Let’s Return to Maui to Snorkel

Honolua Bay By Nicholas Cole CC photograph

Are you looking for a snorkeling vacation? It is time to return to Maui to snorkel. Maui has some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii, known as some of the best snorkeling in the world.  Wildfires in August of 2023, created massive damage In Maui, destroying the City of Lahaina, killing over 100 people, and leaving thousands homeless. Tourism to the island, which employs either directly or indirectly 70% of the working population, ceased. It took 6 months before tourism reopened in a limited manner. A year later, Maui is ready to provide you with an outstanding snorkeling vacation.

Unlike scuba diving, where divers will select a destination focused on diving, snorkeling is often considered an added activity. Surveys of Hawaiian tourists show that most visitors who are physically able to snorkel do spend time snorkeling. Once a person experiences snorkeling in Hawaii, and especially snorkeling Maui, they will do it again.

What Is So Special About Maui Snorkeling?

Amazing marine life, amazing reef formations, amazing water temperatures, amazing visibility, amazing shore access, see a trend here? Everything about snorkeling in Maui is, you guessed it, amazing. Most of the tourism development and water activities are on the west side of Maui Island.  The trade winds bringing winds and rain from the open ocean come from the east. A mountain range in the center of the island blocks or redirects much of the effects of the trade winds away from the West Coast area. This leads to fewer rainy days and calmer nearshore water surface conditions. Nearby offshore deep waters bring upswells to the shallower reefs that form off the island. These upswells bring nutrients to the reefs that support the growth of the reefs, as well as food for reef fish and other marine life. The nearness to deep water also brings larger pelagic species into shallow water looking for dinner.

The coast of Maui is perfect for snorkeling, with many small, protected bays. Maui may be the best location in the world for Beachgoers to learn to snorkel and those who are only casual snorkelers. The variety of locations and what you will experience in each will be spellbound not only for those new to snorkeling but also who are experienced. Two of the best snorkeling sites are offshore, Molokini Crater and Turtle Town, and only accessible by boat. I mention these in a previous article about snorkeling in Hawaii, so will only mention that you should consider a boat trip to experience these world-class sites.

One of the items that sets Maui snorkeling on the map is that it is mostly done from the shore. The beaches on Maui are not all sand, many are rocky. Beachgoers will frequently avoid many of the rocky beaches and stick to the sandy beaches for their days. This means that many of the beaches that are great for snorkeling will have fewer people in the water, you just need to be a little more careful getting to the water. Generally, people will group the West Coast snorkeling sites to 25 locations. Some of these sites will have multiple access points and may be fairly near to other snorkeling sites.  If you are staying at an oceanfront resort, you may find a few snorkeling sites within walking distance.

Where to Start Your Maui Snorkeling

Maui Snorkeling somewhat depends on where you stay. Kapalua is at the northern tip of the western coast of Maui, and the southwestern corner is Wailea. A few towns and cities are located between them. Do not worry too much if there are sites near each of these two destinations that you want to snorkel, as it is just about an hour's drive between the two. I am going to highlight some of the more popular sites to get you to start thinking about your snorkeling vacation.

• Honolua Bay: Considered by many as the best snorkeling site in Maui, at least in the spring, summer, and early fall. In the winter, it becomes the best surfing spot on Maui, with conditions too rough for snorkeling. Honolua Bay is located on the northwest coast of Maui. A small parking lot sits off the main road, with a trail down to the water’s edge. The beach is very rocky, so a good pair of water shoes will be needed, and you will not find many here just for the beach. This site is ideal for beginners and intermediate snorkelers, with abundant shallow areas as well as depths of 60 feet. The water clarity is excellent, so you should always be able to see the bottom from anywhere in the bay. Excellent coral coverage over a rocky substrate makes this a perfect place for marine life. Add in that the bay is part of a marine protected zone, and you will find not only small juveniles but also larger adults. Sea turtles are common here, and manta rays are also frequently seen.  Bring your lunch and drinks, as there are no amenities except a couple of portable toilets. Tour operators often stop here as well. A part of the same marine protected area is Mokuleia Bay, which the locals call “Slaughterhouse,” just a mile directly south. The water here also has great visibility and is relatively calm during the diving season and a depth of about 30 feet. It may be a bit of a challenge for new snorkelers. It does have a small sandy beach, however, the walk-in is down a set of steep steps.

  
  

• Maluaka Beach: If you are staying in the southern portion of Maui’s west coast and looking for a nearby snorkeling spot, then Maluaka Beach may be exactly what you are looking for, especially if you are with children. Some call it a “secret” beach as the entrance is not marked from the main road and drivers may be distracted by the luxurious Makena Beach and Golf Resort. While it may appear that Maluaka Beach is a part of that luxury residence, all beaches in Hawaii are public access, and Maluaka Beach has two access points with the southern one the most used. This beach does have some amenities such as outdoor showers, restrooms, BBQ pits, and picnic tables. You will find a grass area and a small sand beach. The reef starts about 50 yards from the shore, and snorkelers can go out another 250 yards and still be in the protection of the bay. The reef is shallow, only about 10 feet deep and like the other sites the visibility is normally outstanding and the marine life plentiful. Makena Landing is a park just to the north of Maluaka Beach. The park also has similar amenities with a larger beach area. In an interesting twist, you seldom see Makena Landing on the list of the best snorkeling sites. This is because the park allows you access to 5 different snorkeling sites, and lists generally names the sites and not the park. I mentioned before that one site, Turtle Town, is only accessible from a boat. That is not totally accurate. Turtle Town is between Maluaka Beach and Makena Landing and can be reached from either of the locations. However, the distance and possible currents require the visit to be done only by experienced snorkelers and only have a careful evaluation of the sea conditions. Most snorkelers visit it from a boat.

• Kā‘anapali Beach (aka Black Rock Beach): If you are looking for great snorkeling, a sandy beach, and comfortable amenities then this is where you should be. Black Rock or Pu’u Keka’a by its native name is a spiritual place in the local culture. It was the place souls would travel to so they could depart for the afterlife. Today it is popular for minor cliff diving. The beach itself is white sand and about 3 miles long. The reefs are outstanding and close to shore, being no more than 20 feet deep with outstanding marine life and visibility. The long beach has led to extensive development. A boardwalk is behind the beach, and fronting the boardwalk are many hotels and resorts. A walk along the boardwalk will bring you to numerous restaurants and bars as well.  Kahekili – Airport Beach is located just to the north. Canoe Beach is just to the south and is a great choice for those looking for fewer people while still being close to the major resorts.

When Should I Head To Maui For Snorkeling?

Getting to Maui is fairly easy. Kahului Airport (OGG) is the main airport and has 10 airlines providing interisland transportation, flights to the US mainland as well as international flights. It is the second-busiest airport in Hawaii. While the airport is located on the north coast, it still has easy ground transportation to the resort areas of the west coast. An airport shuttle service is available as well as a selection of rental car companies, ride-shares, and taxis.

Maui is a year-round destination. Some snorkeling sites are not usable during the winter months, with others available all year. Water temperatures in the winter will average 75°F/23.8°C. Most snorkelers will find this slightly cool but still acceptable. Scuba divers and those snorkelers who stay in the water for extended periods may want a 3mm wetsuit. By late summer, the water will be in the middle 80s, perfect for a swimsuit. You may want to consider a rash guard to help protect yourself from coral and the sun.

The air temperature does not vary as much as the water, and the daytime highs generally are about 83°F/28.3°C to 89°F/31.6°C.

There are two off-seasons on Maui: the spring and the fall. Spring off-season on Maui is from April to mid-June, with April and May being the quietest months. The fall off-season on Maui is from September to November until Thanksgiving.

It is best to bring your own snorkeling gear. While rental gear is available and often not very expensive, repeated rentals will soon be more than having your own. Also, having your own makes it easier to just head out when ever you wish. Plus, it is more sanitary. Having a waterproof case for your iphone that you can take with you in the water is a big plus as well, and a money saver. Let's Return to Maui to Snorkel.