Forbidden Coast & Molokini raft tour is definitely for you! The tour is family-friendly, personal, and one of the best perfect snorkel and sightseeing packages around.
One of the nice things about this Maui tour is it departs from the Kihei boat ramp. This means it is a shorter distance to all snorkel destinations and more time in the water! After arrival and check-in at 6:30, you can grab a cup of coffee, and get sized for your wetsuit if you choose (included free of charge). By 7 o’clock, you are on your way to Molokini Crater!
The boat ride out to Molokini gives you beautiful views of not only the crater itself but also of Mount Haleakala and Maui’s neighboring islands Kahoolawe and Lanai. You’ll also be served hot cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit on the way.
Once anchored at Molokini, it’s time to get in the water and start exploring. Typically this early in the morning, there are not many other boats at Molokini so it feels like a private tour of this snorkel haven!
Once everyone has had their share of snorkeling and is back on the boat your guides will take you around the back side of Molokini Crater and presenting you with a great overview of the crater and its history.
Afterwards, you will head to La Perouse, which is home to the beautiful Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Often times they are “sleeping” while you are there, so they will be in large groups swimming in sync and can get within feet of the boat. If your group decides to snorkel there, you can get in the water; or, if decided, you can continue on to the last spot, where the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are abundant!
While in the water, your guides will set out lunch for you to enjoy, which is deli style sandwiches, pasta salad, and drinks. Once everyone has eaten and settled in, you will make the short trip back to the boat ramp in Kihei.
This tour is great for those who would like a small, intimate, and educational snorkel trip. Because the size is much smaller than other snorkel tours, you and the other passengers can dictate how long you’re at a spot and whether or not you want to stay at the second snorkel location or continue on to the third. The guides are great and are extremely helpful and welcoming, the food is tasty and homemade like, and of course the snorkeling and sightseeing is absolutely breathtaking!
Top Tips for the Redline Forbidden Coast & Molokini Raft Tour
Before you head out on this great adventure be sure to keep these tips in mind to help you make this trip that much better.
- Get plenty of sleep the night before! An early check in time and 5 hours of boating and snorkeling can make for a busy morning, so you’ll want all the rest you can get! You wouldn’t want to miss Nemo swimming around or spinner dolphins jumping out of the water.
- Bring a light jacket. The wind blowing through your hair on the way out to Molokini Crater won’t be as func if you’re chilly from the morning air! The boat has plenty of dry storage to keep your things safe and dry when you’re getting on and off the boat.
- Wear a wetsuit (they’re included in the trip). Wetsuits keep you warmer while you’re exploring the underwater world, and they’re completely free of charge. Additionally, the extra buoyancy they provide will leave you with less swimming to do, saving your energy.
- Bring a camera! Of course this should be a no-brainer, but there are so many things you will want to capture on camera to cherish in the years to come. Beautiful sights include: lava ash formations, whales, dolphins, Molokini Crater, Mount Haleakala, and neighboring islands Kahoolawe and Lanai.
The Redline Forbidden Coast & Molokini Raft is recommended for anyone and everyone: families, couples, friends, or even by yourself! It is a trip you will dream of doing again and again and again …
Baby Beaches on Maui
Maui has an abundance of beaches. Each has their own set of qualities and unique appeal. From Kaanapali’s sprawling award winning beach that attracts mass crowds, to the sea turtle covered Hookipa beach, everyone will find a beach that works for them on Maui!
Among the wide variety of beaches include those perfect for babies and young toddlers. Here is a list of the top beaches on Maui that are perfectly suited for you and your youngsters.
Launiupoko Beach
Launiupoko Beach, located off the Honoapiilani Hwy on the way from Maalaea to Lahaina, this beach attracts a wide variety of people, from locals to tourists, surfers to sunbathers, and particularly parents with their young children. At Launiupoko, there is a part of the beach that is sheltered from the incoming waves but still allows a small amount of water to flow in and out of the cove. This allows for perfect baby playtime in warm, protected water!
Find Launiupoko Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/0AXWW
Baby Beach, Paia
As the name itself tells, Baby Beach is the perfect spot to take your little ones for some fun in the sun. Much larger than other sheltered beaches, Baby Beach is the ultimate spot to let your children splash around in the warm, still waters protected from the current by a large straight line of reef.
Find Baby Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/SFZiu
Baby Beach, Lahaina
Baby Beach in Lahaina provides a perfect location to sit back and relax with your kids. Low tide, no waves, and soft sand make for a perfect spot to do some splashing around, snorkeling, and sand castle building.
For optimum enjoyment, visiting this beach during the week and earlier in the day will mean easier parking and more options to choose your beach spot!
Find Baby Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/MktkK
Kuau Cove, Paia
Kuau Cove, also known as Mama’s Fish House Beach, is a small, secluded beach right behind the world famous Mama’s Fish House located in Paia. Like the other baby beaches listed, this small white sand beach is protected from the waves by rocks, and is surrounded by tide pools and a coconut grove.
Find Kuau Cove on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/9Pg5i
More Kid-Friendly Activities
Looking for other activities to do with your little ones that don’t include the beach? Check out these two family-fun options.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is a popular waterfall location that is suitable for families. The hike is short and the first waterfall can be accessed by foot. The second waterfall is accessed by a short swim into the fresh-water waterfall.
Families with young children can easily see the first waterfall and if your young children are good swimmers, you can get to the second waterfall, as the water is very calm.
Strollers are not conducive due to rough footing; otherwise, the pathway is relatively flat and easy!
Twin Falls is located about 30 minutes from the Kahului airport at mile marker 2.1 off of the famous Hana Highway (before the extremely winding part begins, making it hassle free for families with young children).
A parking lot is also available for your convenience.
Find Twin Falls on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/Gh52R
Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
Located on the slopes of Mount Haleakala in lower Kula, this dairy farm is a great way to entertain the kids, see beautiful bi-coastal views, and experience feeding and milking goats, the cheese making process, and cheese sampling.
Surfing Goat Dairy has over 30 different cheeses, and includes 18 national award winners! This certified humane raised and handled farm offers a fun and unique experience for the whole family! Casual tours of the farm are offered on a stop-by basis with no reservation needed, whereas the evening chores & milking tours as well as the grand dairy tours are reservation recommended. Surfing Goat Dairy is open Monday-Saturday from 9-5 and on Sundays from 9-2.
Find the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/PdE2c