Molokai, with its dry, barren west end and lush jungle-covered east end, as well as the world’s highest sea cliffs, is an amazing place to visit. With fantastic ranches, pineapple plantations, and resorts, the island offers visitors plenty to see on dry land; and, for scuba divers, the island features magnificent underwater vistas that are teeming with life. While there are lots of places to dive around Molokai, some of them really stand out. Let’s take a look at three of Molokai’s best dive sites.
Hole in the Wall - Molokai Dive Sites
With a massive pinnacle rising up from the seabed at 100 feet to within 40 feet of the surface, Hole in the Wall is a truly spectacular site. Beautiful snowflake and wire corals, as well as elegant black coral trees that shelter the rare long-nose hawkfish decorate the pinnacle, and swirling clouds of Tinker’s butterfly fish and other lovely tropicals are everywhere you look.
This site is crawling with slipper lobsters and nudibranchs, and is also a great place to see mahi-mahi and other large pelagic fish. Watch for sharks and Manta rays, and between December and March, look and listen since you may see or hear whales.
Last, but not least, the site features a massive old military missile, which is partly buried in the sand at about 100 feet. There are a few smaller missiles around the area as well, which now act as little artificial reefs. Visibility here is usually between 80 and 100 feet, and the current is swift! Hole in the Wall is recommended for expert divers only.
Fish Rain - Molokai Dive Sites
This amazing site is named for the masses of fish that move over the top of the wall, and which are pulled down with the current, literally raining all around you as you drift along its slope. With countless varieties of tropical and pelagic species, Fish Rain is simply spectacular. Best of all, this is an excellent place to encounter hammerheads, whale sharks, and monk seals. Watch for tiger sharks, too!
Maximum depth is 100 feet, and there is a very strong current. This site is reserved for experienced divers only.
The Cove - Molokai Dive Sites
A very beautiful site, and perfect for night diving, The Cove is a well-protected half-moon shaped body of water with depths between 20 and 100 feet. The sandy bottom features a gradual slope with stands of antler coral in the shallower areas, and magnificent black coral trees at greater depths.
Home to lemon butterfly fish, porcupine puffers, and countless other tropical species, this is also an excellent place to see long-nose hawkfish, sharks, and Manta rays.
After the sun goes down, the slipper lobsters and Spanish dancers put on a show, making for some incredible photos.
As Molokai is a small, quiet place, be sure to reserve your dive charter well in advance of your vacation, so that you can enjoy these fantastic dive sites. Brush up on your diving skills and be sure to bring your underwater camera with you – soon enough, you’ll be enjoying these unforgettable dives.