25 Best Maui Snorkeling Spots & Beach Guide

Honolua Bay is a protected marine sanctuary and one of the most pristine places to snorkel on Maui! To reach the beach, you’ll follow a short path through a lush jungle unique to this area. And if you had any worries, we guarantee they’ll melt away as you gaze in awe at the giant plants along the path and listen to the murmurings of the resident chicken flocks. The bay at Honolua is bordered by a beach of large smooth stones. There is no sand here, making Honolua Bay more of an activity than your typical beach day on Maui.

In calm weather, this dreamy bay hosts snorkelers and divers. When there is swell (typically during winter months) surfers catch waves that break along on the right side of the bay. To access the world famous surf break, you'll need to drive further along the main road and take a left on the dirt road that leads to the point. Check the Maui snorkeling conditions to determine if its a snorkeling day or a surfing day at Honolua. You can also utilize the Honolua Bay Lookout to check current conditions before walking the trail to the snorkel beach. 

Both sides of the bay boast a well established coral reef with great Hawaiian marine life. You are likely to see peacock groupers, butterflyfish, yellow tang, Moorish idols, and even the occasional manta ray or octopus! Turtles are spotted here as well. Because fresh water is entering to mix with the salty ocean water in Honolua Bay, in some areas you may notice that the underwater world looks wavy – a bit like when water streams down your windshield in a car wash! 

The best way to into the water here is by use of the old boat ramp on the right hand side of the beach. At the shoreline, the bottom is covered with rocks, which can make getting into the water a bit more difficult. Remember to wait until you're in the water to put your fins on. The ramp and the rocks beyond the water line are very slippery, so take your time. For your comfort, float as soon as you can, and then push out to check out the incredible marine life! 

The ‘aina (land) surrounding Honolua Bay is maintained by a man named Uncle Jimmy. If he is there when you are, and you have the time to sit and talk story, he has some incredible tales and history to share. If you feel called to share some aloha in gratitude for his stewardship, leave a tip for Uncle Jimmy on your way out; it’s a nice exchange for all the upkeep he does on the beach and trail, and for keeping an eye on people’s cars.

For more information on how to access Honolua Bay, snorkeling tips and imagery, check out our blog ‘Honolua Bay Snorkeling Adventure‘.

Mokuleia Bay is accessed by a steep, yet safe staircase from the main road. Well worth the climb, this area was designated a Marine Life Conservation District in 1978 and is therefore another beautiful snorkeling location. The seemingly unflattering nickname 'Slaughterhouse Beach' came from the slaughterhouse that once perched on the cliffs above. These days it is the lack of visible development surrounding the beach that contributes to its appeal. Slaughterhouse is a great place to snorkel on Maui during most months of the year, but the waves can be rough during the winter when larger swells roll through. If it is a bit rough but you are a strong snorkeler, you’ll need to push out about 30 feet before you will see any marine life. (If you’re not comfortable, honor that and stay safe! There are plenty of other great beaches to enjoy.)

We do not recommend swimming to the left side of Mokuleia Bay as we have not spotted anything interesting there. Go right, and you are likely to see turtles, large parrotfish, cornetfish, Moorish idols, and needlefish, among others. Watch yourself around the rocks that jut above the surface, and you will love this site. Even in spots where there are no fish around, the huge boulders make you feel like you’re in an ancient underwater city.

Enter the water on the right hand side of the beach and take your time, starting with plenty of space between yourself and the rocks. Walking in, be mindful as the sandy bottom contains abrupt hills and valleys. Once you’re in, pay attention to the current pushing north. You can actually explore the right hand side of Mokuleia Bay and keep going north around the point into Honolua Bay if you’re a strong swimmer – another gorgeous snorkel site!

The beach at Mokuleia Bay is sandy, beautiful, and wild with no amenities. If you plan accordingly, you’ll enjoy spending time relaxing on the sand after your snorkel. To make the most of it, you can rent beach umbrellas, chairs, coolers, boogie boards, and other beach gear!

For more information on how to access Slaughterhouse Beach and snorkeling tips, check out our recent blog ‘Slaughterhouse Beach Snorkeling‘.

DT Fleming Beach is bordered by magnificent pine trees, palms, and naupaka plants. It is a convenient and beautiful beach to watch the ocean roll in as well as surfers riding waves just off shore. Depending on the current weather conditions, this fairly long and wide beach sees a lot of wind and waves. For calm days, there are picnic tables and BBQs, and plenty of gorgeous sand to lay out on. DT Fleming is one of the only west side beaches watched over by a lifeguard. There is also easy, ample parking and a small restaurant just steps from the sand called the Burger Shack Kapalua.

Crescent-shaped Kapalua Bay is incredibly gorgeous and unbeatable as one of the easiest places to snorkel on Maui. Marine life here is abundant very close to the shore. You'll barely make it off the beach before spotting some of Hawaii's most vibrant fish. Whether you choose to get into the water or get some sun on the sand, Kapalua Bay is typically calm (especially during the morning hours) and a great place for families. Both sides of the bay feature lava rock formations housing all kinds of Hawaiian marine life.

The left side (when facing the ocean) is full of sea turtles and the reef is very pristine. The right side hosts a ton of fish, including needlefish, baby parrotfish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and several species of butterflyfish. As on the left side, the far end of the right side has the best reef. The center of Kapalua Bay is all rolling sand that the waves pattern beautifully.

Enter the water on the left side for the easiest access. There, you’ll find gently sloped sand – perfect for taking your time putting on your gear and getting the kids ready. The right side is rocky and quite shallow close to shore, so be careful – not just for your safety, but for the safety of the living reef, too. Avoid any scrapes by exiting the water on the left side.

For more information on Kapalua Bay, check out our recent blog post 'Kapalua Bay Snorkeling'

Napili Bay is one of the most breathtaking sand beaches on Maui and ideal for families. This bay is known to play host to bodyboarders, surfers, paddle boarders, and swimmers depending on the conditions. The Sea House Restaurant rests beautifully at the north end of the bay, and several small resorts line the rest of the beach. Sea turtles are especially prevalent here at sunrise and sunset – great timing for you to take photos from shore, just remember to give them plenty of space.

Fish tend to congregate near the edges of the bay, where the reef has grown and their food and territory are located. If it’s encounters with marine life you’re after, the left side of Napili Bay is more interesting than the right. You will see needlefish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, brown surgeonfish, and sometimes turtles. The center of the bay is all sand and, though a beautiful place, it is rare to see any fish there.

You can enter Napili Bay almost anywhere on the beach, because the entire shoreline is sandy. Just an FYI: on both sides, you will find several concrete slabs – sometimes in very shallow water – about 10 yards from shore. If there is a lot of surfing going on here, it is a great day for surfer watching, but not so much for snorkeling. The great waves for them mean poor visibility for you. Napili Bay is a good place for kids to run around, play with boogie boards, and dig in the sand.

Airport Beach is so named for the Kaanapali Airport, which was located on this beach until 1986. The airline, Royal Hawaiian Air Service, made certain that traveling with them was a lot of fun. The pilots would narrate all inter-island flights and, according to Mark Vieth’s article in the Lahaina News, “a passenger could take a dog on a flight if the rest of the group agreed and the dog didn’t have fleas.”

Nowadays, the Airport Beach pavilion marks the site of the old airport terminal, and the snorkeling off the beach here is exceptional! The reef just offshore is part of the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area, a partially protected underwater environment since 2009. Certain types of algae-eating fish cannot be harvested in this spot, and the reef has enjoyed improved health because of it. You'll love swimming through this thriving ecosystem!

Underwater, you are sure to spot black triggerfish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, unicornfish, and yellow tang. This is also a thriving habitat for bluefin trevally, goatfish, and eels! The coral reef here extends in all directions, making it easy to find from the shore. Study up on what fish you can expect to encounter on your snorkeling adventure with our Hawaii Fish Guide.

Enter the ocean from anywhere the sloping beach as the sand continues well into the water. Expert tip: look for a light turquoise color, and walk in there 🙂 (The dark color you see below the surface is coral reef, and very fragile.) The best thing to do is find a sandy area to walk into the water, then float on your back while you get your gear on. That way, you’re comfortable, and so is the habitat you’ll be exploring!

For more information on Airport Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Kahekili (Airport) Beach' 

This is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Maui. Each island in the Hawaiian chain has a place where the ancients believed that souls leapt into the afterlife. Black Rock, known in Hawaiian as Pu’u Keka’a, or 'Rolling Hill,' is Maui’s jumping-off point. It is also home to a beautiful coral reef that is a lot of fun to explore. During whale season, Black Rock is a great place to hear whale song underwater; as the mystical sounds bounce off the lava formations.

Most of the fish are both close to Black Rock itself, and in a little cove around the rocks to the right (north). You will always see trumpetfish, the Hawaiian state fish, brown surgeonfish, and different types of butterflyfishes here. There are also large schools of goatfish hanging out along the bottom, half asleep. If you are there at just the right time, you may see Hawaiian green sea turtles, a (harmless) blacktip reef shark, or if you're exceptionally lucky, an unbelievably cool formation of spotted eagle rays!

To access the best snorkeling, enter about four yards to the left of Black Rock, in a sandy area. There is a lot to see along the left hand side of the rocks. If you want to check out the cove, too, save some energy for your return trip. There can be current here that you’ll need to push through on your way back.

Learn more about snorkeling at Black Rock, how to get there and what to expect in our recent blog post ‘Snorkeling at Black Rock‘.

Hanakao'o, known by locals as Canoe Beach, is a great hangout spot and Maui snorkeling location. Canoe Beach offers an eclectic mix: canoe clubs keep their outrigger canoes here for weekend competitions, sea turtles are sighted frequently along the rocks to the left, and the beach park shares acreage with a cemetery. You can enjoy some good snorkeling and swimming off this beach. The BBQs are located on the left hand side of the park, along with picnic tables shaded from the sun. Wear your slippers here– the kiawe trees drop sharp thorns onto the ground. This is one of the only west side beaches that has a lifeguard on duty. 

For more information on Canoe Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Canoe Beach' 

Wahikuli Wayside Park is a fabulous place to hang out and to snorkel. This is a great stop along a self guided electric bike ‘beach hop’ tour from Lahaina town. There is a small stretch of sandy beach, but most of the park is made up of lawn with shaded picnic tables and BBQs. You are almost sure to spot sea turtles here, whether you stand on shore or choose to take a dip and join them.

Although the big draw at Wahikuli Wayside is the high number of sea turtles, you will also see Moorish idol, Achilles tang, brown surgeonfish, yellow tang, and perhaps even a pearl wrasse! You are highly likely to find sea turtles on either side.

The beach slopes down a little abruptly into the water here, but the entry is a pretty easy one. When you first get in, swim out about 10 – 15 yards past the concrete slabs you’ll find; that will get you to the good stuff! Both sides (to the right and to the left) house rocky reef habitat, while the center is mostly sand.

For more information on Wahikuli, check out our blog post 'Snorkeling Wahikuli Wayside Park'

Baby Beach is a perfect for the whole family and a great place to learn to snorkel. A long coral reef about 100 yards out usually protects the shoreline from any waves. Thanks to that reef, the ocean at Baby Beach is usually very calm and very shallow (1-2 feet deep). Wade into the water here to check out the fish and other marine life living around the coral heads. Enjoy looking, but please do not touch marine organisms, including coral. It is best to rent a beach umbrella to enjoy this location, as this end of Baby Beach has very little shade.

If you walk about ¼ mile along the shore, you will find the Lahaina Jodo Mission. This Japanese Buddhist temple is a beautiful sight to see, and the temple grounds are open to the public. If you do want to walk north along the beach, bring slippers to protect your feet from thorns that have dropped into the sand from the kiawe trees.

For more information on Baby Beach Lahaina, check out our blog post 'Snorkeling at Baby Beach in Lahaina'

Launiupoko is a shady and comfortable expanse of ocean side lawn, with all the amenities you might need for the ultimate Maui beach day. There is a nice path and plenty of space on the lawn as well as the narrow sandy beach that lines the shore. A rocky enclosure has created a calm pool for keiki to play and the small, consistent waves are perfect for surfing on Maui. Trees cover much of Launiupoko, offering shade during the heat of the day, and a perimeter of lava rocks touches down to the sea. Hawaiian Monk Seals show up here sometimes as well as green sea turtles. This is a very popular beach park for families, especially on the weekends. Reef booties are recommended for swimming and surfing as coral heads and reef inhabited by urchins are both close to shore.

Welcome to one of the oldest reef systems in Hawaii. Olowalu is home to 450 acres of coral reef beneath generally calm waters, so it is an incredible snorkel site. Some of the corals are estimated to be 500 years old! Both Olowalu Beach and the reef system that protects it extend for a few miles.

You are sure to see parrotfish, sergeant majors, black triggerfish, goatfish, and ornate butterflyfish here, among others. Several turtles (even the rare hawksbill turtle!) can be found swimming around and resting on the Olowalu reef. The discerning swimmer can sometimes find eels and octopuses, and several manta rays are known to frequent this area. Because this reef system is SO extensive, you can explore from left to right along the shoreline, and also out toward the open ocean and back again! 

To enter the water, look at the ocean from the shore, and identify an underwater sand channel. Sand channels show up as a light turquoise color, while the coral reef looks dark from above. Get in at the start of a sand channel, and follow it out as far as you wish to explore. TIP: A sand channel is also a great landmark for finding your way back to your starting point.

Once you are spent – and you will be at Olowalu; there is so much to see! – enjoy some extra time on the sand and fallen tree trunks of this narrow beach. When you leave, if you are heading back to Lahaina, be very careful; making a left hand turn across traffic can be somewhat of a challenge.

For more information on Olowalu, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Olowalu'

Charley Young Beach is a beautiful and convenient stretch of sandy beach at the far north end of Kamaole Beach Park I. You can walk there from Kam I, and there is a nice lava peninsula that you can snorkel. Or park at the convenient beach parking lot on South Kihei Rd.

The waves tend to run from gentle to medium strength here. This is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset, or simply enjoy reading a book. This beach is rarely crowded, and the parking lot is rarely full. You'll find beach showers for rinsing off the sand and salt post snorkel, and porta potties if needed. 

A great place to swim with turtles on Maui, you may also encounter manini, goatfish, parrotfish, trumpetfish, and some really cool sea urchins. While you are checking everything out, remember that everything you see underwater is alive, even the coral. Don’t touch the coral, and definitely don’t touch the turtles – you can get a huge fine, and doing so is seen as very disrespectful.

Entering the water at Charley Young Beach is pretty easy, which makes it a great snorkeling location for families. This is a sandy entry, but depending on what time of day you go snorkeling, the waves can be pushy coming in. If they are pushing you toward the beach, get past them as soon as you can. It is usually easier to gear up once you’re a few yards beyond those breaking waves.

Snorkel as early as possible; the waves are gentler and visibility is best in the morning. Know your skill level and check in with your energy level before you go in, and use common sense while exploring these amazing reefs.

For more information on Charley Young Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Charley Young Beach'

All three of these beaches are perfect for families. If you’re staying in Kihei, the three ‘Kam’ beaches are likely within walking distance of your vacation rental or hotel. The generally calm waters are good for snorkeling, the parks offer all kinds of amenities (including swings for the kids at Kam III), and there are many shops and restaurants nearby. It would be easy to spend an entire day between these beaches; playing volleyball, cooking on the grills, exploring the offshore reef systems, and lounging on the sand or grass areas. 

Snorkeling at every Kamaole Beach is great. Lava fingers that extend into the ocean between each beach are the foundation for the reefs.There are a lot of sea turtles that frequent the area, and fish are abundant. You are sure to see goldring surgeonfish, butterflyfish, and the ever popular humuhumunukunukuapua’a. There are wrasses, jacks, trumpetfish, cornetfish, large schools of goatfish, eels, and Moorish idol, too. If you are very lucky, you may even spot an octopus! (Those eight-legged invertebrates are very intelligent and masters of camouflage.)

Getting into the water from a Kamaole Beach is easy. Just get in where it is sandy (almost everywhere), and head left or right. You’ll want to explore along the small lava peninsulas that jut into the water on either side of these beaches. This cooled lava is where the coral reefs have grown, and the coral reefs are where the fish and sea turtles conduct their business (it usually has a lot to do with swimming). Kamaole III snorkeling is best on the right hand side.

Once you are finished in the water, you’ll love spending the day at one Kamaole Beach or all three! These beaches are a popular place to catch the sunset from South Maui.

For more information on the 'Kam' Beaches, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Kama'ole Beaches'

Keawakapu is a long sandy beach with fairly shallow waters just outside a popular beachfront restaurant and resort. There is plenty of space to lie out on the soft golden sand, but there is no shade, so you’ll want to rent an umbrella and bring it with you. Driving south, Keawakapu is the last beach you’ll find before the Wailea beaches.

You will likely be very satisfied with snorkeling here; to see trumpetfish, sergeant majors, unicornfish, brown surgeonfish, and saddleback wrasses. You may have the chance to swim with Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, butterflyfish, and goatfish. There is a VERY GOOD chance you’ll have the chance to swim with a sea turtle (or two), as well!

Fish congregate around the lava fingers located on the right side of Keawakapu. When entering the water, find a sandy place and be sure to avoid the large rocks that are scattered about next to the reef. If you like, you can swim around the point and back. Be warned, sometimes the water can be rough, impeding visibility and pushing you quickly toward the reef. Know your skill level and energy level before going in, and always use common sense while snorkeling (or any ocean activity). 

When you've conquered snorkeling Keawakapu, or you want to take a break, hop out onto the sandy beach or the manicured lawn outside the resort, and chill. 

To learn more about accessing Keawakapu Beach and where to snorkel, check out our recent blog ‘Snorkel With Sea Turtles‘.

These two sandy beaches are separated by an excellent coral reef system stretching from the shore. Ulua Beach on the left is a bit smaller than Mokapu on the right. Mokapu is directly in front of the popular Andaz Resort. Both beaches are are easy to walk along, and comfortable for the whole family. Even if you’re not staying in the area, beach parking is plentiful and there is a well maintained boardwalk for beach hoping.

In these waters, you will find Moorish idol, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, surgeonfish, teardrop butterflyfish, and large schools of goatfish. There are domino damselfish, pencil urchins, and boxfish, too! If you’re lucky, you’ll be under the surface when a magical Hawaiian green sea turtle passes by!

The entry is sandy here, so getting in the water is usually very easy. Anywhere you see a lava point extending into the water from Ulua and Mokapu is where the wild things are. Talk to your snorkel buddy, choose a lava point, and head that way! Also, snorkel as early in the day as you can. The waves will be more gentle and visibility is also best in the morning. Know your skill level, check in with your energy before going in, and use common sense while exploring any of Maui's beautiful coral reefs.

For more information on Ulua and Mokapu Beaches, as well as snorkeling tips, check out our recent blog ‘Snorkeling at Ulua Beach‘.

Not to play favorites, but this beach (right outside the Grand Wailea Resort) is truly one of the most gorgeous stretches of shoreline on Maui. For your convenience, there are two sets of outdoor showers. One near the parking lot, and the other about halfway down the beach. The trash and recycle bins are halfway down the beach on the mountain (mauka) side of the flagstone path.

The snorkeling here is good too! You’ll see butterflyfish, brown surgeonfish, Moorish idol, and humuhumunukunukuapua’a. There are red pencil urchins, sergeant majors, manini, and tetras, among others. Snorkel with your buddy as early as you can; the waves are gentler and the visibility is best in the morning.

Rather than thriving along the coastline itself, the coral reef off Wailea Beach is found in satellite patches about 30 yards out from the shoreline and 20 yards to the right of the entry point. A sandy entry can be found on the right hand side of the beach. The challenge is to negotiate the waves that come toward you as you first leave the beach. Once you get past the waves, swim forward until the water clears up, then turn right to find the reef system. When you exit the ocean, be sure to take keep an eye on the incoming waves behind you.

For more information on Wailea Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Wailea Beach'

Polo Beach is a smaller stretch of sand just in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel. Like many Maui beaches, it is bordered on the back edge by bright green naupaka plants. Small lava boulders buried in the sand give this beach some extra character. The waves here are gentler in the early morning, but they become better for bodyboarding later in the day.

This site is very enoyable for snorkeling. When you get in the water here, you are sure to see Christmas wrasses, sea urchins, brown surgeonfish, Moorish idol, and at least two types of triggerfish. You’ll also be swimming with chubs, manini, and sergeant majors! There is a good chance you’ll see sea turtles at Polo Beach. 

Get in and out of the water on either side of Polo Beach, but make sure to give the scattered rocks a wide berth. The entry is sandy, but the waves coming toward you can be pushy, so pay attention. Once you make it through those entry waves, you’re good to go! Head to the closest lava peninsula reaching from shore, and find some interesting marine life. When you are ready to head back to shore, keep those incoming waves in sight as you negotiate your way back onto Polo Beach.

For more information on Polo Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Polo Beach'

Po’olenalena Beach is a long, picturesque sand beach – great for lounging and for intermediate snorkelers; the water can be pushy at times. There is also an excellent view of Pu’u Olai, the volcanic cinder cone between Big and Little Beach. The upper part of this beach is covered with kiawe trees. If you are beneath those trees, watch out for fallen thorns in the sand!

Both sides of the beach have excellent snorkeling along the nooks and crannies created by the lava rocks. You are almost sure to see sea turtles, the Hawaiian state fish, cornetfish, and saddleback wrasses. Also keep your eyes open for Moorish idol, pencil urchins, and one of the smartest fish in the sea – the brown surgeonfish.

The entry is a gentle sandy slope on both sides. If you are going right, and you swim around the point, your exit will be easy: get out on the next beach and take the dirt path back through the lava rocks. If you go left and swim around the point, make sure to keep some energy in reserve; you’ll need to swim back to the beach you started on.

If you decide not to snorkel, you can still have a great time at Po’olenalena Beach. There is plenty of beautiful space to run, play, and catch some rays! This is an exceptionally beautiful beach. 

For more information on Po'olenalena Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Po'olenalena Beach'

Don't be put off by the name, 5 Caves is also known as 5 Graves, for the small graveyard that is located next to the beach access path. This is a fantastic snorkel and scuba site – it could easily be described as the best snorkeling on Maui. You must be an advanced swimmer and snorkeler to explore 5 Caves, as getting in and out is a challenge, and it’s a long swim to get to the good stuff. If you are advanced, the time spent here is well worth it! Get out there as early as you can to enjoy the best water clarity possible.

There are plenty of turtles, fish, and some really interesting formations of rock and coral at this site. If you scuba dive, there are several caves to explore, too deep for snorkelers to enter safely.

Snorkeling here you will find sea turtles, unicornfish (kala), butterflyfish, needlefish, trumpetfish, Hawaiian cleaner wrasse, yellow tang, soldierfish, goatfish, boxfish, and tobies. There are very large schools of fish at 5 Caves. You are also likely to see nudibranchs, whitetip reef sharks, pincushion sea stars, whitemouth eels, and even scorpionfish!

Entering the water here is interesting. Go down the beach access path and take the far right fork. This will take you to a tiny cove. On the right side of the cove there is a natural little “step” carved into the rock, just big enough for one person to stand on. You’ll want to get in and out here. It’s slippery, so stay safe! Once you’re swimming, head out of the cove and go left as far as you’d like till it’s time to come back again!

There is no beach at this site, so plan to rest elsewhere after your honestly epic water time.

This breathtakingly gorgeous beach is right in front of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. There is a small lawn on one side with picnic tables, restrooms, showers and bbq’s.This is an ideal location for families and includes ample shade under the trees on the grass. A set of concrete steps lead down to the sand where there is a nice beach to hang out on, and the snorkeling is fantastic.

To access, you will need to walk a ways from the public parking lot. You can also get to the sandy, north end of the beach via Makena Road. Using this entrance, you’ll have access to facilities and a chance to check out the historical Keawala’i Congregational Church. Founded in 1832, the church was originally built with pili grass and has been lovingly preserved by its members.

Underwater on both sides, you’ll see all kinds of colorful fish including needlefish, manini, brown surgeonfish, and more! There are often sea turtles spotted here as well as the Hawaii state fish: the humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Enjoy exploring the reefs that have built on the lava that cooled here so many years ago. Just an FYI: coral is a colony of animals. In Hawaii, coral can grow – at most – about one inch per year.

Getting into the water is simple from this beach. Almost every spot offers a sandy entry. While swimming at Maluaka Beach, do not try to explore around the rocks that are close to shore at the very center. It is too shallow there to be safe, and you can easily get pounded into the rocks by incoming waves.

For more information on Maluaka Beach, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Maluaka Beach'

Big Beach – also known as Oneloa Beach and Makena Beach – is one of the most fantastic sights on Maui. This is one of the most famous of Maui’s incredible beaches, and for good reason. There is no wider or longer expanse of sand on the island, and the water at Big Beach is almost indescribably beautiful. We do not recommend swimming or snorkeling in the lovely water here unless the conditions are perfect. Big Beach is one of the few south side beaches watched over by lifeguards as many people have been taken by surprise by the strength and power of even small waves here, resulting in injuries and fatalities. It is best to simply fall in love with this water from afar while you spend time on the sand.

Buy some tacos from the awesome food truck on the roadside, and make amazing memories on Big Beach! (FYI: You can reach the clothing optional “Little Beach” by climbing over the ridge on the right hand side of Big Beach.)

For more information on Big Beach Makena, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at Big Beach Makena'

Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve protects both the marine life and the bird life in the area, so you’ll find bigger fish in the waters here than you will at many other snorkeling sites. Ahihi Bay itself is small and beautiful, and it opens up into a much bigger, lovely marine area. Both the bay and the water beyond it are generally easy to snorkel for all ability levels. 

Beneath the surface at Ahihi-Kinau, you will see brown surgeonfish, peacock grouper, parrotfish, black triggerfish, sea urchins, and large schools of manini. This reef is a fish nursery, so you are sure to see some cute baby parrotfish, along with other little ones. There is a good chance you’ll run into some sea turtles, eels, and spotted eagle rays, as well. We know you'll love what you see underwater at Ahihi-Kinau.

Your best entry point is on the right side of the bay. Look for the sort of concrete platform, in about six inches of water. Once you’re in the water with snorkel gear on, you don’t have to leave this small bay to see a lot of fish. If you do swim beyond the bay, you can travel in either direction. Both ways are gorgeous, with plenty of coral reef to explore.

Ahihi-Kinau doesn’t sport a sandy beach and parking can be a challenge, so keep that in mind while you plan your entirely beautiful Maui day.

For more information on Ulua and Mokapu Beaches, as well as snorkeling tips, check out our recent blog ‘Snorkeling at Ulua Beach‘.

La Perouse Bay is named after the first European to set foot on Maui – Jean-Francois de Galaup La Perouse. This French explorer was only in the Islands for 48 hours, and we certainly hope your vacation is longer than that! Today, the bay is well known as a daytime resting place for a pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins.

The ocean here is frequently rough and – though beautiful – not safe at these times for snorkeling or swimming. Even when the ocean is calm, the visibility is not great, so La Perouse is only recommended for advanced snorkelers. The best time to try is in the early morning, around 8:00 am.

There is a great hiking trail off to the left over the lava! If you hike, bring lots of water.

Snorkeling at La Perouse Bay, you will see Moorish idol, yellow tang, convict tang, sea urchins, aholehole, blennies, domino damselfish, and many others. If you are very lucky, you will be approached by dolphins! Make sure to let them come to you rather than going to them, and absolutely savor the moment.

To enter La Perouse Bay, wear shoes as you pick your way down the lava to the right of the parking lot. Go past the fence there, and bear right. Get into the water near the sign that says “Conservation Area,” and swim to the left (to the right is a former Hawaiian fishpond, and private property). The bay is shallow when you get in, but it reaches depths of up to 80 feet. Exit in the same place.

La Perouse doesn’t have much of a beach, as the area is made of rough and sharp lava. Technically, you can bring chairs with you and hike to some sandy spots, but we recommend you visit a more comfortable beach for hanging out. Big Beach, as one suggestion, is close by and very comfortable.

For more information on La Perouse, check out our recent blog post 'Snorkeling at La Perouse Bay'