On Wednesday 29 October we decided to take a snorkeling tour to Mokolini Crater and the Coral Gardens area off the western Maui Coast. Snorkeling was good in the crater and we got to go on the backside of the crater where the water was choppier. The turtle feeding station close to the Coral Gardens snorkeling area was a great area for spotting turtles. After the snorkel trip we received a recommendation for a gluten free restaurant in Kihei and headed for that part of the coast. We explored the beaches along the southwest coast of Maui, shopped around Kihei and headed for dinner at the wonderful restaurant, Maui Brick Oven. Everything was gluten free including the fried items. Fish and chips were fantastic.
Maui Ocean Center and Ma'alaea Harbor where we boarded our boat for a tour to Molokini with the Pacific Whale Foundation.
The water was calm enough for us to go snorkeling on the back side of the crater which is open to the Pacific Ocean and much deeper.
I floated over this Green Turtle for quite awhile waiting for him to surface so I could get a good picture. The wait paid off as the turtle surfaced right toward me.
Wedding couple walking along beach at Makena Beach State Park. Molokini Crater is in foreground with Kaho'olawe in the background.
Maui Ocean Center and Ma'alaea Harbor where we boarded our boat for a tour to Molokini with the Pacific Whale Foundation.
Karen and Jenna snorkeling in Molokini Crater.
Karen and Bill in Molokini Crater.
Jenna, Karen, Bill, and Marla snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Molokini Crater.
Fish in the surf lapping against the crater wall of Molokini Crater.
Needle fish in the crater.
Parrot fish in Molokini Crater.
More fish in the crater.
Jenna and Karen.
More diving for the camera.
The water was calm enough for us to go snorkeling on the back side of the crater which is open to the Pacific Ocean and much deeper.
Back side of the Molokini Crater wall.
Marla and Bill back on the boat after snorkeling.
After snorkeling in Molokini Crater, the boat headed toward the West Coast of Maui to the Turtle Arches reef. This area is a typical hang out for Green Turtles which feed on algae around the underwater lava formations. We snorkeled with quite a few turtles.
Bill with Green Turtle near the bottom.
Sun-lit Green Turtle near the surface.
Two Green Turtles near the bottom.
I floated over this Green Turtle for quite awhile waiting for him to surface so I could get a good picture. The wait paid off as the turtle surfaced right toward me.
He got very close to my face.
After completing our snorkeling tour we shopped around the Maui Ocean Center and Pacific Whale Foundation. The Italian Ice shop gave us a recommendation for a gluten free restaurant in Kihei. We decided to drive down the south coast of Maui through Kihei and Wailea to Makena. We stopped at the Makena Beach State Park to walk along the beach and then headed back up to Kihei where we looked around the shops before dinner. We had a great dinner at the Maui Brick Oven. The gluten free fish and chips was fantastic. It was a totally gluten free restaurant which had some of the best gluten free entrees we have ever had.
Makena Beach State Park
Wedding couple walking along beach at Makena Beach State Park. Molokini Crater is in foreground with Kaho'olawe in the background.
Sun setting behind Kaho'olawe at Makena Beach State Park.
Another sunset view from Makena Beach State Park.
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