Youll often find snorkeling boats moored here because the quality of snorkeling is just that good. You can expect to see lots of sea turtles, some white tip reef sharks, goatfish, black surgeons, and parrotfishes. Families with children can have a blast doing these various activities. Located off of the lower road in Kapalua, there is a small parking lot, and being a popular beach, the spots tend to fill up quickly. If the cave entrance is too deep for you to comfortably reach, you are tired, or you are unsure of your breath holding ability, skip this part and stay safe. Yellow Tangs (LauIpala), Convict Tangs (Manini) and Moorish Idols (Kihi Kihi) are just some of the fish that are abundant here. There arent any facilities here however, its definitely worth a stop. snorkeling maui Also, keep an eye out for Hawaiis state fish, the Humu Humu Nuku Nuku Apuaa (Rectangular Triggerfish), as there are plenty to be found here, swimming alongside White-spotted Puffers (Oopu Hue), Trumpetfish (Nunu) and much more. The underwater ecosystem at Makena Landing has been in development for over a million years, so you can be assured that the hours spent exploring it will be time well spent. Walk straight down from the road, to the public access path in between the condos, past a freshwater shower, straight to the beach. Mokuleia Bay is also known by the name of Slaughterhouse. Located north of Napili on Hwy 30 (Honoapiilani Hwy) at mile marker 32, youll see a chain link fence with roadside parking. With more than 5 locations in West Maui alone, Boss Frogs offers the best option for inexpensive snorkeling gear rentals on Maui. You'll know this area when you see shark sighting signs posted around every couple hundred yards. While the water might not be too deep (it stays shallow for a long time off shore) the distance you need to travel to access the reef can be exhausting. Its only about 10 miles from Lahaina town. This is paid parking but if you buy some snacks at the ABC Store or choose to have some beverages at one of the restaurants, you can get 4 hour validated parking. It is about 10 minutes away from Lahaina Harbor and could go up to 30 meters deep, making it also great for scuba diving. Learn about the many species of sea turtle found in Hawaii. Located in an easy-to-find spot on South Kihei Road, Kamaole Beach Park III is a fantastic snorkeling spot for the whole family. A boat trip to Honolua is our preferred way of snorkeling because they take you directly to the safest and best spots. Sitemap | Blog | Terms | Newsletter | Contact 2006-2021 Hawaii Web Group. It makes our list for, Whats not to love about Kapalua Bay? Enter the water at the left side of the sandy shoreline of Honolua Bay. One nice thing about the area is the new setback laws that Maui County created. guided The snorkeling is good on each side of the bay with coral formations. Expect sea turtles to be resting on the bottom of the caves dark recesses. catamaran maui sea loading easy beach lahaina Look out for any signs that lifeguards post on the beach and if in doubt, ask the lifeguards about the days conditions. As you go out, do keep in mind the trade winds, as you dont want to be swept further along that desired. Maui vs Big Island: Beach Vacation or Adventure (you decide). Or, take the bus from Whalers Village, the Napili Islander, Route 30, which will drop you off at Napili Village. The magnificent, intelligent mammals migrate here from Alaska to make babies and have babies, and at Makena Landing you can hear them singing underwater! With such a wide body of water, this bay offers two main snorkel spots: the left side (Lahaina) and the right (Kapalua). There is also good snorkeling to the left, but if and when the trade winds start to kick up in the early afternoon, or if there is a big south swell, the current and choppiness could increase and push you towards the rocks at this end of the beach. Check out our fish and reef identification guide for more information about Mauis underwater residents: thesnorkelstore.com/maui-reef-fish-guide. There is additional parking at the Green Belt section of the beach. BATHROOMS: Look just below the surface of the water to see the long, silvery Needle Fish (Aha), they like to swim just under the waterline where they blend in perfectly. To avoid this hassle altogether, let The Snorkel Store drive you there. Have a great time, and enjoy yourself! To take the longer way, go in the entrance and swim straight forward until the light shows up ahead. The place offers excellent snorkeling for both beginners expert snorkelers. Look for two pieces of basketball sized rock jutting through the surface about ten yards away from the reef. and a snorkel cruise along the west Maui coastline. Brightly colored sea urchins are plentiful, as are numerous varieties of healthy looking coral. PARKING: There is plenty of free parking at this beach park, try to get there early on holidays and at weekends as it can be a popular spot! World famous Kaanapali Beach is known for the long stretch of white sand beach that runs continuously from the Hyatt Hotel on the south end all the way north to Sheraton Hotel. We usually don't recommend people to snorkel in this area because it's known to be sharky. Not ideal in winter. Just before the Napili Kai Beach Club, you'll find a parking lot and a tunnel.

Make certain that it hasn't rained recently because this is also an outlet. A beach umbrella is always a good idea if you want to be closer to the surf or in area where there is no natural shade. It attracts fish, but after heavy rain, it turns the water to a thick muddy brown. The snorkel site is just south from the Olowalu fruit stands, general store and Leodas Pie Shop. Keep in mind when snorkeling on the west side that there's more surf potential on this side. Once you swim about twenty yards offshore, submerge your ears and hold your breath for a moment or two to silence your breath sounds. There is a small parking lot to the right of the beach park. If you arrive after 9:30 AM, plan for parking to be a challenge. This is a marine reserve and has a great beach. And its located near one of our. With crystal clear water and rich in marine life, Mauis beaches are indeed one of the best places in the world for snorkeling. When snorkeling, go to the right side of the shore along the rocks as most of the corals and sea life are concentrated there. All of Hawaiis beaches and ocean locations have the potential to be dangerous. Their knowledgeable guides took us to some great spots and we were able to kayak out to the reef, rather than swim the entire distance. The sand is steep straight from the shoreline. Rent your tank and gear at these locations, or get certified to dive. Boasting a series of half-moon bays and soft sand beaches, Mauis beaches offer an underwater universe or green sea turtles and tropical fish. The best snorkeling is out in front of the Sheraton at Black Rock. There is an underwater cave that advanced snorkelers can choose to swim through. You wont find a great beach but you will find more turtles than you can count here. The sand is very soft underfoot, which allows you a straightforward and smooth entry into the water. Honolua Bay is a beautiful Marine Preserve located in the northwest part of Maui and is 5-15 minutes away from the major hotels and resorts. The bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs, sheltering it on both sides from the wind which keeps the water peaceful and calm. But you gotta know where to go. South of Kaanapali Beach and Black Rock area you'll find plenty of other snorkeling spots over shallow reef. We've listed some of the best vessels in Maui waters. For any snorkeling that you do in Hawaii or elsewhere, its important to. You will likely hear these incredible tones as you continue exploring to the right along the reef. We recommend either parking a little down the road off of a side street and walking to the beach access path, or taking the bus ( look for the Napili Islander sign). You might even get lucky and see an Octopus (Hee) here. Plus, check out all of our highly recommended snorkeling tours, videos of our experiences, and full reviews by visiting our. If you take very small children into the water at Kam III or non-swimmers, be aware that the sand can quickly slope off underwater. Be careful not get too close because a sudden swell can wash you up on the jagged rocks. The middle part of the bay is mostly sand and a great place to practice free diving skills, or to spot the local resident honu. Otherwise known as red pencil urchins, they are distinctive by their bright red color. Begin snorkeling from the left, but dont forget to explore the right side of the bay as well.

ADDRESS: 2800 South Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753 If youre looking for a great snorkeling experience then definitely head here. This is especially a concern for those who are scuba diving and are not seen by the cliff divers. our favorite snorkeling spot on all of Maui. Wahikuli Park has showers, restrooms, parking, and is really easy access right on Highway 30. There is a sandy bottom with great visibility along the rock outcroppings that separate South Kaanapali beach from North Kaanapali beach. Use caution if the trade winds pick-up. This place is mostly covered with green lawn where you can lounge at when youre not in the water. Because of the abundance of rocky beach, Honolua Bay might not be the top choice for families with young children. The sea turtles at Makena Landing are quite used to people, so if you give them space (its illegal to touch a sea turtle, anyhow), you will have the opportunity to admire them for long periods as they go about their business. If driving, there is a carpark off the highway, but youll want to get there early for a park. Please use caution if youre planning on snorkeling in the winter months on the upper west side of Maui as Honokeana Bay is fairly well exposed to the large north west swells that make Hawaii a mecca for wintertime surfing. You neednt swim far to encounter several colorful reef fish including the peacock grouper, schools of ladyfish, the Moorish idol, and several types of butterfly fish. Maui has more swimmable beaches than any other Hawaiian island. While taking care not to get too close to the rocks, you will see that they host a wide variety of fish. These are just a few of the many sea life that you will get to see when snorkeling in Mala Wharf. We have had a great experience snorkeling here with. You will be rewarded with excellent underwater views and lots of marine life, as the northern end of this beach is where the most fish and green sea turtles hang out. As soon as you look underwater, you will start to see a variety of reef fish. Especially if you get to spot some cool reef fish! Since the Marine Preserve prohibits fishing of any kind, Honolua Bay boasts a density and diversity of sea life that is second to none on Maui. 808-669-1077 The 8 Best Beaches for Kids on Maui (from a Maui family), This is How Much Your Trip to Maui Will Cost (And Ways to Save). GPS Coordinates: 20.656796, -156.442071 The best snorkeling is on the right towards the North side of the bay. Check the Maui Snorkel Reportfor surf conditions at Honolua Bay before heading out. Wind is usually not a factor, so if there arent any waves you can usually expect an excellent day of snorkeling. Maui Beach Bundle, Text Us! Like Napili Bay, the beach tends to get crowded with visitors quickly, so you need to head there earlier to get a good spot on the beach. Follow the beautiful forest path from the main road to get to shore. This protected bay offers a spectacular reef and plenty of large fish and other sea life. Weve done the hard work for you by vetting the best tour operators. There is also good boogie boarding at this beach and there are plenty of tide pools to explore. And if you want to stay near this snorkeling spot, If seeing turtles is high on your list, check out the, In Olowalu, just south of Lahaina, youll find one of the oldest coral reefs on the Hawaiian islands. Makulei'a Bay is located just South of Honolua Bay. Depending on the direction youre traveling, turn into the entrance at Kai Ala Drive and drive towards the ocean to find the parking lot. In between you will find the Marriott, Kaanapali Alii, Westin, Whalers Village, The Whaler Condos and the Kaanapli Beach Hotel. Make sure to use some reef safe sunscreen to protect the ocean reefs and most importantly have fun! When snorkeling most people snorkel the whole bay but remember to reserve energy for the swim back. If taking a bus from Whalers Village, it will be the Napili Islander, Route 30, and you can get off at the stop where the great little hotel, Napili Village is located. Once the airport moved to Kahana (interestingly now called Kapalua Airport), the land was used to grow sugarcane. A rocky bay makes a perfect spot to view turtles as they snack on the vegetation. SAFTEY TIP: Swimming in Mauis warm, clear waters is a beautiful experience but dont forget to check the conditions before you go out. Intermediate to advanced And some of these beaches that offer a perfect spot for snorkeling are found in Lahaina. Call: 808-669-1077 The best time to go snorkeling in Honolua Bay is usually around 7 AM to 11 AM. You do not have to be an expert-level snorkeler to do this, it is suitable for beginners as long as they feel confident and are aware of their surroundings and the days weather conditions. Rinse your snorkel gear and bathing costume with fresh water when you are done for the day, and you will extend the life of your items. Its always good to be safe. 2580 Kekaa Drive The waves are gentle, and the ocean bottom at entry is made of soft coral sand, so getting in the water is easy. Kahekili Beach Park is also called Airport Beach due to the fact that during the 1960s and early 1970s, the location served as West Mauis only airport. SNORKELING LEVEL: >> Directions to Honolua Bay on Google Maps. But if youre in search of the best possible snorkeling, be sure to spend some time choosing spots from our list of the, Map of the Best Snorkeling Spots Near Lahaina, Maui is the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling year round, Details for the 9 Best Snorkeling Spots near Lahaina, A marine life conservation district, this is a popular snorkeling spot in the summer months when the waves are generally calmer.

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