Snorkeling is one of Maui’s favorite activities. With millions of visitors exploring Maui each year, we ask you to please follow the ultimate snorkeling rule of success:
“take only pictures, kill only time…leave only bubbles behind!”
What to do when you encounter a Sea Turtle?
Everybody loves Sea Turtles (Honu). Beautiful, serene, and seemingly wise they have swum the oceans for over millions of years, peacefully feeding and enjoying their happy lifestyle. Sea Turtles are also considered endangered in many areas of the world, and here in Hawaii, they are protected by both State and Federal services. Any attempts to touch, disturb, feed, pursue, ride harass, harm, or cause injury to our beloved honu is breaking the law.
Please be respectful of our Sea Turtle friends that live and inhabit our shoreline. This is their home; they need the protection and safety they deserve!
Here’s how you can help preserve our coral, and marine life and enjoy the success of a positive snorkeling experience.
- To have the best snorkeling experience, plan to visit a beach location with calm, crystal-clear ocean water at dawn or in the earliest hours of the morning. Waters will likely be less affected by the wind.
- It is advisable to opt for a snorkeling area where other visitors are present; this will ensure safety. The best way to is book a snorkeling tour on a boat with lifeguards and knowledgeable crew. They’ll take you to safe spots.
- When snorkeling, it’s important to be aware of not standing on, touching, or removing any coral as this can cause irreparable damage to these fragile organisms and is also illegal.
- Visitors should also be wary of certain chemicals found in sunscreens which tend to produce bleaching effects if released into the aquatic environment and thus are now required to use reef-safe sunscreen when venturing into the sea for any activity. Before entering any body of water, not just when snorkeling, it is essential to apply Reef Safe Sunscreen that is free of any dangerous chemical components; your body will also thank you.
- Do not feed the fish as this can disturb the harmony of their natural habitat. Fish cannot properly break down human food, including items like peas and corn, which often contain levels of oil that can accumulate and damage fish eggs, thus impacting their ability to reproduce. For a more fulfilling experience, it’s recommended to observe the fish in their natural environment without contributing to it.
- Remember to take your trash away with you when leaving! This may seem obvious but look around before departing; as light winds can drive away litter such as candy wrappers and plastic bags into the ocean, causing irreparable destruction to marine life and coral reefs. These pollutants can soak up beneficial oxygen from surrounding waters, making it difficult for organisms within these habitats to survive and thrive. Every time we go for a snorkel session, we bring plastic gloves and a plastic bag. It feels good to do 5-10 minutes of cleaning up, especially when it’s not our own trash.
- If you see a monk seal, sea turtle, spinner dolphin, or humpback whale, give it space. They’re protected and we don’t want to disturb their natural routines.
- When snorkeling, it is particularly important to have a partner with you – this not only provides an extra layer of safety, as each individual can look out for one another, but it also makes the experience much more enjoyable when shared with someone you like spending time with!
