We're going to Maui in 5 weeks and preparing our plans. It appears that it is hard to get to 'The Aquarium' in La Perouse Bay. (We've been to Makena and saw no road going south from there). Plus walking for 5 miles on uneven volcano rock doesn't sound like too much fun (if that is the case). Is it better to have a guided kayak drop you off in The Aquarium? I additionally have read a post about sharks in that area - spotted close to the snorkelers. I don't have a real good picture of the whole deal with La Perouse Bay. Anyone enlighten me?

First of all, walking from the road to Aquarium takes like 50 minutes. It's not five miles. We saw several people that had walked there, and Maui Revealed tells you exactly how to do it.

Sharks...anecdotal evidence as heard from an old woman we talked to who lives right on the shore by the LP parking lot: yes, there are sharks, she sees them right there, especially because the university does some tests there on the tiny beach which often involve drawing blood, which attracts sharks to the shore there...also, just to the north of the parking lot (end of the road) is the area of this woman's property, there is a very pretty cove of the bay right there, it is super aqua blue, different than the rest of the ocean, with the little university beach and palms on the other side. It's very idyllic looking, beautiful water, but I'd advise against going in--we tried for a minute, it is VERY murky (used to be a fish hatchery), you won't see yr hand in front of yr face, so you REALLY won't see a shark. Admire from a distance though, it really is a beautiful spot. Our kayak guide had several LP bay shark stories too. But I mean, it's the ocean, there's sharks out there. Stay away though if you see anything dead in the water, the sharks WILL come.

We took a fantastic kayak trip in LP bay through Maui Kayaks (www.mauikayaks.com), which put in at the parking lot at LP, where we paddled out and snorkeled with all the dolphins that cruise the bay in the early morning, then we kayaked over to Aquarium, Fishbowl, and finally swam with turtles near the section of beach called the Dumps. A GREAT trip, check out my trip report (click on my screenname and scroll down til you find it) called "Maui trip report--action packed with details", it has lots of info about the kayak trip and other stuff too. Ocean kayaking is lots of fun, and it makes getting to all those snorkel sites MUCH easier. Although hiking over the lava is obnoxious, but nowhere near impossible, just make SURE you have hiking shoes or other heavy foot/ankle protection. Get cheapo aquasocks at Walmart/Kmart there, they're great for protecting yr feet in the water.

I would highly recommend against trying to commandeer a kayak yourself (I'm assuming you're inexperienced). Kayaking with a guide is easy once you get the hang of it, but the important part is that he knows where to go and how to do it. The other scary thing the old woman told us (and stood there ourselves and actually witnessed) was that people rent kayaks from vendors in that same parking lot, thinking it'll be real easy...it's not. Each day, several kayakers get swept immediately to the rocks at the right and can't fight the current to get out and must be rescued. We stood there and watched people struggle. It's not worth saving any money; our trip was $89 each through their website, a six hour trip with a lunch, and we didn't have to worry about anything.

La Perouse Bay is part of the Ahihi-Kinau Marine Preserve area...it's just a big bay that's part of an extended section of protected coastline with several calm little coves perfect for snorkeling with high fish count and variety. It gets VERY windy as the day progress to noon. The coves (fishbowl, aquarium) are calm and protected, so you don't really have to worry there.

One more thing: Maybe you know this stuff, maybe not...PLEASE don't feed the fish in the reefs, no matter what you see other people doing (because you WILL see it)...it's bad for their ecosystem, and changes the dynamic of the reef for future visitors. Also, please don't pee in the reefs or stand on the coral, it's alive!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

love
roxy

There's a road to La Perouse Bay from Makena, but the latter portion is unpaved.

The hike to the Aquarium is NOT 5 miles on uneven lava...it's probably less than a mile. After you pass a few pools, the trail seems to practically disappear for the inexperienced. Before you know it, you'll find yourself zig-zagging your way through the lava field trying to find the spots you can advance forward without incurring damage!

I only discovered the best route on the return hike. There were faint, red, spray-can markers pointing out the smoothest pathway (and hopefully it's still there). These marks can be found near the ocean side of the lava field.

Would it be better to take a guided kayak trip? YES...that way you could enjoy a second snorkel stop at the Fishbowl before the tradewinds kick up.

This is the first time I've heard that sharks were seen in that area. Spotted close to snorkelers? I highly doubt that. 1. snorkelers stay within the calm confinement of the enclosed Aquarium. 2. it's hard to imagine a shark entering it. And a little research into sharks and their diet should lighten your fears.

IMO, LPB and the Ahihi Keanau Reserve are NOT the most scenic spot on Maui but at least you get to view the remnants of the last lava flow on Maui. It also offers some of the best snorkel spots on Maui. To get a panoramic picture of LPB, check out the following site:
http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/Haw...LavaShore.html

Great question northanna,=D> mahalo to bluefan for your hiking tips and panoramic link, considering a visit there myself in a few weeks

Just wanted to add that yes, I agree that when you're snorkeling in a protected cove, I highly doubt a shark will come in. I don't believe LP bay is like, extra sharky or anything, those are just the stories I've heard from people who are out there all the time. Lots of people are out there all the time and the thing I DIDN'T hear was stories of attacks, and I talked to a man who's on the ocean every day. I wouldn't worry about it, I was just trying to illustrate: a) stay out of murky water, and b) that hey, there's sharks in the ocean, until they get that cool beach house they've been eyeing, they live there.

love
roxy

Roxy, Excellent info! Thanks!!!