Exquisite tropical weather, crystal clear water, and an astonishing abundance of aquatic animals make snorkeling one of the best activities to do when visiting Maui. There are more than a thousand fish species in Hawaii that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth, so why not take the plunge?
No matter if it’s your first time in flippers, or you’re a frog kick fanatic, we’ve done the research to find the best locations for under-the-sea adventure.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 Snorkeling Spots in Maui to inspire your next trip.
Turtle Town
Drive ten minutes south of Wailea and you’ll find your ticket to Turtle Town. If you reach Mākena State Park, you’ve gone too far. You can park for free at Maluaka Beach, a quiet stretch of sand that provides ample room to spread out, plus shade and showers. This is one of the best spots to snorkel if you’re staying in Wailea/Makena area.
As the name suggests, there are plenty of Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) in these waters. They are drawn to the vibrant corals and edible ocean plants that cluster in the underwater lava arches that they just can’t resist. Now, even though this is known as Turtle Town, there’s more than one spot with this moniker. Pretty much any spot off the coast of Maui with an abundance of honu could be called Turtle Town. Maluaka just tends to be one of the most consistent.
Experienced snorkelers can check out the nearby dive spot known as Five Caves. This spot is also known as Five Graves because of the graveyard that marks the trail entrance to the cove. Find that near Nahuna Point, just North of Mākena Landing. Jump in, dive down, and discover lava-formed caves and archways. Tucked into the crevices you’ll find sea life that likes to hide, like eels and octopi, but leave the cave exploration to experienced divers with scuba tanks.
Olowalu
OlowaluOlowalu is located in a perfect spot on the west side of Maui which allows it to be protected from trade winds and storms. Keep in mind, that we’re not just talking about the Olowalu area, but the coastline above and below it too. Both along the Pali and almost all the way to Lahaina, you’ll find numerous spots to snorkel. Schools of parrotfish, peacock grouper, and Hawaiian green sea turtles abound in this enormous snorkeling spot. Look for the access point near the Mile Marker 14 sign on Highway 30, not far from Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop. Heads-up… there are no restrooms or running water at Olowalu, so plan accordingly.
Keawakapu Beach
Keawakapu means ‘the sacred (or forbidden) harbor’, and this gorgeous stretch of sand sits amid the six miles of Kīhei shoreline, tucked between Kamaole Beach Park III and Mōkapu Beach. Keawakapu has a reputation for great snorkeling on both the north and south ends (where the famous Wailea Ekahi is located), with a half-mile of pristine beach in between. You can find lava rocks, colorful coral, and plenty of tropical fish in the southern section. On the northern end, explore more than 200 yards of a lava rock wall and continue past that to deeper water to observe green sea turtles and vibrant schools of fish. Free parking and a shower add to the awesomeness.
Sugar Beach
Windsurfers flock to Sugar Beach because of the consistently strong offshore winds. However, most mornings the wind is calm, and this stretch along Kīhei Road, overlooking Maʻalaea Bay, offers uncrowded snorkeling. If the water isn’t murky, you’ll see shallow coral reefs, with the best snorkeling sites found one mile north of Kīhei Canoe Club. Expect the Water depth to be anywhere from 3 – 20 feet in this area, and it gets even deeper just past the end of the reef. In addition to gorgeous coral and tropical fish, snorkelers can catch sight of moray eels and manta rays.
Snorkel gear rental is available in the area, but be aware there are no public restrooms in the middle section of the five-mile-long beach.
Black Rock
The portion of Kaʻanapali Beach known as Black Rock Beach is popular for both cliff diving (please leave this to the experts) and snorkeling around the enormous rocky peninsula. Swim from shore to where the water is 8 to 25 feet deep, and you’ll discover a stunning variety of coral on the rock wall. Plus, a menagerie of marine life, like Moorish idols, triggerfish, squirrelfish, and boxfish. Turtles, monk seals, and spotted eagle rays are also frequently seen. As it’s a popular cliff diving spot, make sure to leave a wide berth between you and the area where people jump. Public parking is available, but limited. The closest restrooms are a ten-minute walk from Black Rock, at Whaler’s Village.
Ulua Beach
If you’re staying at the Wailea Elua, then you don’t need to go anywhere else to snorkel. Named after the adult crevalle fish, Ulua Beach is snuggled into the heart of Wailea. The area around the reef at the northern end is a fantastic place to go snorkeling. Saddle wrasse, parrotfish, and other ocean life can usually be found here among the coral. Near the second reef, about 30 feet down, you can witness a cleaning station for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Ulua is known as one of the easiest spots for those just learning how to snorkel, so it’s a perfect place for beginners. This is another spot where parking is free but very limited. Public bathrooms and showers give this location the edge for first-timers!
Cliff House
Just off the Kapalua Coastal hiking trail is a secluded snorkeling spot in Namalu Bay known by locals as Cliff House. Named for the charming structure built in 1940 that overlooks the snorkeling area, this bungalow is now a venue for private events.
Summer weather usually calms the water on this part of the Valley Isle, so just be aware that if you’re planning to snorkel here at any other time of year you should be sure to check conditions before heading out. In fact, that’s pretty much a good idea any time of year.
Weather permitting, snorkel here and you’ll be rewarded with examples of orange spine unicorn fish, turtles, and octopi.
Honolua Bay
The Honolua-Mokuleʻia Bay Marine Conservation District lies 10 miles north of Lahaina, near Mile Marker 33 on Highway 30. Honolua Bay is a beautiful, sheltered area that is another great location for summertime snorkeling. Surfers flock to this famous break for the powerful and violent waves that come crashing in during the wintertime (so make sure you don’t head out when there’s surf.) Fishing is prohibited in this marine sanctuary, so snorkeling here gives you a great chance to see impressively large schools of trumpetfish, yellow tang, Moorish idol, and butterflyfish on both sides of the bay. You could spend hours observing coral patches in this bay, especially on the right-hand side, with varieties like antler, mound, and blue rice.
There is a small parking area along the highway however there are no restrooms, showers, or other facilities.
Mala Wharf
*** In August of 2023 wildfires on Maui devastated the West Maui town of Lahaina and the surrounding area. Our deepest condolences go out to all of the people, families, and businesses affected by this terrible event. Unfortunately, Mala Wharf was heavily affected by the fires and it will be some time before visitors and water activities will be allowed in this area.
How To Volunteer
Think beaches on Maui are your only option for great snorkeling? Think again! Mala Wharf was an active boat ramp and shipping facility until Hurricane Iniki hit in 1992. Massive waves destroyed the wharf’s deck, causing it to collapse. Since then, this spot one mile north of Lahaina Harbor has been steadily attracting discerning divers and a unique collection of ocean critters now call it home. In and among the concrete debris you can see turtles, bluestripe snappers, white-tip reef sharks, and the brightly colored, psychedelic sea slugs known as nudibranchs. Bonus features for this location include free parking, restrooms, and an outdoor, freshwater shower.
Molokini Crater
One of the best snorkeling spots in the whole world is just three miles off the coast of Maui. Molokini Crater is a partially submerged volcanic caldera brimming with marine life. This truly special location is only accessible via a boat tour from operators like Kai Kanani and Pacific Whale Foundation.
The snorkeling space inside this crescent-shaped crater is protected from wind and waves by the north wall of the caldera, and the astonishingly clear and calm water provides visibility of 150 feet and beyond. Discover a vast array of aquatic animals here, including 250 kinds of fish and abundant coral varieties such as orange cups, mushrooms, and red pencil urchins. Your underwater adventure at Molokini could include visitations by spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Hawaiian spiny lobster, white tip reef sharks, or even a whale shark.
