~ Snorkeling Trip to Molokini Crater 06/04/2007 ~

Located 2 ½ miles off Maui's south coast, Molokini is an extinct volcano that is now designated as a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District. Its crescent shape acts as a fortress that provides protection from waves and powerful currents making this area one of the top ten dive sites in the world.

Molokini's back wall sharply drops off to depths of 300 feet. In the center is a lush reef area with excellent viewing up to 150 feet. The pristine waters are home to about 250 species of fish - some of which are found nowhere else on earth.

The frigate birds are known as Ewa (“thief”) in the Hawaiian language because of their practice of stealing food from other birds.

(They are the little black dots in the picture below).

The water was SOOOO cold.

It literally took my breath away when I jumped in.

It was a GREAT time though.

Oooooooh...... a spooky spotted eel. :-)