Our trip to Maui was the first time three of us would experience the Pacific Ocean. My wife had learned to swim in the Pacific while her parents were stationed in Hawaii, but our kids and I had never been in those waters. Growing up in the Caribbean, I was always involved in some kind of water sport, so I was excited to share this experience with my family. They fell in love with snorkeling a few years ago during one of our vacations, and this trip gave us another chance to explore.
We chose Redline for our snorkeling tour because of the boat size. While larger boats offer more amenities, we wanted to get in the water quickly and maximize our time snorkeling. Our five-hour tour had only 20 people, giving us plenty of space and time at each spot. Booking through their online portal was a breeze, and their text responses were timely and informative. I even claimed a military discount via text. Finding the boat launch was easy, and check-in was efficient. After signing waivers, receiving a briefing and schedule update, and getting our loaner wetsuits (included in the tour price!), we boarded the boat and set off for Molokini.
After a short boat ride, we arrived at Molokini. Following a quick breakfast of fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls, plus a safety briefing, we got in the water. Molokini exceeded expectations. Despite high winds and some swells, the visibility was excellent. Our captain and first mate, both named Nick, ensured everyone was comfortable and ready to go.
Next, we checked to see if snorkeling at the back wall of Molokini was an option, but the water was too rough. However, on the way, we got an incredible bonus—watching a humpback whale and her calf, along with four to six males competing for her attention. This unexpected sight was a breathtaking, "free" attraction. Since the back wall wasn't accessible, we snorkeled the other end of the crater instead. After a quick and efficient lunch, we headed to Turtle Town for our final stop.
Turtle Town was even better than advertised. We saw around ten turtles being groomed by reef fish, swimming through the reef, and even resting on the ocean floor.
We had an absolute blast on our tour and highly recommend Redline if you're ever in Maui!