The part of Molokini Crater visible above water is shaped like a crescent moon. Out of one corner of that crescent is an underwater finger of reef that extends the edge another quarter of the way around, as if a 3/4 circle. At the end of that submerged reef is an area aptly named: Reef’s End.
The reef ends in a series of stair stepping plateau’s of reef that extend from 10 feet below the surface dropping off to approx. 350 feet.
On the outside of that finger of reef is a slopping reef drop off to 350 feet. On the inside of that finger reef is the shallow water crater/reef. Immediately on the inside of the Reef’s End dive site is a sand channel that has a patch of Garden Eels that dart back into the sand as divers approach.
Here we often see baby White Tip Reef sharks (and their mothers…), occasional Grey Sharks, lobsters, a variety of eels, antler coral and what we have dubbed, “The Galaxy of Fish”—From Raccoon Butterflies to Damsel fish, schools of Pennent Fish, Moorish Idols and Blue-stripped Snappers…
Majestic Manta Rays often come to Molokini to feed, and dolphins, both Spinner and Bottlenose are often spotted here. Even the occasional Whale Shark shows up from time to time (but that is really a lucky day!)
A typical Reef’s End dive begins in the sand channel, and then we go out to the end of the reef, explore the shelves, swim out to “the great drop off” and then cross the sand channel to end the dive exploring the mid-reef hard corals.
We often dive the Reef’s End dive site as our first dive due to its consistent 100-200 feet of visibility and plethora of sea life. An alternative first dive may be the Enenu’i Reef on the opposite side of the crater.
On Expedition Dive Days, if the Back Wall has unfavorable conditions, we may opt to do a Reef’s End Drift, starting at Reef’s End and drifting toward the Back Wall.
All dive sites are weather conditions permitting.
