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A whitetip reef shark swims through an aquarium habitat on Maui, Hawaii.

Sharks

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Are there sharks at Molokini Crater?

Yes, there are sharks in the waters around Molokini Crater, although encountering one whilst snorkeling is a rare occurrence.

Maui, Hawaii: a snorkeler swims above a coral reef outcrop marked by bright red urchins and encrusting marine life.
Red urchins and bright encrusting life cover the Molokini Crater reef as a snorkeler swims overhead off Maui, Hawaii; Yes, there are sharks in the waters around Molokini Crater, although encountering one whilst snorkeling is a rare occurrence.

These are some of the types of sharks in the waters around Molokini Crater:

Whitetip Reef Sharks

The shark species seen most commonly at Molokini Crater, whitetip reef sharks are small, growing up to 5 feet in length. They are night hunters, and usually spend the day in caves or at the bottom of the reef.

At Maui, Hawaii, yellow-and-black butterflyfish form a loose school above a coral reef in deep blue water.
Yellow-and-black raccoon butterflyfish spread across the reef at Molokini Crater off Maui, Hawaii; The shark species seen most commonly at Molokini Crater, whitetip reef sharks are small, growing up to 5 feet in length.

While whitetip reef sharks are more common on the back side of Molokini Crater, they can sometimes be found in the waters within the crescent shape as well.

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks have occasionally been seen in the waters around Molokini Crater. They are much larger and can grow up to 60 feet in length, although most are in the range of 13 to 40 feet.

Striped butterflyfish cross a textured coral reef in bright blue water at Maui, Hawaii.
Orange-striped butterflyfish move together above the textured Molokini Crater reef off Maui, Hawaii; Whale sharks have occasionally been seen in the waters around Molokini Crater.

Whale sharks like to feed on plankton, small fish, crustaceans, and squid.

Shark Safety

Shark attacks in Hawaii on humans are extremely rare, and they generally tend to leave you alone unless they are harassed.

Orange reef fish cluster beneath a colorful coral ledge above a rocky reef floor at Maui, Hawaii.
A shaded coral overhang shelters a school of orange soldierfish at Molokini Crater off Maui, Hawaii; Shark attacks in Hawaii on humans are extremely rare, and they generally tend to leave you alone unless they are harassed.

To read up on shark safety tips, visit this Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources page.

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