karn

We want to snorkel in Maui in Jan. Read the water should be around 75 degrees. Has anyone snorkeled there in the winter? What is it like? Any suggestions for us? We have spring suits that we used for water skiing, and thought we would take them along. We are sixty years young, and this is our first time. Am thinking of buying underwater camera also. Any suggestions will be most appreciated.

annieak

I haven't been there in the winter, but don't miss snorkeling around Black Rock! It's a great area, and when we were there I was able to snorkel with sea turtles as well as lots of beautiful fish!

iowagirl

Where on Maui will you be staying? We go to Maui every February for a week at the Marriott on Kaanapali, so that's the area I'm most familiar with.

We usually find time to do at least one chartered snorkel trip, either from Lahaina or near the Westin on Kaanapali. Hubby also goes snorkeling nearly every day on his own at Black Rock (Kaanapali Sheraton).

We love to go snorkeling out at Molokini - the water is amazingly clear and the sea life is breathtaking. We've also snorkeled off Lanai - where you often get the added bonus of seeing dolphins.

If you take a chartered trip, I'd strongly advise going in the early morning, when the water is likely to be much calmer. If you do go out that early, you'll need a jacket or sweatshirt and even light cotton pants or capris over your swimsuit at that time of day. I would also suggest looking for a smaller tour, if you go that route. Too many people snorkeling from one boat can make for a disappointing trip.

I prefer to wear a rash guard suit when snorkeling too - protects my skin from sun as well as irritants in the water (I break out in hives to everything!).

As for cameras, we've always just used the disposable underwater cameras - the pictures are actually not bad, and we don't have to worry about losing/breaking an expensive camera. (We are obviously NOT professional photographers!)

Have a wonderful trip! Maui no ka 'oi!

ksucat

first of all..logandog..what a disgusting thing you had to put in print about your favorite thing.
Your 55 and some frigging Perv!
Did you get out early from Prison?
Can't believe that Fodor's allows crap like this on their travel forum?

Snorkeling is pretty good but with winter you have some serious swell action.
Molokini before 9am is ok but there isn't anything there anymore..
Since it sounds like you don't snorkel much you will be amused by some of the fish at Black Rock, Molokini or Honolua.
Aloha

iowagirl

Nice, logandog - very classy....

ksucat - what do you mean "there isn't anything there anymore" at Molokini? I guess it was '07 when we last snorkeled there and it was as beautiful as ever! Didn't make it out there last year. You've got me worried now...

ksucat

aloha iowagirl..
sorry for the 'molester' posting from logandog!
His ankle bracelet is probably sending signals to his probation officer right now!

Molokini back in the day had 500 times more fish than what you see now..its just the way it is.
It is cool to skin dive and see the fishes..we had a monk seal encounter that had underwater divers take footage because the monk seal was all over us with kisses and hugs.

Have you been to Honolua bay?

Glad you get to go every Feb..how great is that!
Aloha to you!

iowagirl

Our first trip to Maui was in October '98 - our honeymoon. We had a shoestring budget, but a very wise travel agent managed to get us there and we fell in love with it. We stayed at the Westin, were on the second floor right over the laundry room, overlooking the parking lot. But we were there!

After that we scrimped every year to save up and go back. Eventually we bought a time-share at the Marriott on Kaanapali - we're very lucky indeed! That week every Feb. is what gets me through Iowa winters.

We snorkeled Molokini on that first trip and have done it almost every year since, but again, it's been a couple years now. That's so sad to me - every year we hear about more and more being "lost" around the island.

I'm not much for deep water and don't swim well, so I've never had much more of an "encounter" than a puffer fish or two! DH, however, gets adventurous around Black Rock (while I'm back at the pool) and has run across barracuda and some large eels.

Never been to Honolua Bay since we always go in the winter. Wouldn't the north shore surf be too rough then?

kbarshay

One of my favorite snorkeling areas in Maui is Napili Bay. It is protected by a coral reef and is calmer than some of the other areas. Black Rock is also high on the list.

madameX

We're going to Maui in January, but have not booked the hotel or condo yet. Do Fodorites have any recommendations for hotels where you can do some reasonably nice snorkeling right from the property? We do the snorkel boat tours, but sometimes it's nice not to get that complicated. We're looking for intresting fish (and turtles?) to see, and realize that it may not be the ultimate Maui snorkel area.

karn

Thanks for all of your input! Think I will do a lot of snorkeling, after your informative and enthusiastic responses. Got a chuckle out of logandog's response-no harm done! We are staying in a condo on Napili Bay, so that should be perfect. We will definitely snorkel at Black Rock and Molokini also. Can hardly wait. Would love to see the turtles too.
Thanks again everyone!!

Sheralyn

We've been snorkeling in winter (December), and it was just fine! If you'll be in the water for long, just wear a wet-suit and that should keep you comfortable for sure! I was really impressed with how much of a difference the wet-suit makes!

If you're interested, I've got some pics from our snorkel trip to Lanai (our daytrip from Maui) here:

http://www.paradise-found-in-maui.co...-of-lanai.html

Because we went in winter, we got to see tons of dolphins and whales on our trip across the channel! It was awesome!

Have a great trip!

Sheralyn

karn

Thanks for you input Sheralyn! I have been to a lot of places and seen a lot of wildlife, including whales breeching, lions, etc. but never have I been fortunate enough to see "killer whales" in the wild. Seeing your pictures and knowing this may be the time is really exciting. Thanks for sharing. Do you wear a full wet suit or partial?
Karn

JohnD

Reply to <blue>MadameX<black>,
In my experience there are many resorts along the west coast of Maui with good snorkeling without leaving the property, though must point out January is great for whale watching but not the best month for snorkeling in calm water. Black Rock has already been mentioned here, which lies in front of the Sheraton Maui. To the north, Kapalua Bay fronts the Renaissance Kapalua Bay Resort and offers good beginner snorkeling. To the south, Ulua Beach fronts the Wailea Elua Condos, and further south Maluaka Beach fronts the Makena Beach & Golf resort (former Maui Prince) and offers good snorkeling south of the rope swing with a fair amount of turtles.

Placename

I find it is chilly in January and I would recommend wearing a light wetsuit.

luvtravl

Sheralyn- great photos. Which company did you take your snorkel tour with?

moolyn

iowagirl, my husband and I will be in Maui for the first time ever - the middle two weeks of February - and will be staying at Kaanapali as well. We arranged a non-simultaneous home exchange with a couple who have a condo at the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course, and actually live there when they aren't travelling, so we won't be right on the beach but about a ten minute walk to Black Rock.

Snorkeling is at the top of my list of things to do.

Where did you get an entire rash guard suit or did you piece one together? Do you use a flotation device?

iowagirl

moolyn: you will LOVE it there! It's a wonderful winter escape.

My brother is a scuba diver and gave me a full rash guard suit one Christmas, after I complained about coming out of the water with hives, rashes and itchy skin. He got it at a dive shop where they live, just a local place. Your best bet is probably to shop online, or wait and buy one when you get there. If you do buy one on the island you might pay a little more, but you'll be sure to get one that fits properly.

A lot of people just wear the top, but I prefer to be fully covered, which also offers sunburn protection.

I've snorkeled with and without a boogie board. Sometimes it's nice to just float along on the board but other times it seems to get in my way. I'm NOT a great swimmer and never, ever go snorkeling alone. My DH is always right beside me, unless we're in a group and I have tour guide near me.

Sorry I can't be more specific to both of your questions, but I can promise you will have a wonderful time, whatever you do!

moolyn

iowagirl, you sound just like me - sensitive skin that burns easily! I was very excited when I came across the whole rash guard concept and plan to pick some up as gifts for my grandkids while we're in Maui.

It sounds like you have a one piece suit. There isn't much available in rash guards in Canada in the winter! Believe me, I've looked. I did find some Xcel swim tights that were great and will probably buy those and get a separate top or two. I've found some really cute ones online.

What week are you there in February? Maybe we'll bump into each other at Black Rock early some morning.

iowagirl

moolyn: yes, a one-piece - long sleeves and down to my ankles. It's actually a men's suit, as I'm 5'10" and most of the women's suits would be too short.

My skin burns in minutes it seems, especially when I show up in Hawaii in the dead of winter. I'm so pale by then I just about glow in the dark. I spend the week in sunscreen, a sun hat and lots of shade. We'll be there Feb. 5-12. We have a timeshare week at the Kaanapali Marriott and usually try to go the following week, so we're there over Valentine's Day and President's Day, but I didn't get it reserved in time this year. Valentine's Day on Maui is TRULY romantic!

I also have to tell you that if you venture out on a snorkel trip by charter boat over to an area known as Turtle Town, you'll be especially grateful for the rash guard suit. There's some sort of little, microscopic sea critter that actually bites - feels like a little sting. Last time we were there my DH and several people came out of the water wondering what was biting them. (I stayed on the boat.)

Maybe someone else knows what these are? I can't remember what our guide said they were and can't seem to Google it.

moolyn

iowagirl, I was just interested in rash guards as sun protection. Thanks for warning me about the nippers too!

We chose our two weeks because our anniversary is February 18th but, thanks to you, I now realize that we will be there for Valentine's Day too!

Which places would you suggest for a romantic dinner? We might have to book ahead for the 14th.