3-Tank Dive Featuring the Molokini Crater

Explore Maui’s Premier 3-Tank Dive with Molokini Crater and More

Aimed at experienced divers, the 3-Tank Dive Featuring the Molokini Crater offers a longer, more challenging underwater adventure on the island of Maui, USA. Priced at $375.00 per person, this tour lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, starting early at 6:15 am from Kihei Boat Landing. With a maximum of 12 divers, divided into small groups of 6-8, the experience delivers personalized attention from highly knowledgeable guides. The tour is designed for divers with at least 25 lifetime dives and a dive within the past 6 months, making it ideal for those seeking deeper, more complex underwater sights.

This adventure features multiple dive sites including the St. Anthony Wreck, the “Tire Garden”, the “Wasteland” pinnacles at 85 and 110 feet, and the famous Molokini Back Wall Drift. Weather permitting, the tour also offers the chance to see marine creatures such as Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, White-Tip Sharks, and occasional Humpback Whales. Given its focus on more advanced dives, it’s best suited for divers comfortable with challenging conditions and longer tours.

Key Points

• Designed for experienced divers with at least 25 dives and recent diving activity.
• Includes four dives, such as Molokini Crater, Wasteland pinnacles, and St. Anthony Wreck.
• Personalized groups of 6-8 divers ensure attentive guidance.
• The tour departs early at 6:15 am from Kihei Boat Landing.
• Weather-dependent; weather delays or cancellations are possible but fully refundable if canceled.
• Limited to 12 participants, creating an intimate experience.

The Exciting Locations of Maui’s Advanced Diving Sites

This tour departs from the Kihei Boat Landing early in the morning, setting the stage for an action-packed day. The short 20-25 minute boat ride takes divers to Maui’s renowned underwater sites, known for crystal-clear visibility and abundant marine life. Starting with the St. Anthony Wreck, divers explore an intriguing site teeming with marine creatures and ship remnants, offering a mix of history and underwater beauty.

The “Tire Garden” gives a fascinating contrast—artificial structures that serve as artificial reefs, attracting various fish and invertebrates. The “Wasteland” pinnacles at 85 and 110 feet challenge divers with their depth and complexity, rewarding those who seek more vigorous exploration. The Molokini Back Wall Drift remains a highlight, where the current carries divers along the vibrant coral formations and marine life along the famous crater wall.

What Makes the Molokini Crater the Highlight?

Molokini Crater remains one of Maui’s most iconic dive sites, known for year-round crystal-clear waters and impressive marine biodiversity. The back wall drift dive offers exhilarating views of coral formations, with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. The possibility of encountering Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, White-Tip Sharks, and sometimes Humpback Whales makes this site particularly attractive.

This protected marine preserve is only a 20-25 minute boat ride from Kihei, making it a convenient yet extraordinary destination for experienced divers. The currents and depths at Molokini provide a stimulating challenge for seasoned divers seeking a more intense underwater adventure.

The Wasteland Pinnacles: A Deeper Dive Challenge

The “Wasteland” pinnacles at 85 and 110 feet stand as some of the deepest sites on this tour, offering a more demanding experience. These rock formations attract a variety of large marine species and provide a chance to see more elusive marine life. The depth requires divers to have a good level of comfort and experience, aligning with the tour’s advanced diving requirements.

Navigating these pinnacles involves a controlled descent and awareness of current conditions, making it suitable only for experienced divers with 6 months since their last dive and a minimum of 30 lifetime dives. The thrill of exploring these depths is balanced by the small group size, which ensures close guidance.

The St. Anthony Wreck and Tire Garden: Unique Underwater Attractions

The St. Anthony Wreck offers a mix of history and marine life, with its sunken vessel now serving as a complex habitat for various species. It’s a favorite for divers who enjoy exploring artificial reefs combined with abundant sea creatures. The “Tire Garden” is another artificial reef site—an interesting collection of tires that have become thriving ecosystems.

Both sites are accessible during this advanced tour and provide opportunities for macro photography and close encounters with marine life. The relatively shallow depths of the wrecks contrast with the deeper pinnacles, offering divers a variety of underwater environments.

The Small Group Advantage and Expert Guidance

With a maximum of 12 divers split into groups of 6-8, the tour emphasizes personalized attention. The guides are known for their friendly, knowledgeable approach, ensuring each diver receives thorough briefings and ongoing support. This small group size minimizes waiting times and maximizes time spent exploring each site.

The experienced guides also provide dive briefings tailored to current conditions and individual skill levels, which is especially helpful for those pushing into more challenging sites like the Wasteland or Molokini back wall.

Practical Details and Meeting Logistics

The tour begins at 6:15 am from Kihei Boat Landing, with the boat ride to the sites lasting approximately 20-25 minutes. The departure time allows for maximum daylight and optimal conditions for sighting marine life. The tour ends back at the meeting point, with no additional transport required.

To participate, divers must confirm their recent dive history—specifically, they must have been diving within the last 6 months and have at least 25 lifetime dives. The tour is weather-dependent, and cancellations are fully refundable if poor conditions force cancellation or rescheduling.

Physical Requirements and Suitability

This tour suits physically fit divers who are comfortable with depths beyond 60 feet and handling currents. It is important to note that good physical fitness and recent diving experience are essential prerequisites. The tour’s challenging sites make it less suitable for beginners or those not confident in their diving skills.

Why Choose This Tour Over Simpler Options?

Compared to standard two-tank tours, this advanced 3-tank experience offers more depth, longer duration, and more diverse sites. The inclusion of wreck exploration, pinnacles, and drift dives makes it particularly appealing to certified divers seeking a memorable, challenging adventure. The small group size guarantees a more intimate, guided experience that prioritizes safety and individual attention.

Final Thoughts on the 3-Tank Maui Dive Tour

This tour delivers a comprehensive, advanced diving experience designed for those who want more than just the usual. The diverse sites—from wrecks to pinnacles—combine to create a day packed with exciting depth and marine encounters. The professional guides and small groups enhance safety and personalization.

However, strict prerequisites mean this isn’t suitable for novice divers. The weather dependency and early start time** require planning, but the reward of exploring Maui’s most iconic underwater sites makes it worthwhile for qualified divers. For those ready to push their limits, this 3-tank tour offers depth, variety, and the chance to see marine life that few other tours can match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum experience required for this tour?
You must have completed at least 25 dives and been diving within the last 6 months to qualify for this advanced tour.

What sites are included in this tour?
The tour features the Molokini Crater back wall drift, the Wasteland pinnacles at 85 and 110 feet, the St. Anthony Wreck, and the “Tire Garden”.

How early does the tour start, and where?
The tour departs at 6:15 am from Kihei Boat Landing. It ends back at the same location.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?
No, this is an advanced dive tour designed for experienced divers with appropriate certifications and recent diving history.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?
If poor weather affects the tour, you’ll be offered an alternative date or full refund. No charges apply for cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance.

Can I cancel close to the start date?
Cancellations within 24 hours of the tour are not refunded. Be sure to confirm your dive history beforehand to secure your spot.