Water Sports

The best place to rent beach toys (snorkels, boogie boards, beach chairs, fishing poles, and more) is Molokai Fish & Dive, Kaunakakai (tel. 808/553-5926; www.molokaifishanddive.com), where you can rent snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and even ice chests. This is also a hot spot for fishing news and tips on what's running where.

Body Boarding (Boogie Boarding) & Bodysurfing

Molokai has only three beaches that offer good waves for body boarding and bodysurfing: Papohaku, Kepuhi, and Halawa. Even these beaches are only for experienced bodysurfers, due to the strength of the rip currents and undertows. You can rent boogie boards with fins for just $5 a day or $20 a week at Molokai Outdoors Activities (tel. 877/553-4477 or 808/553-4477; www.molokai-outdoors.com).

Ocean Kayaking

During the summer months, when the waters on the north shore are calm, Molokai offers some of the most spectacular kayaking in Hawaii. However, most of Molokai is for the experienced kayaker only. You must be adept in paddling through open ocean swells and rough waves.

Molokai Outdoors Activities (tel. 877/553-4477 or 808/553-4477; www.molokai-outdoors.com), has a "downwinder" tour: 6 miles of Molokai's reef as you paddle down wind. The cost is $75, plus $10 for lunch, per person. It also rent kayaks; rates start at $26 a day.

Most of Molokai is for experienced kayakers only, though summer months offer calm waters on the north shore.

Scuba Diving

Want to see turtles or manta rays up close? How about sharks? Molokai resident Bill Kapuni has been diving the waters around the island his entire life; he'll be happy to show you whatever you're brave enough to encounter. You can book him through Molokai Fish & Dive (tel. 808/553-5926; www.molokaifishanddive.com), which offers scuba-diving trips from $135 (two-tank dive) to $275 (three-tank dive).

Snorkeling

Molokai's Best Snorkel Spots -- Most Molokai beaches are too dangerous for snorkeling in winter, when big waves and strong currents are generated by storms that sweep down from Alaska. From mid-September to April, stick to Murphy Beach Park (also known as Kumimi Beach Park) on the East End. In summer, roughly May to mid-September, the Pacific Ocean turns into a flat lake, and the whole west coast of Molokai opens up for snorkeling. Mike Holmes, of Molokai Ranch & Fun Hogs Hawaii, says the best spots are as follows:

• Kawaikiunui, Ilio Point, and Pohaku Moiliili (West End) -- These are all special places seldom seen by even those who live on Molokai. You can reach Kawaikiunui and Pohaku Moiliili on foot after a long, hot, dusty ride in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but it's much easier and quicker to go by sea. It's about 2 miles as the crow flies from Pohaku Moiliili to Ilio Point.
• Kapukahehu (Dixie Maru) Beach (West End) -- This gold-sand family beach is well protected, and the reef is close and shallow. The name Dixie Maru comes from a 1920s Japanese fishing boat stranded off the rocky shore. One of the Molokai Ranch cowboys hung the wrecked boat's nameplate on a gate by Kapukahehu Beach, and the name stuck. To get here, take Kaluakoi Road to the end of the pavement, and then take the footpath 300 feet to the beach.
• Murphy (Kumimi) Beach Park (East End) -- This beach is located between mile markers 20 and 21, off Kamehameha V Highway. The reef here is easily reachable, and the waters are calm year-round.

When the waters are calm, Molokai offers excellent snorkeling; you'll see a wide range of butterflyfish, tangs, and angelfish. Good snorkeling can be found -- when conditions are right -- at many of Molokai's beaches. Molokai Fish & Dive (tel. 808/553-5926; www.molokaifishanddive.com), rents mask, snorkel, and fins for $10 for 24 hours.

For snorkeling tours on a boat, Walter Naki of Molokai Action Adventures (tel. 808/558-8184) offers leisurely snorkeling, diving, and swimming trips in his 21-foot Boston whaler for $50 per person for a 4- to 6-hour custom tour.

Sportfishing

Molokai's waters can provide prime sporting opportunities, whether you're looking for big-game sportfishing or bottom fishing. The number-one person I recommend is Capt. Clay, of Hallelujah Hou Fishing (tel. 808/336-1870; www.hallelujahhoufishing.com). Capt. Clay, who is also a minister and the nicest guy you may ever meet, leads light-tackle guided fishing trips on his 24-foot power catamaran. The price is $395 to $495 for up to four adults for a half-day. He provides all tackle and bottled water; you bring the sunscreen. If you catch something, he'll even filet your fish for dinner. Note: There's no "head" (toilet) on the boat.

When customers are scarce, Capt. Joe Reich goes commercial fishing, so he always knows where the fish are biting. He runs Alyce C Sportfishing out of Kaunakakai Harbor (tel. 808/558-8377; ace@aloha.net). A full day of fishing for up to six people is $550, three-quarters of a day is $500, and a half-day is $450. You can usually persuade him to do a whale-watching cruise during the winter months.

For fly-fishing or light-tackle reef-fish trolling, contact Capt. Clay of Hallelujah Hou Fishing (tel. 808/336-1870; www.hallelujahhoufishing.com). A 4- to 6-hour trip is $450 for the first angler and an additional $150 per person, up to a total of six.

Molokai Fish & Dive (tel. 808/553-5926; www.molokaifishanddive.com), has fishing tours for $400 for a half-day, and $600 for a full day for up to six passengers.

For deep-sea fishing, contact Fun Hogs Hawaii, who books through Molokai Outdoors Activities (tel. 877/553-4477 or 808/553-4477; www.molokai-outdoors.com) for fishing excursions on a 27-foot, fully equipped sportfishing vessel. Prices are $365 for six passengers for 4 hours, $417 for 6 hours, and $521 for 8 hours.

Surfing

Depending on the time of year and the wave conditions, Molokai can offer some great surfing for the beginner, as well as the expert. Molokai Outdoors Activities (tel. 877/553-4477 or 808/553-4477; www.molokai-outdoors.com) will not only know where the waves are, but it also rents gear: soft surfboards for $13 a day. Good surfing spots include Kaunakakai Wharf in town, Hale O Lono Beach and Papohaku Beach on the West End, and Halawa Beach on the East End.