Snorkel virgins needs help in Maui!
 

Here's the scoop: we are non-swimmers and don't really care for the water but we love to try snorkeling. Can anyone recommend a good place to snorkel but only in shoulder-height water or less? We could also use some snorkeling lessons too. Don't mind being in a group but some personal attention & assistance will put our minds at ease. Thanks for your help!

SSN,

My first rec would be to try snorkeling in a pool before you go to Maui. You'll find that it's a lot easier to float horizontally with fins on, and you'll get accustomed to breathing through a snorkel. That way, you'll know beforehand if you're comfortable with having your head submersed for a while and if you're up to it.

You might also consider getting a snorkel vest, which is probably better than those "floaties"--foam tubes, or better yet, rent a boogie board with a leash at the same time you rent snorkel gear.

On Maui, make sure to restrict your snorkeling to protected bays which should minimize currents and stay away from the sides or wherever you see waves break. And go in the mornings before the tradewinds make snorkeling conditions more difficult and visibility worse.

As to shoulder-height water or less, the only area off the top of my head is the eastern side of Black Rock but that would be quite confining and limited in underwater variety. The right side of Honolua Bay has nice coral formations and isn't fairly deep but you have to swim out quite a ways, oftentimes in dark, muddy water. You can rock hop over to that region instead of swimming but you'd then have to deal with the surf. Try the shallow regions of Kapalua Bay, Ulua Beach, Wailea Beach and Polo Beach.

Hope this helps!

I'd spring for one of the boat trips. They will teach you and take you to some great spots. You certainly don't need to know how to swim, and it's impossible to sink in the salt water.

We vacation in Maui every summer, in fact just returned. My husband isn't a strong swimmer so here are some of the things we do. We never go out alone. He wears a life jacket (Costco). Sometimes if it is a long swim he will bring our son's boogy board.
Black Rock at the Sheraton on Kaanapali Beach has easy access into the water and lots of fish.
Honolua Bay is very good.
Mile marker 14 is shallow and good too but watch out, you can't stand on coral.
I agree, for non-swimmers and a great experience take a tour. Molokini has great snorkling and there are many experienced divers around.
Have fun

You can walk right into the ocean off many of the Wailea area beaches and snorkel in shallow water and as you get more comfy with it, just swim out a bit further. If you're feeling more adventurous, take a group snorkeling trip to a further out area.

Ruth

as good as the boat tours to Molokini are, I wouldn't take one unless you had already practiced in the water, and you knew that you could swim a short distance if you got farther from the boat than you anticipated.

Maui Dive Shop might be able to help you with the lessons.

The beaches mentioned here by others are a good place to start.

"it's impossible to sink in the salt water": Oh, good! Now we can let all our lifeguards go and save a bunch of money!

IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO SINK IN SALT WATER!

Sorry to scream but I am a retired law enforcement officer from a coastal county and I cannot begin to estimate how many bodies I have helped pull from the ocean.

The ocean (any ocean) can be safe and enjoyable but it demands repsect. The poster, who stated his/her group are non-swimmers should not be encouraged to a false sense of safety.

To safely enjoy the water, there are several rules to follow:

1. Never go alone-always have a swim buddy.
2. Pay attention to weather/surf reports. When there are indications of storms, rough water, high waves, or heavy currents, non-swimmers (and swimmers who are not ocean-experienced) should enjoy the water from the beach.
3. Swim near manned life guard stands and observe warning flags.
4. Get familiar with your snorkel and fins in a non-challenging environment (pool, bay) before going into the open ocean.
5. don't overdue it. Both the sun and the exertion can tire you more than you realize and tired swimmers are much more likely to get in trouble.

Use your common sense and have a great time.

I don't agree with trying Black Rock at the Sheraton. When I was there in May, the waves and currents were quite strong.
it's much better just on the other side of black Rock, near the new Westin. VERY small waves and snorkeling 20 feet from the shore.

Depends on the time of year at Black Rock. Was there couple of weeks ago and it was EASY access, relatively calm, and big beach area. Was there year ago in April and there were big waves, and almost no beach. Follow the other posters' advice -- practive in a pool or spa - thats what I did for a few minutes just to get comfortable with the breathing etc. Its a breeze and when you are ready there are plenty of shallow areas to try it as everyone is telling you. My first time was in Hanauma Bay on Oahu where it is very shallow far out -- just don't walk on the coral --it hurts 'em. Suck it up and stick your face in the water and you will be amazed at what you see............

Thanks for all the great tips! Is there any place in Maui that will give you snorkel lessons in a pool before going out? In a tour, does the guide goes in the water with you? Is there lifeguards around to watch over you? Have to admit that it's nerve-wrecking to go out in deep water even with a life vest. Thanks again & please keep them coming! We need all the help we can get.......

Since you are non-swimmers DO NOT even consider snorkeling in Hawaii UNLESS you are on an organized tour AND wearing snorkeling vests. Be sure to let the tour operator know that you are highly inexperienced. I am an experienced swimmer and snorkeler and the Pacific is not an ocean to be treated lightly. There are big waves, undertows and rip currents. I would NEVER encourage a non-swimmer to just dive in and snorkel in an un-supervised setting. And I am truly amazed that Erico Smith would say something as idiotic that it is impossible to sink in salt water - really tell that to the people who drown every year swimming in the ocean.

SSN

A critical question:

A) is it true that you know how to swim, but don't like to ?

B) or do you not know how to swim?

If it's A I'd worry less. If it's B, you have no reason to take a tour to Molokini. There is no shallow water, there are too many people and not enough lifeguards. Pretty fish and coral aren't worth dying for.

Talk to some people in Maui who work at dive shops and find out where you can do your shallow water snorkelling and see if there are any lessons you can take. Be very cautious, it's very easy to panic when you're in the water.

PANIC = Drowning

signed, a former lifeguard

I really have no input on the question...I just wanted to say I love the term "snorkel Virgins"...

I second the vote for liking the term snorkel virgins!

At most of the places that rent snorkel sets you can also rent floating boards like boogie boards with masks built into them. This allows a non swimmer the ability to float out and sort of get a feel for what snorkeling is like. I would assume that if you cannot swim you would then wear a lifejacket along with this just to be sure. I find that my perception of depth is thrown off when snorkeling and often I will find myself thinking the area I have swam to is not too deep but in reality it is much deeper than I thought. Just to keep in mind.

I thought that was an odd comment about not able to sink in salt water since I was one of those who definitely sinks & fast before I took swimming lessons. Now I know how to swim & float but can't tread water. So I tend to panic if my feet doesn't touch the floor. My husband don't know how to swim at all. On top of that he wears glasses & I wear contacts. We love to see the beautiful sealife that we heard about so much and be close that you can almost touch them but not ready to risk it all to experience it. Think we'll stick to the shores for now. Thanks to all for your advice & tips. Please let me know if you can think of some more easy places to snorkel or to take lessons. Also is there any particular rules while out snorkeling? Don't want to offend anyone or look like a complete idiot! :-)

SSN - snorkeling isn't like scuba diving. It's fairly easy if you aren't afraid of water and can relax.

If you are wearing a life vest it doesn't matter how deep the water is. The life vest will keep you floating in the water without even having to move your arms or legs. You just hang there in the water.

We snorkled two places in Maui. One was Molokini and we were there in July. The water may be different at different times of the year but I can't imagine a more beautiful place to snorkel and the water was smooth and calm and peaceful. You don't need to know how to swim to snorkel. You just move your legs like you see scuba divers do and your body just moves thru the water.

If you go to Molokini on a boat, you will put on your life vest or jacket, your fins and your mask. You then climb down a ladder into the water. You can just float in the water getting used to moving your feet with the flippers and putting the mask on and dipping your face in the water. Once the floating and flippers and mask feel comfortable, move away from the boat a little and put your head in the water and look down and practice breathing. It feels weird at first. With your face in the water, most likely your body will just float on top of the water unless you start kicking and try to keep yourself vertical. Don't fight it - just let your body float to the top and keep looking down and practice breathing.

Snorkeling is an amazing experience and I don't think you should give up easily. When you first get in the water, you'll be cold and scared. Just remember what you need to do and will yourself to relax. I made my husband hold my hand the first time I went because it made me more comfortable. So we snorkeled Molokini holding hands.

If you think you are going to snorkel, go to one of the rental shops and check out their gear. You can rent masks that are prescription lenses and that fit well. And you can get fins that fit well also. If the first place you stop doesn't have what you want or the salesman doesn't help you the way you want - go to another one. There are many on the island. You can rent life belts and vests there too. The charter boats furnish these items but rent them yourself and you'll know they fit and you can see clearly without glasses and contacts.

Visit with the charter companies and ask them where they go and what the water is expected to be like.

Do go snorkel in Maui. It's an experience you'll always remember. Good luck!

Although I am an accomplished swimmer and have snorkled on vacations for about the last 15 years, I once had a panic attack of sorts (or something!) while snorkeling. I was in deep water on a rough day and I really had to settle myself down by breathing deeply, and talking to myself. I also stayed within view of the ship anchor for awhile! I just wanted to echo Bay Area's comment about "do not panic." Good luck and be safe.

If you've had no experience don't do a shore snorkel alone. Judging the water conditons is a critical skill that requires experience.
Please don't snorkel in water that is very shallow, you'll step on the coral and kill it.
Thousands of people like you visit Hawaii every year and discover the wonder of snorkeling on a Molokini boat trip. Go with any boat and they'll equip you with a vest and training. I hope it begins a life-long love of the sport.

Good going dwooddon. I applaud your warnings to the "snorkel virgins". I am a retired P.E. instructor and have supervised hundreds of campers, students, etc. Any kind of water is not to be taken lightly. NEVER. I don't care how organized the event is or not. It is better to be mentally prepared for any such activity so that you can stay alive to enjoy the experience. A little 6 year old boy drowned at a Ft. Myers Beach pool; 21 lifeguard/adults were supervising. The pool was at half capacity and I am sick about this tragedy. For the "virgins"; don't be freaked out, but be prepared about any water experience.

Since you're not a great swimmer and are a bit nervous about getting into the water to snorkel, consider using a water skier's belt. It is a simple floatation device that fits around the waist. It adds plenty of buoyancy to let you feel really secure, yet doesn't hold your head up at the exaggerated angle of a collar style life vest. I'm not a good swimmer but I used one for years all over the world and it worked really well. Now I use a shorty wet suit. These can be rented at dive shops for about $10 per day. It gives me the added buoyancy I need and added warmth. Even though the climate is tropical the water can be very cold if you stay in for more than a few minutes.

Since like me, you are blind without your corrective lenses consider a dive mask with correction (much like "cheater" drug store reading glasses). You can find them at dive shops. Or consider contacts for snorkeling. The water gives a bit of magnification, but not enough to make things really clear if you're dependent on corrective lenses, but wearing contacts works great.

As for not being able to sink in salt water - forget it. I can sink like a stone and panic in an instant. I agree with all the posters above. Get some equipment, take a snorkeling lesson at home before you go (most dive shops offer them even in landlocked cities). Know what you're doing. There is a bit of an art to the process - like knowing how to get your mask to fit properly so it won't leak the whole time.

But don't give up. I just can't say enough about the beauty underwater. Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel secure so you can enjoy the spectacular sights.

SSN, You asked about "rules for snorkeling". Here are the ones I give to our friends when they visit in Cozumel.

"We do not inherit the earth from our parents. It is lent to us by our children," so goes an old Chinese proverb. This is especially true of the underwater world and coral reefs. The world's reefs are being destroyed at such a rapid rate that by the time our children inherit this world, there may be nothing under the sea worth viewing.

What Can One Person Do?

Keep hands, fins and equipment off of coral reefs and marine animals when diving, snorkeling, or fishing. Even minimal human contact can break or destroy coral polyps and injure fish and animals.

Don't stir up sediment - it cuts off sunlight needed for photosynthesis. The coral reef begins with algae that use sunlight to make food. The algae nourish the tiny coral animals known as polyps. Coral polyps secrete a hard, stony shell of calcium carbonate that builds up over time becoming the actual coral reef.

Keep coral and marine creatures alive and underwater for your next visit - don't bring home collected souvenirs. Buy an underwater photograph instead. The shells you see on the ocean floor have living creatures inside.

Don't throw trash into the water. Plastic bags wrap around branching corals, causing them to suffocate and die. Bags, six-pack rings and cigarette butts kill great numbers of marine animals through entanglement and ingestion.

Protect your skin from the sun with a shirt whenever possible. Oily sunscreen can contaminate and suffocate corals.

Don't urinate in the water near coral reefs. Coral polyps, reef fish and other sea creatures are susceptible to disease-carrying bacteria and viruses from human contamination.

Don't anchor on the reefs. A thoughtless toss of an anchor can easily destroy years of coral growth. A dragging anchor rope from a boat swinging in the current can chafe through or snap off fragile coral branches in a few minutes.

Dive with responsible operators that are committed to keeping coral reefs alive.

Please help preserve the coral for future generations.

When I was a child, I visited all over the Wailea area of Maui, most of the time in the water. There is some really good advice here, particularly about learning how to snorkel in a pool or spa first as well as finding out the water conditions from a PROFESSIONAL or snorkel tour operator BEFORE entering the water. The Pacific can be a very dangerous place, even really close to shore. Riptides and shore currents can be particularly nasty but the locals, particularly lifeguards, can tell you when and where to go in safety. My grandmother would always warn us of the currents every morning as we set off to go exploring. Even in what looks like a "sheltered bay" you can run into trouble if the conditions are wrong.

I would NOT suggest Molokini as a place to visit on your first snorkelling trip since there is mainly deep water there. But there are TONS of places along the shore to visit and I am sure tons of dive shops/guided tours. My main advice would be to get as comfortable in the water BEFORE going to Hawaii as possible. Take lessons at your local Y if you really can't swim very well, or at all, and once in/on the ocean ALWAYS wear a life vest.

The snorkelling in Hawaii is AMAZING. The sealife and plants are absolutely gorgeous. If you use some common sense, the advice found here and that from your local Hawaiian resources, you will have a wonderful experience. My first trip to Molokini was when I was 9 and I LOVED it. It was so beautiful, and the boat tour operators were great, telling us the history of the crater and also all about what we would see on and about it. I'm sure since then it has gotten even better (this was back in the early 80's). Have a wonderful trip and do give snorkelling a try, you will not regret it. :)

Hi, Everyone:
Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! I check out the Yellow Pages and didn't think I'll found anyone that gives snorkelling lessons but to my surprise, there are a couple of places. The outlets are not big but will definitely look further into it.

Now I'm trying to find places in Maui that provides wetsuits. I'm always cold and I would prefer it if I can be a bit warmer. Even checked with Maui Dive Shop via e-mail and they don't have it. They do have boogie boards though. Can anyone tell me where I can find some wetsuits to rent in Maui? Thanks again everyone, you've been a tremendous help!

SSN,

Please do take a snorkeling class before you go to Maui so that you may at least get some more exposure to safety precautions. Bear in mind that many snorkeling locales and beaches on Maui arent' manned with lifeguards.

Most dive/snorkel outlets offering courses are generally not "big" except for Sports Chalet so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As for wetsuit rentals, you might want to try Snorkel Bob's and continue searching dive shops on Maui. Or ask a local dive shop you get lessons from if you can rent from them. Although Hawaii's water temperature is consistently warm as in most tropical locales, I still wear a thin lycra skin just because I feel more comfortable in it. It's also cheap enough that you might want to consider purchasing one. If you want something warmer, you might want to try a neoprene/micropene skin suit (0.5-1mm) or a full on wetsuit, but I wouldn't get something thicker than 3mm otherwise you'll boil on the surface!

Hope this helps!

What about those torpedo tours touted for non-swimmers? I have not ried it but was thinking of trying one because my hubby is also a poor swimmer.

Hi, Myst:
Haven't heard about torpedo tours before, can you tell me more about them?

Also we only have time in Maui for 3 days, does anyone know where we can get some discounts? Heard about some discounts where you have to go through their condo presentations. But there's so much we want to do and not enough to try them all, we won't have time to go through those presentations. There's also the "Gold Card" but we won't use it enough to get our money worth. Would love to hear from others & their experience. Mahalo!

http://www.torpedotours.com/snorkeling.htm

Kind of late. You are probably back by now. LOL, but if anyone is interested the link is attached.

if it isn't too late I will add my suggestions/ Kapalua Bay is easy access as are the beaches at Kihei - esp. Kamole III. You can see fish and get the hang of snorkeling in thigh deep water sometimes. You will not need a wet suit, but Snorkel Bob's will be happy to talk you into one! Try a rash guard (Walmart or Costco) for some upper body insulation. Please give it a try - it is soo cool. I am a water chicken and a poor swimmer who has progressed from a snorkel virgin to an addict. I pay attention to my surroundings and inner feelings. When I get uneasy it is time to head in. Enjoy!

You don't say when you're going, so I don't know if you'll get this message in time...Just wanted to let you know that I am going with my sister to Maui in September and this will be her 8th trip to Hawaii (my 2nd) and I doubt that she has ever put her head under the water! I am convinced she has always had an awesome time (from the stories she tells!), even without ever having snorkeled. There are lots of other ways to enjoy the water-the Atlantis sub comes to mind-and that way you could see and enjoy the marine life without getting wet. I am considering doing it, because I bought an Entertainment book for Hawaii on ebay ('cause it's sold out for 2003)and there is a coupon (25% off) for the sub ride. Just a thought...have fun!

Hi, Myst, Kschico & Andiejo:
Thanks for your suggestions. We are going in March, wish we could go sooner but it didn't quite work out. We tried Atlantis sub before and would like to try something different this time. We enjoyed the sub experience & think Andiejo, you would too. That's a great idea for a backup.

Kschico: Thanks for the tips & encouragement, we happen to be staying in Kihei area so that makes it even better. Where on Kamole III is a good place to get in the water? Any other good place to try? Would love to hear more about your experiences. Thanks so much!

SSN,

In south Maui: Keawakapu beach just south of Kam III is a good place to snorkel, great beach...also Po'olenalena and Palauea, south of Wailea, also two beautiful beaches. Go early to snorkel! The water's the calmest (wind hasn't kicked up yet, snorkeling will be pretty hard when it does) and still very warm, and there's hardly anyone out. We got up everyday at like 5am to snorkel and always had a cool (as opposed to blazing midday sun), empty beach to ourselves. All the places I mentioned have great snorkeling REALLY close to shore, which I like too because I get a little nervous sometimes, but snorkeling is just so much fun, you shouldn't miss out!

love
roxy

Hi, Roxy:
Thanks for the tips! Wrote it down & will check the location on the map. A problem for me will be having to get up at 5 in the morning, especially on vacation. Is 8 or 9AM too late? When you said it's really close to shore, how close is it? Is the water over your head? Just trying to get an idea of how far I need to go in the water before I should give up & try another location. Your help is greatly appreciated.

SSN,

Do you have a copy of Maui Revealed? If not, I strongly suggest getting one, the snorkel maps and tips were invaluable. The book marks on a map EXACTLY where to snorkel on each beach. The snorkeling at the places I mentioned are literally right offshore...no, you won't be able to stand, but it's gonna be like 20 ft maybe...you can always see the bottom, and I felt very safe. The shore is always VERY close by...that's what's so cool about snorkeling in Maui. It'll still be fine if you get out there by 9am, it's still fine,

Sorry, I accidentally sent that too soon...I was saying, yeah, 9am is fine, it's just that in our experience, the earlier the better, but 9 is no problem. Just be aware, the winds are nuts there, like, I heard about the wind in south Maui but didn't believe it til we got there!

At the sites I mentioned, you won't have to go out very far or worry about "giving up", trust me. Maui Revealed will help you A LOT in that regard...also, if you're unsure, generally you should head for the lava outcroppings, that's always where the snorkeling was.

Have fun, snorkeling rules!

love
roxy

Roxy: I have been looking for the Maui Revealed book but haven't found it in Canada yet. So if anyone don't want theirs, please let me know. Sounds like I'll need a life vest for sure. Thought that the wind doesn't pick up until in the afternoon, would it be windy at 9AM? Thanks again!

SSN
We snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef last year. I am a reasonably good swimmer but when we went out on the dive boat I chose to wear a snorkel vest. I find it gives a nice sense of security if you are feeling at all nervous. (It isn't the swimming aspect that bothers me but I get a bit panicky about the breathing sometimes, so the vest is like a security blanket!) We could also snorkel the reef from shore at our resort but I didn't like it nearly as much. If you go out with an organized snorkel trip and they are aware that you are poor swimmers I think you'll be safer than going it alone from the shore. The deep water isn't that big a deal from the boat if you wear a vest. The danger won't be from drowning if you are being watched by the boat crew. From shore nobody is watching you float out to sea even in a vest!! I haven't been to Hawaii before so I can't comment specifically, but several people (tourists)drowned swimming from shore in Australia when we were there. Don't take chances in the ocean if you are not familiar with the waves, currents and tides, it is risky business. The experience of seeing, and swimming with the fish, turtles and even an occasional reef shark was amazing, so if you can do it safely definitely give it a try.
Cheers,
Lin

SSN,

9am will be fine to snorkel, it doesn't start getting windy until midday. And a snorkel vest is a very good idea for you; I used one, it makes you feel more comfortable because it keeps you afloat with little effort and can be inflated to your preference.

Go to www.wizardpub.com to buy Maui Revealed direct from the authors.

love
roxy