Hi:

We have previously only snorkled with boat trips, so this trip to Maui will be our first time doing "off the shore" snorkeling. We are interested in going to the Aquarium and the Fishbowl in Maui Revealed. Suggestions? A couple of basic questions....After the hike to the area what do you do with your clothes, towels and shoes? Obviously the keys stay with you, but what about the other stuff? Do you just leave them on shore, or did you put them in a dry back-pack type bag and keep it with you? Also, how rocky are the beaches? A dive sock will fit in my flippers, but nothing with a rubber sole would fit, so will I be Ok barefoot? Or do you walk in your flippers into the water from where you leave your stuff?

This newbie beach snorkler thanks you for your reply and other useful advice.

The coves around Perouse Bay just a little farther down the road (mentioned in the book) might be a better bet. The trail is a little easier, and there are many separated places to snorkel, should others be there. Plus, the parking spots are being eliminated right and left--but there are still a few near the entrance to the trail for the coves. Bring your stuff in a backpack or whatever, just leave it on shore. No one will take your sweaty teeshirt or water bottle! You will want to wear your flippers or beach socks to enter/exit the water. Rocks.
HOWEVER: If you haven't experienced the nice, easy walk from an actual sandy beach into the water and out to coral, why not start with an easier, equally rewarding (IMO) spot--there are too many to count along the south shore alone.

For snorkeling, we absolutely loved Honolua Bay in Maui, north of Lahaina. Our group ranged in age from 7 yrs. to 64 yrs. Honolua Bay is north of Lahaina and is a marine preserve so there are lots of fish who are not too worried about people. We saw turtles, eels, and even squid/octopi (I don't know the difference). It is a cove so there was not a strong current when we were there. My guidebook says the snorkeling is best in the morning and calm spring, summer, & fall. My family all agreed that it was like being in a National Geographic special. To get there, take hwy 30 north of Lahaina past D.T. Fleming Beach Park. You'll see a Mokuleia-Honolua Marine Reserve sign near a parking area. Go past this just a little ways and watch for a tiny dirt side road on the left. There will probably be other cars parked there. Park by the road and take the trail/dirt road in. The trail is an easy walk and absolutely lovely. The Snorkel Bob shops may even have a free print out map. It is a rocky shore and we just left our towels etc. on the beach.

You'd better get to Hanolua at the crack of dawn if you want to park. The last time we were there, it was closed because of sharks! (fisherman's net had broken and released a buffet)
However, the egress is not as easy as some sandy beach places--wear your beach shoes.

On our trip last December, we headed for the Fishbowl mentioned in Maui Revealed, only to find No Parking signs at all the turnouts along the lava road.

We found a good spot just past the Ahihi-Kinau rocky cove where everyone goes, make the first right into a dusty parking lot. The trail to the water, though, is VERY rocky, you will need real shoes. Excellent snorkeling, and a little rocky beach for entry and some trees for shade, but tricky entry if the water is not pretty still.

The entry at Honolua is over large rocks and the first few feet is murky.

For ease of entry, Kapalua Bay has a nice reef, calm water and lots of fish.
At the Wailua beaches, you can also swim out to the rocky points at the end of the coves, just look for rocks and calm water.

No problem leaving your stuff on the beach anywhere, just don't leave money and camera.

I forgot the most excellent spot: Black Rock!

We loved Aquarium, it is a hike but worth it. A few pictures of the are are at http://community.webshots.com/user/dsg1956
We just laid our stuff on the rocks, only 3 others were there. It is sharp lava, no real beaches. i was able to find a spot to enter the water barefoot, sat on the lava (covered by a towel) and put my flippers on in the water so to speak. it was definitely tricky.
I second black rock by the way.

We've found one of the best ways to find snorkle spots it to rent a kayak, and use that for your base. A dry sack is provided and with a little common sense things keep things quite dry. Honolua bay for example is an easy kayak from DT Felming beach park, so you avoid the parking hassles.

When you go into the water just lash the Kayak to your leg, and it stays right with you. Use common sense and don't pull it into a crowded area where you are hitting other swimmers with it

.Leave nothing of value on the beach or if possible not in a locked car. A stolen wallet will ruin your whole day. I will leave my wallet at the hotel and risk getting stopped without it before I will leave it in a car in a tourist area

If the water is calm an easy paddle along the shoreline is very relaxing.

Always keep reef runners available so you can walk on the rocks if you want to leave the water.

Avoid the black rock by the resort hotels, it is very crowded and the water gets very murky.

Lock valuables in your hotel or car. We only carried our towels. We absolutely loved Honolua Bay(it's like being in an aquarium) & Black Rock was great! We did buy a watertight plastic container the size of a juice box to keep our key, driver's license & $ safe while snorkeling. It had a looped strap to wear on a wrist. I believe we bought it at the gift shop at the Sheraton(where Black Rock is located).Good luck & have fun.

Another "two thumbs up" for Honolua Bay. Although the access was somewhat rocky, it wasn't sharp lava rock and it was a very short distance. Don't leave anything in your car, and DON'T lock your car. A locked car is an indication that something valuable might be inside, and your car may have a broken window when you return to it.

I also liked the snorkling at Kapalua Bay. It was much more extensive and varied than I was led to believe, and entering from a nice sandy beach was great.

Kahekili Beach Park was another nice surprise for snorkeling. A nice big parking lot, big sandy beach, and a surprisingly nice coral garden about 25 yards straight out from the park pavilion, and north of it. Swam by ourselves with some turtles there.

I found Black Rock to be a little over-rated. My expectations were probably too high. Lots of people, but still worth the experience.

I took a small dry box for key/ money/ credit card and glases. Towels and clothes were left on the beach in a back pack.

Honolua was the best!...large rocks are the beach though, not an easy entrance to the water. Do go early before the tour guides dump alot of people there.

Here ia a good link for snorkel info:

http://tinyurl.com/rlgtv

And one more:

http://tinyurl.com/m8nbs

Thank you for all the advice!

Kristen