Snorkeling

Snorkeling on Maui

Best places to go snorkeling

With 120 miles of coastline and 30 miles of beaches, Maui has more swimmable beach area than any of the Hawaiian islands. Snorkeling can be found at most of the beaches where there are rocky outcroppings on the edges or a reef. Here are some of the most popular snorkeling areas that you can access right off the beach:

West side of Maui:

Kapalua Bay - great for beginners, you can see fish right from shore. The entire bay is great for snorkeling, but if you stay closer to the edges where the rocks are then you'll see so much more. Lots of turtles, sometimes a nurse shark resting under a rock ledge, eels, octopus, and lots of tropical fish. No lifeguard so best to swim with a buddy.
Napili Bay - another great spot for beginners. Best along the far north and south edges. You may need to swim a bit out to get past the cloudy water near the beach.
Honolua Bay - an excellent snorkeling spot on calm water days. You need to swim past the initial cloudy water to get to the best snorkeling, stay along the edges of the cove. Do not snorkel when surf is up or the water is cloudy.
Kaanapali Beach / Black Rock Beach - There are no reefs here, the best snorkeling is along the wall of Black Rock where you can swim around the point, but watch for rip currents which are very common here. I suggest only snorkeling here if you are an experienced snorkeler.
Airport Beach - Head straight out from the pavilion to find plenty of fish and maybe some turtles. Snorkel on calm water days only. The sand drops off suddenly when entering.
Olowalu - Pull over at mile marker #14 on Hwy 30 between Lahaina and Maalaea, here you will find over 100 acres of reef. Parking is on the side of the road, entry is easy into the water. This area is somewhat sheltered from the wind.

South Maui:

Kama'ole I, II, & III - along the rocky outcroppings at each end of the beach especially between Kam II and III. Lifeguards on duty. Snorkeling is best in the mornings before the afternoon winds pick up and this can be a good area for beginners.
Keawakapu Beach - best along the rocky outcropping at the Northern end, not the best at the center of the beach
Maluaka Beach - home of Turtle Town and teeming with fish. Only snorkel on calm water days, watch for currents. No lifeguard so snorkel with a buddy.
Ulua Beach - great snorkeling on the right or north end of the beach near the rocky outcropping.
Po'olenalena Beach - good for beginners on calm water days, there is a great rocky outcropping on the Right side. The left side is better for more experienced snorkelers, you can swim along the rocky edge and around the point to see a turtle cleaning station - watch for currents and best in the mornings.
Ahihi Cove at Ahihi Kinau Natural Reserve Area - the cove is right off the road. No beach, there is a short concrete ramp where you can already see fish. For more experienced snorkelers, you sometimes find yourself swimming through mazes of coral and rock on low tide days. Eels, octopus, fish, turtles.

Molokini - only reachable by tour boat, the underwater volcano crater of Molokini has clear waters teeming with marine life.

Lanai - take a snorkeling trip tour to Lanai and find several great places with warm, clear water & fish you don't often see off Maui

Snorkeling Trips

There are countless companies on Maui offering snorkeling trips to Molokini, Lanai, and around the island. Here is a list of the different types of boats that offer snorkeling trips:

Catamaran
Raft
Kayak
Canoe
Single hull and twin hull boats

Rafts are great for a smaller group of people and they can get to destinations much faster. There are a couple rafting companies out of S Kihei and a couple out of Lahaina (*due to the August 2023 fires, the Lahaina harbor is closed until further notice. There are some tour companies leaving out of Mala Wharf but most have moved to the Maalaea Harbor). If you tend to get seasick, then book a twin hull boat as they are bigger and less prone to moving around so much in the waves.

Tips when snorkeling

Snorkeling of Maui can be one of the best parts of your vacation! But there are some things you should keep in mind:

Update: It is not recommended to use full-face snorkel masks and all tour boats on Maui have banned them

1. Never snorkel alone! Always be sure to take a partner with you and keep an eye on each other at all times. This way if you get a cramp or need help in the water someone is always nearby. Many beaches on Maui do not have lifeguards.

2. Be calm in the water. I often see people splashing around and kicking fervently when snorkeling which can scare away the fish or you could inadvertently kick another snorkeler. Instead, kick slowly and calmly with even breathes. Slow movements will encourage fish to swim nearby. You should also take a break every 10-15 minutes, surface, remove your snorkel and take in several deep breathes of air.

3. Beginners should practice in a pool before jumping in the ocean. If you have never snorkeled before, please practice in a pool at home before your trip or at the pool at your condo or resort. Practice clearing your snorkel of water, kicking calmly, and breathing through the snorkel mouthpiece. Once you get to the ocean if you are not a strong swimmer then bring a flotation device with you such as a swim noodle or arm floaties. There are also some boogie type boards that have a window on them allowing you to swim and look through the window instead of using a mask which can be great for kids.

4. Know your surroundings! It's easy to lose track of time while snorkeling and watching all the marine life around you. But you should check where you are often so you don't get too far away from your partner or the beach. Also watch for currents pushing you out towards the ocean and waves pushing you towards the rocky outcroppings. Read more about currents below. By looking forward instead of down all the time you can also watch out for other snorkelers nearby. In addition, don't go to far from shore, especially if you are not an experienced snorkeler.

5. Put your fins on in the water not on the beach. This is so much easier than putting them on at the beach and trying to walk into the ocean. Put your snorkel and face mask over your head and hold your fins with one hand (I like to put my arm through both fin heels so I have both hands free) while making your way into the water past any beach waves. Once in calm water put your fins on. If you find it easier to put your fins on first, then walk backwards into the water, but watch for any waves crashing onto the beach - never fully turn your back on the ocean!

6. Avoid swimming too close to reefs or rocks. This is for a couple reasons: if you touch or kick the reefs with your fins you could damage them irreparably. Coral is alive and you should never walk on it with or without water shoes, or kick it with your fins. If you swim too close to the coral or volcanic rocks you might get cuts from the sharp edges. Try to keep your body flat on the surface while snorkeling. If you stop for a break then make sure you are in more open water away from things you could bump into.

7. Never touch any marine life while snorkeling! Hawaii's green sea turtles (honu) and monk seals are endangered species. The DLNR recommends keep a safe distance from the animals at all times so as not to cause them stress. The recommended distance varies based on who you speak to, but 30' is considered the polite amount for honu and 50' for monk seals, and if you are any closer you might get some ugly stares from those around you. The no touching rule also applies to coral. If you come across a turtle or seal while swimming, please give it a wide berth and do not chase it. Do not hover above a turtle while it is swimming, this might discourage the turtle from surfacing for the air it needs to breath and live.

8. Rip currents. A rip current is a powerful channel of water that flows out toward the ocean. Fortunately, rip currents tend to be fairly narrow and dissipate as they move away from shore. If you're ever caught in a rip current remember - don't panic or fight the current. Recognize a rip current for what it is and “go with the flow” and/or swim parallel along the beach to get yourself out of the current. Remember as a rip current moves away from the beach it will dissipate and you can escape it. Most rip currents usually diminish within a few hundred feet. The flow of a rip can be powerful and trying to swim against it can lead to panic and exhaustion. Instead, save your energy, keep your wits about you, and know that your fins provide a major safety advantage. If you stay calm and think logically you will have no problem returning to shore. If you are at a beach with lifeguards you should always ask them about current water conditions.

9. Never snorkel after heavy rains or in brown water. Water runoff carries many things from the land to the sea which can bring sharks closer to shore. If lifeguards have put out red flags, do not swim or snorkel. Red flag = a great day for sunning but not for swimming.

10. Have fun!!!