Mokuleia Bay, ie “Slaughterhouse”
Beach Location: The closest address is 628 Honoapiilani Highway, just past Mile Marker 31.
Amenities: There is a trash receptacle in the parking lot.
Time to snorkel: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Kid Friendly: 10 and up, in all seasons but winter
Lifeguards: No
Parking: Heading north on Honoapiilani (Highway 30), drive past address 628 and look for a chain link fence on the ocean side of the road. There are about 10 parking spaces here. Once you park, you’ll head down the broad cement stairs to the beach at Mokuleia Bay!
If you’re looking for a quiet place to snorkel in the spring, summer, or fall, may we recommend Mokuleia Bay? The parking is quite limited, and so the number of people on the beach is limited, too. This is not a family friendly beach. The only amenity is a trash can near the road (no restrooms), and one must walk down a long flight of cement stairs to reach the sand. If you are fairly fit and unaccompanied by young offspring, this is a gorgeous place to see.
The bay is protected by lava cliffs and boulders. The sand is cozy, and it feels cool in the morning when the beach is still shaded. Underwater, huge stones have created habitat for a ton of turtles and different kinds of reef fishes. When snorkeling Mokuleia Bay, there is even the option to swim north to explore Honolua Bay! Something to keep in mind is that the water can get pretty rough here in the wintertime. When the waves are very powerful, it’s best to leave the ocean to experienced surfers or bodyboarders, or even just the fish and turtles (if they’re not experienced, we don’t know who is!). No matter when you visit, you’ll find this site to be an unforgettable one.
Mokuleia Bay Rating by Boss Frog's
Summary 8.7/10
Mokuleia Bay, which the locals call “Slaughterhouse,” is the bay directly south of Honolua on the west side. Mokuleia is a marine preserve, too, and the huge stones underwater house a very interesting reef. You are likely to see plenty of sea turtles here. This is not a great spot in the wintertime, but any other season - go for it!
See Maui's top 25 snorkeling beaches.
View Maui's complete 'quick look' beach guide.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 1-808-661-3333.
