| Imagine our world during its infancy. Volcanoes ruled, | | | | The best area for families to swim and snorkel is |
| spewing lava and rock into the atmosphere, forming | | | | along the shoreline of the interior of the crater. |
| much of the land we live on today. It was a volatile | | | | These protected waters are more shallow, offering |
| period, inhospitable to just about every form of life. | | | | the best opportunity to view the colorful reef fish |
| Over the millennia, many of these volcanoes have | | | | and coral. Since the water is not as deep here, the |
| been tamed, and only a few are alive enough to | | | | sunlight is able to shine through and ignite the vibrant |
| offer us a glimpse into the earth's past. | | | | colors. Coral turns brilliant white, vibrant yellow, or |
| One such volcano that is teeming now with a | | | | deep red - a perfect backdrop to view the fish who |
| different sort of life is Molokini Crater. Located in the | | | | call these reefs home. |
| Alalakeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and | | | | Snorkel Molokini |
| Kahoolawe, Hawaii, this old volcano has been dormant | | | | Not only does Molokini Crater offer protected waters |
| for thousands of years. One side of the old cone has | | | | for snorkeling, but there are many great diving |
| crumbled away into the sea, allowing it to fill with | | | | opportunities at the crater as well. |
| water. What remains of the cone, a crescent-shaped | | | | The center of Molokini's cone drops to over 150 feet |
| island that rises over 150 feet above the Pacific, has | | | | deep in the center, and is home to many forms of |
| become a vibrant reef teeming with sea life. The | | | | sea life, some of which can be seen nowhere else in |
| crater provides shelter from the channel's strong | | | | the world. There are dives for every level of |
| currents, making it a safe place for everyone to | | | | experience, and the strong currents that surround |
| snorkel or dive and providing an opportunity to view | | | | Molokini offer advanced divers the chance to drift |
| sea life unlike any other in the world. Not only do you | | | | dive through some of the most beautiful underwater |
| get to see an amazing array of fish and coral, you | | | | scenery in the world. |
| also get to boast the unique experience of exploring | | | | Any diver should also include the back wall on their |
| the inside of a volcano. | | | | list of things to do. The drop off is over 350 feet, |
| The Fish Bowl | | | | and it provides one of the best wall dives to be |
| Molokini Crater is often referred to as "The Fish | | | | found anywhere. |
| Bowl" due to its abundance of fish and other sea life. | | | | Transformed from the violent days of our world's |
| It truly is like swimming inside an aquarium, with its | | | | beginnings to a hospitable sanctuary, a visit to |
| warm waters and unsurpassed visibility. | | | | Molokini Crater offers you the chance to step back in |
| Daily visibility in Molokini Crater is usually around 100 | | | | time. Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime |
| feet, but on several occasions the visibility has | | | | opportunity to explore the inside of an old volcano, |
| extended as far as 200 feet, which is one of the | | | | and visit the friendly, colorful sea life that now calls it |
| reasons it is on the list of top 10 dive sites in the | | | | home. |
| world. | | | | |